As part of our upcoming group exhibition, Dog Days, we’re excited to curate a special section showcasing dog-centered art by young artists! We warmly invite students from Sunset Valley Elementary to contribute their creative reflections on their favorite dog memories—and we’re extending that invitation to their friends and family as well.
Under-18 and interested in having your dog art on the gallery walls at DORF? Submit now!
ELIGIBILITY
Students, family or friends of Sunset Valley Elementary School students, parents and teachers.
PERKS
• Selected artists will have their work featured and listed in DORF's Dog Days exhibition, on view throughout summer 2025.
• Selected artists will receive a special doggy bag filled with surprises.
STEP 01: CREATE YOUR ART
We are looking for artwork inspired by your favorite furry dog friends. Portraits of dogs, cartoons, stories or sculptures - get your creative energy flowing and let doggies be your inspiration!
STEP 02: TAKE A PICTURE OF YOUR ART
Do it yourself or have a friend or parent help photograph your artwork for submission! Phone pics are totally fine, we just need to see what it looks like!
STEP 03 - SUBMIT YOUR ART
Submit your art! We are so excited to see what you have made!
ABOUT THE EXHIBITION:
Dog Days is a summer group exhibition Curated by Sara Vanderbeek and Eric Manche in honor of their late dogter Lu.
In ancient Greece and Rome, the “Dog Days” marked a season of sweltering heat, drought, and unrest. Today, as we navigate an uncertain world—rising temperatures, shifting landscapes, and an era of transformation—one thing remains unchanged: the steadfast, unwavering love of our dogs. For many of us, they are our constant, our comfort, and sometimes, the very thing that keeps us going.
Dog Days is a celebration of dogs and the deep bonds we share with them. As our most loyal companions, they are symbols of devotion and reflections of ourselves. These tail-wagging sources of joy and unconditional love teach us about life’s fleeting nature and often offer our first experience with loss and grief. In short, our furry friends shape us, save us, and stay with us long after they’re gone.
This summer, DORF invites our community to help us honor them with a summer group exhibition and celebration!
Got work that fits? Sit, stay, and send it our way!
SUBMISSION DEADLINE
April 22, 2025, at 11:59 pm CST. Late applications will not be accepted.
APPLICATION GUIDELINES
🐕 1-5 artwork samples–JPG or PNG (iPhone photos will also be accepted) (no larger than 3MB). Name files by the following convention: 01_Artist Name, 02_Artist Name and so on. List works on Image List in this same order.
🐕 Artwork must be 8" x 10" or smaller.
🐕 Image list with your name, title of work, year made, media, dimensions
🐕 Short statement about your piece – Who is the animal? What is their name? Are/were they your pet? How did they make you feel? What are/were your favorite things to do with them?
ACCESSIBILITY
DORF is committed to making our programs as accessible as possible. Please let us know if you need specific accommodations during the submission or exhibition process.
TIMELINE
🐕 Application portal opens: March 28, 2025
🐕 Application Deadline: Tuesday, April 22, 2025 (11:59 pm CST)
🐕 Artists notified of DORF’s decision to accept or decline student artwork; consignment agreements signed: Week of April 22, 2025
🐕 Artwork shipped or dropped at DORF by: May 9-12, 2025*
🐕 Installation: May 13-19, 2025
🐕 Exhibition opening: Friday, May 23, 2025
🐕 Exhibition closing: Saturday, September 20, 2025
🐕 Other programming: TBD
* Artist families will be responsible for dropping off and picking up artwork from DORF. If the artist resides outside of Austin, TX, shipping will be the responsibility of the artist family.
❤️ THANK YOU!
Thank you in advance for your submission! 🐾
For questions, reach out to dorf@dorfworld.org.