CALL FOR ART – Deelish!
The Gallery at Graphite Arts Center (Edmonds, WA) is seeking artwork for the upcoming exhibition ‘Deelish!’
About the exhibit
We all eat! So let’s celebrate the beauty that is the color, shape, texture and overall appetizing appearance of the food we see on our plates and tables. The Gallery at Graphite seeks new works for the upcoming exhibition Deelish! Whether savory or sweet, spicy or salty, we are looking for artwork depicting delectable food. The design of this tasty show will be to present visual edibles which aren’t simply pleasant to look at, but which evoke an entire sensual and gastronomic experience.
This is a juried, group show with rules for submission and standards/guidelines for acceptance. Not all entries will necessarily be accepted. Submissions will be juried based on quality and adherence to instructions of the call.
About The Gallery at Graphite
The Gallery at Graphite is a program of the non-profit Art Start Northwest and is located within Graphite Arts Center which opened in 2022 in downtown Edmonds, WA. Since opening, The Gallery at Graphite has hosted 17 art exhibitions in its 760 sq ft modern gallery space. The focus of The Gallery is to curate exhibits which showcase a variety of talent, genres and artistic expressions. Our aim is to provide high quality art experiences to our community.
Graphite Arts Center includes: The Gallery at Graphite, 7 artist studios, an art book library, classroom space, and more. Graphite is open to the public Fridays 1-5PM and Saturdays 12-4PM. Graphite Arts Center is also open the third Thursday of the month for Art Walk Edmonds, 5-8PM.
The mission of Graphite Arts Center is to be a creative art space where people feel welcomed and inspired. Our vision is to make art accessible.
Important Deelish! Exhibit Dates
Exhibit Dates: Friday, May 2 – Saturday, June 21, 2025
Submission period: Feb 15 – April 13 (check back here for submission form)
Sunday, April 13 Deadline to enter
Tuesday, April 15 Notification of acceptance (email)
Wednesday, April 30, 11-3PM Drop-off day for accepted works (in person, at Graphite)
Friday, May 2, 1-5PM Exhibit opens to the public
Saturday, May 3, 7-8.30PM Opening Reception
Saturday, June 21, 12-4PM Exhibition closes
Monday, June 23 Notification of works sold (email)
Tuesday, June 24, 11-3PM Pick-up day for unsold work (in person, at Graphite)
July 11, 2025 Checks for any works sold mailed by this date
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
Artwork
- Art must feature food for beverage
- Works should be well executed, finished, and have a professional presentation
- Original 2D and 3D work in any medium may be submitted
- 2D work should have minimum outside framed dimension of 16 inches in either direction
- 2D work should not exceed an outside framed dimension of 48 inches in either direction (Larger works may be considered and will incur an additional $15 entry fee, please email the gallery director in advance to discuss.)
- 3D work should be intended for pedestal display and not exceed 50 pounds
- Artwork must be fresh, new work and original in concept, design and execution
- Artwork must be entered by the artist
- Do not submit artwork that is committed to another exhibition or otherwise is not available for the entire duration of the exhibition
Images
All works must be well-photographed (clear, quality images cropped just to the art) for entry
Second images showing framing are welcome but not required
Images of 2D works, if framed, should not have glare
3D artwork should be photographed with a clean background
Images should be sent oriented properly for viewing
JPEG files only
**Images and entry forms received by April 14 will be considered for use on promotional materials
Image File Labeling
Image files must be labeled: LAST NAME_TITLE (Please! Proper file labeling is important!!)
i.e. Johnson_Apple.jpg; Johnson_Apple_detail.jpg; Johnson_Apple_framed.jpg
Again! Images must be labeled: LAST NAME_TITLE.JPG
Entry Fee
$25 fee for up to 3 different works of art
Entry fee is required and non-refundable
Fee must be paid at the time of application
Sales and Commission
All artwork must be for sale
All sales subject to 30% commission fee
Artist checks for any works sold will be mailed by July 11, 2025
Awards:
Curator’s Choice Award $300, Sponsor’s Choice Award $200, Two Honorable Mention Awards $200/ea
Delivery and Return of Work
All accepted artwork must be delivered, ready to install, on Wednesday, April 30, 11-3PM.
Please do not enter if you (or a representative) cannot deliver your work to Graphite on this date at this time.
All unsold works must be retrieved after the exhibition closes on Tuesday, June 24, 11-3PM.
Framing & Presentation
Proper framing is a MUST – PLEASE READ THIS SECTION
Please consider the appearance of your art (i.e. framing, matting, mounting, cleaning, etc.) prior to dropping off at Graphite. Graphite aims to present high-quality exhibitions with professional-level presentation. Please visit our gallery in advance if you are unsure what our space looks like and how our shows present. Not every work requires framing, but most do, especially for best presentation.
- Plain black frames are recommended/preferred.
- Blonde/natural wood “floating canvas” type frames are also recommended/preferred.
- Works on canvas or other materials may not require framing if the edges are clean, painted and finished (corners should be tight and flat).
- The width of the frame should be appropriate for the size of the work. No super skinny frames on large works.
- Please! No fancy, decorative or colorful frames. No metal frames. No white frames. No glass clip frames. No photos printed on metal. Brown wood frames are discouraged.
- Artwork on paper (including photos) must be glazed
- Plain, white or off-white mats are recommended/preferred for matted works
- Frames should be clean with no nicks or scratches. Glass should be clean.
- All works must be ready to hang with proper wiring for the weight of the work with flat D-ring hooks (or similar). No screw eye hooks that stick out, these will scratch our walls. Wires should be sufficiently tight that they will not be seen when hanging.
- Please! Only wires. No saw tooth hangers. No hooks as hangers. No cardboard with a cut hole as hanger. (Exceptions for unique, extra-large or extra heavy pieces, please note this).
Unacceptably framed works or works that were otherwise mis-represented in entry will not be accepted for exhibit even if they have been juried in.
The Gallery Director understands and is sympathetic to the hassle, expense and time involved with good framing, and they appreciate all efforts made to attain proper framing for gallery presentation.
To Enter
If you consent to these terms and would like to enter your artwork for consideration in Deelish! please scroll down to enter or use this link to enter.
Have your titles, dimensions, prices and JPG photos (properly named) ready when you fill out the form as well as credit card number available for paying $25 fee online.
The artist, by submitting an entry form and images, consents for Graphite to use their name and images of art for promotional purposes, in print or online.
Questions
Questions about the exhibit or submission process may be sent to the Gallery Director, Tara Shadduck at gallery@graphiteartscenter.org
General questions about Art Start NW or Graphite Arts Center may be sent to info@artstartnw.org
Please note that Graphite staff work an irregular schedule, and that the Graphite building is only open on Fridays 1 – 5PM, Saturdays 12 – 4PM and for events on the calendar.