250 Years of Expression: Freedom, Dissent, and the American Voice

250 Years of Expression: Freedom, Dissent, and the American Voice is a juried exhibition open to artists 18 years and above. In 2026, as the United States marks 250 years since its founding, this exhibition centers artists who believe in freedom of expression. The exhibition acknowledges artistic expression as a form of survival, resistance, and political agency, particularly for individuals navigating displacement, exclusion, or marginalization. All artists, and especially immigrant artists, are encouraged to submit work that confronts power, challenges erasure, and asserts presence. Artists may respond to freedom of expression as a contested right—shaped by borders, citizenship, language, race, labor, and state control—and as a tool for dissent, solidarity, and self-determination.

Submissions are open to artwork in all genres, 2D and 3D, with artwork creation dates of 2022 or later. Artists may submit 1 to 3 images, along with an artist statement. For video entries, artists must provide display equipment if work is selected. All work must be able to fit through the gallery door (33 inches width by 82 3/4 inches height with a diagonal of 88 inches). The entry fee is $35 non-refundable. Fee exemptions are available upon request by contacting [email protected]. The submission deadline is Friday, March 27, 2026, 11:59 pm Mountain Time. Accepted artists will be notified by Tuesday, April 21, 2026.

Prizes include 1st Place: $300 plus a solo exhibition at Artspace; 2nd Place: $200; 3rd Place: $100; and up to three honorable mentions at the juror's discretion. The exhibition runs May 22 - July 18, 2026, at Artspace Gallery, 2833-A Hathaway Rd., Richmond, VA 23225. The opening reception and awards presentation is Friday, May 22, 6:00 - 8:00pm, with a juror talk at 6:30pm. Selections will be made without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, age, or national origin. Every reasonable effort will be made to accommodate artists with disabilities or accessibility needs.