RE/collection - 2026 Alumni Exhibition

The East Carolina University School of Art and Design invites alumni to submit work for RE/collection, the 2026 Alumni Exhibition. This multi-venue exhibition celebrates the creativity and impact of ECU alumni, featuring work across a range of media.

Artists are encouraged to submit recent work that reflects their current practice. The theme RE/collection is offered as a point of departure, suggesting ideas of return, reflection, and transformation, though all approaches are welcome.

East Carolina University

SCHOOL OF ART AND DESIGN
Alumni Exhibition 2026

RE/collection

The School of Art and Design invites alumni to submit work for RE/collection, the 2026 Alumni Exhibition.

RE/collection offers a point of departure rather than a directive. The title suggests ideas of return, reflection, accumulation, and transformation—whether revisiting past work, rethinking materials, or tracing how a practice evolves over time.

Artists may choose to engage these ideas directly, or simply use this opportunity to share recent work that reflects their current direction. The exhibition embraces a range of approaches, highlighting both continuity and change across the diverse practices of ECU alumni.

Exhibition Dates

August 24 – September 26, 2026

Reception

Friday, September 4, 2026 | 5:00–8:00 PM
Held across all exhibition venues

Exhibition Venues

• Wellington B. Gray Gallery, Jenkins Fine Arts Center, ECU
• Janice Hardison Faulkner Gallery, JY Joyner Library, ECU
• Emerge Gallery and Art Center
• Proctor-Yongue House

Key Dates

• Call for Entries: May 1 – July 1, 2026
• Curation Period: July 1 – 10, 2026
• Artist Notification & Venue Assignment: July 13, 2026
• Artwork Drop-off / Delivery: August 3 – 10, 2026
• Exhibition Dates: August 24 – September 26, 2026
• Reception: September 4, 2026, 5–8 PM
• Artwork Pickup / Return Shipping: September 27 – October 2, 2026

Submission Guidelines

• Artists may submit up to three (3) artworks
• All work must have been completed within the past five (5) years
• All media are eligible
• Selection Policy:
  At least one work from each eligible alumnus will be included; curators may select additional works. Final artwork selection and venue placement are at the sole discretion of the curatorial team.

Artwork Delivery & Pickup

Detailed instructions and contracts will be provided upon acceptance.

Drop-off Hours (Monday–Friday):

• Gray Gallery: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• Faulkner Gallery: 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM
• Emerge Gallery: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
• Proctor-Yongue House (College of Fine Arts and Communication offices at 601 E 5th Street, Greenville): Drop-off at Gray Gallery (10:00 AM – 5:00 PM)

Questions:

artdesign@ecu.edu or call 252-328-6665

ADA Accommodation: ada-coordinator@ecu.edu • 252-737-1018

Artwork Requirements

General

All work must:

• Be original and exhibition-ready
• Fit through a standard doorway (30 in W × 86 in H)
• Be valued at $5,000 or less

Artists are responsible for providing all:

• Framing
• Matting
• Hanging hardware

Additional requirements:

• Sawtooth hangers are not permitted
• Artwork may not be suspended from the ceiling

2D Work

• Maximum size: 5 ft × 5 ft
• Must be ready to hang with appropriate hardware (no sawtooth hangers)

3D Work

• Maximum size: 3 ft × 3 ft × 5 ft
• Maximum weight: 50 lbs
• Must be suitable for floor display or pedestal display

Time-Based Media (Video, Animation, Film)

• Maximum duration: 15 minutes
• Works will be presented via screen or projection in a designated gallery space (Gray Gallery, Special Collections room)

Entry Fee

• $25 flat fee (regardless of number of works submitted)
• Directly supports students in the School of Art Design through scholarships, art kits, visiting artists, and travel to conferences.

Sales

• Works may be offered for sale at the discretion of the artist
• Emerge Gallery and Art Center
  • 30% commission applies
  • Work must remain on view for the duration of the exhibition
• Other venues (Gray Gallery, Faulkner Gallery, Proctor-Yongue House):
  • Sales are handled directly between artist and buyer
• ECU and partner venues are not responsible for payment disputes between buyers and artists (for non-Emerge venues).
   

• Open to alumni of the East Carolina University School of Art / School of Art and Design
• Applications must be submitted through CaFÉ (Call for Entry); emailed or mailed submissions will not be accepted
• Applications from non-alumni will be disqualified