Sunset River Gallery Open Submissions Prospectus 2025
Sunset River Gallery in Calabash, NC has a limited number of openings for professional caliber artists who reside or have a studio in North or South Carolina. We are concentrating on 3D, but are open to exceptional 2D artist submissions. We are looking for the best of the best – accomplished artists with passion, talent, and a body of work to present. From our perspective, your work should both stand out and work well with other pieces in the gallery. Ask yourself: does your art distinguish itself? How do you feel it would fit at Sunset River Gallery? Do you continue to grow as an artist?
We are a 10,000 square foot gallery with a 20+ year stellar reputation. Our clients are mainly regional, but come from all around the country and Europe. Since opening in 2002, we have become a repeat destination for art lovers up and down the east coast. Gallery director Samantha Spalti and our staff nurture relationships with our collectors as well as our artists. We market heavily throughout the year with public relations, social media, a monthly newsletter, digital advertising and print and video ads. Charity events, juried shows, both a summer and holiday art market, and six- to eight-week shows featuring our Sunset River artists bring thousands of visitors to the gallery.
What we are looking for:
● We have a limited number of openings and are looking for just the right people to join the gallery. This year’s concentration is 3D artists, but we are open to exceptional and unique 2D artist submissions.
● Is your art a cut above? We represent some of the best artists in our area and our customers know to expect the best when they visit.
● You must be a NC or SC artist, actively creating art.
● We ask our artists to be involved in the gallery events as well. We don’t expect you to come to every reception or event, but we do ask that we see you more than when you come to bring us new work. In addition, we ask that you share gallery posts to your social media.
● You must be in a position to replenish your art as needed. This is dictated by customer demand.
● Do you think you would be a good fit for the gallery? Not all art fits in every gallery, please feel free to visit SRG and determine for yourself if your work would be a good fit before you submit.
● We are looking for a variety of price points, but all work must be professional in caliber.
● If you’ve applied to be in the gallery in the last 14 months, please do not reapply.
● We are open to both wholesale and consignment arrangements for the right artists.
● Some things we would be interested in seeing submitted:
○ Jewelry
○ Pottery: both functional and decorative
○ Glass: fused, stained, or blown
○ 3D fiber art
○ Fine basketry
○ Woodworking
○ Furniture
○ Sculpture
○ And more
● To submit: email info@sunsetrivergallery.com with the following information:
○ Write “Artist Submissions 2025” in the subject line
○ Please put all info in the body of your email. Do not put your submission in a separate document that is attached to your email.
○ If more than one email is necessary, make sure to let us know how many emails are being sent.
○ Name, where you live, phone number, best email to reach you, biography in third person (300 word max) (click here for sample bio), awards list when applicable, and artist statement in first person (100 word max) (click here for sample statement).
○ Work must be current and you must be actively creating art.
○ Pics of 4-5 pieces total (if 3D, please include more than one angle of each item), with titles, dimensions, date completed, and price.
● What happens after you submit:
Every submission will be acknowledged, not every artist will be invited to complete the next steps.
○ The gallery team will review every entry, if they feel you are a good fit for the gallery, they will reach out with next steps.
○ Not all artists will be accepted. This is not a commentary on the quality of your work, but rather whether the work compliments our existing artists and what we feel we can sell.
● Timeframe for submission process:
○ February 1 – 15, 2025 – Open Submissions, we will be looking at every artist who submits and will acknowledge each submission. If a week has gone by and you haven’t received an acknowledgement, feel free to email the gallery.
○ February 17 – 28, 2025 – Interviews with artists – not every artist will be asked to interview and not all who interview will be asked to join the gallery. The interview is simply an opportunity to see you and your work in person in an effort to determine your fit within our gallery. If you are not asked for an interview appointment, we aren’t pursuing having your art in the gallery at this time.
The course will begin with examination of reference photos and things to be aware of in your photos. We will learn how to see the important areas of your photo to help develop a likeness.
