gallery info – Open Studio

Galleries & Exhibitions

Our Exhibition spaces

Open Studio is committed to providing an open and equitable platform for public programming that reflects innovative, non-hierarchical and cross-cultural approaches to contemporary printmaking by artists from diverse backgrounds and wide-reaching perspectives. Open Studio is dedicated to engaging and supporting all individuals and prioritizes applications from members of equity-deserving communities, including racialized persons: Black, Indigenous, People(s) of Colour (BIPOC); persons with disabilities, persons living with mental illness, and persons of all sexual orientations, and gender identities/expressions.

Through our public programming, we aim to encourage audience connection to the evolving medium of print as it relates to contemporary culture and to foster a diverse and expansive view of what printmaking can be. This may include, but is not limited to, non-Eurocentric printmaking, digital and analogue forms of print, DIY print practices (zines, posters, pamphlets, etc.), as well as other traditional printmaking mediums.

Our gallery exhibitions and residency opportunities are programmed through annual calls for submissions, in addition to invited and curated exhibitions. We welcome explorations of print’s industrial, digital, commercial, and craft-based aspects, including proposals that intersect print with other media, and that explore print’s ethos in concept (sequencing, multiples, layering) as well as in practice. We are open to ideas and welcome proposals for solo and group exhibitions.

Curatorial Vision

To create equitable and inclusive programming that supports and promotes global, innovative, and non-hierarchical approaches to contemporary printmaking from a range of cross-cultural perspectives. To elevate the printed medium, and shape audience experience of print in relation to wider contemporary culture.

Main Gallery

The Main Gallery is Open Studio’s largest exhibition space. Exhibitions are selected through an annual, juried, open call for submissions, in addition to curated projects. In the Main Gallery, we present both solo and group exhibitions that feature a wide range of print media-based works from traditional to experimental, including work that, although not necessarily produced using traditional printmaking techniques, shares through its conceptual concerns a relationship to printmaking.

Floor Plan

Project Space

The Project Space is a juried exhibition space for which Open Studio artist members can apply to exhibit recent print work and related projects, both individual and collaborative. Exhibitions are selected through an annual, juried, open call for submissions, in addition to curated projects. The Project Space welcomes experimentation and encourages artists to use the space as a testing ground for what print can be.

Floor Plan

Feature Wall

The Feature Wall is a free-standing standing exhibition space that connects to ongoing studio activity and experimentation in the print medium. It is programmed by Open Studio’s Curator and Collections Manager, and includes projects by artist members and artists from the wider art community, including collaborations with other arts organizations, and projects by emerging artists. The Feature Wall may also act as a springboard to develop ideas for larger exhibitions.

Exhibition applications

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

Open Studio offers an annual call for print-based exhibition submissions to its Main Gallery and Project Space, alongside special programming calls as new opportunities arise.

Exhibitions for the Main Gallery and Project Space are selected through an annual, juried call for submissions, in addition to curated projects. Calls for exhibition submissions are usually held in the fall. Open Studio’s Programming Year runs from September – July. The annual exhibition call for submissions selects programming for the following programming year.

All print artists can apply to the Main Gallery, and the Project Space is specifically reserved for artist members. Please get in touch with us by email if you want to find out how to become an Open Studio artist member. Applications will be made available a month before an announced deadline.

We recommend signing up for our newsletter for updates (including upcoming deadlines). Next call for submissions will take place in the fall of 2023.

Main Gallery Submission Form - Click here for application

The call for submissions is currently closed. Please check back in the fall.

Project Space Submission Form - Click here for application

The call for submissions is currently closed. Please check back in the fall.

Eligibility

Guidelines

For the Main Gallery and Project Space: artists who have shown in a solo or duo exhibition at Open Studio must wait for at least one year before applying again.
The above would not affect inclusion in group exhibitions (three artists or more).
Exhibiting on the Feature Wall does not affect eligibility to apply for a Main Gallery or Project Space exhibition.
These criteria do not apply to offsite exhibitions or special calls outside the usual gallery programming.
Board Members and staff members are not eligible to apply for exhibitions, scholarships or residencies during their term. (An exception would be made should an artist already be programmed and then move into a board/staff position).

How we select exhibitions

Jurying Process

Exhibition submissions are selected by a jury consisting of:

Open Studio’s Curator & Collections Manager
A member of the Open Studio’s Programming Committee
An Open Studio artist member
Two external jurors from the wider arts community

Juries change each submission year. Where possible, the Programming jury will jury all residency and exhibition opportunities for a one-year cycle. Open Studio’s Programming Committee Chair coordinates the jury meetings.

Please note that due to the number of submissions that we receive, Open Studio is unable to provide individual feedback for applications.