Black Art Matters

The Black Art Matters Tampa Bay Collective (BAM Tampa Bay) invites the African Diaspora to submit work for an exhibition celebrating the full spectrum of Black life, creativity, and imagination. The exhibition runs April 1 – May 23, 2026 at Carrollwood Cultural Center, 4537 Lowell Road, Tampa, FL 33618.

Artists are invited to share artwork reflecting their unique perspective, including portraits, landscapes, still life, abstraction, storytelling, fantasy, pop culture, memory, family, community, spirituality, love, play, or experimentation with materials and form. The exhibition is family-friendly; submissions should avoid explicit violence, weapons, or nudity. Accepted artwork includes 2D and limited 3D creations such as watercolor, acrylic, oil, assemblage, encaustic, mixed media, sculpture, photography, quilts, and fiber work. Artwork must be original, between 8 x 10 inches and 50 inches in any direction. All accepted artworks will be judged for 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4 Honorable Mention prizes, with a possible Curator's Award.

Entry fee is $25 for up to 2 artworks, $12 for each additional artwork up to 5. The deadline for entry is March 20, 2026. Artwork drop-off is Tuesday, March 31, 2026, 1–4pm. Artwork pick-up is Tuesday, May 26, 2026, 10am–1pm. All artwork must be properly labeled with artist name, title, medium, and contact information on both back and front. Artwork must include proper hanging hardware on the back of frames. Sales are handled directly between artist and buyer; it is customary to donate 20% of the purchase price to Carrollwood Cultural Center. Notifications will be emailed by March 23, 2026. For questions, contact Willow Wright, Art Curator, at [email protected] or (813) 922-8167.