CALL FOR ART

THIS IS A SIGN

How is the world speaking to you?

April 30 - May 30, 2026

An open call about signs.

The loud ones. The faded ones. The neon that won’t quit. The ghost letters clinging to brick. The cardboard protest. The message you weren’t meant to miss.

But not just the literal.

We’re interested in signs as signals. Omens. Directions. Warnings. Invitations. The symbols we follow. The warnings we don’t see until we’re ready. The meaning we project onto ordinary things.

Who gets to speak. WhAT disappears.

Submit original, human-made work in any visual medium.
Literal signage. Figurative tokens. Symbolic detours. Conceptual takes.
If it connects to the idea of a sign, we want to see it.

The world is covered in messages. This is yours.

All works must be human-created. No AI.

IMPORTANT DATES

  • Submissions Accepted Until: April 2, 2026

  • Notifications + Delivery Instructions Sent by: April 7, 2026

  • Deliver Artwork(s): April 10 - 18 (exact timing TBA)

  • Opening Reception: 6-9pm Thursday, April 30, 2026

  • Exhibit On-View: April 30 - May 30, 2026

  • Closing + Pickup: Saturday, May 30, 2026. The Gallery will be open 12-6pm, with an informal closing from 12-3pm. Buyers and artists can pick up between 3-6pm, or by appointment the following week.

SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

We put together this Google Form to make the submission process as clear and easy as possible. The deadline to apply is Thursday, April 2, 2026.

Submissions will be reviewed in the order they are received and notifications will be sent on a rolling basis, by Tuesday, April 7 at the latest.

Please limit your submission to 2 pieces. Works can be shared in any format (JPG, PNG, PDF, etc.), up to 10MB per file. For files over that limit, we welcome links -
just make sure any privacy is set to “public” so we can check it out.

There’s no fee to apply or participate!

All works should evoke the theme “This is a Sign” in technique, materials, or theme; there are no other restrictions on size or medium. Artists and makers of all ages, backgrounds, and levels are welcome, and all works must be human-created (no AI).

Submission form

Additional Info

  • Submissions will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Artists with work selected will be emailed with next steps by April 7. That email will include delivery instructions and a sales agreement, which can be reviewed and completed online.

  • The delivery window will be in mid-April 2026. Artwork selected must be delivered to Hunchback Gallery, located on the 2nd floor of 75 Webster Street, Worcester, MA.

  • Hunchback Gallery will facilitate sales, and retain 30% of sale price for our services. The remaining 70% will be paid to the artist within 30 days of sale. Set your sale prices accordingly!

  • 2D / wall-mounted work: Please deliver ready to hang - we find wire reliable and the easiest option to work with. By delivering ready-to-hang, we don’t have to alter your work in order to display.

    3D / sculptural work: Please provide any supports your work will require in order to display properly (and safely!) for the duration of the show.

  • It doesn’t have to be, but as sales make up the majority of how we fund the Gallery’s mission, we prefer that work be available for purchase.

  • Attendance at the April 30 opening isn’t required, but we hope you’ll share this show with your audience, and we’d love to see you during the show (special events TBA)!

  • If your piece sells, we’ll let you know promptly. If it doesn’t, works can be picked up as early as 3-6pm May 30. If you can’t make that, we’ll reach out to coordinate pickup, or may ask to hang on to select works a little longer.

Still have questions?

Send us a note - email HunchbackGallery@gmail.com.