Organization:
Arc Studios & Gallery
Location
San Francisco, CA
Entry Fee
Paid Entry
Deadline
March 30, 2026
Exhibition
Jun 20
- Jul 18, 2026
I wish I could just project everything on the paper.
Patti Smith
With Paper, artists are invited to submit works that explore the creative potential of this ancient and timeless material. Whether used as a surface, substrate or sculptural element, paper must be a central component of each piece. We welcome a wide range of techniques show us what you can do with paper, whether it's drawing, painting, printing, folding, sculpting, collaging, sewing, binding, and beyond. Mixed media works are encouraged, as long as paper plays a significant role in the final composition. This exhibition challenges artists to rethink the boundaries of paper. How far can it be pushed, transformed, or reimagined? At what point does paper cease to be paper? Surprise us with your approach and push the boundaries of this everyday material into something transcendent.
EXHIBITION DATES
June 20 to July 18, 2026
CATEGORIES ACCEPTED
Sculpture, painting, drawing, photo, printmaking, ceramics, assemblage, collage, mixed media, fiber art, artist book, multiple media
This exhibition cannot accept jewelry, video, film, performance art, works requiring an external electrical source and installation.
VENUE
Arc Gallery, 1246 Folsom St, San Francisco 94103
JUROR:
JUROR: Donna Seager, Donna Seager Fine Arts & Artists' Books, San Rafael, CA
Donna Seager is a prominent figure in the contemporary art world, known for her long career as a gallerist and curator. After being in the gallery business for 30 years, she opened Donna Seager Gallery in San Rafael in 2005 and then in 2011 joined forces with Suzanne Gray to create Seager Gray Gallery in Mill Valley. A native of New Orleans, Donna attended the University of Texas with a focus on Art History and English. A lover of books and paper she initiated her annual Art of the Book Exhibition in 2005 which showcased handmade artists' books, altered books and book-related materials. This led to curated exhibitions for the Brooklyn Public Library, The Institute of Contemporary Art in San Jose and she continues to curate book-related exhibitions for The Sun Valley Writers' Conference. Together Seager and Gray also began a yearly exhibition entitled 'Material Matters,' with an emphasis on content paired with a mastery of materials. They have both been recognized for their commitment to supporting artists and for their strong ongoing program of creative, carefully curated exhibitions.
AWARD
A $250 check, juror's award ribbon, recognition certificate, and the show catalog will be awarded to three works selected by the juror, that express the most imaginative interpretation of the theme.
CATALOG
All artwork selected, both gallery and online, will be included in the exhibition catalog. Catalogs will be available for purchase online.
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION
Works must be submitted online by Monday, March 30, 11:59 PM, 2026 in your time zone to be considered by the juror.
ELIGIBILITY
Artists residing in the United States.
ARTWORK MAXIMUM SIZE
2-Dimensional Work: Height 60 inches, Width 40 inches - including frame
3-Dimensional Work: Must fit pedestal sized 16 inches x 16 inches or take up no more than 4 feet of gallery floor space.
ARTWORK PRESENTATION
Artwork must arrive ready to hang and be presented professionally. Framed artwork must use wood frames in black, white, or natural wood finishes, or metal frames in black, grey, white or natural metals finishes. No color mats. No glass, plexi only.
ARTIST STATEMENT
Provide a statement about how your work relates to the title of the show.
IMAGE SPECIFICATIONS
Submit JPG images sized approximately 4 inches wide x 6 inches high at 300 dpi resolution. In order to upload successfully, your image must be at least 1200 pixels wide. The maximum uploadable file size is 8 megabytes. High-resolution images are requested for catalog production and printed publicity of accepted works. Works displayed on-line will be reduced to web-standard low resolution by Arc. All images must be submitted in RGB color mode. You will NOT be able to upload images in CMYK. Your JPG file name must be Artist's Last Name, under-score, and Title. Example: Smith_ScratchMarks2.JPG. You may upload up to three additional views per piece if you have a difficult-to-photograph work such as sculpture or artist's book.
NON-REFUNDABLE ENTRY FEE
Payment of $35 per entry. An entry consists of one to three submissions of images. A maximum of two entries per person is allowed. Credit card payment through PayPal only. You do not need a PayPal account to pay through PayPal.
NOTIFICATION TO ARTISTS:
Friday, April 17, 2026. All artists who have submitted artwork will be notified by email. You will receive notification even if no artwork has been selected. If you do not receive notice by April 17, please first check your email spam folder and then contact us.
HAND-DELIVERY OF ARTWORK
Wednesday, June 17, 2026, 5-7PM and Thursday, June 18, 2026, 11AM-1PM. Delivery must be scheduled in advance through Signup.com. IF YOUR ARTWORK IS ACCEPTED FOR THE ONLINE GALLERY ONLY, YOU DO NOT NEED TO DELIVER YOUR ARTWORK.
SHIPPING OF ARTWORK
All shipped artwork must be received between Monday, June 15 through Thursday, June 18, 2026. Shipped works will be shipped back by Friday, July 24, 2026. Artists are responsible for the cost of shipping. Work must be accompanied by a UPS or FedEx prepaid return label or it will not be exhibited. Put an envelope inside your box titled 'return envelope' with the return label. Include any special hanging instructions. The maximum shipment weight including packing materials and crate must not exceed 40 pounds. Work must be sent in reusable packaging with no styrofoam packing peanuts. Glass or ceramic sculptures and other fragile works must be double-boxed and sufficiently padded to prevent damage in transit. Arc Gallery is not responsible for damage caused in transit.
INSURANCE AND LIABILITY
Artwork is insured only while on the premises of Arc Studios & Gallery from Monday, June 15 to Sunday, July 19, 2026 and according to the terms of our fine arts insurance policy. The coverage is limited to 50% of the selling price of the artwork, cost of repair or replacement cost (whichever is less) up to a maximum of $5,000.
PICK-UP OF ARTWORK
Saturday, July 18, 3-5 PM and Sunday, July 19, 2026, 11 AM-1 PM. Pick up must be scheduled in advance through Signup.com. Artwork left behind may be subject to a late fee of $50 per day.
SALES OF ART
60% of the sale will go to the artists, 40% of the sale will go to Arc. Items sold must remain on exhibit for the duration of the show.
Arc will mail a check to the artist for any sold artwork within six weeks after the close of the show.
QUESTIONS?
Email [email protected] with any questions. If you would like to talk to us by phone, please include your phone number in your email.
Patti Smith
With Paper, artists are invited to submit works that explore the creative potential of this ancient and timeless material. Whether used as a surface, substrate or sculptural element, paper must be a central component of each piece. We welcome a wide range of techniques show us what you can do with paper, whether it's drawing, painting, printing, folding, sculpting, collaging, sewing, binding, and beyond. Mixed media works are encouraged, as long as paper plays a significant role in the final composition. This exhibition challenges artists to rethink the boundaries of paper. How far can it be pushed, transformed, or reimagined? At what point does paper cease to be paper? Surprise us with your approach and push the boundaries of this everyday material into something transcendent.
EXHIBITION DATES
June 20 to July 18, 2026
CATEGORIES ACCEPTED
Sculpture, painting, drawing, photo, printmaking, ceramics, assemblage, collage, mixed media, fiber art, artist book, multiple media
This exhibition cannot accept jewelry, video, film, performance art, works requiring an external electrical source and installation.
VENUE
Arc Gallery, 1246 Folsom St, San Francisco 94103
JUROR:
JUROR: Donna Seager, Donna Seager Fine Arts & Artists' Books, San Rafael, CA
Donna Seager is a prominent figure in the contemporary art world, known for her long career as a gallerist and curator. After being in the gallery business for 30 years, she opened Donna Seager Gallery in San Rafael in 2005 and then in 2011 joined forces with Suzanne Gray to create Seager Gray Gallery in Mill Valley. A native of New Orleans, Donna attended the University of Texas with a focus on Art History and English. A lover of books and paper she initiated her annual Art of the Book Exhibition in 2005 which showcased handmade artists' books, altered books and book-related materials. This led to curated exhibitions for the Brooklyn Public Library, The Institute of Contemporary Art in San Jose and she continues to curate book-related exhibitions for The Sun Valley Writers' Conference. Together Seager and Gray also began a yearly exhibition entitled 'Material Matters,' with an emphasis on content paired with a mastery of materials. They have both been recognized for their commitment to supporting artists and for their strong ongoing program of creative, carefully curated exhibitions.
AWARD
A $250 check, juror's award ribbon, recognition certificate, and the show catalog will be awarded to three works selected by the juror, that express the most imaginative interpretation of the theme.
CATALOG
All artwork selected, both gallery and online, will be included in the exhibition catalog. Catalogs will be available for purchase online.
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION
Works must be submitted online by Monday, March 30, 11:59 PM, 2026 in your time zone to be considered by the juror.
ELIGIBILITY
Artists residing in the United States.
ARTWORK MAXIMUM SIZE
2-Dimensional Work: Height 60 inches, Width 40 inches - including frame
3-Dimensional Work: Must fit pedestal sized 16 inches x 16 inches or take up no more than 4 feet of gallery floor space.
ARTWORK PRESENTATION
Artwork must arrive ready to hang and be presented professionally. Framed artwork must use wood frames in black, white, or natural wood finishes, or metal frames in black, grey, white or natural metals finishes. No color mats. No glass, plexi only.
ARTIST STATEMENT
Provide a statement about how your work relates to the title of the show.
IMAGE SPECIFICATIONS
Submit JPG images sized approximately 4 inches wide x 6 inches high at 300 dpi resolution. In order to upload successfully, your image must be at least 1200 pixels wide. The maximum uploadable file size is 8 megabytes. High-resolution images are requested for catalog production and printed publicity of accepted works. Works displayed on-line will be reduced to web-standard low resolution by Arc. All images must be submitted in RGB color mode. You will NOT be able to upload images in CMYK. Your JPG file name must be Artist's Last Name, under-score, and Title. Example: Smith_ScratchMarks2.JPG. You may upload up to three additional views per piece if you have a difficult-to-photograph work such as sculpture or artist's book.
NON-REFUNDABLE ENTRY FEE
Payment of $35 per entry. An entry consists of one to three submissions of images. A maximum of two entries per person is allowed. Credit card payment through PayPal only. You do not need a PayPal account to pay through PayPal.
NOTIFICATION TO ARTISTS:
Friday, April 17, 2026. All artists who have submitted artwork will be notified by email. You will receive notification even if no artwork has been selected. If you do not receive notice by April 17, please first check your email spam folder and then contact us.
HAND-DELIVERY OF ARTWORK
Wednesday, June 17, 2026, 5-7PM and Thursday, June 18, 2026, 11AM-1PM. Delivery must be scheduled in advance through Signup.com. IF YOUR ARTWORK IS ACCEPTED FOR THE ONLINE GALLERY ONLY, YOU DO NOT NEED TO DELIVER YOUR ARTWORK.
SHIPPING OF ARTWORK
All shipped artwork must be received between Monday, June 15 through Thursday, June 18, 2026. Shipped works will be shipped back by Friday, July 24, 2026. Artists are responsible for the cost of shipping. Work must be accompanied by a UPS or FedEx prepaid return label or it will not be exhibited. Put an envelope inside your box titled 'return envelope' with the return label. Include any special hanging instructions. The maximum shipment weight including packing materials and crate must not exceed 40 pounds. Work must be sent in reusable packaging with no styrofoam packing peanuts. Glass or ceramic sculptures and other fragile works must be double-boxed and sufficiently padded to prevent damage in transit. Arc Gallery is not responsible for damage caused in transit.
INSURANCE AND LIABILITY
Artwork is insured only while on the premises of Arc Studios & Gallery from Monday, June 15 to Sunday, July 19, 2026 and according to the terms of our fine arts insurance policy. The coverage is limited to 50% of the selling price of the artwork, cost of repair or replacement cost (whichever is less) up to a maximum of $5,000.
PICK-UP OF ARTWORK
Saturday, July 18, 3-5 PM and Sunday, July 19, 2026, 11 AM-1 PM. Pick up must be scheduled in advance through Signup.com. Artwork left behind may be subject to a late fee of $50 per day.
SALES OF ART
60% of the sale will go to the artists, 40% of the sale will go to Arc. Items sold must remain on exhibit for the duration of the show.
Arc will mail a check to the artist for any sold artwork within six weeks after the close of the show.
QUESTIONS?
Email [email protected] with any questions. If you would like to talk to us by phone, please include your phone number in your email.