Expressions of Kindness Open Call

“EXPRESSIONS OF KINDNESS”

The IB Arts and Library invite South Bay Artists to submit to our Fall 2025 Call for Art: Expressions of Kindness. Kindness is more than a simple act—it is a force that ripples through communities, creating connection, healing, and change. Whether it’s a quiet moment of empathy, a grand gesture of generosity, or the resilience of compassion in difficult times, kindness takes many forms. For this Call for Art, we invite you to interpret and express kindness in your unique artistic voice, whether through abstract or representational works. With the guidance of guest juror Adam John Manley, SDSU Associate Professor of Furniture Design & woodworking, President Emeritus Furniture Society Board, Emma International Collaboration Board Member, we’re excited to provide local artists the ability to share a cohesive body of work with the community!

ELIGIBILITY

• Artists must reside in the South Bay (Imperial Beach, Chula Vista, Bonita, Lincoln Acres, National City, and South San Diego).
• Open to emerging, mid-career, and established artists, ages 15+

CRITERIA

Each artist must fill out the Submission Form online - be prepared to submit the following:

• • A short artist bio/statement about your artwork (300 words max).
  • 1-3 pieces can be submitted by each artists
    • 2-Dimensional Art Only: Maximum 2 feet (24 inches) by 2 feet (24 inches) including frame.
    • Accepted Art: Painting, drawing, photography, mixed media. Sculpture and Giclee prints NOT accepted at this time.

• Weight Limitation: Maximum 5lbs, which includes glass and frames.

• • Must have hanging wire attached and be ready to hang on the wall.
  • Make sure your artwork image is sized to fill the screen and cropped to show just the art. Image may be PNG or JPEG only, 5000 KB max.
  • Label each image with your last name, underscore, and title of artwork (i.e.: Lubin_TheWave).
  • Artists must be willing to keep artwork up for the duration of the exhibit (June 2025 - April 2026). If a piece sells or you need it back, you can replace it with another of the same size.
  • 100% of sales will go to the artist. Please note sales cannot take place on Library grounds. Artists will be contacted directly with inquiries. Artwork does NOT need to be for sale.

Submission Fee: Selected Artists are to create 3-5 postcard size pieces (valued at no more than $20 each) to donate to IB Arts. It can be on a substrate such as Paper, Canvas Panel, Board, or Metal. These small works will be…

• Featured on a pop-up table during the Opening Reception and
• Sold at IB Art’s booth (Suncoast’s monthly farmers market) for the duration of the exhibition. Artists are encouraged to provide promotional materials.