OPEN CALL: MEMBERS & FRIENDS 2025

AUGUST 8 – SEPTEMBER 12, 2025

AWARDS + OPENING RECEPTION: Friday, August 8, 5-8pm

The Galesburg Community Arts Center announces a call to artists for its annual Members & Friends Exhibition! Families, individuals, professional artists, and amateur artists are all encouraged to participate. Any artist living within 50 miles of Galesburg, IL may submit! GCAC Members based in any location may also submit.

Entry Fee

$10 GCAC Artist Member or Plus Member Entry

$15 GCAC Standard Members OR Nonmember “Friends” within 50 miles

INTRODUCING THIS YEAR’S JUROR…

JARED LACY

Jared Lacy has a B.S. in Art Education from Eastern Illinois University and has completed extensive Masters work in Studio Art/Art Education at Illinois State University. After teaching k-12 art for 36+ years in the Galesburg school system, Lacy relocated to Bloomington, Illinois with his wife Linda. From 2023 – 2024, Lacy was a part-owner of Main Gallery 404 in Bloomington. Currently, he is a practicing artist in the Bloomington-Normal area, and is represented by The Hangar Art Gallery. Lacy also recently served on the McLean County Art Center Board of Directors.

Juror’s Statement

“LINE…SHAPE…FORM…SPACE…TEXTURE…VALUE…COLOR…in unison with the art mediums chosen…then adding originality + creativity.”

-Jared Lacy

DEADLINE TO ENTER: July 26, 2025

Artwork delivery July 17 – 26, 2025 during open hours.

  • July 17-18, 11am – 4pm

  • July 19, 10am – 3pm

  • CLOSED July 22 (No drop-off this day)

  • July 23-25, 11am-4pm

  • July 26, 10am-3pm

The Arts Center will not be held responsible for artwork left more than 45 days from the last day of pick-up. If alternative arrangements are not made for pick up, and artwork is left past 45 days, artwork becomes the property of the Arts Center.

PROSPECTUS DETAILS…

Artwork Guidelines

  • Only original work of the artist. (No signed, printed reproductions)

  • Artwork produced within the last 2 years

  • Any media accepted

  • One entry per artist

  • Must be ready to hang (with wire) or stand securely*

  • Artwork weight must be no more than 100 pounds

  • Artwork must not exceed 48” as its largest dimension

  • Artwork must not have been included in previous exhibitions at the Arts Center, nor displayed in the gift shop.

  • The Arts Center reserves the right to refuse artwork that does not meet the requirements above, or is found unsuitable for exhibiting (*this includes not having a wire or other hanging apparatus)

ELIGIBILITY

Friends (non-members) must live within a 50 mile radius of Galesburg, Illinois to enter. No mileage limit for members of the Galesburg Community Arts Center!

If artwork is to be made available for sale, please price work with the following in mind:

  • 60% to Friends and regular Members, 40% to GCAC

  • 70% to Artist-Members, 30% to GCAC

(GCAC Artist-Members receive a special commission rate)

 

Need to Renew your Membership?

CASH AWARDS

OVER $850 in cash prizes available in the following categories:

  • BEST OF SHOW $150

  • 3-DIMENSIONAL $100

  • WORKS ON PAPER $100

  • MIXED MEDIA $100

  • FIBER $100

  • PHOTOGRAPHY $100

  • PAINTING $100

  • LINDA LYTLE MEMORIAL AWARD $100