The Eyes are Bigger Than the Stomach: Food and Contemporary Art

The Indy Art Center announces a Call for Entry to The Eyes are Bigger Than the Stomach, a juried exhibition exploring the conceptual, cultural, and formal inspirations of food in the contemporary art world. This exhibition will examine the theme of food within contemporary art. There are few things so universal and central to the human experience as food. It has shaped cultures, customs, geography, politics and much more across centuries. In 2026, how do we consider food and its impacts through contemporary art? This exhibition will include perspectives from artists using a diverse range of materials and processes.

The Art Center is calling for entries from artists 18 or older working in any media in the United States. Work made with any technique with the subject of food as a critical component are eligible.

The Indy Art Center announces a Call for Entry to The Eyes are Bigger Than the Stomach, a juried exhibition exploring the conceptual, cultural, and formal inspirations of food in the contemporary art world. This exhibition will examine contemporary artists' inspirations and relationships with food through a variety of materials and processes. There are few things so universal and central to the human experience as food. It has shaped cultures, customs, geography, politics and much more across centuries. In 2026, how do we reflect upon food through contemporary art?

This call for entry is open to any artist working within the theme or concept of food with no specified medium required. How does a ceramicist making functional food vessels innovate and reflect? What does a still life painter using the age-old subject of food say about what fuels us? How do we reflect on contemporary subjects like food scarcity, factory farming, and climate change in contemporary art? The exhibition aims to offer a range in perspectives as it comes to the influence of food on contemporary art. 

All artworks which connect to food in some way, through media, concept, or theme will be considered for inclusion. Jurors will approach the theme of this exhibition with an encompassing definition including traditional techniques and contemporary methods of making. 

The Art Center is calling for entries from artists 18 or older working in any media in the United States. Work made with any technique with the subject of food as a critical component are eligible.

Accepted Work:

-The Indy Art Center exhibitions staff reserves the right to remove any works from the exhibition based on special installation circumstances or discrepancies between the juried images and actual work. 

All accepted work must remain on display until the end of the exhibition, June 13th, 2027. All work must come ready to install/hang. For multi-media and other installations, artist should be available to assist with installation (to take place March 22- April 4, 2027.) 

All work may be offered for sale. 

The Art Center retains a 35% commission on any sales.
-Notification of acceptance will be sent by EoD February 19, 2027.

Delivery:

-All artwork must arrive by Monday, March 21, 2027. Artist is responsible for hand-delivering or the shipping cost and insurance of the work while in transit. Work must be shipped in a reusable container and return shipping is also to be paid by the artist. Hand-delivered work may be dropped off beginning Saturday, February 20, 2027.

-The Art Center is open: 

Monday – Friday 9a.m. – 10p.m. 

Saturday 9a.m. – 6p.m. 

Sunday Noon – 6p.m.
 

Awards:

Best in Show - $300.00

Best in 2D- $150.00

Best in 3D- $150.00

Two Honorable Mention Awards - $100.00 each

Exhibition Timeline:

APPLICATION DEADLINE: February 17th, 2027

ACCEPTANCE NOTIFICATIONS: EOD February 19th, 2027

ARTWORK DROP OFF: 02/20/27-03/21/27

ARTWORK INSTALLATION: 03/22/27-04/04/27

EXHIBITION OPENS: 04/05/27

EXHIBITION RECEPTION: 04/16/27 5-8pm 

EXHIBITION CLOSES: 06/13/27

ARTWORK PICK UP: 06/14/27-06/20/27

Entry Fee/Images:

$35 non-refundable entry fee for the submission of two pieces. $5 for each additional piece submitted up to 15 pieces maximum.

Eligibility:

Submission is open to all artists over the age of 18 residing in the United States. Work must be made within the last two years and cannot have been previously shown at the Art Center. All work must be original and made by the artist or artist team. Collaborative works made between artists are eligible for inclusion. All printmaking media are eligible. Installation artists should contact us before applying to ensure compatibility of space. Artwork must not weigh more than 250 pounds or be larger than 10 feet in any direction.