2027 Open Call . Greater Los Angeles

Now accepting submissions for our 2027 exhibition program, and we want to see your work. Whether you're an emerging artist or an established name, this is your opportunity to have your work reviewed by an experienced curator and considered for our ongoing program. You don't need an established gallery résumé to start the conversation, you just need work worth discovering.

Since 2011, Dama Gallery has stood as a cultural anchor in Midtown Ventura, California, presenting curated exhibitions and building meaningful relationships between artists, collectors, and the community for over 15 years.

Housed within a 100 year old historic building, the gallery's 3,000 square foot exhibition space presents solo and group shows shaped through a rigorous curatorial process. Selected artists may also be featured on the gallery's media platforms, including The Gallery Hangover Podcast, for added visibility.

LOCATION . Situated in Midtown Ventura, California, Dama Gallery, LLC has been a local fixture of the creative community since 2011, with over 15 years of continuous presence and cultural engagement. Located in a highly walkable, neighborhood-driven district with steady foot traffic and a strong residential base, the gallery has grown alongside Ventura’s evolving arts ecosystem. Within Ventura County, one of California’s most economically stable coastal regions; the gallery draws from a broad regional audience that includes the artist communities of Ojai, the coastal collector base of Malibu, and the wider Central Coast and Westside corridor. Just a short distance from Los Angeles, Ventura also functions as an accessible coastal destination, attracting visitors for its blend of contemporary art, surf culture, and a historic, walkable downtown and Midtown district. Rooted in its immediate neighborhood, Dama Gallery serves as both a community anchor and cultural meeting point, presenting exhibitions that engage a loyal local audience alongside regional collectors, artists, and visitors.

VENUE . Housed in a 100-year-old, 10,000-square-foot historic building in Midtown Ventura, Dama Gallery is defined by its architectural character, high ceilings, and layered sense of history. The building includes working artist studios throughout, creating an active environment of production and exchange, anchored by a dedicated 3,000-square-foot exhibition space that is Dama Gallery. The gallery itself blends old-world structure with contemporary intervention; updated white walls, professional lighting, and adaptable configurations that support large-scale installations, sculpture, and ambitious contemporary works. At the same time, the space retains an intimate scale that allows for focused, quieter presentations, offering flexibility between monumentality and close, contemplative viewing. The result is a hybrid environment where historic architecture and contemporary exhibition design coexist, giving artists the capacity to present work across scales within a setting that feels both grounded and distinctly present.

CONSIDERATION . Submissions are for our 2027 exhibition program, with the first exhibition opening in January. Entries are reviewed on an ongoing basis, with selections made throughout the month. Given the depth of our review process, we encourage artists to submit early to ensure ample time for consideration. Each submission undergoes a careful, meticulous review process, where artists are considered primarily for the quality, clarity, and strength of their work, as well as their overall preparedness for exhibition. Selection is highly intentional and curatorial in nature, with each proposal evaluated independently to ensure alignment with the gallery's standards and the specific context of the space. This considered approach allows the program to maintain a focused curatorial vision while fostering meaningful dialogue between artists, collectors, and the broader contemporary art community.

EXHIBITIONS. The current Ventura program features a curated mix of solo and group exhibitions selected based on what best serves the overall strength, balance, and direction of the program. Each selection is made with a focus on curatorial cohesion, ensuring that the work presented contributes meaningfully to the broader gallery vision. The scale and presentation of each exhibition are determined by the individual artist’s medium, conceptual depth, and spatial needs, allowing the work to be shown in its most effective form. Entries submitted will be considered for the 2027 Ventura group exhibition program. 

PROGRAM: Program dates are subject to change at the gallery's discretion, including adjustments related to scheduling, seasonal considerations, holidays, and operational needs. 

• January 16 - March 13, 2027
• April 3rd - May 31, 2027
• June 12 - August 8, 2027
• August 21- October 2, 2027
• October 23 - December 31, 2027

CALL FEE . A submission fee of $35 for the first 3 images applies. Additional images may be added at $5 per image, up to a maximum of 20. Fees are allocated to cover the curator’s time, portfolio reviews, submission consultations, exhibition publications, artist stipends, juror honorariums, gallery interns, and other essential aspects of planning, marketing, and executing a large-scale, professionally curated exhibition program. This ensures that both artist and curator efforts are fairly recognized and supported.

COMMISSION & REMITTANCE . Dama Gallery adheres to standard industry practice with a 50% commission on sales. Payment is remitted within 5-7 business days the completed sale, accompanied by a detailed statement.

NOTIFICATIONS . Artists will receive notifications via the CaFÉ platform or direct email, with final decisions made at the curator's discretion. Submissions are reviewed on a weekly basis, and selections are continuous until the exhibition roster is completed. This is not a single fixed deadline after which all submissions are immediately reviewed and decisions issued; the review process is ongoing, and the deadline may be adjusted as needed while the exhibition roster is being built. This structure is intentional and our selection process is curatorial by design. Work is reviewed on an ongoing basis and evaluated for strength, clarity, originality, execution, preparedness, and relevance to the exhibition program. Individual acceptance or rejection decisions are not issued until the the curatorial process in complete and the call is closed. 

CONTACT . For questions regarding your submission, status, or additional entries, please email ventura@damagallery.com. Include your CaFE account name and submission date in all correspondence.

VISIT  www.damagallery.com | IG @damagalleries

ABOUT DAMA GALLERY . Founded in 2011 in Ventura, California, Dama Gallery is an independent contemporary art gallery guided by an "art first" philosophy: curatorial rigor, artist advocacy, and a focus on technical mastery and conceptual depth. Over 15+ years, it has grown into a multifaceted platform with locations in Los Angeles and Texas, plus a history of international programming in Mexico City, presenting hundreds of exhibitions with artists ranging from emerging to internationally established. Beyond exhibitions, the gallery has expanded into artist representation, advisory, collection development, publications, and original media, including the IMDb-credited Gallery Hangover Podcast. At its core, Dama Gallery operates with the intention of building lasting relationships between artists and collectors, treating every acquisition as a meaningful connection rather than a transaction.

ART REQUIREMENTS - All artwork must be original and unsold. The artist must own the sole copyright to art. Frames, mats & wiring must be professional quality & in good condition. No saw- tooth hangers. Wiring must be securely fashioned & support weight of the artwork. 2D Artwork selected for exhibition MUST BE READY TO HANG.  

SHIPPING (EXHIBITION) - Absolutely no packing peanuts. Crates, boxes, even small packages containing packing peanuts will be resealed and immediately shipped back to you, no exceptions. Artists are responsible for round-trip shipping & insurance (during shipping) of artworks for purposes of exhibition.

ACCEPTED ARTWORK - Painting, Printmaking, Sculpture, Glass, Fiber, Functional, Digital, Photography, Installation, mixed media and New Genres. Proposals may include multiple disciplines.

SUBMISSION TIP - A comprehensive and detailed submission will include at least 3 images, biography and artist statement. Include your website and social media accounts.