Blackout - 5th Annual National Art Exhibition

BlackOut

Hidden, secretive, sexy black. 

Seductive, powerful, elegant black.

Formal, prestigious, mysterious black.

Step into the womb of night and bring on the noir! If your piece features dominant black or simply features black in a prominent way, it is eligible. Get inky, get primordial, bring on the midnight and show us your masterpiece!

Juror: Daniel Foster, 30-year career in arts & museum leadership in Southern California
 

All selected works will be published in an exhibition catalog and the cover will feature Best in Show. We are awarding $1,000 in cash prizes!

Long Description 

Ashton Gallery @ Art on 30th, a contemporary art center and gallery in San Diego, California, would like to invite regional and national artists to submit original works of art for our 5th annual "Blackout" national exhibition. 

Hidden, secretive, sexy black. 

Seductive, powerful, elegant black. 

Formal, prestigious, mysterious black. 

Step into the womb of night and bring on the noir! If your piece features dominant black or simply features black in a prominent way, it is eligible. Get inky, get primordial, bring on the midnight and show us your masterpiece!

Awards & Prizes

Selected works will be published in the Ashton Gallery full-color exhibition catalog. Accepted artists will have the opportunity to proof their page before it goes to print. Catalogs will be available for ordering online via Blurb, a print on demand service. A link will be provided closer to time.

Three awards and two honorable mentions will be given by the juror:

Best in Show  (featured on the cover of the catalog)

First Place (will receive a double page spread in the catalog)

Juror's Choice (will receive a double page spread in the catalog)

Honorable Mention (will receive a double page spread in the catalog)

...We will also be awarding $1,000 in cash prizes!

Juror

Daniel Foster 30-year career in arts & museum leadership in Southern California

Exhibition Dates

November 8, 2025 - December 5, 2025

Opening Reception

Saturday, November 8, 2025 from 4pm-7pm

NEW DEADLINE!
Monday, September 15th by 10:59pm pacific time.


Deadline for Submission

Completed entry information, including images of artwork, must be submitted online with CaFÉ TM before 10:59 PM pacific on Monday, September 15, 2025 to be considered by juror. (That's 1:59 AM eastern, 12:59 AM central, and 11:59 AM mountain)

Entry Fees

Payment of $40 is for the first entry and $5 for each additional images (1 work = $40, 2 works = $45, 3 works = $50, 4 works = $55, 5 works = $60, and 6 works = $65). Upload one image per entry, up to 6 pieces total. Entry fees do not guarantee admission into the exhibit. Entry fees cover the cost of hosting a national show.

Notification

You will be notified of the juror's decision via email by end of day on Monday, September 30, 2025.

 Important Dates (Summary)

*   9/15/2025         NEW Deadline for entry

*   9/30/2025         Notification of results

*   10/8/2025         Must be postmarked for shipping by this date

*   9/30–10/18       Hand-delivered work accepted during business hours

*   11/8/2025         Opening reception 4pm-7pm

*   12/5/2025         Exhibition ends

*   12/5/2025         Hand-pick up during regular business hours begins

*   12/10/2025       Unsold artwork shipping begins

•    12/19–1/1        We are closed for Winter Break

Visit Ashton Gallery @ Art on 30th

•  arton30th.com
•  Instagram: @arton30th 

•  ashtonartgallery.com
•  Instagram: @ashtonartgallery 

CaFÉ TM Submission Process

All submissions for this show are handled through CaFÉ TM (callforentry.org). Artists are required to sign up and create a profile on CaFÉ TM. There is no charge for using this service. CaFÉ TM provides 960 MB for the artist profile. Artists will upload images and information directly to their profile and reference when filling out the official call for submission.

Upload one image per entry, up to 6 pieces total. Entry fees do not guarantee admission into the exhibit. Entry fees cover the cost of hosting a national show.

Completed entry information, including images of artwork, must be submitted online with CaFÉ TM before 10:59 PM pacific on September 15, 2025 to be considered by juror. (That's 1:59 AM eastern, 12:59 AM central, and 11:59 AM mountain)

Identification of Artwork

All artwork must be identified on the back with the following information clearly printed (proof thoroughly as we copy and paste this information for accepted art in the catalog):

Artist Name

Title of Artwork 

Media (please only use main categories - i.e. drawing, photography, acrylic, etc.)

Dimensions (height x width x depth of artwork; frame dimensions not required)

Price (all art is for sale)

Eligible Categories / Mediums Accepted

Acrylic, oils, watercolor, drawing, photography, assemblage, collage, encaustic, mixed media, fiber art, and 3D art that fits on an 18" x 18" pedestal. This exhibit does not accept jewelry, video, film, performance art, or installations.
 

Minimum size: 10" and Maximum size: 72".

Submissions must be the artist's original work and be for sale.

It is recommended that artworks high in value (over $3000) be insured before shipping.

NOTE: Artists will upload only one image per entry. 

All Entries Must Be For Sale

If your piece sells, Ashton Gallery receives the industry standard of 50% commission. All sales are handled by Ashton Gallery. All artwork must remain in show until closing. It is recommended that artworks high in value (over $3000) be insured before shipping.

All Entries Must Be Ready-to-Hang

Art MUST be wired and ready-to-hang. Our gallery utilizes a wire hanging system that requires two D-rings on the back of your work. We recommend these D-rings HERE and Soft Strand No.5 wire HERE. Eyelet screws, buckles, and sawtooth hangers are not usable.

Artists must also sign, title, and add your artwork's size and medium on the backside of the piece. It cannot be left blank.