On the Grid, Off the Grid

Drawing Rooms invites submissions for "On the Grid, Off the Grid," an exhibition exploring the grid as both artistic tool and conceptual framework. The grid has served artists throughout history - from Renaissance masters like Leonardo da Vinci and Albrecht Dürer who used it for accurate proportional drawings, to modernists like Mondrian and Malevich who employed it for abstract and geometric works. Contemporary artists like Agnes Martin incorporated hand-drawn grid lines with subtle imperfections, while Sol LeWitt used grids as starting points for conceptual systems.

Works for this exhibition may engage literal grid systems, distortions or deconstructions of the grid, or reference our cyber-connected universe and departures from it. Artists may also express ideas that go "off" in different directions entirely. The show accepts 2-dimensional works (unframed, framed, or mounted on cradled panel) and 3-dimensional works. Shipped 2D works must be no larger than 18 x 24 inches and unframed. All works must be original (no AI or reproductions) and for sale, with 60% commission to artists and 40% to Drawing Rooms.

Drawing Rooms is a nonprofit art space in the Topps Building at the Mana Complex in Jersey City's Journal Square neighborhood, showing works by emerging and mid-career artists locally, nationally, and internationally. Selected works will be featured for sale on Artsy.net, and participating artists receive preferred status for the year-end holiday exhibition "The Big Small Show." Entry fee is $35, with 1-3 images required. Exhibition runs February 5 - March 1, 2026, with opening reception February 7, artist meet-and-greets February 15 and 22, and closing reception March 1.