Arts Gowanus is once again partnering with Brooklyn Pride and The Old Stone House & Washington Park to present an outdoor art exhibit featuring works by Brooklyn-based LGBTQIA+ artists. Accepted artworks will be printed on vinyl banners and displayed on the fence surrounding The Old Stone House and Washington Park from June 1 – August 1, 2026.

Pride in Community: For this open call, we’re seeking work by Queer artists that explores the privileges and responsibilities that come with being a member of a community–be it a Queer community, an artistic community, a cultural community, or beyond–and what it means to exist at the intersection of several of those identities in service to these communities.

This call is open to both emerging and established artists who work in any style or medium. This exhibition will also take place online, with the original version of each work available for sale on the Arts Gowanus website.

The banners displaying the artwork will be 36 x 36 inches and will include a short description of the artwork.  

 

APPLICATION DEADLINE:
ALL SUBMISSIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY May 6th, 2026, 11:59:59pm EST.

EXHIBITION DATES:
June 1st – August 1st, 2026

LOCATION: 
Fence surrounding The Old Stone House (336 3rd Street, Park Slope) and Washington Park/J.J. Byrne Playground. 

ELIGIBILITY:
This exhibition is open to LGBTQIA+ artists who live and/or work in Brooklyn.

*Submission does not guarantee acceptance into the outdoor exhibition. All entrants will be notified on May 15th, 2026.

RULES:

Guidelines
Since this exhibition will be on public display surrounding a children's playground, no artwork depicting sexual content/nudity or profanities will be accepted. We do not want to censor anyone's artistic vision, but all submitted work must be approved by the NYC Parks Department.

Sales commission
Original works depicted on the banners can be for sale and will be listed on the Arts Gowanus website. All inquiries made for original artworks will be forwarded directly to the artist. Artists will be responsible for all aspects of the sale. Arts Gowanus does not collect a commission for works sold, however a donation of 20% of the sale is suggested. 

Copyright
The submitting Artist retains the ownership of the copyright for their work and permits Arts Gowanus to make a single printed copy of the artwork for the outdoor banner display and use the image or artwork for advertising and promotion of the exhibition.

Banners
Arts Gowanus will cover all costs related to the printing and installation of the banners. After the exhibition ends each artist banner will be given to the participant. Due to the nature of this outdoor exhibition, Arts Gowanus cannot guarantee the safety of the banners and may not be able to protect them from theft or vandalization. Banners not collected will be donated to be recycled

Contact
For questions, please email emily@artsgowanus.org.

*Submission does not guarantee acceptance into the exhibition. All entrants will be notified by May 10, 2025.

We're so excited to announce the jurors for Pride in Community:

Al Dettmann (they/them) is a queer fiber artist focusing on mixed-media & fine art practices. Earning their BFA in Fibers from Savannah College of Art and Design, they hope to share their love of color, hand-painted textures, and patchwork surfaces. With all of their work, their greatest passion is to uplift queer voices through art & design and constantly create wonders that inspire all of us to live our messy lives beautifully, boldly, and authentically. Al is currently a co-curator for Trans Art Fest

Milo Godfrey (they/them) is a multi-disciplinary artist and arts educator. Their art practice focuses on gathering and synthesizing information from their transgender life. They collect, sew and weave their HRT packaging to create artifacts which aim to connect their queer communities and those who are curious about them. They knit by hand and machine as an embodiment practice, and an attempt to focus their hyperactive mind.

Nic Caldwell (he/they) is an emerging Brooklyn-based printmaker and curator. As a curator, Nic has a deep passion for public, ephemeral art, and how printing has been a part of Black and Queer culture, history-making, collaboration, and resource sharing. Most recently, Nic has curated the exhibitions at the Lower East Side Printshop and Eleventh Hour Art, as well as given workshops at the Black Zine Fair and Center for Book Arts.

Taliyah R. Shepart "TINK" (she/he/they) is a multifaceted creative who focuses on the Black femme experience, punk dreamscapes, comic art, and the reality of being Young, Black, and Excellent. These days TINK is focused on curation with the Upcoming “Give Her Flowers” exhibition collaboration between Jamm Gallery, NOIR RENAISSANCE, and Darkside Industries. 

Artwork Upload

Please upload all information accurately

• Please upload JPG or PNG 
• Please ensure filenames are labeled: First name Last
  name_Title of the piece_Medium_Height x Width in inches.jpg (Jane Doe_Self-Portrait_Oil_32x40in.JPG).
• Upload one image per artwork. This will be the image displayed on the banner.

*If work is accepted the image you submit will be printed on banner. Please provide a clear image of fairly decent resolution. The image "should" have a minimum of 3000 pixels on the longest side and a minimum of 150 dpi for printing. That being said, we have reproduced photos that had a slightly lower resolution and it looked fine. A good photo from most newer phones should work....