AWD Members' Holiday Salon 2026

Join us for this year’s salon-style AWD Member showcase, just in time for the festive holiday gift-buying  season. This opportunity highlights the creative talent of the Art Works Downtown members, including  yourself, throughout the Founders’ Gallery, Donors’ Gallery and our Artist’s Wall at the AWD art center.  This is an AWD Members-only exhibition. Only current AWD members are eligible to participate. To become a member you can go to: https://www.artworksdowntown.org/awd-artist-membership#payment

Join us for this year’s salon-style AWD Member Showcase at Art Works Downtown—opening in time for the holiday gift-giving season and remaining on view through San Francisco Art Week and Marin Art Day in January.

This special exhibition celebrates the creativity of Art Works Downtown members, with artwork displayed throughout the Founders’ Gallery, Donors’ Gallery, and Artist’s Wall at Art Works Downtown in downtown San Rafael.

This year, participating artists will receive even more visibility. The exhibition will be prominently featured during Marin Art Day at Art Works Downtown on Sunday, January 17, 2027 as part of San Francisco Art Week.

Visitors will be invited to experience the Member Showcase alongside 35+ open artist studios, exhibitions, artist talks and programming, food and wine, and special activities throughout the Art Works Downtown art center. Marin Art Day offers participating artists an additional opportunity to connect with collectors, arts audiences, and the broader San Francisco Bay Area creative community.

Show your work. Reach new audiences. Be part of one of AWD’s most vibrant exhibitions of the year.

This is an AWD Members-only exhibition. Only current AWD members are eligible to participate.

Directions 

1. Review the following schedule, requirements and terms. 

2. Choose your own artwork, which qualifies according to the requirements.  

a. There is no application or review process, select the work that inspires you. 

3. Deliver your qualifying artwork according to the schedule and terms below.  

4. Watch for future emails with additional information. 

Important Dates:

November 6: Deadline

November 14, 18, 19, & 20, 11am–5pm: Deliver artwork, sign contract. 

November 27–January 18, 2026: Exhibition dates 

December 11, 5–8 pm: Opening reception and 2nd Friday Art Walk 

January 8, 5–8 pm: Second reception and 2nd Friday Art Walk 

December 24–January 1, 2025: Closed for the Holidays 

January 17 - SF Art Week Marin Art Day Event at Art Works Downtown

January 20–23, 11am–5pm: pick up artwork 

Wednesday–Saturday, 11am–5pm: Public visiting hours. 

Online Entry: AWD uses callforentry.org (CaFÉ) to process exhibitions. To submit entries, visit www.callforentry.org. First create a free profile then upload images to your portfolio. Second, apply to this call. The CaFÉ website provides all the assistance you should need to prepare your submissions and apply. If you have trouble sizing your image(s), use the links provided below for help. Before you start, we recommend reviewing the CAFÉ HELP page. We also recommend reviewing our CAFÉ Tips and Tricks by going to artworksdowntown.org > Artists tab > Calls for Entry > Tips and Tricks. AWD does not provide technical assistance for submissions.
• Free online image software:  pixlr.com/editor; online-image-editor.com
• Using the most current internet browser. Check the CaFÉ help page or this link: browsehappy.com.
• First-timers: please note that adding images to your account “Portfolio” does not submit them to the “call.” You will need to add the images from your portfolio to the call when you apply. 

One original artwork per artist. Do not submit the same piece as previous years. ● 2D, wall-display artwork must be 24” or smaller including frame and all materials in any direction. (no  fudging please) 

3D sculptures must have a footprint of 16” or smaller, width must be 18” or smaller, height must be 24’ or  shorter; including all materials. 

Video must include all equipment and headphones and fit within 24”. 

Artwork must be dry, wired, framed, or ready for installation. Unfinished work, wet-paintings, or damaged  frames will not be accepted.  

Artist must (legibly) label the back or bottom of the artwork with artist’s name. 

Artist must be deliver and pick up during the scheduled dates. 

Artist’s membership must be current to exhibit. This is an AWD members-only exhibition. To become a member go to: https://www.artworksdowntown.org/awd-artist-membership#payment

Delivery 

Artwork(s) must be hand delivered to Art Works Downtown, 1337 Fourth St., San Rafael according to the  Exhibit Schedule. All work must be prepared for installation. Damaged or unprepared work (such as wet paint)  will not be accepted. Wall-hung work must be securely wired. Video art must include a monitor and player.  Artwork must be labeled (legibly) with artist's name on the back or bottom of the piece. The artist must check-

in upon delivery to complete the contract and receive confirmation from staff. If you can’t deliver, ask someone to deliver for you then email zidheni@artworksdowntown.org to provide the person’s name. 

Pick Up 

Pick up unsold work according to the Exhibit Schedule. Artists who don’t retrieve their work will be charged a  storage fee of $5 per day. Works remaining after 30 days will become property of Art Works Downtown. 

Sales: Art Works Downtown (AWD) accepts a 40% donation upon sale. AWD processes sales as follows. All checks and credit card sales will be made payable to Art Works Downtown. AWD then reports the sales tax and passes the net sale to the artist. The artist is responsible for donating 40% of the net sale total to AWD. It is not the artist’s responsibility to report sales tax.  For gift-buying purposes, patrons will be allowed to take the artwork with them if they can’t wait until after the first reception or the end of the exhibit. Sales will be paid to artists as soon as possible after the exhibition ends.