Current Call to Artists:

“Land & Sea”

Submissions now open through Saturday, July 4 at 4 pm

Show runs July 7 through August 16

There will be a opening reception on Saturday, July 11 from 2 to 4

Click here for Entry-Form-2026

Click here for : Membership Form

River Arts in Damariscotta invites artists to submit work for its upcoming juried exhibition, “Land & Sea”. Open to both members and non-members, this popular summer show explores the many ways artists respond to the natural world around us.
The theme, Land & Sea, is open to personal interpretation and may include both realistic and abstract works. Artists are invited to explore landscapes, waterways, coastlines, natural habitats, and the environments that surround us. Whether inspired by Maine’s coast, an inland river, a forest landscape, a distant place, or an abstract concept, the theme encourages a broad range of creative responses.

Artists working in all media are encouraged to apply, including but not limited to painting, sculpture, fiber, photography, ceramics, original printmaking, drawing, encaustic, and pastel.

The juror for “Land & Sea” is Maine artist Deborah Loughlin of Waldoboro.

All submitted work must be gallery ready to hang. Artists may enter either two works with a maximum size of 24 inches in any direction , including frame, or one larger work with a maximum size of 50 inches in any direction, including frame. All artwork must be delivered in person during regular gallery hours.

Entry forms are available at the gallery or online at riverartsme.org. The submission deadline is Saturday, July 4, at 4:00 p.m.

The entry fee is $15 for River Arts members and $30 for non-members. All submitted artwork must be for sale, and River Arts retains a 35% commission on works sold during the exhibition.

Selected artists will be notified through a posted list on the River Arts website and Facebook page Tuesday afternoon, July 7.

The exhibition will open to the public on July 7 and will run through August 16. An opening reception will be held on Saturday, July 11, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., and all are invited to attend.

River Arts is located at 36 Elm Street in Damariscotta and is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. For more information, call 207-563-6868, email info@riverartsme.org, or visit riverartsme.org.

Click here for Membership Form 2026

Entry-Form-2026

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 Selected work:

Selected 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

Unselected Work may be picked up immediately following notification.
End of Show: Selected 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.

Call to Artists