[Deadline to enter June 8, 2025] The Gallery at Graphite Arts Center (Edmonds, WA) is seeking artwork for the upcoming exhibition ‘Seeing Our Planet’
About the exhibit | With the capacity to spark wonder, shock, question and inspire action, the visual arts can be a powerful force for bringing attention to our lived experience. Graphite Arts Center seeks artwork for the Seeing Our Planet exhibit which are direct, creative responses to the current state of our great and precious planet in this time of changing climate conditions. Whether a reaction, or an interpretation, Seeing Our Planet is a showcase of artwork interpreting our planet through the lens of climate change, crisis and sustainability.
As part of the Seeing our Planet exhibit, Graphite will be featuring the photo series Portraits of a Planet in Crisis by invited, emerging artist, Amelia Digiano. Digiano’s works “explore the dichotomy of eco-anxiety and environmental complacency through human stories that transpire within stories of environmental degradation.”
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 19 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, artist studios, artist work spaces, an art book library, classroom space, and more. Graphite is open to the public Fridays and Saturdays 12-5PM. 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 Seeing Our Planet Exhibit Dates:
June 27-August 9, 2025 — Exhibit dates
Sunday, June 8 — Deadline to enter
Tuesday, June 9 — Notification of acceptance (email)
Wednesday, June 25, 11-3PM — Drop-off day for accepted works (in person, at Graphite)
Friday, June 27, 12-5PM — Exhibit opens to the public
Friday, July 11, 7-8.30PM — Opening Reception
Saturday, August 9, 12-5PM — Exhibition closes
Monday, August 11 Notification of works sold (email)
Tuesday, August 12, 11-3PM — Pick-up day for unsold work (in person, at Graphite)
Friday August 22, 2025 — Checks for any works sold mailed by this date
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
Artwork
Art must align with the exhibit description and speak to the idea of seeing our planet as it responds and reacts to a changing climate
- 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
- Preferred artwork is 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 max size 1MB
**Images and entry forms received by June 3 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_Earthview.jpg; Johnson_Earthview_detail.jpg; Johnson_Earthview_framed.jpg
Entry Fee
$20 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 August 22, 2025
Awards
(Awards have not been determined at the time of this writing. Please check back.)
Delivery and Return of Work
All accepted artwork must be delivered, ready to install, on Wednesday, June 25, 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, August 12, 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 a 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.
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@graphiteartscenter.org
Please note that Graphite staff work an irregular schedule, and that the Graphite building is not open to the public most days.