Roots

July 11 - September 13, 2025 | Forum Gallery

CURATOR: Al Macdougall

FREE to apply!

Roots will be one of five exhibitions during the Summer Exhibitions at Summit Artspace curated in celebration and recognition of the Akron's Bicentennial.
 

EXHIBITION THEME

"Roots will center around themes of personal histories, familial histories, and pay homage to home- whether that be Akron or an abstract feeling. This theme will also pay homage to Summit Artspace for all it has done for its artists and patrons since its inception. 

Mediums will be focused on, but not limited to, textile, film, and mixed media photography. These mediums will emphasize the theme as they each have a cultural tie to heritage or documentation. Textile work for millennia was seen as women's work, then hobby, and finally in the past 50 years or so considered fine art. It was a trade passed from mother to daughter and its importance to the art world is inherently attached to equity for women in the art world. Film and mixed media photography are another underdog of the art world as their acceptance of fine art has grown in the 20th century. The use of photography in an unconventional manner will represent revitalization." - Curator Al Macdougall
 

IMPORTANT DATES

• Deadline for Entry:  Monday, June 2 at 11:59 p.m.  
• Notification of Acceptance: By June 13 
• Drop Off: Friday, June 27, 12 - 6 p.m.   
• Opening: Friday, July 11, 5 - 8 p.m.   
• Pick up: Week of September 15
   

ABOUT THE CURATOR

Al MacDougall is a fourth-year, first-generation college student at The University of Akron, majoring in anthropology with a minor in art history. MacDoughall holds certifications in archaeology and museum & archives and has curatorial experience from the Spring Hill Historic Underground Railroad Home, the Akron Art Museum, and The University of Akron's Emily Davis Gallery and The National Museum of Psychology. MacDoughall is planning on continuing their education in the coming years with a Ph.D. in cultural anthropology with a focus in art with the end goal of becoming an art curator at a contemporary art museum. Curation is the dream job of MacDoughall, not only because they have a deep appreciation for art, but because they want to open doorways for emerging artists with few connections towards supporting themselves from their art. As a first-generation student with no familial connections who plans on working in this very competitive field, when MacDoughall achieves their goals they want to bring others up with them.

ELIGIBILITY

• Artist must be currently based in Summit County or contiguous counties (Cuyahoga, Geauga, Medina, Portage, Stark, or Wayne). Must be at least 18 years old to enter. 
• Artwork should not have been previously displayed in Summit Artspace. Artwork must be complete upon submission. Artwork created at any point during an artist's career is eligible to submit.
• Jurying will be done via digital image. Artists may submit two entries for consideration in the show, and may submit up to three high quality digital images (.jpg, .pdf, .tiff. .png) of the artwork entered. The images must accurately represent the finished work and accepted work must be professionally presented for exhibition (see notes below). Artist's name cannot be in the file name of digital images.  

DISPLAY 

• Final installation size of 2-D work cannot exceed 4' (48") wide or 7' (84") high. 3-D work must not exceed 39" in diameter, nor may any single component of the work exceed 50 pounds.
• All wall-mounted artwork must be hang-ready with appropriate hardware for weight of piece. All work must be labelled with the artist name and contact information when delivered.
• Summit Artspace has a limited number of pedestals, monitors, and projectors available. The artist may be required to provide a special display fixture appropriate for the installation. Please note all displays are subject to Summit Artspace approval. Suitability of works which must be suspended, require a power source, are between 35-50 pounds, are close to the size limitations or have other special installation requirements will be determined on an individual basis. 
• Professional installation will be provided by Summit Artspace. Care will be taken when handling and displaying all artwork; however Summit Artspace waives responsibility for either damage or loss of artwork. 

Upon entering you will be emailed future call for art opportunities at Summit Artspace.

Questions? Contact Director of Artist Resources, Natalie Grieshammer Patrick, at natalie@summitartspace.org.

Group Exhibition Proposals: January 2026 - July 2027 

Summit Artspace invites local artists and curators to apply for a group exhibition to be held in the Forum, a larger sized space on our second floor. We welcome artists and organizers with new bodies of work exploring exciting themes in contemporary art to apply. Summit Artspace is interested in highlighting a diverse range of artistic skill sets and backgrounds as well as diverse material and critical exploration.  

Exhibition proposals will be reviewed and selected by Summit Artspace staff. Criteria taken into consideration while reviewing applications include media, quality of work, spatial needs, professionalism, and programming related to Summit Artspace's goals for community engagement, especially in relation to themes found in other exhibitions in our schedule.  Strong applications will have a concise body of artwork and clear vision.

We strongly encourage interested applicants to come visit Summit Artspace during public hours (Fridays 12 - 7 p.m. and Saturdays 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.) to better understand the gallery spaces available and how exhibitions are presented.  
 

NO FEE TO APPLY!

Deadline for Proposals: Monday, June 30, 2025 at 11:59 p.m.
Notification of Acceptance: August 2025

Eligibility:  Must be 18+ for consideration. Artists featured in the exhibition must be living in Summit County or contiguous counties (Cuyahoga, Geauga, Medina, Stark, Wayne). Artwork cannot have been previously displayed in a Summit Artspace exhibition.  
 

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: Summit Artspace believes that a diverse community of artists plays a vital role in representing our collective humanity. We foster an inclusive culture and encourage artists from different cultures, languages, sexual orientations, racial affiliations, and abilities to apply.  We strive to provide accessible and accommodating galleries and programming. We are committed to exhibiting, connecting, assisting, and promoting artists without discrimination based on age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, military or protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, transgender status, sex stereotyping, or disability.  
 

Logistics:  If artists are selected, they will be required to complete an exhibition agreement solidifying details for the exhibition. Artists must adhere to all guidelines provided by staff, including Summit Artspace's consignment agreement, in which 70% of artwork sales are paid to the artist and the organization receives a 30% commission.   

Exhibiting artists must work with staff to coordinate install and tear-down of exhibitions as well as provide artwork data for labeling by agreed upon deadlines. Artists must be available in-person for installation. Professional installation can be provided by Summit Artspace, unless the artist(s) should install their own artwork due to special installation requirements. Care will be taken when handling and displaying all artwork; however, Summit Artspace waives responsibility for either damage or loss of artwork.  

All exhibiting artists are requested to assist in marketing efforts, and Summit Artspace staff will promote exhibitions through digital and print media, press releases, and internal signage. Summit Artspace will provide designed exhibition graphics and didactics, as well as photography for virtual exhibitions.  
 

Display:
 · Final installation size of artwork cannot exceed 7' (84") high.
 · Any single component of an artwork must not exceed 50 pounds.
 · The artist may be responsible for providing necessary hanging devices and/or installing artwork themselves if they are not ready to hang.
 · Summit Artspace has a limited number of pedestals and display monitors available. The artist may be required to provide a special display fixture appropriate for the installation.
 · Suitability of works which must be suspended, require a power source, are between 35-50 pounds, are close to the size limitations or have other special installation requirements will be determined on an individual work basis.
 · Please note all displays are subject to Summit Artspace approval.   
 

Questions or concerns? Please email natalie@summitartspace.org.

Solo Exhibition Proposals for January 2026 - July 2027

Summit Artspace invites local emerging artists to apply for a solo exhibition to be held in the Horizon Gallery, a smaller sized space on our third floor. We welcome artists with new bodies of work exploring exciting themes in contemporary art to apply. Summit Artspace is interested in highlighting a diverse range of artistic skill sets and backgrounds as well as diverse material and critical exploration.

Exhibition proposals will be reviewed and selected by Summit Artspace staff. Criteria taken into consideration while reviewing applications include media, quality of work, spatial needs, professionalism, and programming related to Summit Artspace's goals for community engagement, especially in relation to themes found in other exhibitions in our schedule. Strong applications will have a concise body of artwork and clear vision.

We strongly encourage interested applicants to come visit Summit Artspace during public hours (Fridays 12 - 7 p.m. and Saturdays 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.) to better understand the gallery spaces available and how exhibitions are presented.

NO FEE TO APPLY!

Deadline for Proposals: Monday, June 30, 2025 at 11:59 p.m.
Notification of Acceptance: August 2025

Eligibility:
Must be 18+ for consideration. Artists must be living in Summit County or contiguous counties (Cuyahoga, Geauga, Medina, Stark, Wayne). Artwork cannot have been previously displayed in a Summit Artspace exhibition.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion:
Summit Artspace believes that a diverse community of artists plays a vital role in representing our collective humanity. We foster an inclusive culture and encourage artists from different cultures, languages, sexual orientations, racial affiliations, and abilities to apply.  We strive to provide accessible and accommodating galleries and programming. We are committed to exhibiting, connecting, assisting, and promoting artists without discrimination based on age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, military or protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, transgender status, sex stereotyping, or disability.

Logistics:
If artists are selected, they will be required to complete an exhibition agreement solidifying details for the exhibition. Artists must adhere to all guidelines provided by staff, including Summit Artspace's consignment agreement, in which 70% of artwork sales are paid to the artist and the organization receives a 30% commission.

Exhibiting artists must work with staff to coordinate install and tear-down of exhibitions as well as provide artwork data for labeling by agreed upon deadlines. Artists must be available in-person for installation. Professional installation can be provided by Summit Artspace, unless the artist(s) should install their own artwork due to special installation requirements. Care will be taken when handling and displaying all artwork; however, Summit Artspace waives responsibility for either damage or loss of artwork.

 All exhibiting artists are requested to assist in marketing efforts, and Summit Artspace staff will promote exhibitions through digital and print media, press releases, and internal signage. Summit Artspace will provide designed exhibition graphics and didactics, as well as photography for virtual exhibitions.

Display:
   · Final installation size of artwork cannot exceed 7' (84") high.
   · Any single component of an artwork must not exceed 50 pounds.
   · The artist may be responsible for providing necessary hanging devices and/or installing artwork themselves if they are not ready to hang.
   · Summit Artspace has a limited number of pedestals and display monitors available. The artist may be required to provide a special display fixture appropriate for the installation.
   · Suitability of works which must be suspended, require a power source, are between 35-50 pounds, are close to the size limitations or have other special installation requirements will be determined on an individual work basis.
   · Please note all displays are subject to Summit Artspace approval.

Questions or concerns? Please email natalie@summitartspace.org.