Unbound 2: Anything Goes

Studio ACE presents Unbound 2: Anything Goes, the return of our popular juried exhibition celebrating creativity and expression in all its forms. From painting, drawing, photography, sculpture, printmaking, and mixed media to experimental work that defies categorization, we invite you to submit the art that excites you most.

Back for a second year at ACE Gallery, this open-themed exhibition encourages artists to release expectations, push beyond boundaries, and embrace the joy of creating. From familiar techniques to unexpected experiments, we invite you to share the work that feels most authentic, exciting, and uniquely yours. Whether you're returning after last year's exhibition or joining us for the first time, this is your invitation to be unbound—because in this show, truly anything goes.

Studio ACE presents Unbound 2: Anything Goes, the return of our popular juried exhibition celebrating creativity and expression in all its forms. Whether you work in painting, drawing, photography, sculpture, printmaking, mixed media, or something entirely experimental, we invite you to submit the work that excites you most.

Following the enthusiastic response to last year’s inaugural exhibition, Unbound returns to ACE Gallery for a second year of fearless creativity and artistic exploration. This open-themed exhibition encourages artists to release expectations, defy boundaries, and dive fully into the joy of making. Whether you’re working in your signature style, exploring a new medium, or venturing into uncharted creative territory, we want to see what lights you up.

We believe creativity thrives when it’s given room to roam. Unbound II honors process over perfection, passion over polish, and the playful spirit that drives bold artistic exploration. We welcome confident statements, quiet reflections, unexpected juxtapositions, and everything in between.

Join us as we once again celebrate the full spectrum of artistic expression. Take risks. Break your own rules. Show us what happens when you follow your curiosity, your instincts, and your wild ideas. Whether you're returning after last year's exhibition or joining us for the first time, this is your invitation to be unbound—because in this show, truly anything goes.

About ACE Gallery and Studio ACE: 
Located in Oceanside, CA, Studio ACE was founded in 2016 by Executive Director Julia Fister and is dedicated to providing inclusive, affordable, and high-quality arts education for all ages and abilities, from toddlers to seniors, including free art programs for neurodivergent children, teens, and adults. ACE Gallery, part of Studio ACE, is an intimate exhibition space established in early 2024 to support the nonprofit’s arts programming.

ACE Gallery offers both emerging and established artists a welcoming space to share their work with the community, fostering creativity and connection. In addition, Studio ACE partners with various organizations to serve under-resourced communities and regularly participates in local fairs and festivals, offering free, family-friendly art activities tailored to each event.

Proceeds from artwork sales at ACE Gallery support both the exhibiting artists and Studio ACE’s mission to connect, inspire, and enrich lives through Arts, Community, and Education (ACE).

Submission Details: 

ACE Gallery welcomes submissions of artworks in an array of media. See parameters below; for artwork in a medium not listed, please contact gallery@studioace.org before applying.

Submissions may include but are not limited to: 

• Paintings/Drawings
• Limited Edition Prints
• Fiber Art
• Sculpture
• Photography
• Mixed Media
• Digital Art

Special Notes:

• All 2-D artworks must measure no more than 24 inches in any direction, including frame, and must be “ready to hang” by attached D-rings and picture hanging wire.
• “Saw-toothed” or other inadequate installation hardware will not be accepted.
• 3-D sculptural artwork must fit on a pedestal with a size limitation of no more than 14 inches wide, 14 inches deep, and 24 inches high.
• Weight limit for all artworks is 35 pounds (including packaging if artwork is shipped).
• Artwork requiring electrical connections cannot be accommodated.
• All artwork must arrive ready to install (ready to hang or display).
• Work requiring special handling is to be installed & removed by the artist.
• No accepted work may be substituted or exchanged for any reason.
• Work must be original to the artist and must be for sale.
• The split for all artwork sales is 60% to the artist and 40% to ACE Gallery.
• The artwork sale price listed by the artist when applying is the FINAL sale price and may not be changed after acceptance.
• All artwork details listed on the application are final and cannot be changed after acceptance (size, medium, sale price, etc.)
• An artist bio and/or brief information about the artwork, along with a photo, is encouraged for the Gallery Bio Book, when accepted. Please provide an 8 ½ x 11 PDF emailed to gallery@studioace.org or dropped off/shipped with artwork.

Important Dates: 

• Submissions Open: Friday, June 26, 2026
• Submission Deadline: Sunday, August 16, 2026, at Midnight (PST)
• Emailed Notification of Accepted Work: Friday, August 21, 2026
• Artwork Drop-off: Friday & Saturday, September 11 & 12, 2026 (11:00am–2:00pm)
• Exhibition Dates: Saturday, September 19 – Thursday, October 22, 2026
• Opening Reception: Saturday, September 19, 2026 (5:00–7:00 pm) — Artists are encouraged to attend and invite their communities.
• Artwork Pick-up: Saturday, October 24, 2026 (11:00am–2:00pm)
• Artwork Return Shipping: Monday, October 26, 2026 (the week of)

Delivery or Shipping of Accepted Artwork: 

Accepted works can be either dropped off at the gallery or shipped at the artist's expense. See the following instructions and delivery schedules. 

In-person Artwork Drop-off: 

• All hand-delivered works will be dropped at ACE Gallery:
  • 3861 Mission Ave #B3, Oceanside, CA 92058
• Hand delivered artwork will be accepted on the following dates/times:
  • Friday & Saturday, September 11 & 12, 2026, from 11:00am–2:00pm

Shipped Artwork:

• All shipped works will be shipped at the cost of the artist to:
  • ABO/Attn: Bob Boon, 7930 Arjons Dr, STE A, San Diego, CA 92126

Shipped Artwork Must:

• Arrive by 4:00pm on Thursday, September 10, 2026.
• Be insured for its full value.
• Be packed in a sturdy shipping box using materials that can be easily reused for return shipment.
• Include a completed Loan Agreement with the shipment (document will be provided by ACE Gallery to be filled out by artist).
• Include a prepaid return shipping label with barcode (UPS or FedEx) OR the artist must ensure a return shipping label is provided to ACE Gallery by the conclusion of the exhibition (see artwork return instructions below).

Pick-up and Return of Artwork:

In-person Artwork Pick-up: 

• At ACE Gallery, Saturday, October 24, 2026, from 11:00am – 2:00pm

Shipped Artwork Return:

• Artwork will be shipped back to artists throughout the week following the conclusion of the exhibition (the week of Monday, October 26, 2026).
• Artists must provide a prepaid shipping label with a barcode (UPS or FedEx) for return shipment by the conclusion of the exhibition to ensure safe return of the work.

Late Pick-up Fees/Abandoned Art:

• Please note that ACE Gallery does NOT have art storage.
• Unless other arrangements have been made, a late pick-up fee of $10 per day will be charged to the artist for:
  • All artwork not picked up during the designated pick-up date/time.
  • All artwork to be shipped back to the artist for which a return shipping label is not provided to ACE Gallery by the conclusion of the exhibition.
• If artwork is not picked up within 30 days following the close of the exhibition, and no prior arrangements have been made with Studio ACE/ACE Gallery, the artwork will be considered abandoned and will become the property of Studio ACE/ACE Gallery.

Entry Fees: 

• $25 for up to three (3) artwork submissions. The submission system requires three image uploads. If you are entering fewer than three artworks, please use the remaining slot(s) to upload either a blank placeholder image or an alternate view of your artwork.
• Additional artwork submissions beyond the initial three (3) are welcome at a cost of $10 per artwork.
• Artists are encouraged to submit as many artworks as they wish. There is no limit to the number of artworks that may be submitted.
• All entry fees are non-refundable.