Thank you for your interest in the "Mo(u)rning Earth" juried art exhibition at the Atrium Gallery inside the Ventura County Government Center Hall of Administration, on display from March 30, 2026 through May 15, 2026.

“Mo(u)rning Earth,” featuring lead artist Vanessa Morrow, is one in a series of art exhibitions addressing mental health that is part of VibeWell Ventura County, a county-wide initiative that uses art and culture to raise awareness of mental health conditions. This show's theme invites artists to consider the/their physical environment and the idea that processing grief or loss through arts can transform "mourning" into the “morning” of a new dawn/day.

VCAC invites submissions from local artists to be juried for potential display alongside the lead artist. Monetary prizes will be awarded to first, second, and third place winners. All levels welcome.

You can learn more about Vanessa Morrow and her work at curiousvessels.com.

Up to three (3) pieces may be submitted for evaluation by a Ventura County Arts Council curator to determine acceptance into the show. Artwork should connect with the theme, "Mo(u)rning Earth," and reflect the role of creativity in supporting your mental health.

To participate in this exhibition, all entrants are required to read the Entry Guidelines, Important Dates, General Art Guidelines, and Exhibit Guidelines below and agree to them at the bottom of this page prior to completing an application. After you have read and agreed to all guidelines, please complete and submit your application on the next page. 

Entry Guidelines:

• There is no cost to submit work for jurying consideration, but once artwork is accepted into the show, there is a fee for each piece you choose to enter into the show. You are not required to enter all pieces that are accepted. The prices are as follows: 
  • $25 entry fee to enter a single piece of artwork into the show.
  • If you enter more than one piece, the entry fee for each piece is $20.
  • All payments must be made at or before the time of artwork drop-off, either by check payable to Ventura County Arts Council and dropped off with your art, or online here beforehand. No cash accepted. NOTE: Please do not pay online until you have been notified via email if/how many of your submissions have been accepted into the show.
    
    
• A maximum of 3 entries per artist may be submitted for consideration.
  
  
• Entrant must be a resident of the County of Ventura.
  
  
• There will be three winners announced at the opening reception on Thursday, April 16, 2026, 5:00 -7:00 p.m. at the Atrium Gallery. 1st place winner will receive $150, 2nd place winner will receive $100, and 3rd place winner will receive $50. Winners will be notified beforehand that they have been awarded one of the three prizes, but specific awards will not be announced until the evening of the reception. Winners do not need to be present at the reception to receive their prize. A Ventura County Arts Council staff member will email any winners not in attendance after the reception to inform them of their specific award, and will mail the award check to them. Please ensure the email address and mailing address you enter into this submission form are where you would like to receive any possible email notifications and award check.  
  
  
• Work will not be judged by medium, and most artwork mediums will be accepted, including paintings, photography, works on paper, mixed media, fiber, ceramics, jewelry, sculpture, and craft.

Important dates:

• Submission deadline: March 23, 2026, 11:59 p.m. PST
• Acceptance emails sent: Rolling basis, through March 24, 2026
• Art take-in at the Atrium Gallery (800 S. Victoria Ave., Ventura, CA 93009):
  • Wednesday, Mar. 25, 2026, 7:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
  • Thursday, Mar. 26, 2026, 12:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
• Exhibition displayed: Mar. 30, 2026 - May 15, 2026
• Opening Reception with Awards: Thursday, Apr. 16, 2026, 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
• Art pick-up appointments: May 18 & 20, 2026, time windows TBA 

General Art Guidelines:

• Wall-mounted artwork must be framed and mounted with hanging wire suitable to safely and securely hang the work. Artwork on stretched canvas over wood framed pieces are acceptable, as long as they also include a mounted hanging wire. Wall-mounted artwork must not protrude more than 3” from the wall. Please be advised that due to limited storage and staffing, we cannot accept artwork that is not gallery-ready. Wall artwork without a frame and/or without mounted hanging wire will not be accepted under any circumstance. D-ring and wiring tutorial is provided here.

• Three-dimensional artwork (including jewelry, sculpture, and ceramics) must be free standing and sturdy, or you must provide a display stand. Space for three-dimensional work is limited to the available display cases.

• All artwork must measure no more than 48” in any direction, and must weigh no more than 40 pounds.
  
  
• Artwork must be free from all hazards and meet all fire and safety regulations.
  
  
• Artwork containing lighting or electrical components must be free from all hazards and meet all fire and safety regulations. Please be aware that electrical outlet space is extremely limited and not guaranteed.
  
  
• Stanchions (wall-mounted housing units that contain a rope hook) may be utilized to cordon off artwork which protrudes into traffic areas.

Exhibit Guidelines:

Art shall not contain objectionable or controversial material such that its display would be objectively offensive to members of the public or County employees; contrary to community standards; or would detract from the mission of the County. The art on display should be of a high standard while also being appropriate for a work environment, polling location, and a public place of business. Art may be removed from the premises immediately for any reason. This includes, but is not limited to, artwork that:

• Includes or depicts overt nudity and/or obscene or pornographic material;
• Includes profanity, and/or obscene or otherwise vulgar language or content;
• Advocates or promotes any form of racism or discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, country of origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, physical or mental ability, age and/or political affiliation;
• Advocates for or against political candidates, political campaigns, ballot measures, political parties or organizations, or contains political messaging;
• Associates the County with a position other than neutrality on matters of political controversy;
• Implies the County is sponsoring and/or endorsing any commercial establishment or business (although the County may allow artwork to be sold to the public and allow the display of information to facilitate a sale of such artwork);
• Advocates for or suggests the use of illegal/prohibited substances; and,
• Depicts, incites, or encourages violence, or otherwise displays graphic violence.

All artwork must remain hanging in the Atrium Gallery for the full duration of the show. If you indicate in your entry application that your artwork is for sale, we will forward outside sales inquiry emails to you at the email address you provide in your application, so that you can coordinate with the interested party on your own. Please do not plan to arrange for any sale of any artwork that would result in its being removed from the Atrium Gallery before May 15, 2026.

For additional support or questions, please email: gallery@vcartscouncil.org.

By clicking yes below, I understand and agree to all Entry Guidelines, General Art Guidelines, and Exhibit Guidelines.

I have read and agree to all Entry, General Art, and Exhibit Guidelines, and to the conditions enumerated herein. 

Permission is granted to the Ventura County Arts Council (VCAC) to photograph any entry for educational, publicity, or promotional purposes on its website or in other mediums. I understand that neither the VCAC nor the County of Ventura can prevent visitors to the Gallery from taking photographs of the artwork. Submission of this form (by the artist or his/her/their agent) constitutes acceptance of all terms. VCAC reserves the right to make all final decisions regarding eligibility and exhibition of my artwork. I understand that my artwork must remain on exhibit for the show's duration, unless otherwise allowed by VCAC.

I further agree that if I have indicated on this application that my artwork is for sale, VCAC has permission to forward outside sales inquiry emails to me at the email address I have listed above, and that I will not arrange for any sale of my artwork that would result in its being removed from the Atrium Gallery before May 15, 2026.

Neither VCAC nor the County of Ventura insure artwork. I hereby release VCAC and the County of Ventura and any of their agents, representatives, board members, elected officials, officers, employees and patrons from damage, theft or loss of any artwork currently on display on the grounds of the County Government Center, 800 S. Victoria Ave., Ventura, CA, 93009. 

In addition, as an exhibitor, I hereby agree to defend, indemnify, and save harmless the Ventura County Arts Council and the County of Ventura, including all of their boards, agencies, departments, officers, elected officials, employees, agents and volunteers, against any and all claims, lawsuits, demands, judgments, and all liability including, but not limited to, monetary or property damage, lost profit, theft, personal injury, wrongful death, general liability, automobile accidents, arising directly or indirectly from my participation in the exhibit sponsored or conducted in whole or in part by the Ventura County Arts Council and the County of Ventura.