Full Circle—Juried National Exhibition
Juror: TBD
November 12– December 19, 2026
Full Circle
OPENING RECEPTION: Thursday, November 12th, 6 - 8 PM
National Show, open to all media, original works.
ABOUT THE THEME:
FULL CIRCLE
Call for Artists
What comes around, goes around. What begins, may transform, change or remain the same.
Full Circle invites artists to explore the idea of cycles, return, and transformation. A circle has no beginning or end. Full Circle suggests continuity, connection, repetition, and the possibility of coming home to something familiar with a new perspective.
We invite artists to consider what “full circle” means to them. It may be a personal journey, a return to one’s roots, the cycles of nature, the passage of time, relationships, memory, loss and renewal, or the evolution of an idea. It can represent closure or the realization that every ending creates the possibility of a new beginning.
We welcome work that explores themes such as:
- Beginnings, endings & new beginnings
- Cycles of nature, life & time
- Return, homecoming & belonging
- Growth, transformation & reinvention
- Memory, nostalgia & reflection
- Patterns, repetition & rhythm
- Connection, relationships & interconnectedness
- Personal or collective journeys
- Healing and resilience
- The circular, cyclical, or infinite
Artists are encouraged to interpret the theme broadly and personally. Literal or abstract interpretations are equally welcome. We are interested in work that asks questions, reveals connections, challenges assumptions, or invites viewers to reflect on their own circles. We invite artists to think about where they have been, where they are now, and where they may be headed.
All mediums and approaches are welcome. Painting, drawing, photography, sculpture, ceramics, mixed media, fiber, printmaking, and digital work.
Sometimes the path forward brings us back to where we started, only to show us that we are no longer the same.
We invite you to complete the circle.
ENTRY DEADLINE: Monday, October 12th 2026, end of day.
JPEG SIZING: Images submitted via Smarter Entry should be at least 1280 pixels in the longest dimension at 72 ppi; file size not to exceed 3 MB.
FEES
$30 for first three images. $10 for each additional image up to 6 total images.
ALL WORKS MUST BE FOR SALE. South Shore Art Center receives 40% of the purchase price. Please submit only work that will be available at the time of the exhibition and will remain for its entirety. No accepted entry may be withdrawn prior to the close of the exhibition. No pricing changes will be allowed after acceptance. Living artists only. Work that is copied or done under the guidance of an instructor is not eligible. Entries must not have been previously exhibited at SSAC or the SSAC Arts Festival. If the work does not fully reflect what is represented on the submitted image, South Shore Art Center reserves the right to eliminate it from the exhibition.
SPECIFICATIONS
Two-dimensional work must be professionally presented and firmly wired. No sawtooth hangers, no sandwich frames. 3-D work should include a sturdy pedestal.
NOTIFICATION
All submitting artists will receive a group email by the end of day on Tuesday, October 20th, with a list of accepted works.
DELIVERY OF ACCEPTED ARTWORK
Shipping, return shipping and a $25 handling fee for shipped work are the responsibility of the artist. No Sunday Deliveries. Shipped Delivery by Wednesday, November 4th, 4pm. Hand delivered work drop off: Thursday, November 5th – Saturday November 7th, 10:00am–4:00pm. We are closed Sunday, November 8th.
PICK-UP/RETURN DELIVERY OF ARTWORK
Hand delivered works may be picked up Monday, December 21st; January 4th - January 6th, 2027, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. SSAC will return shipped work by January 30th, 2027. A handling fee of $25 is required for shipped artwork. SSAC will be closed December 22 - January 3rd.
LIABILITY
I understand that South Shore Art Center will ensure work accepted to the extent of 60% of the artist’s stated value while the work is in the Art Center’s custody and control.
AGREEMENT
Submission to Full Circle constitutes an agreement with all conditions of this show. South Shore Art Center reserves the right to photograph or use a submitted image for an accepted work for publicity purposes. South Shore Art Center reserves the right to reject any work not resembling the submitted entry or work that is not ready to be shown according to the aforementioned specifications.
PRIZES
First Prize, $350
Second Prize, $250
Third Prize, $100
Awards of Merit (3)