ARTfactory - CALL FOR ENTRY
Entry Deadline: Sunday, September 7, 2025 by Midnight
What the Walls Remember
at ARTfactory's Caton Merchant Gallery
October 11-November 8, 2025
(9419 Battle St, Manassas, VA 20110)
In conjunction with ARTfactory’s annual Factory of Fear event and fundraiser, the Caton Merchant Gallery is presenting a juried group exhibition titled "What the Walls Remember". This exhibit invites artists to explore themes with a darker tone. While Halloween imagery (like pumpkins or black cats) is welcome, it’s not required. Instead, artists are encouraged to submit works that evoke a mysterious, eerie, or unsettling atmosphere—think shadowy landscapes, surreal or unusual portraits, explorations of good and evil, ethereal or abstract concepts, and pieces that overall convey a dark aesthetic or mood.
About the Factory of Fear Event:
Join us, if you dare for FACTORY OF FEAR, THE HORROR HOTEL, a chilling haunted experience set in a twisted, reimagined world where history and terror collide. Before it was a bustling four-story factory, this ominous building was once home to a Manassas hotel. See it as it was, or rather, how it could be now as it is transformed into an eerie, Haunted Experience.
As you step through the doors, you’ll find yourself descending into a world of darkness, deceit, and unspeakable horrors, with each floor more unnerving than the last.
Join us for a special PREVIEW NIGHT on October 16th from 7-9:00PM.
During the event, the building will be transformed into a haunted hotel where each floor will have a unique and terrifying theme for visitors to tour. The 1st floor art gallery will be transformed into the Horror Hotel lounge.
Questions? Contact Gallery Director/Curator Jordan Exum (jexum@VirginiaARTfactory.org)
Entry Details:
- Submission Deadline: Sunday, September 7, 2025 by midnight
- Entry to this exhibit is by online submission.
- Each artist may enter up to 4 works in any medium suitable for hanging on a wall.
- The entry fee is $25 per artist. Entry fees are due upon submission and are non-refundable.
- Each artist must provide one photo for each entry. Acceptable file types include jpg, jpeg and png; up to 5MB in file size. Please do not submit images in HEIC format. Files should be named in the following format: “LastName_FirstName_ArtworkTitle_Dimensions”. If you choose to add an additional photo per entry, add a”-2” to the end. For example: “LastName_FirstName_ArtworkTitle_Dimensions_2”.
- Any image submitted may be used for marketing and promotional purposes related to the “What the Walls Remember” exhibit and the “Factory of Fear” event.
Requirements:
- Artwork acceptance is at the Gallery Director/Curator’s discretion.
- Maximum size: 24”x36” (framed)
- All artwork submissions must be original work and not a digital reproduction print. Photography, hand-printed fine art prints (woodcuts, block prints, etc.), and digital art are welcome.
- The artwork must be for sale.
- All accepted exhibitors must sign an exhibition contract.
Presentation:
- Artwork must be dry and ready to hang or display with D-rings, framed, matted, or with finished/painted edges. ARTfactory’s hanging system works primarily with d-rings/strap hangers instead of wire, and wire is NOT required for display. No saw-tooth hangers. See framing example below:
If you have any questions about framing/hanging hardware, please contact the Gallery Director/Curator.
- The Gallery Director/Curator reserves the right to refuse any work that does not meet these standards or does not match the description on the entry form.
- Label the back of the work with your name, contact info (email and cell), title of work, media, and price. (ARTfactory will create wall labels for display).
Commission:
- ARTfactory will process all gallery sales AND sales tax to be reported to the state of Virginia.
- ARTfactory will retain a 30% commission on all gallery sales.
Important Dates:
- Artists will be notified of artwork acceptance by end of business on Wednesday, September 10, 2025.
- All exhibiting artwork must be dropped off on Sunday, October 5, 1-4 pm. No appointment required.
- All unsold artwork must be picked up on Sunday, November 9, 1-4 pm. No appointment required. ARTfactory cannot be held responsible for any artwork left after the pickup deadline.
- The Opening Reception is Saturday, October 11 from 6-8 pm.
- The exhibit runs October 11-November 8, 2025 (last day for viewing and sales). Gallery hours are Tuesday-Saturday, 10 am-5 pm, Sunday 12-5 pm.
For more info:
Contact: Jordan Exum – ARTfactory Gallery Director/Curator 703-330-2787, jexum@VirginiaARTfactory.org