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 5-7 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 Admin@CreativeArtsCenterBonham.org 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! You have the creative freedom to interpret the theme as you see fit. But if the theme really does not speak to you, no worries, bring us your choice of art.
Artist Choice – every month. Every month is also Artist Choice. If some months the theme does not inspire 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.
All Mediums accepted. Oil, acrylic, watercolor, mixed media, photography, sculptures, fiber arts and more are accepted every month.
- April 2026 – Budding Artists Contest: Under the Sea. Due April 1, 2026. Opening Reception April 3, come and go from 5-7 pm. Click the Budding Artists Contest button below for all of the details. Adult artists – we will only display adult artwork if space allows.
- May 2026 – Plein Air Art Contest & Show. This month we will have something different! We will host our first ever Plein Air Art Contest on May 1 & 2. All contest entries will be put on display in our galleries for the month of May. Plus, there will be a chance to bid on the artwork in a live auction on Saturday evening, May 2.
To be clear, we will also accept up to three pieces of artwork from our members (artist choice) for the monthly art show. (Due date, These pieces will likely be hung in the library and/or East Gallery. However, if we need the space for the Plein Air artwork, that will take priority. We do hope all of our artist members, plus others, will consider entering this special art contest. - June 2026 – Rainbow. Due June 4, 2026. Opening Reception Friday, June 5, come and go from 5-7 pm. This month’s challenge is to use the whole color pallet in your artwork. We want our gallery to explode with color. Yes, you can paint literal rainbows if you like. But we also hope you think bigger and bolder and use the whole color pallet in your creations.
- July 2026 – Textiles & Textures. Due July 1, 2026. Opening Reception Thursday, July 2, come and go from 5-7 pm. This month we welcome and celebrate all of the fiber arts, as well as paintings, sculptures and other artforms that have real texture or simply the illusion of texture. At the end of the month, we will switch out and adjust the display to make room for beautiful quilts for the annual Quilt Hop. It’s also our country’s 250 Birthday this month – so we would love to see artwork that is red, white and blue!
- August 2026 – Destination. Due Aug 5, 2026. Opening Reception Thursday, August 6, come and go from 5-7 pm. Bring us your paintings, photography and other art forms that celebrate a favorite destination – whether that be a big city, a mountain getaway, your favorite beach, your front porch or other special place in the world.
- September 2026 – Community Art Contest. Due Sept 2, 2026. Opening Reception Friday, September 4, come and go from 5-7 pm. Contest rules and other details will be posted when we get closer to this time.
- October 2026 – Farm Life. Due October 1, 2026. Opening Reception Friday, Oct 2, come and go from 5-7 pm. Bring us your paintings, photography and other forms of art that celebrate life on a farm. We expect to see lots of cows, roosters, horses, goats, dogs, cats and other critters, as well as famers, cowboys, tractors, barns and such.
- November 2026 – Scapes. Due Nov 5, 2026. Opening Reception Friday, Nov 6, come and go from 5-7 pm. Show us your best scapes – whether that be cityscape, landscape, mindscape or dreamscape.
- December 2026 – Joy. Due Dec 1, 2026. Opening Reception Thursday, Dec 3, come and go from 5-7 pm. What brings you joy? How can you express that in a piece of artwork?
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 5-7 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 director@CreativeArtsCenterBonham.org
2026
March 8 – 2-4 pm – Ruth Anderson, An Artful LIfe