Seeing Red

Juror: Donna Seager

AWARDS: 1st $1,500, 2nd $1,000, 3rd $500

Red is humanity’s oldest, most primordial pigment. Long before it anchored the cozy, nostalgic warmth of our modern holiday season, red was the color of survival, sacred ritual, and absolute power. It is the first color the human eye registers after black and white, flashing an elemental command to stop, look, and feel. For this winter’s juried exhibition, we invite artists to subvert, celebrate, and explore the vast, paradoxical history of this intoxicating hue.

Exhibition Timeline

Submission Deadline: October 6, 2026

Acceptance Notification: October 12, 2026

Shipped artwork must arrive no later than November 6, 2026

Accepted work brought to gallery November 6, 7, 8 at 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM           

Exhibition Dates: November 14, 2026 –  12/27/2026

Opening Reception: November 14, 2026, 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Artwork to be picked up on December 28 and 29, 2026, 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM; no exceptions. Artwork storage is not available.

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Seeing Red: A Juried Winter Exhibition

AWARDS: 1st $1,500, 2nd $1,000, 3rd $500

Red is humanity’s oldest, most primordial pigment. Long before it anchored the cozy, nostalgic warmth of our modern holiday season, red was the color of survival, sacred ritual, and absolute power. It is the first color the human eye registers after black and white, flashing an elemental command to stop, look, and feel. For this winter’s juried exhibition, we invite artists to subvert, celebrate, and explore the vast, paradoxical history of this intoxicating hue.

 SEED OF LIFE & DEADLY BEAUTY: From prehistoric red ochre cave paintings to the toxic, mesmerizing glow of Renaissance vermilion and cinnabar.

 THE GARMENT OF POWER: The commanding scarlet of Roman emperors, Ming dynasty ceramic dragons, and the defiant robes of Catholic cardinals.

SACRIFICE & SEDUCTION: The thin line between the sacred and the profane—the blood of martyrs alongside the crimson flush of romantic passion, desire, and temptation.

REVOLUTION & LIBERTY: The roaring, angry banners of political uprising, French revolutionaries, and a global cry for freedom.

PROTECTION & PROSPERITY: The joyous, pure red of Eastern bridal wear, and the protective talismans meant to ward off evil spirits. 

Your work may confront the viewer with a screaming, immersive field of pure crimson reminiscent of Matisse’s Red Studio. Alternatively, it can feature a single, calculated spark of cadmium that utterly dictates an otherwise quiet, monochromatic landscape. Show us what it truly means to "see red."

Jurror

Donna Seager is well-known for her long career as a gallerist and curator. After 30 years in the gallery business, she opened Donna Seager Gallery in San Rafael in 2005 and, in 2011, joined forces with Suzanne Gray to create Seager Gray Gallery in Mill Valley. A lover of books and paper, she launched her annual Art of the Book Exhibition in 2005, showcasing handmade artists’ books, altered books, and book-related materials. This led to curated exhibitions for the Brooklyn Public Library, The Institute of Contemporary Art in San Jose, and she continues to curate book-related exhibitions for The Sun Valley Writers’ Conference. Together, Seager and Gray also began a yearly exhibition titled “Material Matters,” emphasizing content paired with mastery of materials. She has been recognized for her commitment to supporting artists and for her creativity in presenting innovative exhibitions. At the closing of Seager Gray Gallery, Donna opened Donna Seager Fine Arts & Artists’ Books with a small gallery space in San Rafael. 

Please capitalize the first letters of all names, titles, and medium in application. This is important as the labels for the exhibition will come directly from this form.

Exhibition Timeline

Submission Deadline: October 6, 2026

Acceptance Notification: October 12, 2026

Shipped artwork must arrive no later than November 6, 2026

Accepted work brought to gallery November 6, 7, 8 at 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM           

Exhibition Dates: November 14, 2026 –  12/27/2026

Opening Reception: November 14, 2026, 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Artwork to be picked up on December 28 and 29, 2026, 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM; no exceptions. Artwork storage is not available.

Artists must be 18 years old residing in the USA.

Accepted mediums: Sculpture, Paintings, Mixed media, Collage, Drawing, Photography, and fiber arts. Work cannot have been previously shown at Epperson Gallery. All artwork must be for sale. All work must be entirely one of a kind originals.

 AI: No Artificial Intelligence (AI) generated, assisted, or enhanced work.

Digital: No digitally rendered, digitally altered, or digitally printed work.

3D: All 3D sculptures must be one of a kind originals. 3D printed sculptures are not accepted. 

No giclees, offset lithographs, or reproductions of originals of any kind.

Hand-Pulled Prints: Traditional prints must be pulled by the hand of the artist, numbered, dated, and signed on the front.

Photography: Photographs must be signed and numbered on the front.

Weavings must be woven by the hand of the artist, no machine or digitally rendered work is accepted. 

Size Limit: Maximum 60 inches in width and 60 pounds.

Presentation and Framing Requirements No Wet Paint: 2D Presentation: Must be framed or gallery-wrapped. Gallery Wraps: Minimum 1.5 inches deep. No visible staples. Sides must be completely clean or painted. 

Hanging Hardware: Must be ready to hang with D-rings and wire. Sawtooth hangers will not be accepted. The back of all 2D work must clearly display the artist's name, artwork title, media, price, and contact information.

3D Work: 3D art must be hand-delivered and picked up from the gallery. Shipping is not permitted for three-dimensional pieces. Any work over 20 pounds must be moved and place solely by the artist.

Shipping, Fees, and Logistics:  Shipped work must arrive no later than November 6, 2026. Work must be shipped in a sturdy, reusable, and easily repackaged box. Artists must provide a pre-paid return shipping label inside the package. Art damaged in transit is the sole responsibility of the artist and the shipper. 

Sales and Commission: 50/50 Split: The Gallery retains a 50% commission on all sales. Pricing: Please ensure your submission price reflects this split. Work must remain for the full duration of the exhibition. No accepted entry may be withdrawn or sold outside of the exhibition before the closing date.

Accepted artwork that differs significantly from image in online submission will be disqualified.

The Epperson Gallery reserves the right to reject works from the exhibition, including those deemed extraordinarily fragile, unstable, unable to be properly installed, potentially dangerous, extremely overpriced, or too heavy or large.