Shades of Black

Artspiration Frederick is pleased to announce a call for artists for Shades of Black: A Celebration of History. A Vision for the Future, a juried exhibition presented in celebration of Black History Month. The exhibition will be on display at the Artspiration Frederick Gallery from February 5 through February 28, 2027.

Shades of Black is an exhibition dedicated to celebrating the creativity, perspectives, experiences, history, culture, and artistic excellence of Black artists. Eligibility for this exhibition is limited to artists who identify as Black or of African descent.

Artists are invited to submit original works that reflect the breadth and diversity of Black artistic expression. Work does not have to address Black history or identity specifically; the exhibition is intended to create space for Black artists to share their individual artistic voices, perspectives, and creative practices.

Artspiration Frederick is pleased to announce a call for artists for Shades of Black: A Celebration of History. A Vision for the Future, a juried exhibition presented in celebration of Black History Month. The exhibition will be on display at the Artspiration Frederick Gallery from February 5 through February 28, 2027.

Shades of Black is an exhibition dedicated to celebrating the creativity, perspectives, experiences, history, culture, and artistic excellence of Black artists. Eligibility for this exhibition is limited to artists who identify as Black or of African descent.

Artists are invited to submit original works that reflect the breadth and diversity of Black artistic expression. Work does not have to address Black history or identity specifically; the exhibition is intended to create space for Black artists to share their individual artistic voices, perspectives, and creative practices.

Important Dates

• Exhibition: February 5–28, 2027
• Submission Deadline: January 15, 2027
• Opening Reception: February 13, 2027
• Juror Notification: January 21, 2027
• Artwork Drop-Off: 
  • January 31, noon - 5:00
  • February 1, 10:00 - 4:00
  • February 2, 10:00 - 4:00
• Deadline for Shipped Artwork: Must arrive by February 1, 2027
• Artwork Pick-Up: 
  • February 28, 4:00 - 5:00 p.m. only
  • March 1 & 2, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

The Artspiration Frederick Gallery is free and open to the public and handicap accessible.

Shades of Black: A Celebration of History. A Vision for the Future recognizes that Black art cannot be defined by a single subject, style, history, or experience.

The exhibition is designed to celebrate the individuality of Black artists while collectively recognizing the profound influence of Black creativity on our communities and culture. By bringing together artists working across mediums, generations, experiences, and perspectives, Shades of Black will honor the histories that have shaped Black artistic expression while creating space for artists who are defining what comes next.

The exhibition is both a celebration of legacy and an investment in the future, providing Black artists with a platform to be seen, celebrated, and heard.

Juror: To be announced

• All entries must be completed online by 11:59 EST on January 15, 2027,  through CaFÈ. You will need to set up a free account at callforentry.org
• A nonrefundable $35 entry fee is required at the time of application.
• All artwork must be for sale; 60% to artist, 40% to Artspiration
• All 2-dimensional works must be properly framed, and a wire for hanging must be attached securely to the back. Absolutely no sawtooth hangers. We encourage you to frame your work simply.
• ARTWORK IDENTIFICATION
  All accepted work must have a label SECURELY attached to the back (2D) or base (3D) of the artwork, with the following information:
  - Artist Name / Title of Art / Price
• Please make sure that your prices are correct in your CaFE portfolio. We will not accept price changes once a piece is entered for application to this exhibit.
• You must submit a high-resolution image (300 dpi) for the jury process. AF will use submitted images of accepted works for concurrent online exhibit, documentation, and promotional materials for this exhibit.
• Shipping materials will be kept for returning shipped work. Only boxes, crates, and bins with proper labels, including the artist’s contact information and the name of the piece, will be kept for repackaging. Boxes and such may include paper & wraps.
• NO PACKING PEANUTS PLEASE
• Unsold Artwork: Artists remain responsible for retrieving unsold artwork at the conclusion of the exhibition. Artists who shipped their work to Artspiration Frederick must provide appropriate reusable packaging and a prepaid return shipping label unless other arrangements have been approved in advance.
  • The Artist agrees to retrieve all unsold  artwork no later than two weeks after published pickup date. Artwork not retrieved within fourteen (14) calendar days after the agreed pickup date shall incur a storage fee of Fifty Dollars ($50.00) per day until removed. The Gallery reserves the right to relocate stored artwork at the Artist’s expense and risk if necessary.
• Open to visual artists 18 years and older residing in the continental US..
• Artists may submit up to 3 works.

This call is specifically reserved for Black artists. Applicants must self-identify as Black and/or of African descent to be eligible for consideration.

This eligibility requirement is intentional and central to the purpose of Shades of Black, which was created to provide a dedicated exhibition platform for artists and to celebrate the diversity, depth, and excellence of Black artistic expression.

Artists of varying backgrounds within the Black diaspora, career stages, artistic disciplines, and levels of professional experience are encouraged to apply.

Selection for the exhibition will be determined through a juried process, and submission does not guarantee acceptance.

All media welcome (2D, 3D, ceramics, sculpture, photography, mixed media, etc.)

Work must be original

Work must be exhibition-ready

All artwork must be for sale.