The Space Between Storms: Borderline Personality Disorder Beyond the Moments You See

Emotions Matter invites those with lived experience of borderline personality disorder (BPD), whether as an individual, family member, or professional, to submit artwork for our 2026 Art Show, The Space Between Storms: Borderline Personality Disorder Beyond the Moments You See. Our Art Shows have been dynamic and empowering for all who experience them.

This year's theme explores the moments that often go unseen: the space between crises and the experiences of hope, healing, recovery, identity, and everyday life with BPD.

The purpose of the Art Show is to raise public awareness about BPD, empower artists to tell their stories through art, and inspire those impacted by BPD.

Requirements: 2D and 3D artwork are eligible. A separate Artist Submission Statement is required for each piece submitted, describing that artwork's relationship to your lived experience with BPD.

Artist Entry Fee: $40

Submission Deadline: Sept 13, 2026

Exhibit: Virtual BPD Art Festival Week (week of October 26, 2026)

Emotions Matter (BPD) invites those who have lived experience of borderline personality disorder as an individual, family, or professional, to submit their art to our 2026 Art Show, "The Space Between Storms: Borderline Personality Disorder Beyond the Moments You See." Our Emotions Matter Art Shows have been an incredibly dynamic and empowering experience for our artists and volunteers. We hope to make this, our 5th, the most successful and inclusive yet!

This year's theme explores the moments that often go unseen: the space between crises and the experiences of hope, healing, recovery, identity, and everyday life with BPD.

The purpose of the art show is threefold:

- To raise the public's awareness about borderline personality disorder (BPD), a highly stigmatized and often misunderstood mental illness.

- To empower artists to tell their stories through art, fostering self-agency and leadership.

- To inspire those impacted by BPD to achieve recovery, offering hope and support.

About the 2026 Virtual BPD Art Festival (week of October 26, 2026)

This year's Art Show will be part of a three-night virtual BPD Art Festival, during the week of October 26, allowing people across the country to experience the artwork and participate in programming centered on art, lived experience, recovery, and BPD. Selected artwork will be featured in a virtual exhibit on the Emotions Matter website and highlighted as part of Festival programming.

Submission Deadline: Sunday, September 13, 2026 at 11:59 PM ET / 10:59 PM CT / 9:59 PM MT / 8:59 PM PT

Requirements:

- 2D and 3D artwork are eligible. No shipping of original artwork is required.

- Applicants may submit one (1) to three (3) original works.

- A separate Artist Submission Statement for each piece submitted, addressing that artwork, how it connects to this year's theme, and the applicant's BPD journey. Submission statements are provided to jurors only and will not be shared publicly without permission.

- A completed CaFÉ application submitted by the deadline.

Selection Criteria:

Artwork will be reviewed based on adherence to Art Show submission criteria, fit with the theme, and artistic expression. Submission does not guarantee selection.

     1. Applicants must have lived experience of borderline personality disorder as an individual, family member, or professional.

     2. Applicants must complete an application and submit artwork and an Artist Submission Statement for each piece by the deadline.

     3. 2D and 3D artwork are eligible. Applicants may submit internationally. No shipping of original artwork is required.

     4.If selected, artists must be willing to have their submission displayed as part of the virtual exhibit on the Emotions Matter website.

     5. Selected artists may be asked to provide a higher-resolution image of their artwork and must provide it by the given deadline in order to be included in the virtual exhibit.

     6. Selected artists will be invited to participate in the live virtual Artists Roundtable during the week of October 26, 2026. Participation in the roundtable is optional.

     7. If selected, Emotions Matter will work with the artist to prepare a short Artist Exhibit Statement for each piece for public display alongside the artwork. This will be based on the artist’s submitted statement and confirmed with the artist before publication.

     8. Selected artists will have the option to participate in additional educational or fundraising materials related to the Art Show, online or in print, such as books, posters, and postcards.

     9. If selected for "The Space Between Storms," artists will be required to review and sign an Artist Waiver and Release Form via DocuSign allowing Emotions Matter to use and display their work. Artists retain ownership of their artwork at all times.

The Artist Waiver and Release Form can be viewed here.

Artist Entry Fee: $40.
Fees collected help offset costs associated with technology, printing, and administrative support provided to artists for an optimal experience. Participating artists may receive a complimentary copy of select materials produced from the show digitally or in print, and feedback received about their art. We encourage all who are interested to enter. Those experiencing financial hardship may email info@emotionsmatterbpd.org to inquire about possible assistance. Entry fees are non-refundable.

Important Deadlines and Dates:

- Sunday, September 13, 2026 at 11:59 PM ET: Submission deadline. No late entries will be accepted.

- Wednesday, September 30, 2026: Selected artists will be notified by email.

- Week of October 26, 2026: Three-night virtual BPD Art Festival. Selected artists will be invited to join a live virtual Artists Roundtable to share their work and connect with fellow artists. Participation is optional. Exact date and time to be confirmed.

Helpful Links:

- CaFÉ: https://www.callforentry.org/

- How to upload work samples to your CaFÉ account: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPddZVJzTAE

- How to apply to a call on CaFÉ: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNpx2xirZXQ

- How to photograph artwork with your phone: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYyjS1shotw

To view examples from previous years' Emotions Matter BPD Art Shows, click here.

To submit, applicants must provide:

     1. One to three (1-3) original 2D or 3D artworks. No shipping of original artwork is required.

     2. A separate Artist Submission Statement for each piece submitted, addressing that artwork, how it connects to this year's theme, and the applicant's BPD journey. Submission statements are provided to jurors only and will not be shared publicly without permission.

          - If a piece is selected, Emotions Matter will draft a separate, shorter Artist Exhibit Statement for that piece to display alongside the artwork, which the artist will review and confirm.

     3. A completed CaFÉ application submitted by the deadline.

     4. Applicants should submit the highest-quality image of their artwork available. Selected artists may be asked to provide a higher-resolution image following acceptance and must provide it by the given deadline in order to be included in the virtual exhibit.

Submission Deadline:
Sunday, September 13, 2026 at 11:59 PM ET / 10:59 PM CT / 9:59 PM MT / 8:59 PM PT

Artist Entry Fee: $40.
Fees collected help offset costs associated with technology, printing, and administrative support provided to artists for an optimal experience. Participating artists may receive a complimentary copy of select materials produced from the show digitally or in print, and feedback received about their art. We encourage all who are interested to enter. Those experiencing financial hardship may email info@emotionsmatterbpd.org to inquire about possible assistance. Entry fees are non-refundable.

Exhibit Dates: Three-night virtual BPD Art Festival, week of October 26, 2026

Emotions Matter welcomes submissions from individuals with lived experience of borderline personality disorder (BPD), including:

- Individuals personally impacted by BPD

- Family members of people impacted by BPD

- Professionals with lived experience related to BPD

Selection Criteria:

Artwork will be reviewed based on adherence to Art Show submission criteria, fit with the theme, and artistic expression. Submission does not guarantee selection.

     1. Applicants must have lived experience of borderline personality disorder as an individual, family member, or professional.

     2. Applicants must complete an application and submit artwork and an Artist Submission Statement for each piece by the deadline.

     3. 2D and 3D artwork are eligible. Applicants may submit internationally. No shipping of original artwork is required.

     4. If selected, artists must be willing to have their submission displayed as part of the virtual exhibit on the Emotions Matter website.

      5. Selected artists may be asked to provide a higher-resolution image of their artwork and must provide it by the given deadline in order to be included in the virtual exhibit.

     6. Selected artists will be invited to participate in the live virtual Artists Roundtable during the week of October 26, 2026. Participation in the roundtable is optional.

     7. If selected, Emotions Matter will work with the artist to prepare a short Artist Exhibit Statement for each piece for public display alongside the artwork. This will be based on the artist's submitted statement and confirmed with the artist before publication.

     8. Selected artists will have the option to participate in additional educational or fundraising materials related to the Art Show, online or in print, such as books, posters, and postcards.

     9. If selected for "The Space Between Storms," artists will be required to review and sign an Artist Waiver and Release Form via DocuSign allowing Emotions Matter to use and display their work. Artists retain ownership of their artwork at all times.

The Artist Waiver and Release Form can be viewed here.