Exhibition Theme

The theme of this exhibition is "Harm / Hope." This theme creates two thematic categories which artists can choose from or do both.

Artists' Experience

Anyone of any gender over age 18 may participate. You do not have to be a professional or otherwise experienced artist. Walnut Avenue welcomes artists of all experience levels!

Types of Works

There is no limitation on the media used to create your work as long as:
  • it does not present a biohazard or medical risk
  • it does not use illegal materials or controlled substances
  • it can fit through a standard-sized doorway when fully assembled
You may submit work that has already been created. You do not need to create new work specifically for this event.

AI-Generated Works

At this time, Walnut Avenue will not be allowing AI-generated works. This is because we cannot prove that a program has not been trained on material scraped illegally from other works, violating the original creators' copyright.

Artists' Information
  • You may use your legal name, a pseudonym, your professional name, or 'Anonymous.' A collective of creators working together under a singular name may submit works under that singular name.
  • You do not need to be a resident of Santa Cruz County to participate, but you must have a way to deliver your work(s) to our office at 303 Walnut Avenue in Santa Cruz AND a way to retrieve your work after the exhibition.
  • You will have an opportunity to have an artist's statement posted beside each of your works. (You can submit an artist's statement closer to the event. It does not have to be prepared now.)
  • We cannot sell your works at the exhibition itself, but if you would like to indicate that a work is for sale and leave your business or contact information for potential buyers, you may do so.

Dates & Deadlines
  • May 1: artist registration opens
  • August 31: artist registration closes
  • September 1-30: submission of artist info + statements
  • September 23-27: drop off work(s) at 303 Walnut Avenue**
  • October 5: exhibition opens to public
  • October 7-11: artists pick up work(s)**
**If you choose to loan or donate your work to Walnut Avenue, or if you make a prior arrangement with the coordinator around scheduling a dropoff or pickup, then these dates may vary.

Other Logistics
  • These works may involve depictions of violence, sexuality, substance use, or other sensitive material.
  • An artist may submit up to 3 individual works in each thematic category. This means someone might submit only 1 work while another might submit up to 6.
  • Works that involve multiple pieces to create a single project, such as a triptych, would count as a single work.
  • Works can be made from any medium as long as it does not present a biohazard or medical risk and does not involve any illegal or controlled substances/materials. All media is welcome!
Staff Contact
Questions or concerns? You may contact the coordinator, Marjorie Coffey (they/them), at mcoffey@wafwc.org.

Question Title

* 1. To participate in this event, there are some guidelines for submitted works. We ask that you agree to each term below by clicking each checkbox. If you do not agree with the guidelines, or if you have questions or concerns about any of them, you may contact the coordinator for more information.

Question Title

* 2. What is your first and last name? This is for Walnut Avenue's use and will not be posted alongside your work unless you say so when submitting your artist's statement.

Question Title

* 3. What is your contact information? This information is used by Walnut Avenue only and will not be public information.

Question Title

* 4. Which category would you like to submit work(s) for? You can change your mind later.

Question Title

* 5. What kind of work(s) do you think you'll submit? This helps us get an idea of the kind of exhibition space we'll need.

Question Title

* 6. Would you be interested in participating in an "artist's spotlight" as social media promotion for the event? This would involve an image of something you've already made (or your work in progress!) and a short blurb about you. You can always change your mind later, too.

Question Title

* 7. "I understand that I will be responsible for arranging for my work(s) to be physically dropped off at 303 Walnut Avenue during the week of September 23-27 unless prior arrangement has been made in writing with the coordinator. If I'm late bringing in my work and no prior arrangement has been made, I understand that there may not be any room left to display my work and I may not be able to participate in the exhibition."

Question Title

* 8. "I understand that I will be responsible for arranging pick-up of my work(s) from 303 Walnut Avenue during the week of October 7-11 unless prior arrangement has been made in writing with the coordinator. If I do not pick up my work during that week and no prior arrangement has been made, I understand that Walnut Avenue cannot guarantee how long my work(s) will be stored afterwards."

Thank you!

When we get closer to the exhibition date, we will send out another form to all of our registered participants asking for information like public artist name, artist statements, titles of works, etc. We will put that information together and print it so that it can be posted alongside your work(s).

Staff contact: Marjorie Coffey (they/them), mcoffey@wafwc.org

T