South Seattle Love 2026

3rd ANNUAL
SOUTH SEATTLE LOVE
CALL FOR ENTRIES

The Seattle Light Room is excited to announce the return of South Seattle Love, our juried group photography exhibition celebrating Seattle's South End. New this year, we are partnering with Windermere Mount Baker to present the exhibition across two venues, giving participating artists expanded visibility and exhibition opportunities.

We invite photographers to share their vision of South Seattle, including all neighborhoods south of I-90. We are looking for photographs that capture the spirit, character, and essence of the community. Documentary, abstract, symbolic, and emotionally driven work are all encouraged. Think about what this place feels like, not just how it looks.

Deadline: July 19, 2026, 11:59 PM
Images: 1–5
Notification: July 29, 2026

Exhibition Dates:
• The Seattle Light Room: Sept 10–26, 2026
• Windermere Mount Baker: Sept 10–Nov 6, 2026

All experience levels are welcome. Show us what South Seattle love looks like through your lens.

THIRD ANNUAL
SOUTH SEATTLE LOVE
JURIED PHOTOGRAPHY SHOW
 

The Seattle Light Room is excited to announce the return of South Seattle Love, our juried group exhibition, for a third year. After another enthusiastic response last year, we're once again calling on photographers to share their love for Seattle's South End, including all neighborhoods south of I-90.

We want to see your South End Love. Submit photographs that capture the identity of our community through observation, abstraction, symbolism, or emotion. Think about what this place feels like and how your work reflects its character, energy, and spirit.

We're also excited to announce an expansion of the exhibition this year through a partnership with Windermere Mount Baker. Selected work will be exhibited across two venues: The Seattle Light Room and the Windermere Mount Baker Gallery.

Each selected artist will have one photograph displayed at Windermere Mount Baker. Artists with multiple accepted images will have their additional work exhibited at The Seattle Light Room. The Seattle Light Room exhibition will run from September 10–26, 2026, while the Windermere exhibition will remain on view through November 6, 2026, providing additional exposure for participating artists.

Selected images will be featured in a group exhibition at both venues.

The Details

Entry Deadline: July 19, 2026, 11:59 PM

Number of Images: Minimum 1, Maximum 5

Max Image Size: 5 MB

Image Format: JPEG

File Naming: lastname_firstname_imagename.jpg

Eligibility: All ages encouraged to apply

Notification of Selection: July 29, 2026

Opening Reception: Thursday, September 10, 2026, 5:30–8 PM

Exhibition Dates

The Seattle Light Room: September 10–26, 2026
Windermere Mount Baker: September 10–November 6, 2026

This is a community-centered show, and we welcome submissions from photographers of all ages and experience levels who have a connection to South Seattle. Whether you're documenting daily life, crafting a visual metaphor, or responding to a personal memory, we want to see what South Seattle love looks like through your lens.

Meet the Jurors

Jenny Hansen Das is the owner of The Seattle Light Room and a fine art photographer living and working in South Seattle. Her work combines analog and digital modes, prioritizing the creative process over the image's origin. Much of her photography centers on the simplicity of everyday life while presenting familiar subjects in unexpected ways.

Susan Cole is a fine art photographic artist with a lifelong passion for image-making. She maintains a studio at the INScape Arts & Cultural Center and has served as Windermere Mount Baker's Art Coordinator for the past 14 years.

Let's celebrate South Seattle—its people, its stories, its light.

Eligibility for South Seattle Love 2026

The competition is open to photographers of all ages and experience levels. All work submitted must be original work created and owned by the submitting photographer.

Images must be photographed in South Seattle. Artists will be asked to specify the location of each image during submission.

This call is open to all forms and categories of photography, with the exception of AI-generated work.

Exhibition-Ready Requirements

All selected work must be delivered to The Seattle Light Room exhibition-ready.

• No watermarks or logos on printed images.
• Frames should be simple; black, white, or neutral, no colored frames
• If matted, please use white or natural museum board; no colored mats.
• No saw-toothed hangers; use framing wire.
• Frame size is limited to 24 inches on the longest side.

The Seattle Light Room reserves the right to exclude submitted artwork that does not meet the above criteria.

Artists are responsible for delivering finished work to The Seattle Light Room.

Exhibition Details

South Seattle Love will be presented across two venues.

Every selected artist will have one photograph exhibited at the Windermere Mount Baker Gallery from September 10–December 10, 2026. Artists with multiple accepted images will have their additional work exhibited at The Seattle Light Room from September 10–26, 2026.

An opening reception for both venues will be held on Thursday, September 10, from 5:30–8 PM. Visitors will be able to view work at both locations, which are just a short distance apart in the Seward Park neighborhood.

Artists are strongly encouraged to attend the opening reception. If you are unable to attend, please contact The Seattle Light Room.

Liability

Selected artists will be required to sign a limited liability agreement.

Conditions and Sales

Sales are encouraged. The Seattle Light Room will retain a 30% commission on all artwork sold.

All copyrights remain with the photographers.

All images submitted should be representative of the South End of Seattle. 

All artists are eligible to apply. If applicant is under 18, parental consent will be required in order to participate.