Calls for Art

Call for Art: Fresh Terrain
 Exploring Environments Real and Imagined

We invite artists to submit work for Fresh Terrain, a juried exhibition that delves into the theme of environment—both familiar and fantastical. This show seeks artwork that interprets landscapes, cityscapes, and the spaces we inhabit or dream about. From the natural world to urban jungles, serene seascapes to surreal dreamscapes, Fresh Terrain celebrates the diversity of place and the emotional, cultural, and imaginative connections we form with our surroundings.

Whether rooted in observation or invention, the work may capture a moment in time, map a psychological space, or envision a speculative future. Submissions can reflect a broad range of perspectives, including—but not limited to—climate, memory, identity, displacement, architecture, and the passage of time.

All mediums are welcome: painting, drawing, photography, digital art, sculpture, installation, and mixed media.

Key Details:

  • Deadline: July 19th, 2025

  • Eligibility: Open to artists

  • Submission Fee: $26 per piece

  • Exhibition Dates: August 1st - September 9th

  • Venue: 2623 W Chicago Ave. Chicago, IL

We encourage bold interpretations and invite both established and emerging artists to contribute to this exploration of place, presence, and possibility.

To Apply:
Please submit high-resolution images of your work, a brief artist statement (max 300 words), and pay the submission fee. We can’t wait to see your interpretation of this theme!

Call for Artists at miar. Gallery

CFAS and Art City are accepting proposals for our Monthly Installation Artist Residency space at Art City! We’ve been collaborating to exhibit emerging artists’ work for over a year since Art City’s opening in 2023. Open to any artist, media, or discipline to create site-specific installations in our space. We are looking for sculptural installations that activate our space with a large window display. Share your vision with the world! $26 application fee, additional $26 operational fees due upon acceptance. Each artist will have their work on view for a month, including an opening reception to meet other artists in our community. There will also be opportunities for other community engagement events such as an artist talk, radio show, and a closing reception. Artwork will be visible to passers-by on the street and will be featured on our websites and social media. Join us!

Submission Requirements:

  • $26 Submission Fee (Pay Here)

  • Submitted before June 30th, 2025

  • All art must be able to fit into the exhibition space

  • All information must be included in the application form

  • All images must be at least 300 dpi

Call for Prints

CFAS is looking for artists with prints that are made and ready to sell! CFAS participates in art festivals around the Chicago area year-round and can sell your artwork at our booth or table, to make it available to more customers. Some festivals we participate in include the Andersonville Galleria, West Loop Art Festival, West Fest, Wells Street Art Festival, Mayfest, and more. Artists who submit to our Call for Prints are also eligible to be part of our Featured Artists group, with an opportunity for inclusion in a group show or solo show.

Our next show for submitters who are accepted will be on June 13th. To be included, you must have paid your gallery fee and submitted to our forum before the deadline.

Submission Requirements

  • $26 per Print Submission (Pay Here)

  • Image Submissions must be at least 300 DPI

  • All work MUST be prepackaged with cardboard support and a vinyl sleeve. If work is received without it, there will be a packaging fee.

  • Include ALL the required material in the submission form

  • Next Rolling Deadline: July 1st, 2025

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  • First you can submit your information and work with the submission form button on the Call for Artists page of our website here. There is no limit to the number of pieces that can be submitted, however the fee for submission is tiered based on the month for consideration for the in-person collection and automatic inclusion in the online gallery. If you would like to only show your work in the online gallery ONLY, you can pay a discounted fee of $11 per piece. On the submission form titles, sizes, mediums, prices and files should be numbered and in order. The images of the work you are submitting must be in JPEG format, minimum quality 300 DPI, tightly cropped and lit evenly.

  • The application fee can only be paid on our website. The price for participation in our online gallery is 11$ per piece. All applicants are accepted into the online gallery. For $19 in January, $24 in February, $29 in March, and $34 in April per piece you can participate in the online gallery and be considered for our juried in-person exhibition. You are not guaranteed admission to the in-person gallery. A curator will look over the work submitted and reach out to accepted artists no later than 3 days after the application deadline.

  • Once you submit your work on the google form, you will receive an email with the gallery contract attached. The gallery contract must be read and signed by all artists who wish to participate in any CFAS show. The contract must be filled out and emailed to info@chicagofineartsalon.com in order for an application to be considered. When the appropriate fee is paid, the application is complete.

  • We accept applications from all over the world, for both the online gallery and in-person galleries. If you apply to the online gallery admission is guaranteed except in extenuating circumstances. A cropped, 300 dpi digital documentation of your work will be presented in our online gallery on our website with an accompanying artist’s statement or bio. If you decide to apply to our in-person gallery and are accepted you will be responsible for shipping fees for delivery to the gallery and for providing a return shipping label in case your work does not sell while it is on display. Do not ship your work before acceptance is confirmed. To minimize delivery fees, if you are applying from outside of chicago reach out to our gallery manager as soon as possible at livinglese@chicagofineartsalon.com to expedite the processing of your application.

  • Your application is complete when the google form, submission fees, and gallery contract are all submitted. You can expect to hear back about your application 1-3 business days after your submission is in on the google form. If you need to hear back early or need any kind of accommodation you are encouraged to reach out to livinglese@chicagofineartsalon.com .

  • CFAS asks for submission fees to support the gallery’s efforts. The artists contribute with submission fees and commissions to help offset the cost of producing and promoting the events, that in turn, support the local artist’s community.