Draw the Line

The Museum of Northern California Art (monca) invites artists to submit work for Draw the Line, a juried exhibition showcasing drawings of all kinds. 

Drawing is one of the hardest mediums to pin down. Leaning into a broad definition, we are seeking work where mark-making, line, and gesture are the primary language, using traditional and non-traditional tools on conventional and unconventional surfaces, digital line work, three-dimensional materials “drawn” in work that blurs the boundary between drawing and sculpture. All media.

Please note that no giclée prints of original art/non-photographic art will be accepted. No AI please.

The exhibit will be held at the Museum of Northern California Art in Chico, CA.

Description of Call:

The Museum of Northern California Art (monca) invites artists to submit work for Draw the Line, a juried exhibition showcasing drawings of all kinds. 

Drawing is one of the hardest mediums to pin down. Leaning into a broad definition, we are seeking work where mark-making, line, and gesture are the primary language, using traditional and non-traditional tools on conventional and unconventional surfaces, digital line work, three-dimensional materials “drawn” in work that blurs the boundary between drawing and sculpture. All media.

Please note that no giclée prints of original art/non-photographic art will be accepted. No AI please.

Eligibility: 

Original works created by artists residing in Northern California, defined as the following counties:  Alameda, Alpine, Amador, Butte, Calaveras, Colusa, Contra Costa, Del Norte, El Dorado, Glenn, Humboldt, Lake, Lassen, Marin, Mariposa, Mendocino, Merced, Modoc, Mono, Napa, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Sacramento, San Francisco, San Joaquin, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Solano, Sonoma, Stanislaus, Sutter, Tehama, Trinity, Tuolumne, Yolo, Yuba. If you have eligibility questions please email submissions@monca.org. 

All exhibited artworks must remain in the exhibition until the close of the exhibition, January 10, 2027, 5pm. 

Jurying: 

The museum’s exhibition committee, comprised of professional artists and art collectors, will make the final selections for the exhibition. Artists whose work is not accepted will not receive refunds of their entry fee. 

Presentation: 

Accepted work must be delivered ready to hang or display. Work to hang on the wall must be fitted with framing wire because we use a cable and hook system that hangs from a picture railing. Work with sawtooth hangers will be disqualified and returned to the artist. If you have questions regarding presentation, please reach out to submissions@monca.org.  Pedestals are available for three-dimensional work or the artist may provide other means of display. The artist's name, phone, and title of work MUST be on the back of each artwork. All work must be dry and clean. 

Please note that no giclée prints of original art/non-photographic art will be accepted. No AI please.

$15 for one entry, $10 for each additional entry. Maximum of 8 entries. All fees are non-refundable. 

Accepted work must be delivered ready to hang or display. Work to hang on the wall must be fitted with framing wire. All work must be dry and clean. No sawtooth hangers. 3D work must fit on a pedestal (which monca can provide) or artist may provide other means of display. Artist’s name, phone, and title of work MUST be on the back of each artwork.

Calendar/Timeline: 

• Deadline for entries and payment October 4, 2026
• Jury results notification: On or before October 18, by email (add submissions@monca.org to your contacts to prevent email from ending up in your spam folder).
• Artwork Delivery (in person or by mail): November 5-8 & November 12-15 during museum hours, 11am-5 pm.
• Opening date: Thursday, November 19, 2026
• Reception: Friday, November 20, 2026
• Closing date: Sunday, January 10, 2027
• Artwork pickup: Sunday, January 10, at 5pm, or during museum hours on January 14-17 and January 21-24. Works left beyond January 24, 2027 will be assessed a storage fee of $5 per piece, per day (Thurs-Sun). Works left beyond February 25, 2027 will become property of monca.

Please note: 

Postage/packaging/shipping insurance are the responsibility of the artist and will be required upfront. If the work is to be shipped back, the artist must provide a pre-paid mailing label. We only return-ship work that was shipped to us. Insurance is the responsibility of the artist. monca will be diligent in the care of artwork but is not responsible for loss or damage that might occur.  

The museum will not be held responsible for anything damaged in shipment.

ELIGIBILITY: Original works created by artists residing in Northern California, defined as the following counties:  Alameda, Alpine, Amador, Butte, Calaveras, Colusa, Contra Costa, Del Norte, El Dorado, Glenn, Humboldt, Lake, Lassen, Marin, Mariposa, Mendocino, Merced, Modoc, Mono, Napa, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Sacramento, San Francisco, San Joaquin, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Solano, Sonoma, Stanislaus, Sutter, Tehama, Trinity, Tuolumne, Yolo, Yuba. If you have eligibility questions please email submissions@monca.org.