2025 Artist Information

Submission Criteria:

  • Eligibility- Primary consideration is given to artists who are adoptees. Children of adoptees and those with other adjacent experiences are welcome to submit- their work will be considered in relation to the show’s theme and available space.

  • Polished Presentation: All works must be complete, professionally presented, and exhibition-ready.

  • Title & Statement: Each submission must include a title and a brief written statement (about 100–500 words) describing the concept, inspiration, and how it connects to your experience as an adoptee or child of an adoptee.

  • Artistic Rationale for Unfinished or “Rough” Aesthetics: If your work intentionally embraces an unfinished or raw quality, please explain this choice within your statement.

  • Medium & Format: All media are welcome. Please provide accurate dimensions, installation requirements, and any special display needs.

Support for Emerging Artists
We warmly welcome artists of all experience levels. If you are new to exhibiting or would like guidance in articulating your artistic decisions or drafting your statement of intent, we are happy to help. Please reach out to our art show team for feedback or to discuss your ideas before submitting - Heather at 614- 600- 6183, or Sarah at 614- 551-4772

 

Deadlines:

  • Oct 6th - Please email the size of your piece, a picture if we have not already discussed what you are wanting to bring, and the art descriptions (include the name you want listed for yourself, the title, materials/media used in the piece, and a description of how the piece connects to your experience as an adoptee). Sizes are required so any needed display items (extra walls, pedestals, etc) can be ordered and arrive in time. Descriptions may have edits requested, and will be printed to post next to your piece at the show.

  • October 21, 22, 23 - Art Drop off days - the door will be unlocked from 1- 6:30 pm on the 21st and 22nd, and from 12- 7 pm on the 23rd. Please drop your art off during these times. If you have extenuating circumstances, please text me about scheduling another time. Please place art along the walls in the upstairs storage room (a sign will be on the door).

  • October 23nd - Initial setup begins

  • October 30th - Set up and art hung/displayed completed (any work dropped off later than the 29th may not be able to be in this year’s art show)

Art Show! - November 1st

  • 11- 4 pm - last-minute touches and art hanging for those coming from out of town

  • 4 pm - Please arrive at 4 pm or before - Please park on the streets around the Encompass building (1 street over on Eureka often has ample parking), and leave the small number of spaces in our lot and directly in front of the building for attendees.

  • 4-5 pm - Artist introductions (to one another), artist group photo for website (outside along the side of the building, and eat together before the show starts. We will order dinner for everyone, likely pizza or Chinese food.

  • 5-9 pm- Art show- we ask participating artists to stay for the entire show and to be generally near their work and available to discuss it with attendees.

After the Show- Artists who stay until everyone leaves are welcome to take their art home with them, especially those with 2D pieces. (You can pull up in the parking lot to load this.) Most 2D art will be taken down before the following work week starts (due to space), and some wall art is welcome to hang for a while to allow more people to see it.

 

Please Note

  • Please share and help us get the word out! Share our FB post, hang a flier, let a friend…

  • This year, there will be a cash bar/ wine is $5. EA, as well as a suggested donation of $5 to come to the show. As a non-profit, Encompass relies on donations to continue to exist and offer the art show as well as our other programs.

  • Please dress artistically professional- dressing up is encouraged.

  • Photos will be taken throughout the show and posted on the website

  • Please keep in mind that this can be overwhelming and/or even triggering for both us adoptee artists and some of those attending. People reported being deeply moved last year, and we want to continue to create a safe space for this to happen. For artists, there will be a break room upstairs (Heather’s office) for adoptees only. Please help us keep this space calm, quiet, and safe for those who may need to step away for a few minutes of self-care and/or emotional regulation. Please be conscious of others using the space at he same time as you. A sign will be posted on the door to indicate the correct room.

  • For artists newer to doing shows, as co-hosts for this event, please enjoy a taste of the appetizers provided. We kindly ask that you keep in mind guests will be arriving throughout the entire 4-hour event, and we want to ensure everyone has the opportunity to enjoy at least a small plate. With budget constraints on catering, we still hope to offer the same experience for all community members attending to view our work and hear our voices. Dinner will be provided separately for the artists before the show begins.

  • Teen artists are asked to be by their art for the first 2 hours of the show, because this is usually the busiest part of the night. After that, teens may be asked to volunteer to help with replacing food as the serving trays are emptied or with other needs.