Artist resources
Exhibition Opportunities
Betty and Art Robins Group Gallery
Our group gallery is named for two of the founders of the Columbia Art League who understood how important it is to foster and teach an appreciation for visual art for all ages.
Members and non-members alike are invited to enter our juried shows. Members-only shows require current CAL membership to participate.
To read more about each group gallery show and fill out an entry form, click here > Current and Upcoming Exhibitions
South Gallery
The South Gallery at CAL was created to highlight artists who have built a cohesive body of work over time through study & application.
This space is open to exhibit both 2D & 3D work as well as video and installations. Each show is about 3-4 weeks in duration depending on how it falls on the calendar. The application for 2024 solo South Gallery exhibitions has closed, but keep an eye out for the 2025 application coming August 2024.
Patrons’ Party
This fundraiser is the only time CAL will ask artists to donate work, because we strongly believe that artists’ work is real work, that it has value, and that they should be paid for it like anyone else. We recognize that we are asking for your gracious generosity in the spirit of giving back to an organization that has been and hopes to continue to be, a resource and a support for all artists in our community and their creative endeavors. The Patron’s Party will take place on Monday, Oct. 30 and the show will run from October 24 - November 10, Read more details and sign up to donate your work by clicking here.
Artists who exhibit with the Columbia Art League agree to abide by the following policies. The Columbia Art League provides insurance on all pieces up to 50% of the fair market value placed on the work by the artist. The Columbia Art League provides security on the building premises through an alarmed security system. The Columbia Art League reserves the right to use images of artists’ artwork in a fair and reasonable way for the promotion of the Art League and its events.
Exhibition Guidelines
FAQ
How do I enter a show?
First, select the show you’d like to enter by looking into the “Exhibition Opportunities” section at the top of this page. Once you’ve figured out which show you’d like to enter, check out the section directly above, labeled “Exhibition Guidelines”. This contains links to important information about how to prepare your work for a show, entry fees, sales policies, etc. Reading through those pages is a great place to start if you are interested in entering a show!
How much does it cost to enter a show?
Artists are required to pay an entry fee for all shows. Members pay a discounted entry fee. Below is the breakdown of entry fees:
Member- $15 / Non-member- $25 / Member, Student*- $10 / Non-member, Student*- $15
*Anyone paying the student fee must be a full-time student, either in high school or an undergraduate in college.
I just entered my work online for an upcoming exhibit, now what?
Great! We are looking forward to seeing your work! The next step is to drop off your work at CAL on the assigned drop-off dates for the show you’ve entered. You can find the drop-off dates on the gallery schedule or by visiting the exhibition opportunities page and clicking on the title of the show you entered.
How do I make my work gallery-ready?
Artwork must be ready for display upon arrival. All work that is expected to hang on the wall must be wired; no sawtooth hangers will be accepted. All work should be legibly signed by the artist on the back (name + title).
For ceramic and sculpture artists, all work must be created without the use of a commercial mold. It must be created with a lead-free glaze. Work must be able to stand sturdily on its own or the artist must provide a base for it to be displayed on.
For jewelers, no kits or commercial cut-outs may be used. Jewelry should be prepared for presentation, i.e. earrings should be on a card.
Fiber hangings must be mounted on a rod.
How to Wire Your Artwork for a Gallery Show
Does the artwork I enter into a show have to be for sale?
Yes, all work submitted to exhibitions must be for sale. Artwork should be fairly and reasonably priced according to the fair market value.
How do I price my work?
If this is your first time exhibiting, we recommend you do your research! There are lots of great resources online that provide helpful tips for pricing your artwork. We also recommend taking a trip to CAL to familiarize yourself with the price range of art displayed here. Here are a couple of great articles to reference if you aren’t sure where to start.
Seven Rules for Pricing Your Artwork
How to Price Your Artwork (Beginner Do’s and Dont’s)
Is my work guaranteed to get into the show?
If you have entered one of the five shows that have open entry to everyone, there will be a jury process. This means CAL will hire an outside juror, unaffiliated with the Art League, to jury the show. For most shows, everyone is invited to submit up to two pieces of artwork for consideration. One, both, or none of your pieces may be selected by the juror.
If you have entered one of the two shows open to members only, there will not be a theme or a jurying process. Because of this, there will be a cutoff point for entries, so it’s first come, first serve! It is for these Members’ shows that artists may only submit one piece to the show. CAL will hire an awards judge to select winners and honorable mentions for this show.
My work didn’t get juried into a show, now what?
If your work was not selected by the juror to be in the exhibition, you will be notified by a staff member within 3 days of submission, after which you are responsible for picking up your work from CAL. You will only be contacted by a staff member if your work was not accepted and needs to be picked up. If you do not receive an email, that means your work has been accepted into the show.
Will there be awards given out with each show?
Yes! CAL will hire an outside juror/judge, unaffiliated with the Art League, to select winners and honorable mentions.
Awards judges and jurors will always be unaffiliated with the Art League in an effort to ensure the highest degree of objectivity and impartiality in their process. The jury process is entirely anonymous. Jurors and judges do not have access to artists’ identifying information. The juror is instructed to view all submissions and select those that they believe to be the strongest technically and speak most effectively to the theme.
What do I do if my work sells?
Congrats! Columbia Art League receives a 35% commission on all work sold in the exhibitions, meaning you will receive 65% of what you priced your artwork at. You should expect to be paid at the beginning of the following month from which your artwork is sold. For example, if your artwork sells on July 2nd, you should expect to be paid at the beginning of August.
My work didn’t sell, when and where do I pick it up?
If your work did not sell, you can pick it up at CAL on the assigned pick-up dates for the show you’ve entered. You can find the pick-up dates on the gallery schedule or by visiting the exhibition opportunities page and clicking on the title of the show you entered.
The Columbia Art League’s Community Exhibits Program began in 1959 to provide artwork to other non-profit organizations in the community. Over the years, the program expanded to include all types of public and private business locations, which invite artists to exhibit their artworks. Each quarter, artists 'rotate' their work to a different venue, so that a new audience of people can enjoy their work.
As long as you are a current member of the Columbia Art League and have exhibited in a show at CAL, we are happy to consider your work for the Community Exhibit Program. If you’re interested in applying to be an exhibiting artist with this program, click here. You can also email CEP@columbiaartleague.org if you have any questions or concerns.
Community Exhibition Project
Memberships are the key to our continued operation and success! Our yearly memberships allow our vibrant art community at CAL to thrive!
We have three membership tracks with different levels in each area. Artists (for those who create), Appreciator (for individuals who participate + support the cultural value of our art community), and Corporate (for businesses interested in supporting the Arts in Columbia). You can read more about each area and sign up for membership today by clicking here!
A membership perk at CAL is entry into our two annual Members’ only gallery exhibits. These shows have no theme and there is no jury process, which means there will be a cutoff point for entries, so it’s first come, first serve! What you enter is what will hang on the walls. It is for these Members’ shows that artists may only submit one piece to the show. CAL will hire an awards judge to select winners and honorable mentions for this show.
Membership
Selling artwork in gift gallery
We open up the opportunity to sell artwork in our Gift Gallery to any artist who is a current member of the Columbia Art League. If you are interested in potentially selling your artwork in the Gift Gallery, the first step is to schedule an appointment with our Executive Director. This will be a designated time for you to bring in your artwork and discuss what would be best to add to our inventory, pricing, etc. Email kelsey@columbiaartleague.org to schedule a time that works best. Also, make sure you read the gift gallery guidelines below!
