Contradiction

Consider how things that shouldn't belong together insist on being together. Consider an enigma, a paradox. Bitter/sweet, organized chaos, strange bedfellows. What happens when fire meets ice, big meets little, or grief meets joy? 

Contradiction is not a problem to solve. The most resonant work often comes from the space between opposing forces such as tenderness in strength, clarity in noise, order in disorder. 

Contradiction

An Exhibition at Sebastopol Center for the Arts 

Exhibition Dates: Sat. Feb 27th - Sun. April 11th, 2027

Consider how things that shouldn't belong together insist on being together. Consider an enigma, a paradox. Bitter/sweet, organized chaos, strange bedfellows. What happens when fire meets ice, big meets little, or grief meets joy? 

Contradiction is not a problem to solve. The most resonant work often comes from the space between opposing forces such as tenderness in strength, clarity in noise, order in disorder.  

Definition: A Contradiction is a situation or statement in which two or more opposing ideas or conditions coexist. 

Invitation to Artists

Sebastopol Center for the Arts invites artists working in any medium to submit work that lives in the tension between contradictions. We're looking for pieces that hold two truths at once, find beauty in friction, or discover meaning in what seems, at first, like mismatch.

Your work doesn't need to resolve the tension. It needs to inhabit it. We welcome artists of all backgrounds and perspectives. 

A list of concepts and ideas:

Bitter and sweet

Fire and ice

Big and small

Grief and joy

Dark and light

Sun and moon

Logic and imagination

Good and evil

Life and death

Opposites on the color wheel

Please Note: Artwork must be submitted one entry at a time. If you have 3 different entries, submit them separately. First entry select $35 at check out. Second and Third entries select $10 at check out. Thank you!

Call For Entry:

Call Opens: October 24th, 2026  

Call Closes: January 6th, 2027 10:59 PM PST 

Jurying dates: January 7th - 14th 2027 

Notifications to artists:  January 15th, 2027

Deadline for Mailed Artwork to arrive at SCA:  Friday, February 19th, 2027

In Person Drop Off: Sunday, February 21st, 2027 2:00-4:00, Tuesday, February 23rd, 2027 10:00-3:00p.m 

Opening Reception: Saturday, February 27th 2027, 2-4PM

Jurors:

TBA

SebArts Mission statement:

Sebastopol Center for the Arts is committed to cultivating creativity and inspiring appreciation for the transformative power of art. We produce, promote and present artists - local, national, international – through curated gallery exhibits, artists open studio events, arts lectures, poetry readings, concerts, adult and youth education, a state of the art ceramics studio and an acclaimed documentary film festival. We are dedicated to honoring diversity, encouraging creative excellence, and providing a welcoming gathering place for the community to:  Experience Art, Make Art, Share Art and Celebrate Creative Thought.

Questions? Damian Estrella at destrella@sebarts.org or 707-829-4797 x 1003

Entry-Fees:

$35 per application (with 2 detailed images)

$10 for a second application (with 2 detailed images)

$10 for a third application (with 2 detailed images)

Dimensions and weight:

• Work must be a maximum width of 64 inches wide  7’ by 7’ gallery door and fit on our 10 foot high wall. 
• Our experienced installation team can install your piece by any method with your clearly written instructions. Max capacity of free standing artwork is 300lbs and 50lbs of any wall hung works. Artwork outside these limitations will be assessed and reviewed case by case. Artists are responsible for getting artwork to the SebArts gallery and some assistance from the artists may be needed depending on weight capacity.
• Wall mounted work must include fixtures for safe hanging and hanging instructions as needed.

Eligibility: 

• All work must not have been previously shown in the SebArts Gallery.
• Please Note: SebArts goal is to promote currently working artists, so we ask that you only submit work produced in the last 5 years.

Entry Fees: 

        $35 per application (with 2 detailed images)

        $10 for a second application (with 2 detailed images)

        $10 for a third application (with 2 detailed images)

Entry Requirements:

• Submissions must be entered online only
• Please ensure that all images are 5MB or less in size and are in JPEG format.
• Please submit a high quality image that best represents your work. Work that differs from the submission image may not be included in the exhibition.
• 1st place $300, 2nd place $200, 3rd place $100, two $50 coordinator awards.  

Commission 

Artists will receive 60% of the sales price of the work sold, SebArts will receive the remaining 40%. This greatly helps SebArts continue to put on exhibitions and display these wonderful works for our community. SebArts main focus is to uplift artists, 

Shipping Specifications: 

• All work must have the artist’s name/contact information attached to their piece
• Ship to ATTN: VISUAL ARTS TEAM SebArts, 282 S. High St, Sebastopol, CA 95472
• Shipped work must arrive by Friday, February 19th, 2027   
• Artists are responsible for all shipping and handling costs to and from the exhibit.
• Each shipped entry must be packaged in a reusable container for the return of work: Include installation and re-packing instructions as necessary.
• So that we may return your unsold art, each shipped entry MUST include a prepaid return label and form (UPS or FedEx).
• Unsold work, with valid return shipping forms will be shipped within 15 days of the last day of the show.
• PLEASE unpack and inspect your returned artwork immediately and communicate any concerns with SebArts within 14 days of receipt.
• SebArts is not responsible for damage to art after 15 days.

Hand Delivered Art

Must be dropped off:

Sunday, February 21st, 2027 2:00-4:00, Tuesday, February 23rd, 2027 10:00-3:00 p.m.

Must have artist name and contact information on the back of the work.

Selected work must be on view for the duration of the exhibit. Work may not be withdrawn prior to close of the exhibition. 

Work must be picked up:

Monday April 12th, 2027 10-3PM

Please Read the Fine Print:

Selected artists agree to allow their work to be photographed for media use, for educational and publicity purposes. 

Artists receive 60% of the sales price of work that is sold. 

Indicate clearly on form if not for sale NFS. 

Shipped or hand delivered artwork left 30 days after the closing of the exhibition will be considered SebArts property  

Notifications: 

Artists will be notified by email of acceptance by January 15th, 2027

SebArts reserves the right to make minor amendments to the juried choices to balance the needs of the exhibitions in our gallery.

Questions? Email Damian Estrella at destrella@sebarts.org or 707-829-4797 x 1003