CALLS FOR ART |
2026 Exhibition Schedule at Salem Arts
Please review the call for art details and theme carefully. Selected exhibitions will be open to both members and non-member artists.
Master Circle Artist Members are able to submit one item free for each exhibition and will be featured in our year-end showcase exhibit.
Please review our full exhibition guidelines and procedures
The Salem Arts Association Exhibition Committee, with the approval of the Board of Directors, is excited to present the 2026 Exhibition Schedule. In developing this schedule, the committee has worked to create themes that are inclusive and can be broadly interpreted. These themes should not be viewed as hard and fast rules, but more as inspiration, influencing your thinking, creative process and final outcomes.
The committee is working to identify a juror for each of the exhibits for the full year. Once these jurors are identified, each will be paired with the exhibit they will be jurying. Also, plans are being put in place to collaborate with other groups in order to host additional pop up exhibit opportunities, with more information to follow.
Retail Shop Inventory Take In:All artist members of Salem Arts Association whose membership is current are invited to offer items for sale in our curated artisan shop. Items in the shop floor are separate from the exhibition inventory and available for sale. The shop is a great opportunity to offer your custom made items including fine art, ceramics, housewares, jewelry, cards, publications, fashion accessories, and gift items. Retail shop items may be dropped off during any scheduled gallery exhibit take in dates. Please review the retail shop guidelines and procedures
FEBRUARY 2026 Rebirth / Renewal / Refresh Member Show at Salem Arts Association Gallery The Salem Arts Association invites its members to submit work for our upcoming exhibition “Rebirth / Renewal / Refresh,” to be held at our new gallery space at Pickering Wharf. What does it mean to be reborn? As we get a fresh start in our new gallery space, this show celebrates transformation and the promise of new beginnings, the cycles of growth, healing, and creative resurgence that emerges from change. Artists are encouraged to interpret the theme broadly, through personal, natural, or symbolic expressions of renewal. This members-only exhibition will mark a vibrant new chapter for the Salem Arts Association community in its new home.
History / Memories Member Show at Salem State University / Winfisky Gallery We welcome Salem Arts member artists working in any medium to explore how personal, collective, local or global histories shape our experience of memory, how we remember, forget, reconstruct, imagine, or challenge the stories that define us. Whether through archival fragments, intimate recollections, fictional remappings, or material echoes of the past, we encourage work that probes time, legacy, identity, and the traces left behind. This exhibit, held in collaboration with Salem State University was conceived of as part of the 400+ celebration. Selected works will be shown in the gallery space at the Ellison Campus Center, inviting viewers to reflect on the many ways history and memory intertwine in the present.
MARCH 2026 Face & Facade: Portraits of the Mind Open Show at Salem Arts Association Gallery The Salem Arts Association invites artists of all backgrounds to submit work for “Face & Facade: Portraits of the Mind,” the second exhibition at our new gallery space at Pickering Wharf. This show explores the many ways identity is revealed or concealed through the human face and the masks we wear. Artists are encouraged to interpret the theme broadly, from literal portraiture to abstract or conceptual expressions of inner life, persona, and perception. All media are welcome. Join us in celebrating the complexity of self and the layers between appearance and emotion in this open community exhibition.
APRIL 2026 American Dream Member Show at Salem Arts Association Gallery Join us for a vibrant exhibition at the Salem Arts Association gallery at Pickering Wharf, celebrating the theme "American Dream." This members-only show invites artists to explore what the American Dream means to them, reflecting diverse experiences and perspectives, and the rich tapestry of the American experience In honor of Pride Month, we encourage submissions that highlight the intersection of American pride and LGBTQ+ identities. Let's showcase how the pursuit of happiness, freedom, and equality shapes our collective dreams. From symbols of freedom and progress to deeply personal stories of struggle and resilience, this show welcomes diverse perspectives on what it means to dream, live, and take pride in America.
JUNE 2026 Inspired by PEM On This Ground: Being and Belonging in America Open Show at Salem Arts Association Gallery The Salem Arts Association invites artists to submit their work for an exciting open exhibition themed "Inspired by PEM," reflecting the Peabody Essex Museum's exhibit, “OnThis Ground: Being and Belonging in America.” PEM has brought collections of Native American and American art together for the first time in its history. This installation celebrates artistic achievements across time, space, and worldviews, exploring how art can help us understand this place we call America. Artists are encouraged to respond to this broad and rich exhibit of artwork, crafts, antiques and tableaus, representing a wide swath of American culture.
JULY 2026 Souvenirs of Summer Member Show at Salem Arts Association Gallery The Salem Arts Association invites members to submit work for “Souvenirs of Summer,” a members-only exhibition at our Pickering Wharf gallery. This show celebrates the sights, sounds, and sensations of summertime — those fleeting moments that linger long after the season fades. Think beach days and boardwalks, road trips and ice cream cones, salt air and sun-warmed evenings. Or interpret the theme more personally: what memories, emotions, or symbols represent your summer story? All media are welcome. Capture the warmth, nostalgia, and rhythm of the season in your own unique way.
SEPTEMBER 2026 Monsters & Myths Open Show at Salem Arts Association Gallery The Salem Arts Association invites artists to submit work for “Monsters & Myths,” an open exhibition at our Pickering Wharf gallery, just in time for Salem’s spooky season! We’re calling on artists to explore the creatures, legends, and stories that haunt our imaginations. From ancient folklore and supernatural beings to modern-day fears and personal phantoms, this show celebrates the power of myth and mystery in all its forms. This show invites artists to delve into the realm of the eerie and the extraordinary, celebrating the rich tapestry of folklore, legends, and the fantastical creatures that haunt our imaginations. As Salem is renowned for its history of witchcraft and supernatural tales, we encourage artists to explore their interpretations of monsters and myths, whether they be drawn from personal experiences, cultural stories, or classic literature. This is a perfect opportunity to showcase your creativity and share your unique vision of the mysterious and the macabre.
NOVEMBER 2026 Annual Member Holiday Showcase at Salem Arts Association Gallery The Salem Arts Association is excited to announce our Annual Member Holiday Showcase at our Pickering Wharf gallery! This festive exhibition celebrates the creativity and community of our members during the holiday season. We encourage members to submit artwork that embodies the essence of the holidays, whether it’s a celebration of winter, personal reflections, or the warmth of togetherness. From painting and photography to sculpture, crafts, and mixed media, this show is a perfect opportunity to share your latest creations and maybe find them a new home for the holidays!. Join us as we fill the gallery with color, warmth, and imagination to celebrate another vibrant year of art in Salem and ring in the holiday season together!
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 | The 2025 exhibition season is generously sponsored by the Peabody Essex Museum |
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