Solo Exhibition
Calling all artists to apply for a solo exhibit in the Jean Rawls classroom. This is a great space to attract collectors who will also see your artworks during our monthly exhibition openings and while they are taking one of our art courses offered at the center.  We are currently booked through Spring 2028 but continue to accept applications and will notify you if chosen which month your solo exhibit will be assigned. Once accepted you will be placed in a que and if other chosen artists decide not to exhibit, we bump up the waiting list. You will be notified of any changes via email.

 Exhibition Dates: We host two solo exhibits a year, one in the spring and the second one in the fall. Currently we are booked through Spring 2028 but are always reviewing applications. If accepted, you will be notified by the art curator Jorge A. Saenz
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• Application Ongoing                    
• Artist will be notified via email.
• Reception date to be chosen by Art Center and artist.          
• Additional dates for future exhibits will be sent directly                       to the artist via email.

Special Rules:    

• The solo exhibit will be held in the Jean Rawls classroom and will consist of a maximum of 25 paintings and up to 16 3D pieces never exhibited at any of the center's art shows. The center will have a 25%/75% split with the artists retaining 75% of the sale. 
• For more questions about the solo exhibit please email Jorge A. Saenz, Art Curator at exhibitions @artcentervb.org.
• It is important that you read all the general rules in the art call before applying.    

Solo Exhibition:
This open theme is left to the artist's choice. Series are recommended but not required. We are a family-oriented gallery and request that your artwork be appropriate for all ages. Once selected you will work with art curator Jorge A. Saenz to choose the artworks that will be on view and that have never been in one of our art shows. We will be hosting two solo exhibits during the year so if not selected for the first one we will keep a running list of future artists that we will be in future solo exhibits. Gives you more time to create amazing art.

Diverse types of art can be submitted to the solo exhibition.  Abstract, collages, photography, jewelry, and all other types of art are welcomed to submit, as long as they are suitable for all ages and never exhibited at any of the center's art shows.



Eligibility: 

• Open to Local/Regional Artists aged 18 or older (must be able to drop off work in person)  

How To Submit: 

• Review the General Rules below to ensure that your art fulfills the requirements.
• Fill out the entry form on this page by midnight of the submission deadline. We do not accept late submission. You are required to submit 10 artworks and if chosen as the solo artist you will be required to submit all the artworks you will be exhibiting. 
• We will run a background check on all artist accepted for the solo exhibit.
• Prior to uploading your photos rename them on the device you are using (PC, Mac Book, iPhone or other phone brand) in the following format: lastname_firstname_titleofartwork.jpg here is an example, smith_john_teachersexhibit.jpg once you have done this you can upload your file into the Choose File box under the submission form. You must ensure you are using a jpg format. We cannot convert your photos using a different format than jpg.
• ​Please make sure you are following these instructions. If unsure of how to label a photo get with a friend or google instructions. 
• Make sure your photos are labeled correctly and that they are in a jpg format, and cropped around the edge of the painting without the frame as this distracts our jurors from seeing your work properly. Not doing will affect your submissions from being accepted into the jurying process​
• Submit a short statement about each piece, to be displayed with the work.  Statement should be ​50 words, basically 2 lines in a standard Word document.  The exhibition team will edit statements for clarity, length or typos. 
•  Be sure to enter your website and social media handles. 
• If you do not get the confirmation page, your entry did not go through.
• ​You will be required to fill out a background check.
•  You will be notified by email if you were chosen to be a solo exhibitor at the center on December 13, 2025.

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Drop Off and Pick Up of Art:

Once you have been selected you will work with art curator Jorge A. Saenz to select the pieces that will be in the exhibit. Additional documentation will be needed for this process which you will receive via email.​

• Ensure artwork is labeled on the back and under 3D with your name and title of work.
• Art will be checked during drop off and ensure all requirements have been met. Art can still be refused for the show if there are issues with presentation, hanging wire, craftsmanship, etc. or if the artwork differs from the art juried in.
• Exhibition postcards/handouts will be available at drop off.

ATTENTION:  Read ALL GENERAL RULES at the bottom of this page, but be aware of these common oversights:
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• Original works only never exhibited at any of the center's art shows.  No reproductions.  Digital works (photography, digital art, hand-pulled prints) must be in limited editions (25 or less), signed and numbered. Please include if AI was used to create the artwork. 
• Presentation must be professional and not detract from the artwork.  
• Gallery wrapped canvases that are 1" or wider must be painted on the sides with either the painting wrapping around or with a complimentary color. No visible staples on the sides of the canvas. NO EXCEPTIONS!
•  Paintings that are on a 3/4" canvas or smaller MUST HAVE A FRAME. There are no exceptions for this requirement.
• Hanging wires must be tight across, and near the top 1/3 of the frame. Absolutely no SAWTOOTH HANGERS! Artwork is checked at drop off and you will be required to rectify if directions have not been followed.
• Artwork must be for sale and on view for entire exhibition.
• PLEASE READ ALL GENERAL RULES at very bottom.

​Commission:   

• 25% of sales retained by VB-AC.
• 75% of sales to the artist.

Reception:
The center will host a reception on an agreed date. This will be decided once you have been confirmed by the Art Curator.

Questions/Contacts:
Virginia Beach Art Center
532 Virginia Beach Blvd. Suite A
Virginia Beach, VA 23451
​Jorge A. Saenz - Art Curator
[email protected]
www.artcentervb.org
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GENERAL RULES
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• Artworks must be created by the person submitting and never exhibited at any of the center's art shows.
• No Reproductions. (Photography and Digital Art must be limited in edition to no more than 25 and signed and numbered.) 
• All work must be visibly signed by the artist (2D on front or back, 3D on bottom) and include edition numbers (e.g., 1/25, 2/25) for hand-pulled prints, photography or digital art.
• Virginia Beach Art Center is a community gallery.  All artworks should be suitable for viewers of all ages.
• All works must be free of copyright infringement.  It is the individual artist's responsibility to ensure that they are adhering to copyright requirements.  The Virginia Beach Art Center is not liable for any copyright infringement issues that may arise.
• Artworks, mats and frames must be in good and clean condition.
• Unframed canvas must have a professional finish that does not detract from the art.  No visible staples. 
• WIRE INSTRUCTIONS: All two-dimensional works must have a tight hanging wire, near the top 1/3 of the frame.  Wire must be attached to the frame and not the backing/canvas. No saw-tooth hangers.  -NO EXCEPTIONS-
• Works must be labeled on back with artist name and title of work. 
• Size and weight limitations:  Width of 2D works is limited to 40 inches in any direction (including frame) and 20 pounds or less.  The base of 3D works may not be more than 10" square and can be no taller than 10".
• Works requiring special installation must be cleared in advance by the art curator. Please email [email protected] before submitting art that has special requirements.
• All works must be priced for sale and remain at the gallery throughout the duration of the exhibition.
• Pricing should be consistent with the artist's other works. In other words, do not over price because you do not want to sell it. We check websites and social media platforms to confirm the pricing is comparable to other works you have for sale.
• Artist will be notified of a sale.​
• Sales checks are ready for pick up by the 5th of the month that follows the close of the exhibition.  
• While staff and volunteers take great care with the artworks, the Virginia Beach Art Center is not responsible and cannot be held liable for any damages to artworks before, during or after this exhibition.
• ​Submitting your images is an indication that you give the Virginia Beach Art Center permission to use images of your art for promotional purposes.

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