WORD PLAY: PENDING JUROR RESULTS
DESCRIPTION
Word Play invites artists to influence the viewer through the interplay between text and visual elements in contemporary art. Today, we no longer have the patience to read long blogs or books; we expect fast, attention-grabbing imagery and memes to stimulate our senses. In Word Play, we are looking for artworks that creatively engage with text, whether through words, letters, phrases, or entire narratives. The text can serve as a message, a visual texture, a conceptual element, or even as the main subject. We encourage submissions that explore the interaction between words and image, spanning themes such as language, identity, culture, politics, and beyond. Ways in which artists may approach Word Play include but are not limited to: works that show the interplay of just one word with layered meanings or a multitude of words layered within imagery or creating their own imagery; works where imagery or word disrupt or disturb each other; artworks on surfaces that are normally associated with words such as books and magazines; artworks that marry word and imagery such as a gameboard, playing cards, puzzles, graphic novel, or comic strips; words woven into fiber art, embroidered or imprinted on self-designed fabrics; 3-D pieces that spell out words; or a blending of art and word through traditional or contemporary ink drawing and calligraphy. Word Play is an opportunity for artists to express the unique interplay between writing and art in the here and now where text contributes to or transforms the viewer’s experience.
JUROR
Jack Fischer, Jack Fischer Gallery San Francisco
Jack Fischer opened his first gallery in the famed “49 Geary” building in San Francisco in 2002. His journey into the art world was circuitous. His first connection was with Creativity Explored, the iconic San Francisco non-profit supporting and exhibiting developmentally disabled artists. Their art has been referred to as “outsider art”, but Jack always points out that this is a false distinction. They are artists producing art. Since formally entering the gallery world in 2002, Jack has expanded several times. He moved from a small space at 49 Geary to a larger gallery there. In 2007, he opened a stand-alone gallery at 311 Potrero Avenue. When Minnesota Street Project (MSP) opened in 2016, Jack opened a small satellite space there. Then, in 2017, he consolidated his two galleries into a larger space at MSP. He has been there for eight years. Recently he moved into one of the large, signature gallery spaces there. All along Jack has been known for providing exhibition opportunities for many overlooked artists. His eclectic sensibility has brightened the San Francisco art scene for over twenty years as he has evolved into one of the more important voices in our art community.
VENUE
Arc Gallery, 1246 Folsom St, San Francisco 94103
EXHIBITION DATES
November 15, 2025 - January 10, 2026
RECEPTION & ARTIST TALK
Opening reception is Saturday, November 15, 2025. Artist talks will be scheduled, dates TBD.
CATALOG
A catalog of Word Play will be available for purchase.
GALLERY AND ONLINE EXHIBITION
There are two opportunities to get into this show. The juror will select works that will be exhibited in the Arc Gallery at 1246 Folsom Street and works that will be included only in the Arc Online Gallery.
CATEGORIES ACCEPTED
Sculpture, painting, drawing, photo, printmaking, ceramics, assemblage, collage, mixed media, fiber art, artist book
AWARD
A $250 check, juror's award ribbon, recognition certificate, and the show catalog will be awarded to three works that express the most imaginative interpretation of the theme.
ELIGIBILITY
Artists residing in the United States.
ARTWORK MAXIMUM SIZE
2-Dimensional Work: Height 60 inches, Width 40 inches - including frame
3-Dimensional Work: Must fit pedestal sized 16 inches x 16 inches or take up no more than 4 feet of gallery floor space.
Shipped works may not exceed 40 pounds, including packing materials and crate.
ARTWORK DIGITAL IMAGE FILE SIZE
Submit JPG images sized approximately 4 inches wide x 6 inches high at 300 dpi resolution. In order to upload successfully, your image must be at least 1200 pixels wide. The maximum uploadable file size is 8 megabytes.
ARTWORK PRESENTATION
Artworks must arrive 'ready to hang' and be presented professionally. Framed artwork must use wood frames in black, white, or natural wood finishes, or metal frames in black, grey, white or natural metals finishes. No color mats. No glass, plexi only.
NON-REFUNDABLE ENTRY FEE
Payment of $35 per entry through Paypal. An entry consists of one to three submissions of artworks. A maximum of two entries (six artworks) per person is allowed.
NOTIFICATION TO ARTISTS
Monday, October 6, 2025. All artists who have submitted an entry will be notified by email.
SALES OF ART
60% of the sale will go to the artists, 40% of the sale will go to Arc. Items sold must remain on exhibit for the duration of the show.
SHIPMENT OF ART
Artists are responsible for the cost of shipping their artwork.
COMPLETE PROSPECTUS
The complete prospectus is included in the Entrythingy application portal.
Word Play invites artists to influence the viewer through the interplay between text and visual elements in contemporary art. Today, we no longer have the patience to read long blogs or books; we expect fast, attention-grabbing imagery and memes to stimulate our senses. In Word Play, we are looking for artworks that creatively engage with text, whether through words, letters, phrases, or entire narratives. The text can serve as a message, a visual texture, a conceptual element, or even as the main subject. We encourage submissions that explore the interaction between words and image, spanning themes such as language, identity, culture, politics, and beyond. Ways in which artists may approach Word Play include but are not limited to: works that show the interplay of just one word with layered meanings or a multitude of words layered within imagery or creating their own imagery; works where imagery or word disrupt or disturb each other; artworks on surfaces that are normally associated with words such as books and magazines; artworks that marry word and imagery such as a gameboard, playing cards, puzzles, graphic novel, or comic strips; words woven into fiber art, embroidered or imprinted on self-designed fabrics; 3-D pieces that spell out words; or a blending of art and word through traditional or contemporary ink drawing and calligraphy. Word Play is an opportunity for artists to express the unique interplay between writing and art in the here and now where text contributes to or transforms the viewer’s experience.
JUROR
Jack Fischer, Jack Fischer Gallery San Francisco
Jack Fischer opened his first gallery in the famed “49 Geary” building in San Francisco in 2002. His journey into the art world was circuitous. His first connection was with Creativity Explored, the iconic San Francisco non-profit supporting and exhibiting developmentally disabled artists. Their art has been referred to as “outsider art”, but Jack always points out that this is a false distinction. They are artists producing art. Since formally entering the gallery world in 2002, Jack has expanded several times. He moved from a small space at 49 Geary to a larger gallery there. In 2007, he opened a stand-alone gallery at 311 Potrero Avenue. When Minnesota Street Project (MSP) opened in 2016, Jack opened a small satellite space there. Then, in 2017, he consolidated his two galleries into a larger space at MSP. He has been there for eight years. Recently he moved into one of the large, signature gallery spaces there. All along Jack has been known for providing exhibition opportunities for many overlooked artists. His eclectic sensibility has brightened the San Francisco art scene for over twenty years as he has evolved into one of the more important voices in our art community.
VENUE
Arc Gallery, 1246 Folsom St, San Francisco 94103
EXHIBITION DATES
November 15, 2025 - January 10, 2026
RECEPTION & ARTIST TALK
Opening reception is Saturday, November 15, 2025. Artist talks will be scheduled, dates TBD.
CATALOG
A catalog of Word Play will be available for purchase.
GALLERY AND ONLINE EXHIBITION
There are two opportunities to get into this show. The juror will select works that will be exhibited in the Arc Gallery at 1246 Folsom Street and works that will be included only in the Arc Online Gallery.
CATEGORIES ACCEPTED
Sculpture, painting, drawing, photo, printmaking, ceramics, assemblage, collage, mixed media, fiber art, artist book
AWARD
A $250 check, juror's award ribbon, recognition certificate, and the show catalog will be awarded to three works that express the most imaginative interpretation of the theme.
ELIGIBILITY
Artists residing in the United States.
ARTWORK MAXIMUM SIZE
2-Dimensional Work: Height 60 inches, Width 40 inches - including frame
3-Dimensional Work: Must fit pedestal sized 16 inches x 16 inches or take up no more than 4 feet of gallery floor space.
Shipped works may not exceed 40 pounds, including packing materials and crate.
ARTWORK DIGITAL IMAGE FILE SIZE
Submit JPG images sized approximately 4 inches wide x 6 inches high at 300 dpi resolution. In order to upload successfully, your image must be at least 1200 pixels wide. The maximum uploadable file size is 8 megabytes.
ARTWORK PRESENTATION
Artworks must arrive 'ready to hang' and be presented professionally. Framed artwork must use wood frames in black, white, or natural wood finishes, or metal frames in black, grey, white or natural metals finishes. No color mats. No glass, plexi only.
NON-REFUNDABLE ENTRY FEE
Payment of $35 per entry through Paypal. An entry consists of one to three submissions of artworks. A maximum of two entries (six artworks) per person is allowed.
NOTIFICATION TO ARTISTS
Monday, October 6, 2025. All artists who have submitted an entry will be notified by email.
SALES OF ART
60% of the sale will go to the artists, 40% of the sale will go to Arc. Items sold must remain on exhibit for the duration of the show.
SHIPMENT OF ART
Artists are responsible for the cost of shipping their artwork.
COMPLETE PROSPECTUS
The complete prospectus is included in the Entrythingy application portal.
