ORIGINAL PRINTS 2026

PrintAustin is excited to announce the open call for its newest exhibition: ORIGINAL PRINTS 2026, which will be shown alongside the Texas 5x5 in the Tin District, a thriving hub of studios, galleries, and creative spaces serving the West Dallas Area. This exhibition will be juried by María Elena Ortiz, curator at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth.

ORIGINAL PRINTS 2026 is an exhibition celebrating the long-standing cultural and historical impact of printmaking by showcasing artists who use traditional and innovative approaches in contemporary printmaking to keep the tradition alive. Eligible processes include lithography, relief, intaglio, silkscreen, photopolymer plate (i.e. SolarPlates), and monotype. Solely digital and photographic prints are not eligible. For questions regarding eligible media, please contact info@printaustin.org. 

ORIGINAL PRINTS 2026 is an exhibition celebrating the long-standing cultural and historical impact of printmaking by showcasing artists who use traditional and innovative approaches in contemporary printmaking to keep the tradition alive. Eligible processes include lithography, relief, intaglio, silkscreen, photopolymer plate (i.e. SolarPlates), and monotype. Solely digital and photographic prints are not eligible. For questions regarding eligible media, please contact info@printaustin.org. 

Please visit printaustin.org or email info@printaustin.org for more information.

EXHIBITION DATES:  September 24 - October 24, 2026
OPENING RECEPTION:  TBD
VENUE: 516 Fabrication St, Dallas, TX, 75212

ABOUT PRINTAUSTIN  
PrintAustin is an artist-led nonprofit organization working with organizations and individuals throughout the Austin visual arts community to showcase traditional and contemporary approaches in printmaking during its annual festival, held January 15 through February 15. Visit printaustin.org to learn more about our open calls, and other exhibition and collaboration opportunities. You may also find us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. 

ABOUT THE JUROR  
María Elena Ortiz, curator at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, comes to the Modern from the Pérez Art Museum in Miami (PAMM), where she curated discerning exhibitions such as Allied with Power: African and African Diaspora Art from the Jorge M. Pérez Collection and The Other Side of Now: Foresight in Caribbean Art. 

With curatorial research informed by African diaspora, Latin American, and Latinx art histories, Ortiz’s scholarship and insights are sought-after and timely; she has received international writing, curatorial, and speaking invitations from prestigious institutions including the Whitney Museum of American Art, New York; the National Museum of African American Art and Culture, Washington DC; Museo de Arte Contemporaneo, San Juan; Matadero, Madrid; Museu Arte Contempoaneo, Barcelona; and Videobrasil, São Paulo.

ELIGIBILITY 
Open to national and international artists 18 years or older. Any 2-D or 3-D works including ceramics, sculpture, mixed media, and artist books that uses printmaking as the sole or primary technique in its execution are eligible. Unless an installation, work cannot exceed 72 inches (183 cm) in any direction. Artists may enter multiple images/detail images for entries consisting of installations or 3-D works by sending attachments to info@printaustin.org.

IMPORTANT DATES

JUNE 18                     Call opens!
AUGUST 15                Registration Deadline! 11:59 PM (MT)
SEPTEMBER 3           Email notifications sent
SEPTEMBER 17         Artwork due

Refer to direct correspondence from PrintAustin for updated info. Hand-delivery arranged upon request only. 
September 24 - October 24, 2026  Exhibition dates. 

COMMISSIONS & FEES
We encourage artwork sales. For the exhibit, artist receives 70% commission, while PrintAustin retains a 30% commission. Commissions on sales will help support PrintAustin's programming. 

SALES & COPYRIGHTS  
Your entry grants PrintAustin and The Tin District, along with their gallery at 516 Fabrication St, permission to use artist statements, artist biography, and image(s) of your work in catalogs, websites, and any marketing or public relations materials. PrintAustin will provide image credit with the information you provide on your application.

FEES AND DISCOUNTS
PrintAustin Members: $10 entry fee, includes 3 submissions. Each additional submission will have a fee of $10. Visit printaustin.org/membership to become a member. Be sure to register using the same name as your membership or your entry will be automatically deleted on the date the call closes.

Fee for non-members: $35 entry fee, includes 3 submissions. Each additional submission will have a fee of $10. We understand that tough economic times have affected artists disproportionately. If you are unable to pay the application fee, please contact us at info@printaustin.org as we have a limited number of reduced entries for this reason. For those able to pay and help support our organization, the entry fee is due at the time of submission.

FILE FORMAT

JPEG (“Quality” set to Maximum). The recommended image size is 1920 pixels on the shortest side at a resolution of at least 300 dpi.

Audio and video files may be submitted if essential to represent the work (i.e. time-based works, etc.). MP3 files may be submitted for audio. MP4 files may be submitted for video. All submissions must include at least one JPEG.

File Name: First Name_Last Name_Image # (e.g.: Albrecht_Durer_1.jpg)

CATALOG 

Once selected, artists will be required to submit hi-res images of their work along with an artist statement. 

FRAMING REQUIREMENTS  

Once accepted, all work must be presented professionally as a cohesive group show. For this purpose, we require the following:
o    Prints should be professionally matted/floated and framed, and be installation ready
o    No sawtooth hangers
o    Plexiglass only
o    White or off-white mats
o    Artists with exceptionally large work have the option to ship prints rolled or flat, and unframed (to be hung with a magnet system provided by PrintAustin). This must be cleared by the gallery before shipping. 
Exceptions to above requirements include only works larger than 40 inches, 3-D works, and artist books.

For any special installation requirements, artist must provide a visual and detailed instructions included in the packaging or via email. We strongly encourage artists to contact info@printaustin.org to discuss special installation prior to shipping.

To ensure the quality of the exhibition, PrintAustin reserves the right to exclude any entry that presents complex hanging/exhibition problems or is not professionally framed.

PrintAustin may also reject any work that is not accurately represented in the digital file. The decision is final.

NOTIFICATIONS
Email notifications will be sent to all artists by September 3, 2026.

SHIPPING AND INSURANCE
o    Selected artists will receive a shipping stipend, courtesy of PrintAustin. Stipend amount minimum will be $50, exact amount TBD.
o    Artists are responsible for return shipping, and must include a prepaid return label. Your work will not be installed without it. What we suggest doing is creating an account with Fed Ex or UPS so your return shipping can be from Dallas. The bar code should allow for the amount to be deducted regardless of where it's being shipped from. **IMPORTANT: While selected artists will receive a shipping stipend, artists are responsible for arranging shipping. You MUST include an easily located prepaid return shipping label with artwork. If you do not, your work will not be included in exhibit.
o    Shipped work must be packaged in a reusable carton, box, or crate.
o    NO PACKING PEANUTS.
o    PrintAustin will insure all works while in the gallery.
o    Artists are responsible for any damage or loss during transit.
o    Shipped works must be delivered to the gallery according to our schedule (see direct email from PrintAustin)
o    Hand-delivery arranged upon request ONLY.

An artist statement and a high resolution jpeg of selected work will be required and requested once accepted for catalogue and promotional media use. Loan agreement will be provided by PrintAustin and the Tin District’s gallery at 516 Fabrication St, if applicable, and will be emailed with your acceptance. Signed agreement must accompany the artwork when shipping.

Shipping address will be provided upon acceptance. 

ORIGINAL PRINTS 2026 is an exhibition celebrating the long-standing cultural and historical impact of printmaking by showcasing artists who use traditional and innovative approaches in contemporary printmaking to keep the tradition alive. Eligible processes include lithography, relief, intaglio, silkscreen, photopolymer plate (i.e. SolarPlates), and monotype. Solely digital and photographic prints are not eligible. For questions regarding eligible media, please contact info@printaustin.org. 

Please visit printaustin.org or email info@printaustin.org for more information.

ELIGIBILITY Open to local, national, and international artists 18 years or older. Any 2-D or 3-D work including ceramics, sculpture, mixed media, and artist books that uses printmaking as the sole or primary technique in its execution are eligible. Unless an installation, work cannot exceed 72 inches (183 cm) in any direction. Artists may enter multiple images/detail images for entries consisting of installations or 3-D works by sending attachments to info@printaustin.org.