The Delaware Valley Arts Alliance is putting out a big call to artists — both right now and a farther into the future.
The regional arts nonprofit has opened two calls for entries: a February members exhibition titled Let It All Out and its main exhibition program for 2027. Together, the opportunities invite artists to respond to the emotional weight of the present moment while also imagining ambitious projects years ahead.
The more immediate opportunity is Let It All Out, a members exhibition opening in February 2026. The show centers on emotional honesty, vulnerability and collective reflection.
“For a 2026 members exhibition, Let It All Out, DVA invites visual artists, writers and performers to share their emotions about the year ahead,” said Tanner Simon, gallery manager at the Delaware Valley Arts Alliance. “Whether you are feeling frustrated, anxiety, hope, or desire about the coming days — let’s reach deep into our bowels and share what we’re feeling.”
The exhibition draws inspiration from psychoanalytic themes and self-examination.
“We’re kind of referencing Freudian-inspired therapy,” Simon said. “We want to dig deep into our own histories and our emotions and subconscious thoughts.”
Simon said the show responds to a broader sense of unease many people are experiencing.
“There’s a lot of anxiety and apprehension going on right now, and we need to be able to talk about it and make art about it and be audible and be seen,” he said.
All media welcome — visual, performance and literary arts
The Let It All Out call is intentionally broad. Painters, sculptors, writers and performers are all encouraged to apply.
“I’d love to see all visual artists — painters, sculptors — performing artists, maybe a visual arts performance that happens once,” Simon said. “Writers too. If there’s a reading or a collaboration, I’m really open to any proposal.”
Artists are asked to submit a short artist statement, a brief explanation of how their work connects to the theme, and three images.
“Most art expresses inward feelings whether we think it does or not,” Simon said. “Even a realist landscape — why are you making those decisions in the painting?”
The submission deadline for Let It All Out is Jan. 6, with artists notified shortly after. The exhibition opens in February.
Call for 2027 exhibitions now open
Artists ready to think bigger — and further ahead — can also apply for the Delaware Valley Arts Alliance’s 2027 main exhibition program, with submissions due Jan. 31.
“This past year we had 10 solo exhibitions and a two-person show, on top of our members show and Art & Sixes,” Simon said. “This call is special because you can apply for a solo show, a two-person show, a three-person show or a full group exhibition.”
Curators are welcome to apply as well.
“You could be a curator who already has a group of artists in mind,” Simon said. “It’s all fair game.”
Selections are made
by a panel of artists, arts administrators and community members, rather than a single curator.
“We’re not just focused on one place,” Simon said. “We’ve had artists from Sullivan County, Ulster County, Pennsylvania, New York City — really the whole Northeast region.”
While artists from anywhere may apply, Simon said the focus remains on work that connects to the region.
“We want the exhibition to relate in some way to the community values here or be in dialogue with them,” he said.
Artists will be notified of 2027 selections by late spring or early summer.
More information at delawarevalleyartsalliance.org
Image Credit: Hester Greene