Lines and Layers

CALL FOR ENTRIES & ELIGIBILITY
Falkirk Cultural Center invites artists residing within the nine counties of the San Francisco Bay Area to submit up to 3 separate pieces of original work completed in the past two years, not previously shown in a Falkirk Cultural Center exhibition.  Please provide at least 1 digital image per 2D work AND/ OR 3D work. 

Open to all media except jewelry, AI created images or videography. Only digitally uploaded images will be accepted. Digital entries, payment, and entry form must be received on or before midnight PDT, Sunday, 8/2/26. 

ACCEPTED ENTRIES NOTIFICATION
Notifications made via email by Friday, 8/7/26. Separate email provided for each artwork. Separate email sent listing each submitted piece as invited or not.

ARTWORK DELIVERY DATES
Hand delivery only on Wednesday, 9/2/26 between 10am- 2pm at the Falkirk Cultural Center located at 1408 Mission Ave. San Rafael CA. Do not ship your piece(s).

Falkirk Cultural Center 
"Lines & Layers"
Exhibition Dates: September 11 - October 23, 2026
Entry Deadline: Sunday, August 2, 2026 (11:59pm Pacific Daylight Time)


THEME: Lines & Layers

Lines guide our eyes, define form, and create movement. Layers add depth, texture, history, and complexity. Together, these fundamental design elements shape not only works of art but also the natural and built environments that surround us.

For this exhibition, we invite artists to explore the expressive possibilities of lines, layers—or the dynamic relationship between the two. Whether through drawing, painting, printmaking, photography, sculpture, ceramics, fiber, mixed media, or other two- or three-dimensional forms, consider how these elements can evoke rhythm, structure, emotion, or tranquility.

From the intricate patterns found in nature to bold geometric compositions and richly textured surfaces, we welcome diverse interpretations of this theme. Surprise us with your vision as we assemble an exhibition that celebrates the beauty, depth, and versatility of Lines and Layers.

CALL FOR ENTRIES & ELIGIBILITY
Falkirk Cultural Center invites artists residing within the nine counties of the San Francisco Bay Area to submit up to 3 separate pieces of original work completed in the past two years, not previously shown in a Falkirk Cultural Center exhibition.  Please provide at least 1 digital image per 2D work AND/ OR 3D work. (Nine counties of the S.F. Bay Area: Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano, Sonoma)

Open to all media except jewelry, AI created images, or videography. Only digitally uploaded images will be accepted. Digital entries, payment, and entry form must be received on or before midnight PDT, Sunday, August 2, 2026. Submit online. 

JURORS
Juror of Selection/Curator & Artist- Susan Press 
Susan Press studied both printmaking and ceramics at the San Francisco Art Institute. Her current work has been shown in Bay Area Galleries with an ongoing display at ACCI Gallery in Berkeley, CA.  Sculptural work can be seen on Instagram under susanpress11.  For the past ten years, Susan has curated bi-annual art shows at the Marinwood Community Center in San Rafael.   She has also curated and juried shows in San Rafael for Artworks Downtown, Marin Society of Artists and past shows at Falkirk.  As a teacher and curator, Susan has worked to support and encourage the development of artists in their chosen mediums.

Juror of Awards- Charlie Barboni
Charlie Barboni has been involved in the fair, festival, and art show community for over 50 years, with extensive experience in curating, installation, and art show management. During his tenure as Marin County Fair Manager, he coordinated and supervised the Competitive Exhibit Department, where the Fine Art/Fine Craft Show yearly received over 2,000 submissions with approximately 1,400 selected for the museum-quality exhibition. Barboni has developed, curated, and/or served as a juror at 24 shows since his retirement in 2020, including the Mill Valley Fall Arts Festival, the 2026 Wild & Scenic Film Festival Art Show in Grass Valley, the Red Bluff Regional Western Art Show, the Mendocino County Fair, and the Paint Sausalito Plein Air Event. Additionally, he has assisted in over 160 art and craft shows and provided art curation, exhibit design, and marketing for numerous Northern California institutions such as the Sausalito Center for the Arts and Toby’s Art Gallery.

AWARDS
Friday, September 11, 2026 5-7:30pm. Opening Reception, Juror Awards & San Rafael's Art Walk. Award Ceremony will begin around 6:30pm.
Awards: 1st $100 - 2nd $75 - 3rd $50

ENTRY FEES
A non-refundable entry fee of $40 for one entry is required. $7.50 for a second and third entry.  Three entries total are allowed.

Diptychs and triptychs count as one piece; use only ONE image of entire diptych or triptych. 3D Artists should submit ONE image for each artwork submitted, if interested in submitting 3 separate pieces for entry.
 

ARTWORK DELIVERY DATES
Hand delivery only on Wednesday, 9/2/26 between 10am- 2pm at the Falkirk Cultural Center. Do not ship your piece(s) as they will not be accepted.

ACCEPTED ENTRIES NOTIFICATION
Notifications of invited / not invited will be made via email by Friday, August 7, 2026. A separate email will be provided for each invited or non-invited artwork. A separate email will be sent listing each submitted piece as invited or not invited.

Frame work early, there is about 3 weeks between notice of acceptance (8/7/26) and delivery (9/2/26).

If accepted, and the artist does not have the piece that was accepted accessible to drop off for installation then the piece will be discarded from the show. 
 

SIZE & WEIGHT LIMITATION
2D artwork: 36 x 36 inches; total weight not to exceed 20 pounds.
3D artwork: 36 x 36 x 36 inches, not to exceed 60 pounds (floor installation).

All works on paper must be framed.

The overall maximum width of a diptych and triptych, including space between the pieces, may not exceed 36" in width; the overall height may not exceed 36".

ENTRY PROCEDURE AND DIGITAL IMAGE FORMAT
IMPORTANT: Label each digital image with your NAME, TITLE OF WORK, and PRICE or NFS (Not for Sale).  Keep in mind Falkirk Cultural Center/City of San Rafael retains 30% commission on all sales.

Maximum of 3 digital images for all submission. Limit of three entries per artist.
Submit entries at: https://opportunities.wearecreativewest.org/opportunity/17752/CAFE

How to format file name: Last Name_First Name_ Title of Work_Price. Ex: Friedland_Michael_Spring on Mt. Tam_500

IDENTIFICATION OF ARTWORK
All artwork must be identified on the back in the upper left corner and clearly printed with the artist's:
NAME
ARTWORK TITLE
YEAR CREATED
DIMENSIONS
PRICE OR NFS (Remember, The City of San Rafael/Falkirk Cultural Center retains 30% commission) 

READY TO DISPLAY
All 2D artwork must be READY TO HANG and have hanging wires unless an aspect of the piece prohibits wire. Wire must be attached with D-rings, mirror hangers, or interior-mounted screw-eyes. Protruding fasteners are prohibited. Attach the wire one-third the distance from the top of the piece with a little slack so it hangs close to the wall. 2-D work with multiple parts needs to have those parts secured together on a backing thereby requiring only one nail for gallery installation.
 

Sent from my iPhone

All 3D artwork must be stable, not prone to falling, and be ready to display.

SALES & COMMISSION
By submitting work for exhibition, the Exhibitor authorizes Falkirk Cultural Center/City of San Rafael to sell such work for the “Sales Price” indicated for each work on the entry form. After a sale occurs, Falkirk Cultural Center/City will collect a W-9 form from the artist in order to compensate the exhibitor an amount equal to the “Show Price” less 30% commission retained by Falkirk Cultural Center/City of San Rafael. Enter NFS for work that is not for sale and indicate the value for insurance purposes on your submission form.

IMPORTANT
Falkirk Cultural Center reserves the right not to exhibit accepted work that arrives in non-display condition (missing hanging wire, unstable, damaged, over size limits, or otherwise not ready for display). Artwork must closely represent the quality of the digital images, must be the size stated on your entry form, and must be clean and ready to display. All accepted artwork is to remain on display for the duration of the exhibition.
 If a different piece is brought in than what was accepted through Café, it will not be accepted for the show. 
 

Artwork is NOT to be removed before the closing of the exhibition without consent of Falkirk Staff.

Accepted entries in any exhibition are reviewed for possible use in advertising and promoting the exhibition (invitations, websites, press releases, and other advertising). Your entry into the exhibition will constitute your consent to the possible use of your images for such purposes. 

LIABILITY
Work is not insured while on Falkirk premises. Artist will sign a release of liability statement included in the required loan document form accompanying all accepted and hung pieces for the show.

GENERAL INFORMATION/QUESTIONS
Contact the Program Coordinator, at (415) 485-3328 / falkirk@cityofsanrafael.org  

Falkirk Cultural Center Physical Address: 1408 Mission Avenue, San Rafael, CA 94901

Mailing Address: 618 B Street, San Rafael, CA 94901 Website: www.cityofsanrafael.org/falkirk/

The Falkirk Cultural Center located at 1408 Mission Avenue, in San Rafael, is a magnificent 19th century, eleven-acre estate listed on the National Historic Register. This elegant three-story home, a blend of Queen Anne and Eastlake architectural styles, was built in 1888. Now owned and operated by the City of San Rafael, the estate is a popular rental venue and cultural center for the community. The second floor includes three spacious, light-filled galleries that serve as inspiring and versatile exhibit space. The building does not have an elevator.

Falkirk Cultural Center invites artists residing within the nine counties of the San Francisco Bay Area to submit up to 3 separate pieces of original work completed in the past two years, not previously shown in a Falkirk Cultural Center exhibition.  Please provide at least 1 digital image per 2D work AND/ OR 3D work. (Nine counties of the S.F. Bay Area: Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano, Sonoma)

Falkirk Cultural Center invites artists residing within the nine counties of the San Francisco Bay Area to submit up to 3 separate pieces of original work completed in the past two years, not previously shown in a Falkirk Cultural Center exhibition.  Please provide at least 1 digital image per 2D work AND/ OR 3D work. (Nine counties of the S.F. Bay Area: Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano, Sonoma)