Open Call
for Visual Artists
Current
Calls
The Black Mountain Center for the Arts invites artists to submit work for our upcoming exhibition, Contemplating Helene: Art after the Storm. September 2026 marks the 2nd anniversary of Hurricane Helene. This show will offer an opportunity for artists to share the impact of Helene on their work. For some, artwork was destroyed, sometimes recovered and reenvisioned. For others, the impact was more about the disruption of virtually everything including making, displaying and selling artwork. HOW DID IT IMPACT YOU? How has this event shaped or reshaped your artwork? We seek to discover how artists have survived and risen following this upending.
We seek artists with varied backgrounds, who represent the wealth of talent and diversity in our region. Interested artists may submit 2 pieces of original artwork for consideration. We will accept 2D work in all mediums including paintings, drawings, prints, photographs, fiber, and mixed media, as well as 3D work in ceramics, fibers, metal, wood and/or other sculptural materials. Experimental styles will be considered. Original interpretations of the theme are welcomed.
The exhibit will be on display in the Gallery at the Black Mountain Center for the Arts from September 4 - September 25, 2026. Selected artists will drop off their piece at BMCA on August 31 or September 1, 2026.
The Gallery is free and open to the public Monday - Friday from 10:00 am - 5:00 pm.
BMCA encourages the sale of works included in the show but works that are not for sale will also be considered. BMCA retains 40% of sales and pays artists 60%. Payments will be issued within two weeks of the closing of the show.
There will be an opening reception on Friday, September 4th from 5:00 - 6:30 pm. Selected artists are highly encouraged to attend and to publicize/promote this event on their social media.
Jurors:
The BMCA Gallery selection committee will jury this show, selecting 20-21 works.
Eligibility:
-
You must live in Western North Carolina to participate.
Submissions:
-
All submissions must be original artwork conceived and produced by the artist
-
Submitted work must be one-of-a-kind
-
All submissions must be free from copyright infringement
-
We will request release forms if needed
-
Up to two pieces may be submitted for consideration
-
To enter, fill out this form and upload up to two images of each work.
-
Images must be no larger than 1920 pixels on the longest side and no smaller 960 pixels
-
Images must be 5MB or less
-
Only digital files are accepted
Submission Fee
The submission fee is $15. Fees are not refundable. If you are unable to pay the entry fee please let us know ( submissions@blackmountainarts.org) that you are requesting a scholarship. It is important to us that no one is excluded from submitting because the submission fee is a barrier.
Entry Deadline:
July 1, 2026
Artist Notification:
No later than July 22, 2026
Questions:
Email Contact: submissions@blackmountainarts.org
past Calls
Seeing Red will celebrate the ways in which we see the color red - both literally and metaphorically. Humans have long attributed symbolic meaning to colors which can vary by culture. Red is often associated with love and passion, danger and aggression, anger and power. Seeing Red will explore “red” in all of its complexity and beauty. We seek artists and creators with varied backgrounds and of all ages, who represent the wealth of talent and diversity in our region.
The Upper Gallery at the Black Mountain Center for the Arts accepts submissions for solo and group shows from regional artists at any time. If you are interested in being considered for a show in 2025 you may submit your proposal. Our Selection Committee will begin making decisions about the 2025 lineup in the fall of 2024.
Established in 2000, the Black Mountain Center for the Arts is a non-profit community arts center devoted to nurturing all art forms. Located in the old City Hall building, BMCA now supports a community theater, concerts, storytelling, dance, a free-standing clay studio, and 10 gallery shows a year. Just 20 minutes east of Asheville, Black Mountain is a thriving small town with dozens of restaurants, breweries, music venues, and shopping, all in proximity to retirement and vacation communities, two colleges, several retreat centers, and summer camps.
The Upper Gallery at BMCA is 15’ x 23’. Some pieces may also be displayed in the front lobby and/or the landing at the gallery entrance. The space was formerly our town library, but is now uninterrupted white space with 28 light fixtures. Viewing the gallery is free to the public Monday through Friday from 10am-5pm. Visitors may view the gallery while any number of other activities are taking place, from dance classes, to harp lessons, and before or during intermission of our theater and concert performances.
The Upper Gallery at BMCA features the work of local and regional artists on a regular basis. Our Gallery Selection Committee meets annually to review potential exhibits and plan the gallery schedule.
The Upper Gallery at the Black Mountain Center for the Arts accepts submissions for solo and group shows from regional artists in the fall each year. If you are interested in being considered for a show in 2026 please check back in September 2025 for submission details. Our Selection Committee will begin making decisions about the 2026 lineup in the fall of 2025. Thank you!
Submissions must include:
-
Up to 10 digital files of your work (multiple views for sculpture acceptable)
-
A list of titles, medium and size of each piece, and price of each piece
-
A resume or bio
-
An Artist’s Statement
-
Dates of availability for the next 2 years
The Black Mountain Center for the Arts (BMCA), in collaboration with the Junior Appalachian Musicians Program, invites our community to repurpose music related objects to make art.
Old instruments, CD’s, records, tapes, and sheet music are among the items you might choose to use. After creating your artwork drop it off at BMCA to be included in our community art show entitled REMIX: The Art of Music.
Insects are everywhere and they are, by far, the most common animal on earth. Whether they crawl, fly, or wiggle, bugs are essential to life on our planet. But by the end of the century, up to 40% of the world’s insect species may go extinct and many insect populations—bees, grasshoppers, moths, butterflies, beetles, and ants—are already plummeting in ecosystems around the world.
The Upper Gallery at the Black Mountain Center for the Arts accepts submissions for solo shows annually. The window for shows in 2024 has closed. If you are interested in being considered for a solo show in 2025, please check our website in the fall of 2024 for more information.
The Black Mountain Center for the Arts is seeking submissions for No Boundaries: Watercolors Beyond the Lines, a show that celebrates watercolor in all its forms! Our goal is to showcase our
The Black Mountain Center for the Arts (BMCA) in collaboration with the Black Mountain Library invites our community to repurpose old books to make art. You can pick up a discarded book at the library or BMCA or you can use your own old book. After creating your artwork on or with a discarded book, drop it off at BMCA or the BM Library to be included in our community art show at BMCA entitled Beyond the Binding.
Beyond the Binding is generously sponsored by
Golden Renaissance: A Showcase of Creative Seniors celebrates the many talented 65+ artists who live in WNC. Our goal is to create an opportunity for senior artists to showcase their craft, giving these talented visionaries a place to share their work with the world (or at least, our corner of it).
Golden Renaissance is generously sponsored by
Valley Viewpoints: Images from the Swannanoa Valley will celebrate the diverse people, places, and perspectives of our valley. We seek artists and creators of all skill levels, ages, and backgrounds to submit their artwork for this show. Valley Viewpoints will showcase original artwork that is reflective of life in the Valley. What does life here look like to you?
Interested artists may submit original artwork for consideration. We will accept 2D work such as paintings, drawings, prints, photographs, and collages, as well as 3D work including ceramics, fibers, metal, wood and other sculptural materials. Experimental styles will be considered.
The Valley Viewpoints exhibit will be on display in the Upper Gallery at the Black Mountain Center for the Arts from April 28 - May 19, 2023. The Upper Gallery is free and open to the public Monday - Friday from 10:00 am - 5:00 pm.
BMCA encourages the sale of works included in the show, but works that are not for sale will also be considered. BMCA retains 40% of sales and pays artists 60%. Payments will be issued within two weeks of the closing of the show.
There will be an opening reception on April 28th from 5:00 - 6:30 pm.
Jurors
The BMCA Gallery Selection Committee will jury the show. They will select 20-30 works for inclusion in this show.
Eligibility
-
You must live in Western North Carolina and preferably the Swannanoa Valley to participate.
Submissions
-
All submissions must be original artwork conceived and produced by the artist
-
Submitted work must be one-of-a-kind
-
All submissions must be free from copyright infringement
-
We will request release forms if needed
-
Up to two images may be submitted for consideration
-
To enter, fill out this form and upload up to two images of your work.
-
Images must be no larger than 1920 pixels on the longest side and no smaller 960 pixels
-
Images must be 5MB or less
-
Only digital files are accepted
Entry Fee
The entry fee is $10.00. Fees are not refundable. If you are unable to pay the entry fee please let us know (director@blackmountainarts.org) that you are requesting a scholarship.
Ways to pay:
-
Mail a check to:
-
The Black Mountain Center for the Arts, 225 W. State Street, Black Mountain, NC 28711
-
-
Pay with cash, check, or credit card in our main office (M-F 10-5)
-
Pay via Paypal using the “Donate” button on our website: Paypal account
Entry Deadline: EXTENDED to March 7, 2023
Artist Notification: March 17, 2022
Questions