Call to Artists

Current Call to Artists:

“Celebration”

Submissions now open through Saturday, November 15 at 4pm

Show runs November 18 through December 31, 2025

Click here for Membership Form 2025 

Click here for 2025: 2025 Celebration Entry Form

River Arts in Damariscotta announces a call to artists for a special, year-end show, “Celebration”. This celebration of art and fine craft encourages gallery patrons to shop locally for affordable art for the holiday season which in turn supports Maine artists.  All original fine art and fine craft including painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, sculpture, ceramic, jewelry, fiber, multimedia, pastel, glass, wood, collage and more will be accepted for this holiday exhibition.  All artists are invited to participate in this non-juried show.
This is an open call without a pre-determined theme.

Rules of Entry:

Artists may enter works whose total retail prices add up to $50
For example:

  • 1 piece for $500
  • 1 piece for $200 and 1 piece for $300
  • 2 pieces for $150 each and 1 piece for $200
  • 5 pieces for $100 each

OR: any other combination which adds up to $500.

Submission Guidelines
No size limit. Works must meet gallery guidelines for presentation. All work must be gallery ready and clean. Wall pieces must be securely wired with picture wire. No wet paint. All work is subject to management approval.

Entry Fee
Fee for entering is $15 for members and $30 for non-members.
River Arts retains 35% commission on sales.

Drop off Dates
Works may be delivered from now until the deadline on Saturday, November 15 at 4 pm.

Public Artists’ Reception
Saturday, November 22 from 2 to 4pm

Visit the Show
The show will run from November 18 until December 31. River Arts is located at 36 Elm Street in Damariscotta. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday 10 to 4.

For more information call River Arts at 563-6868.

 

 

Click here for Membership Form 2025

Click here for 2025 Celebration Entry Form

 

Submission Guidelines for all

River Arts Shows

  • Work must be labeled with artist’s name, phone and show title.
  • Wall pieces must be securely wired with picture wire. Please do not use string, fish line, or floral wire.  Saw tooth hangers are not recommended.
  • Works must be clean and dry. No wet paint or wet finish allowed.
  • Diptychs are allowed but multiple piece works with more than two pieces will not be accepted.
  • Wall pieces should not exceed 30 pounds.
  • All pieces must fit the size limits described in the Call to Artists.  No exceptions!  
  • All artwork must be original art of living artists. River Arts does not sell nor show reproductions.  Giclée copies are not allowed.
  • Works previously shown at River Arts should not be entered into juried shows.

Drop Off Artwork

  • Works should be delivered in person to the gallery during gallery hours up to the stated deadline. River Arts does not accept mailed submissions or emailed submissions.
  • Entry Forms are available online or in the gallery. We do not mail out forms. Forms should not be altered and the current form for each show must be used. All forms MUST be completely filled out and signed.
  • Entry forms, entry fees and artwork should be delivered at the same time in person at the gallery. Entry fees are non-refundable.
  • Boxes, bags or packaging should not be left in the gallery.

Notification of Acceptance

  • Accepted List of Artists will be posted on River Arts’ Website and on Facebook. We will not be emailing or calling submitting artists with notifications.

Pick Up Artwork:

      Artwork pick up is during regular gallery hours: Tues – Sat: 10 to 4

  • Unaccepted Work may be picked up immediately following notification.
  • End of Show: Accepted Work should be retrieved in the final week of a show or as soon as the show ends.
  • Work should not be left over the winter in our storage rooms. Please remove all artwork before you leave for the season.  Thank you!
  • Work left for more than 6 months at River Arts is considered abandoned and becomes the property of River Arts.

Sales

  • All submitted works must be for sale.
  • River Arts retains 35% commission on all sales.
  • Sales after the show comes down: River Arts depends upon commissions from sales to continue to thrive.  Artists whose work sells as a result of showing at River Arts should remember to provide the commission to River Arts.  Thank you.
  • River Arts discourages buyers from negotiating prices so it is best to reasonably price artwork for sale. Prices should be based on your history of selling similar works.
  • Payments to artists will be made promptly in the week after a show ends. This applies to all sales: Show Works, Bin Works and River Room Works. 

Advertising

  • Works submitted to River Arts may be used in advertising on our Webpages, newspapers, Facebook, Instagram or others. If you wish to submit a photo image, please email jpegs to info@riverartsme.org. Please label jpeg file with artist’s first and last name.  For example:  Winslow Homer
  • If you wish to have a page in our Bio Book, please send a one page word document (not a PDF)  to info@riverartsme.org or bring in a printed page and we will add you to our book.

River Arts uses all possible care in handling and storing artwork.  River Arts’ volunteers and staff will not be held responsible for damaged or lost artwork. 

Gallery Hours:

Tuesday through Saturday 10 am to 4 pm. 

 Closed  Sunday and Monday