61st CAIN National

ABOUT THE SHOW
$10,000 in PURCHASE AWARDS

The CAIN National Show attracts works by contemporary artists nationwide and is judged by a guest juror of national stature. Resulting Purchase Awards have built an impressive Permanent Collection at Del Mar College.

This year's 61st show runs February 19, 2027, with an opening reception from 6-8 p.m. and closes April 19, 2026. Accepted artwork is displayed in the distinctive Joseph A. Cain Memorial Gallery.

ABOUT THE SHOW

$10,000 in PURCHASE AWARDS

The CAIN National Show attracts works by contemporary artists across the country and is judged by a guest juror of national stature. Resulting Purchase Awards have built an impressive Permanent Collection at Del Mar College.

This year's 60th show runs February 19, 2027, with an opening reception from 6-8 p.m. and closes April 19, 2027. Accepted artwork is displayed in the distinctive Joseph A. Cain Memorial Gallery.

ABOUT THE JUROR
Jamie Bates is a ceramic artist and educator whose figurative sculptures explore identity, psychological experience, and the forces that shape how bodies are perceived and remembered. Drawing on psychology, folklore, witchcraft, and histories of persecution, Bates creates works that examine vulnerability, transformation, resistance, and collective memory. Their recent research focuses on witch persecution and the regulation of gendered bodies, using symbolic imagery to explore how historical power structures continue to shape contemporary ideas of identity and autonomy.

Bates holds an MFA in Ceramics from the University of Kansas and a BFA in Studio Art from the University of Central Missouri. They are currently Associate Professor of Ceramics at the University of Oklahoma and have participated in numerous residencies, fellowships, and workshops at arts institutions across the United States. Their work has been exhibited nationally and internationally and has received support through grants and research fellowships focused on arts-based inquiry and public scholarship. Bates’ work has been featured in art magazines like Ceramics Monthly, Hi-Fructose, and Create! Jamie has also taken part in various podcasts, and panel discussions addressing contemporary ceramics, censorship, identity, and the role of art in processing collective trauma.

ELIGIBLE ENTRIES

The exhibition is open to all* U.S. artists. Only original work created in the last three years can be entered (no reproductions). Previously exhibited works in the Annual Show will not be eligible. Each artist may submit three works.  All accepted artwork can be considered for purchase.

*Full-time Del Mar Art faculty members are excluded.

ENTRY PROCEDURE - ONLINE ONLY
All submissions will be through callforentry.org (www.callforentry.org). Entries must be submitted on or before November 30, 2026, and will not be accepted after this date.

 Upload requirements for image files:

• File Type: JPEG or JPG only.
• File Dimensions: 1,200 pixels or greater on the longest side.
• File Size: Under 5 MB.
• Color Profile: sRGB
• Image must be correctly oriented (vertical or horizontal)
• One image per entry only

Further information on the image requirements for submission and resources for editing the digital image size can be found on callforentry.org's Help section. 

FEE

$20 for 2 entries, one image per artwork. If you would like to submit additional entries, the fee is $5 per entry. All fees are non-refundable and payable through callforentry.org. 

ACCEPTED WORK
Artists will be notified via email; status updates can be found by logging into your CaFÉ account. The digital image and information for the piece submitted must be the same piece delivered to CAIN Gallery if selected by the juror. Any alterations or differences in submitted information will result in disqualification of eligibility. The juror may elect to reject artwork after arrival. 

2-D ARTWORK
All original works will be considered; this includes drawing, painting, printmaking in traditional media, original watercolor, and photography. A professional presentation of accepted artwork is required. Acetate covering is acceptable with white museum-quality mat board with at least 2" mounting and over-mat visible on all sides. To ensure consistency in presentation, if your work is framed, please use simple frames. Ship framed works with Plexiglas ONLY. Artwork must be shipped in stiff, reusable cardboard packaging and securely packed to ensure safe delivery (no peanuts). Refer to the size specifications below.

SCULPTURE
Sculptures of any media will be considered. However, sculptures requiring ceiling-suspended installation will not be accepted. Accepted sculptures should be securely packed within one crate to ensure safe delivery. If the crate is wooden, use screws—not nails or bolts—to secure the lid. Refer to the size specifications below.

All submissions must be "ready to hang" on the gallery walls or placed on pedestals. We cannot hang any artwork from the ceiling.

DELIVERY OF WORK

• Accepted work must arrive no later than January 25, 2026.

• All 3-D sculptures must weigh less than 50 lbs. 

• The Cain Gallery can provide a pedestal for accepted 3D artworks in most situations, but please confirm with art@delmar.edu if the sculpture requires a pedestal larger than 25”x 25”.

• All 3-D wall artwork must not exceed 60” in the longest dimension.

• All 2-D artwork must not exceed 72” in the longest dimension.

• Work may be sent to Del Mar College by any transportation mode, including hand-delivery.

• For hand-delivery, please call to schedule a date with the Art office at 361-698-1216 or email art@delmar.edu.

• All accepted work must have an identification card.

RETURN OF ARTWORK

• De-installation will begin April 20, 2027. Please allow up to 4 weeks for artwork to be re-packaged and shipped. All shipping goes through Del Mar College's Shipping Department. 

• Pre-paid return shipping labels can be included in the original packages or emailed to art@delmar.edu.

• Hand-delivered work must be picked up by May 8, 2027.  Special arrangements can be made for alternate pickup dates.

• Artists are responsible for all costs associated with returning artwork. 

• Artwork left after 6 months will become the property of Del Mar College.

LIABILITY

• Artists are responsible for insuring their artwork while in transit to and from the gallery and for the exhibition's duration.

• All accepted artwork will be handled with professional care; however, Del Mar College will not be responsible for any loss or damage to artwork while in transit to and from the gallery and while on the premises.

• Del Mar College is not responsible for work unclaimed by the sender at the return address on the crate.

• Del Mar College is not responsible for hand-delivered work that the artist does not claim after the show ends and the spring semester ends.

SALE OF WORK

Artwork does not have to be for sale. Cain Gallery will publish a price list and connect artists to interested buyers but will play no other part in the sale. 

AGREEMENT AND COPYRIGHT

Acceptance to the 61st CAIN National Show is an agreement by the artist to all terms outlined in this "Call for Entries." Permission is granted to photograph and reproduce artwork for the catalog, other print or electronic media, future show promotions, education, and publicity.

AWARDS

$10,000 in Purchase Awards, decided by the juror and Art Faculty.

SHOW SCHEDULE

November 30, 2026 - Entry deadline
January 8, 2027 - Notification via email
January 30, 2027 - Deadline for accepted work to arrive at Del Mar College
February 18, 2027 - Juror's public art talk
February 19, 2027 - Opening reception, 6 - 8 p.m.
April 19, 2027 - Exhibition Closes
April 20 - April 30, 2027 - Return of artwork

For more information, call 361-698-1216 or email art@delmar.edu

The following is required to be considered as eligible for the CAIN National Show: 

1. Artists must be 18 years and older.
2. Artists must apply to the call for submissions through CallForEntry.org (CaFE).
3. Artists must pay the submission fee.
4. Artists must submit at least one artwork to be eligible and follow this prospectus's eligibility criteria for 2D and 3D work.

ELIGIBLE ENTRIES

The exhibition is open to all* U.S. artists. Only original work created in the last three years can be entered. Works previously exhibited in the CAIN National Show are not eligible. Each artist may submit three works. All accepted artwork can be considered for purchase.

*Full-time Del Mar Art faculty members are excluded.