Making Your Mark

Making Your Mark explores how a drawing, painting or sculpture expresses meaning much like a language. While the foundation of language is the synthesis of letters into words and sentences, the foundation of each artwork is the artist's mark. More marks are added until you get a final image or shape. What makes a piece of art unique is that special way the artist makes their mark - every mark, brushstroke, or manipulation of material an artist makes is wholly unique to that person. Like a signature or handwriting, the execution of that mark flows naturally and reflects the identity of the artist both physically and emotionally.

All 2D and 3D media are accepted. 2D work may not exceed 36" in width or 72" in height, including the frame. 3D work may not exceed a 36" x 36" footprint with a 35-pound weight limit for hanging work and 300 lbs maximum floor weight for 3D work. Artists may submit up to 6 artworks with entry fees of $45 for non-members ($35 for current Arts Benicia members) for the first artwork, plus $5 for each additional entry.

The exhibition runs April 11 - May 10, 2026, with juror Mark Eanes. Eanes is a painter, printmaker, photographer, curator, and educator who is Professor Emeritus from the California College of the Arts in San Francisco. Artists receive 60% on the sale of their work, with Arts Benicia receiving 40%. The gallery is located at 1 Commandant's Lane, Benicia, CA 94510, and is open Thursday - Sunday, 1:00 to 5:00 pm during exhibitions.