Monthly Exhibits
CALL FOR ARTISTS
for Monthly Exhibit Entries
The Creative Arts Center displays a new art exhibit every month.
Our main gallery exhibit features a preselected theme,
and our middle gallery is reserved to display any artwork of the Artist’s Choice!
We also host an opening reception to celebrate the new artwork each month.
IMPORTANT INFO FOR ARTISTS
All members of our community are invited to display up to 3 pieces of original artwork each month. While artists are encouraged to submit artwork that fits the monthly theme, please know we always welcome artist choice pieces too.
Regular exhibit entry is free for Members of the Creative Arts Center or $30 per artist for Non-Members.
Each month we celebrate the art and artists with a Opening Night Reception, which are generally on the First Friday of every month – come and go from 4-6 pm. (But please check the schedule below for specific times and days.) Artists are strongly encouraged to attend, in order to visit with center members, the public and potential patrons.
All submissions will require an exhibit entry fee for September’s Annual Community Art Show & Contest.
No exhibit entry fee will be collected for youth submissions to the Budding Artists Exhibit & Contest in April.
Submissions are accepted during our regular business hours the week leading up to the First Friday of each month. See entry deadlines with the list of themes.
We accept paintings, drawings, sculptures, 3D, photography, mixed media and other types of artwork.
All hanging artwork must have a wire on the back.
Artists should ensure that the artist name, artwork title, artwork medium and price (if any) are included on the back of the artwork.
The CAC Director and Staff reserves the right to reject any work deemed inappropriate for any reason.
The Creative Arts Center, its staff, and volunteers will not be held responsible for damage to entries.
Contact the Creative Arts Center at 903-640-2196 or email [email protected] for more information!
Upcoming Themes & Deadlines
Before you start reading about our monthly themes and deadlines, a quick note about these themes. Some artists use these themes as a challenge or inspiration for new artwork. Generally speaking, artwork that fits the theme will often be placed in our main gallery. These themes help the show have a focus and often make the front gallery come together with a cohesive look. It is also important to know that you have creative freedom in how you interpret the themes. Let your imagination go!
That being said, every month is also Artist Choice. If some months the theme does not speak to you, no worries at all. Bring us what you want to create. Artist Choice artwork will often be shown in the middle gallery, the east gallery and/or the library.
- October 2024 – Mysterious & Spooky. Due October 3, 2024. Create something mysterious and/or spooky for this month. Black cats, witches, forest scenes and moonlight scenes are just a few of the ideas that come to mind. But don’t let these suggestions stop you….be creative, use your imagination and create what comes to your mind with this theme.
- November 2024 – Earth, Wind, Fire & Water. Due October 31, 2024. Nature scenes of the earth, abstract art that features fiery red colors, photographs of a windy day are just a couple of ideas that come to mind. Get your imagination going and see what you can come up with.
- December 2025– Sweets, Spirits, Sparkles. Due December 3, 2024. We will be hosting a Sweets Online Auction on Dec. 5 and our annual Sweets, Spirits and Sparkles Christmas Shopping Extravaganza will be on Dec 7. Create some artwork that celebrates the holidays or maybe features your favorite sweet treat or maybe includes some glitter or other type of sparkle, Where ever your imagination takes you with this theme, we can’t wait to see!
- January 2025 – Old & New. Due January 9, 2025. Celebrate the new year by bringing your new artwork or artwork that celebrates the new, whether that be artwork of a new kid, a new place, new interest, new medium, etc. It’s also a time where we bid farewell to the old year, so you could also bring some artwork you created long ago, that has not been shown in a long time. Or bring your painting, drawing or photograph of your favorite great grandparent, or an old barn or other older subject.
- February 2025 – Black History Month: Celebrities Who Have Paved the Way. Due February 6, 2025.
- March 2025 – Naturally. Due March 6, 2025. Bring us your artwork that celebrates anything about nature, including human nature.
- April 2025 – Budding Artists: Creatures & Artist Choice. Due April 2, 2025. Our kids art contest will focus on creatures – real or imagined. Of course, we will also accept anything of the artist’s choice.
- May 2025 – Red River. Due April 30, 2025. Help us celebrate Red River Arts Fest by entering your artwork that celebrates the Red River area we live in. Artwork can highlight the people, places and interests of the local community.
- June 2025 – Being Myself. Due June 5, 2025. This month’s theme is wide open. Some ideas include creating a painting or drawing of yourself or someone else. Capture a photograph that celebrates a person being themselves. Alternatively, your artwork could be a subject and/or mediums you most love to create.
- July 2025 – Soft & Hard. Due July 2, 2025. We would love to see and celebrate fibers, ceramics, paper, sculpture, mixed media, etc. This month we will also host the Quilt Hop and will look forward to displaying lots of soft and beautiful quilts.
- August 2025 – Black & White. Due July 31, 2025. Bring us your paintings, drawings, photography and other art forms that come in black, white and maybe even shades of gray.
- September 2025: Community Art Contest: Abstract & Realistic. Due September 3, 2025. Enter your artwork in our annual community art contest. We will especially be looking for artwork that is abstract or realistic.
- October 2025 – Trees. Due October 2, 2025. This fall, let’s celebrate the trees as they begin to show off their brilliant colors. Whether you paint, draw, photograph or sculpt, we want to see your trees from all seasons of the year.
- November 2025 – From the Heart. Due November 6, 2025. In the month we celebrate Veterans and Thanksgiving, we want to see artwork that celebrates the things you love. That might be a photograph or portrait of your favorite veteran or loved one. Could be artwork that depicts your favorite people or place in the world. Might be a creation that captures a touching moment.
- December 2025 – Fire & Ice. Due Dec 2, 2025. This month that bring the start of winter, bring us your artwork of winter scenes or cozy fires. Or perhaps an abstract piece full of fire reds and oranges or cool, icy blues and grays.
Opening Reception Schedule
Opening Receptions are generally on the First Friday of the month, with a few exceptions noted below. Receptions are come and go from 4-6 pm. All are welcome to come and celebrate the art, meet the artists and network. Light refreshments are provided, thanks to the generosity of our sponsors. To become a sponsor, please contact our Director, Sandy Barber at (903) 640-2196 or [email protected]
February 2 (Friday) – Sponsored by Fannin Bank
March 1 (Friday) – Sponsored by North Texas Municipal Water District
April 5 (Friday) – Sponsored by Credit Union of Texas
May 2 (Thursday) – Sponsored by Chi Lambda
June 7 (Friday) – Sponsored by Jeri Lea’s Travel
July 3 (Wednesday) – Sponsored by First United Bank
August 2 (Friday) – Sponsored by Texas Farm Bureau
September 6 (Friday) – Sponsored by Glaser Family Charitable Foundation
October 4 (Friday)
November 1 (Friday)
December 5 (Thursday)