Open Field – Artist Call

At large scale the work can become its own world! 

Theme

Open Field is our first exhibition dedicated entirely to abstract work. We think that scale changes the dynamic and perception. At 24 inches and beyond, a painting stops being an object on a wall and starts creating its own atmosphere.

We are seeking works in which size is important to the composition.  A field of color that requires space to breathe. A mark that needs room to move. A composition whose tension only resolves when seen at the scale the artist chose. Open Field seeks the creation of immersive experiences.

What we are looking for –  Work in which scale is an active choice, necessary to fulfill the intent of the composition.  We welcome the full range of abstract approaches — gestural, geometric, process-based, layered, poured, drawn, printed, or stitched. Works may explore color, gesture, structure or even silence 

All works must measure a minimum of 24 inches on any side. Only 2 gallery panels can hold works wider than 36”.   All 2D media accepted — painting, drawing, printmaking, pastel, mixed media, collage, photography, and fiber. No 3D or sculptural work. No video or AI-generated work.

You may submit up to 3 pieces of work, but acceptance of ANY work will be juried for overall fit among all the submitted works and the impact that any one piece has on the overall exhibit. 

About the Judge

Judge: To be announced.

Location & Key Dates

• Location: MAC Downtown Gallery — 40 Railroad Ave South, Milford, CT
• Online Submission Deadline: Sunday, December 20, 2026, at midnight
  • Online Form link is found below.

• Acceptance notification: December 22–23, 2026
• Works intake: Tuesday, December 29 – Thursday, December 31, 12–6pm
• Installation: Tuesday, January 5, 2027, 9am–1pm
• Opening reception: Thursday, January 14, 2027, 6–8pm
• Gallery hours: January 15 – March 5, Tuesday–Friday, 12–4pm
• Art pickup: Saturday, March 6, 10am–1pm and Sunday, March 7, 12–3pm

Eligibility

• Submissions are open to any artist at least 18 years old.
• Work must be original — your own concept and design.
• Work must have been created within the past three years and not previously exhibited at a Milford Arts Council gallery.
• Dimensions accepted: Two-dimensional works only (MAC Downtown Gallery).
• Maximum size: No stated maximum — minimum size is 24 inches on any side, consistent with this exhibition’s large-scale theme.
• Maximum weight: 20 lbs.
• Accepted media: This exhibit is dedicated to abstract work. Submissions are open to all two-dimensional media including painting, drawing, printmaking, and mixed media, provided the work is abstract in nature and meets the minimum size requirement above.

Repeating:  All works must measure a minimum of 24 inches on any side. Only 2 gallery panels can hold works wider than 36”.  Acceptance of any work will be juried for overall fit among all the submitted works and the impact that the piece has on the overall exhibit. 

Not eligible

• Work created in a class or workshop
• Reproductions of another artist’s work
• AI-generated works
• Giclée prints
• Audio or video works

How to Submit

Entry limits and fees

• You may submit up to 3 pieces of work for consideration.
  • Acceptance of ANY work will be juried for overall fit among all the submitted works and the impact that any one piece has on the overall exhibit.
• Entry fee: $20 for the first work / $10 for each additional work
• Entry fees are non-refundable.
• MAC member discounts apply — log in to the shopping cart to access your member rate.
• Only submissions with a paid entry fee received by the deadline are considered by the jury.

Submitting your work

All submissions are made through our online Google Form. Click the Submission Form button on this page to get started.

Google Forms requires you to be signed into a Google account to open the form. Once the form is open, you may enter any valid email address — it does not need to be a Gmail address. That email is how we will reach you about acceptance and exhibit details.

If you don’t have a Google account, you can create one free at gmail.com, or ask a trusted friend to open the form for you.

Section 1 — Your contact information

• Enter your name, email address, and mobile phone number.
• Double-check your email address — this is the only way we can reach you about acceptance.
• Include a mobile number. We may call or text if we need to reach you quickly.

Section 2 — Your artwork

• Upload one photo per artwork. The photo is used by the jury during the selection process.
• Photograph your work against a plain background. Include the entire piece — with frame if framed.
• Accepted file formats: JPEG, PNG, HEIC, WEBP
• Name your photo file: YourName_TitleOfWork
• Provide for each work: title, medium, dimensions (including frame), and price or NFS.
• Optional but helpful: include a brief artist statement about the work.

Section 3 — Terms of entry

• Read the Terms of Entry carefully before submitting.
• After you submit, a confirmation page will appear with payment links.
• You can also pay from the payment links at the bottom of the exhibit page — they are equivalent.

Jury & Acceptance

This is a juried exhibit. Works are selected by our juror based on the criteria described in this prospectus — theme, media, dimensions, and overall quality. Work may also be declined if it does not fit the exhibition space or lacks sufficient visual impact at scale.

• All accepted and declined artists are notified by email within 2–3 days of the submission deadline.
• Notification emails come from visualarts@milfordarts.org — add this address to your contacts to make sure it doesn’t go to spam.
• The MAC reserves the right to decline work at intake if it does not meet the specifications in this prospectus.

Awards

Awards are presented at the opening reception and announced on the MAC website.

First Place — $250  /  Second Place — $150  /  Third Place — $100

Award winners are notified by email before the opening reception.

Judges generally evaluate work based on how well it interprets the exhibit theme, as well as originality, craftsmanship, composition, and presentation. Framing and mounting are considered.

Preparing Your Work

A well-presented piece reflects on you and your work — and makes it more likely to sell. Please bring work that is clean, dry, and properly prepared for display before intake.

Work on paper

• Mount under glass or Plexiglas, matted and framed.
• Choose a frame and mat that complement your work.
• Make sure glass and mat are clean.

Work on canvas or panel

• May be submitted unframed.
• Edges should be finished — continue the painting around the edge, or paint the sides a solid black or complementary color.

Wiring your work

All 2D work must be wired with a twisted steel picture-hanging wire before intake. Work that is not properly wired, or weighs more than 20 lbs,  will not be accepted. 

If your large work does not lend itself to the standard wiring technique listed below, please include a description of your installation method in the submission document.  We may contact you to discuss alternate installation types.

• Use D-ring hardware attached to the frame (not the backing). Screw eyes are not accepted — they don’t lie flat on the wall.
• Attach wire approximately one-third of the frame height down from the top.
• Leave enough slack so the wire peaks about 2 inches below the top of the frame — this hides the picture hook.
• Use wire rated to hold the weight of your work securely.
• For more detail about wiring, see this best practices guide. 

Not accepted: clip frames, sawtooth hangers, French cleats, or brackets.

Labeling your work

• Permanently label the back of each work with your name, title, and contact information.
• Attach a temporary paper tag to the front so our curator can match your work to its wall label during installation.

Shipping artwork

We will not be accepting shipped artwork deliveries for this exhibit. You must deliver your items in person on the drop off dates.

Sales

• All sales are handled by MAC staff during the exhibit.
• Connecticut state sales tax applies to all sales.
• The MAC receives a 30% commission on all sales — please price your work accordingly.
• Works may be listed as NFS (not for sale).

General Terms of Entry

This is a juried exhibit. A non-refundable entry fee must be paid for work to be considered by the jury. Submission does not guarantee acceptance. Fees paid for unaccepted works are NOT REFUNDABLE.

The Milford Arts Council takes reasonable care of all works deposited in our galleries. However, works are accepted on the condition that the MAC and its staff are not liable for loss or damage to artwork while it is in our care or in transit. Artists are encouraged to maintain their own insurance coverage.

It is the artist’s responsibility to deliver accepted work that meets the specifications in this prospectus — correct media, dimensions, and wiring. The MAC reserves the right to decline work at intake that does not comply.

Artwork not collected within 30 days of the scheduled pickup date becomes the property of the Milford Arts Council.

Submission Form and Payment Links

FORM –  Open and complete the submission form via the link below. Get form confirmation email, then pay the fees. 

FEE PAYMENT – Use the payment button that matches the number of items you are submitting to the show.

Questions?

Contact our Visual Arts team — we’re happy to help.

• Email: visualarts@milfordarts.org
• Phone: 203-878-6647  (Tuesday – Friday, 12–4pm)

milfordarts.org  |  40 Railroad Ave South, Milford, CT

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