"Post-Wild: Nature in the 21st Century" Submission Form

Before submitting, please review the complete guidelines here.

 

Exhibition Overview

The Santa Barbara County Office of Arts and Culture and County Arts Commission invite artists residing in Santa Barbara County to submit original artwork for consideration in our upcoming exhibition, Post-Wild: Nature in the 21st Century.

Online Application Open: January 19 – February 15, 2026

Artists Notified: Early March 2026

Exhibition Dates: March 2026 - November 2026

Opening Reception: May 21, 2026

Location: Betteravia Gallery, Santa Maria, California

Theme: Nature in the 21st Century

This exhibition is dedicated to exploring how contemporary artists depict, interpret, or challenge the concept of nature in the current age. We are looking for works that evoke the spirit of the 21st century.

Submissions should reflect a contemporary perspective, which may include, but is not limited to, realistic or abstract depictions of the environment. They may be executed through media such as painting, drawing, sculpture, digital media, photography, data visualization, or unconventional materials. Artists are encouraged to explore nature as a concept, for example, engaging with issues of biodiversity, urbanization, or human impact.

Artwork Specifications: Small Works

This is a small works exhibition. Artists must adhere to the following size and display requirements:

• Maximum Size (2D): Artwork must not exceed 18 inches in width and 24 inches in height (including frame).
• Weight Limit: No single work may exceed 10 pounds.
• Ready-to-Hang: All 2D work must be professionally prepared, wired, and ready for immediate wall display. Saw-tooth hangers will not be accepted. Any work that arrives not ready to hang will not be accepted.
   

Eligibility and Exclusions

• Residency: Open to all artists who are current residents of Santa Barbara County, California.
• Age: Artists must be at least 18 years of age at the time of submission.
• Artwork restrictions: Artworks cannot contain advertising or marks indicating “registered” or “trademark.” Artworks cannot contain nudity, hate speech, or pejorative imagery.
• Santa Barbara County Office of Arts and Culture may remove any artwork that violates the artwork requirements.
  
  

For questions regarding this Call-for-Art, please contact Laura-Susan Thomas at laurasusanthomasart@gmail.com and include "Post-Wild" in the subject line.

Artist Agreement

• The artwork I am loaning will not be insured by the County during the exhibition, and the County cannot guarantee its condition upon return.
• I understand the artwork will be displayed in a public space, and the County is not responsible for any loss, damage, or deterioration that may occur.
• I release and agree to hold harmless the County, its staff, and volunteers from any claims, costs, or liabilities related to the artwork, including those arising from transport, installation, display, or removal—even if caused in part by County negligence.
• This includes any claims for personal injury or property damage connected to the artwork’s presence or handling.
• I certify that the artwork I am submitting is original and that I own all rights to it, including copyright and any necessary permissions for its display.

Artwork Submissions

All digital image submissions should meet the following criteria:

• File Format: JPEG (.jpg)
• Resolution: 300 dpi, minimum 1920 pixels on the longest side.
• File Naming Convention: LastName_FirstName_Title.jpg