23rd Annual Kaleidoscope Juried Exhibition

Betty and Howard Taylor Main Gallery at Summit Artspace

January 9 – March 14, 2026*

The Kaleidoscope Juried Exhibition is an annual holiday show presented by the Alliance for the Visual Arts (AVA). This show is open to all members of AVA organizations: Akron Society of Artists (ASA), Artists of Rubber City (AoRC), Cuyahoga Valley Art Center (CVAC), Medina County Art League (MCAL), Ohio Collage Society (OSC), and Women’s Art League of Akron (WAL).

Juror: Dr. Jeffrey Katzin, Senior Curator, Akron Art Museum

Entry Fee: $30 for up to 2 artwork submissions. Fees support the Alliance for the Visual Arts.

Important Dates*: 

• Deadline to Apply: Sunday, November 23 at 11:59 p.m.
• Notification of Acceptance: Friday, December 5
• Artwork Drop-Off: Monday, December 15, 12 – 6 p.m.
• Exhibition Opening: Friday, January 9, 5 – 8 p.m.; Awards ceremony: 6:00 p.m.
• Exhibition Dates: January 9 – March 14, 2026
• Artwork Pick-up: Monday, March 16, 12 – 6 p.m.

*Please Note: All dates, including exhibition dates are subject to change due to delays in building construction at Summit Artspace. Artists will be notified as soon as possible in case of any changes.*

Awards:

1st place: $200, 2nd place $150, and 3rd place $100 and honorable mentions. Juror’s awards announced via video debut on Summit Artspace social media platforms and in person at the exhibition opening at 6:00 p.m. Winner of the People’s Choice Award will receive a hand-made kaleidoscope and their artwork will be featured on next year’s exhibition promotions. People's Choice recipient will be notified at the end of the exhibition.

Do you have limited computer access and need help submitting your application?  Contact Executive Director, Natalie Grieshammer Patrick, to make an appointment by contacting her at natalie@summitartspace.org or (330) 376-8480 ext. 1.
 

Juror's Bio

Dr. Jeffrey Katzin is Senior Curator at the Akron Art Museum. He specializes in modern and contemporary art with research ranging from painting to photography, film, and video. Katzin has received a certificate in Art Museum Studies from Smith College, a BA from Wesleyan University, an MA from the University of Texas at Austin, and a PhD from the University of Pennsylvania, where his doctoral dissertation explored the history and potential of abstract photography, with particular focus on Alvin Langdon Coburn’s Vortographs of 1916–17. Since coming to Akron Art Museum in 2019, he has curated several exhibitions, including Keith Haring: Against All Odds, Michelangelo Lovelace: Art Saved My Life, Amanda D. King: Locusts, and Afterimages: Geometric Abstraction and Perception.
 

Eligibility

The exhibition is open to all current members (dues must be paid by November 15, 2025) of the society organizations of the Alliance for the Visual Arts: Akron Society of Artists (ASA), Artists of Rubber City (AoRC), Cuyahoga Valley Art Center (CVAC), Medina County Art League (MCAL), Ohio Collage Society (OSC), and Women’s Art League of Akron (WAL). Must be at least 18 years old to enter. Artwork must be completed upon submission. Artwork cannot have been previously displayed in a Summit Artspace gallery. Please see Display Requirements Below.

 Important Guidelines and Information:

Jurying Information:

Jurying will be done via digital image. Artists may submit up to three high quality digital images (.jpg, .pdf, .tiff. .png) of each submission (to show different angles, details, etc.). The images must accurately represent the finished work and accepted work must be professionally presented for exhibition (see notes below). All jurying is blind. Artist's names cannot be in the file name of digital images. Submissions that include the artist’s name will be disqualified. If artists contact the juror in regards to their piece(s) from the time of submission to the announcement of winners, artists shall be subject to disqualification from this and future exhibitions. Signatures on artwork will be covered for final jurying to ensure blindness of juror.

Size and Weight Limits:

• 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 or 7' (84") high, nor may any single component of the work exceed 50 pounds.

 Display Requirements: 

• All wall-hung artwork must be wired with appropriate hardware for its weight; no saw tooth hangers. If wall mounted work absolutely cannot be wired, please indicate in the “Special Installation Requirements” section of the submission form. If there are special installation requirements, the artist must provide necessary hanging devices (i.e. magnets).
• All work must be labelled with the artist's name, name of the artwork, and contact information when delivered (in any format)
• Summit Artspace has a limited number of pedestals available. The artist may be required to provide a special display fixture appropriate for the installation (if necessary).
• Please note all displays are subject to Summit Artspace approval. 
• Submitting diptychs are permitted as a single entry so long as the pieces are clearly defined as a single artwork. Please clearly label the entry as a diptych in the “Special Installation Requirements” and include desired measurements/ layout between components. Combined artwork must meet the other specified restrictions.
• 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.

Expectations: 

30% gallery commission will be collected on all artwork sold during the show.  Summit Artspace will process all artwork sales and compensation to artists. All artists will be required to sign a gallery contract. Upon entering you will be added to the Summit Artspace contact list. We cannot accept artwork that is shipped, nor can we ship artwork. 

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

Call for BIPOC+ Artists 2025: MAIN GALLERY EDITION!

Summit Artspace invites local BIPOC+ (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) artists to apply for a funded exhibition in our Main Gallery located on the first floor of Summit Artspace. Solo and small group exhibitions (up to 3 artists) may be proposed. A total stipend of $1,250 will be awarded to selected artist(s) to create the exhibition.

The organizational goal behind this exhibition is to actively undo systems of oppression and domination present in the art world. Summit Artspace is interested in the many ways in which BIPOC+ artists impact our communities through their art.
 

The exhibition is dedicated to– but is not limited to – uncovering the following themes:
            · Exploring and advancing meaningful BIPOC+ narratives
            · Re-contextualizing traditionally white-dominated genres to give new meanings
            · Restoring hope by envisioning a world where social justice has taken hold
            · Building support for social change, equity, and inclusion
            · Exposing and denouncing injustices to marginalized communities
            · Investigating new ideas and genres to transform viewer perceptions

Eligible artists will be Black, Indigenous, or a Person of Color; they will live in Summit County, or surrounding counties and express an interest of making an impact through their artwork. All types of visual artists are welcome to apply for this opportunity.

Why do we use the term "BIPOC"? Black, Indigenous, and People of Color(BIPOC) is a term used in the United States intended to center the experiences of—and create solidarity between—different communities of color. Individuals and communities who identify as BIPOC note the significance of the term as an indicator of solidarity against systemic racism. BIPOC highlights each group of color and their unique experience. While many celebrate its usage, it’s important to know that not everyone agrees with the term BIPOC; there is always an element of personal preference and context to consider when using identity terminology.

The exhibition is funded in part through general operating support from Ohio Arts Council, Akron Community Foundation, and GAR Foundation.
 

Important Dates: 

• Application Deadline: Sunday, November 23 at 11:59 p.m.
• Notification of Acceptance: December 12
• Public Announcement: January 2026
• Exhibition: April 2 - June 12, 2026
   

Jurors: To be announced soon!


Guidelines and Information:
        · Size and weight of final artwork should be easily portable and manageable. If there are special installation requirements, the artist may need to provide necessary hanging devices. Summit Artspace is able to provide basic install supplies. Pedestals and display monitors have limited availability.
       · The Horizon Gallery is located on the third floor of Summit Artspace; it has 4 walls for display measuring approximately 34 feet by 26 feet with 11 foot high ceilings.
       · Please note all final displays are subject to Summit Artspace approval.
       · Upon entering, you will be emailed future calls for art from Summit Artspace.
       · We cannot accept artwork that is shipped, nor can we ship artwork.