Open Call . Greater Los Angeles

Founded in 2011, Dama Gallery is a contemporary art gallery in Midtown Ventura, California. For more than 15 years, the gallery has served as a cultural anchor for the region, presenting curated exhibitions while fostering meaningful connections between artists, collectors, and the community.

Housed within a 100 year old historic building is the dedicated 3,000-square-foot exhibition space, Dama Gallery. The gallery presents solo and group exhibitions featuring emerging, mid-career, and established artists, selected through a rigorous curatorial process focused on artistic excellence and conceptual strength.

Selected artists may also be featured through the gallery's media initiatives, including The Gallery Hangover Podcast, creating additional opportunities for visibility and engagement.

LOCATION . Situated in Midtown Ventura, California, Dama Gallery, LLC has been a local fixture of the creative community since 2011, with over 15 years of continuous presence and cultural engagement. Located in a highly walkable, neighborhood-driven district with steady foot traffic and a strong residential base, the gallery has grown alongside Ventura’s evolving arts ecosystem. Within Ventura County, one of California’s most economically stable coastal regions; the gallery draws from a broad regional audience that includes the artist communities of Ojai, the coastal collector base of Malibu, and the wider Central Coast and Westside corridor. Just a short distance from Los Angeles, Ventura also functions as an accessible coastal destination, attracting visitors for its blend of contemporary art, surf culture, and a historic, walkable downtown and Midtown district. Rooted in its immediate neighborhood, Dama Gallery serves as both a community anchor and cultural meeting point, presenting exhibitions that engage a loyal local audience alongside regional collectors, artists, and visitors.

GALLERY . Housed in a 100-year-old, 10,000-square-foot historic building in Midtown Ventura, Dama Gallery is defined by its architectural character, high ceilings, and layered sense of history. The building includes working artist studios throughout, creating an active environment of production and exchange, anchored by a dedicated 3,000-square-foot exhibition space that is Dama Gallery. The gallery itself blends old-world structure with contemporary intervention; updated white walls, professional lighting, and adaptable configurations that support large-scale installations, sculpture, and ambitious contemporary works. At the same time, the space retains an intimate scale that allows for focused, quieter presentations, offering flexibility between monumentality and close, contemplative viewing. The result is a hybrid environment where historic architecture and contemporary exhibition design coexist, giving artists the capacity to present work across scales within a setting that feels both grounded and distinctly present.

CONSIDERATION . Submissions for the current exhibition program are open. Entries are reviewed on an ongoing basis, with selections made throughout the month. Each submission undergoes a careful, meticulous review process, where artists are considered primarily for the quality, clarity, and strength of their work, as well as their overall preparedness for exhibition. Selection is highly intentional and curatorial in nature, with each proposal evaluated independently to ensure alignment with the gallery’s standards and the specific context of the space. This considered approach allows the program to maintain a focused curatorial vision while fostering meaningful dialogue between artists, collectors, and the broader contemporary art community.

EXHIBITIONS . The current Ventura program features a curated mix of solo and group exhibitions selected based on what best serves the overall strength, balance, and direction of the program. Each selection is made with a focus on curatorial cohesion, ensuring that the work presented contributes meaningfully to the broader gallery vision. The scale and presentation of each exhibition are determined by the individual artist’s medium, conceptual depth, and spatial needs, allowing the work to be shown in its most effective form. Selected artists are invited to participate in openings and may also be considered for The Gallery Hangover Podcast. Entries submitted will be considered for the current and ongoing Ventura exhibition program. 

CALL FEE . A submission fee of $35 for the first 3 images applies. Additional images may be added at $5 per image, up to a maximum of 20. Fees are allocated to cover the curator’s time, portfolio reviews, submission consultations, exhibition publications, artist stipends, juror honorariums, gallery interns, and other essential aspects of planning, marketing, and executing a large-scale, professionally curated exhibition program. This ensures that both artist and curator efforts are fairly recognized and supported.

COMMISSION & REMITTANCE . Dama Gallery adheres to standard industry practice with a 50% commission on sales. Payment is remitted within 5-7 business days the completed sale, accompanied by a detailed statement.

NOTIFICATIONS . Artists will receive notifications via the CaFE platform or direct email, with final decisions made at the curator’s discretion. Submissions are reviewed on a weekly basis and selections are continuous until the exhibition roster is completed.

CONTACT . For questions regarding your submission, status, or additional entries, please email ventura@damagallery.com. Include your CaFE account name and submission date in all correspondence.

VISIT  www.damagallery.com | IG @damagalleries

ABOUT DAMA GALLERY . Founded in 2011, Dama Gallery is a contemporary art gallery with over 15 years of experience presenting exhibitions rooted in curatorial excellence, artist advocacy, and a commitment to exceptional work. Originally based in Ventura, California, the gallery has expanded its programming across Los Angeles, Mexico City, Austin, and other cultural hubs. Guided by a philosophy that prioritizes the quality and integrity of the artwork above trends and market forces, Dama Gallery has curated hundreds of exhibitions featuring artists at all stages of their careers, while fostering long-term growth, visibility, and collector engagement. Alongside its exhibition program, the gallery has expanded into advisory services, educational initiatives, artist interviews, and media projects, including The Gallery Hangover Podcast and a series of short films that document artistic practice and process. At its core, Dama Gallery is dedicated to building meaningful connections between artists, collectors, and audiences through thoughtful curation, dialogue, and a sustained commitment to contemporary art.

ART REQUIREMENTS - All artwork must be original and unsold. The artist must own the sole copyright to art. Frames, mats & wiring must be professional quality & in good condition. No saw- tooth hangers. Wiring must be securely fashioned & support weight of the artwork. 2D Artwork selected for exhibition MUST BE READY TO HANG.  

SHIPPING (EXHIBITION) - Absolutely no packing peanuts. Crates, boxes, even small packages containing packing peanuts will be resealed and immediately shipped back to you, no exceptions. Artists are responsible for round-trip shipping & insurance (during shipping) of artworks for purposes of exhibition.

ACCEPTED ARTWORK - Painting, Printmaking, Sculpture, Glass, Fiber, Functional, Digital, Photography, Installation, mixed media and New Genres. Proposals may include multiple disciplines.

SUBMISSION TIP - A comprehensive and detailed submission will include at least 3 images, biography and artist statement. Include your website and social media accounts.