Open Proposal for Sunset River Gallery 2026

 

Next year we are looking to switch things up a bit! We have openings for two shows – one in early Spring and one in late Fall – and we are asking for artists (or informal groups of artists) to submit their ideas for a show. This would be open for solo shows or group shows (not formal groups like WAA or ALL, but rather artist friends who paint together or do pottery together or even just know each other and have an idea for a show).

These shows are to be held in our gallery and would include a reception. There is no charge for the show or reception, but we do ask that participating artists provide food for the reception. The available show dates are Feb 7 – March 14 and Sept 19 – Oct 24.

• It is not necessary to be a current member of the gallery, and this is not an invitation to be in the gallery beyond this show

• This is open to 2D and 3D work and they can be combined in the same show

• It is not necessary to have all work completed with the submission, but we must see examples of each artist’s work with the submission, and we need a thorough explanation of your theme

• You are not expected or asked to volunteer, but we do ask that you attend the reception

• All artists must be active artists currently living in either NC or SC

• All works need to be available for sale. If your proposal is selected, a contract will be signed and the gallery gets a percentage of the sales

• This is not open to professional or formal artist’s groups, just individuals or informal groups of artists (ie, a group of artists who paint plein air together)

• Please consider and understand the gallery’s mission (feel free to Google “What is Sunset River Gallery’s mission”) and audience – the work needs to be of a professional caliber and acceptable for the general public

• Be concise and clear in your submission

• Be professional and open to feedback

• Keep the written part of your submission to no more than a single page. Please make your submission the body of the email with any pictures sent as attachments, rather than using Word or Power Point, etc

 

To submit, we need the following:

 

• Email your submission to: info@sunsetrivergallery.com with “Open Proposal 2026” as the subject. We will acknowledge all submissions. If you don’t get an acknowledgement after a week, email or call the gallery to make sure we have received it

• Please make your first paragraph an outline/summary of the concept and list all the artist(s) involved. Consider this the hook, how you grab our attention

• The remainder of the submission should include:

  • Exhibition Title and Statement – this is just a sentence or two, something we could use in advertising

  • A detailed explanation of your concept/theme

  • Artist statements for all participating artists

  • Number of works to be included in the show. This can be an estimate, but it will help us determine where in the gallery to hold the show

  • If there are special requirements for display, please let us know in your proposal

  • If you have a preferred date, let us know, but it isn’t mandatory that you decide yet

 

Submissions are open now until December 6, 2025. Decisions will be made by the end of 2025. All entries will receive notification of the status of their submission.

Sunset River Gallery is located at 10283 Beach Drive SW in Calabash, NC. We are one-eighth mile north of the NC-SC state line. Telephone: 910.575.5999. Email: info@sunsetrivergallery.com . Website: sunsetrivergallery.com .