2026 Arts In Bloom: For the Birds

Description

HCA CALL FOR ART
Arts in Bloom 2026 - For The Birds
 
May 5-May 28, 2026
HCA is excited to announce our twenty first annual Arts in Bloom exhibition, juried by Marcia R. Wise.
The Hopkinton Garden Club will be choosing several pieces to inspire floral arrangements that will be on display in the gallery.  Last year we had ten floral arrangements, Garden Club members choose a piece that inspires them.
Arts in Bloom is a competitive juried annual show open to all artists. Marcia R. Wise will choose the artwork to be exhibited and select six outstanding works for awards. The six winning artists will receive cash prizes totaling over $1,000.
Marcia R. Wise is a native of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, as a child Marcia began painting lessons in Provincetown, Ma. She received formal training at L’Ecole Nationale Superieure Des Beaux Arts in Paris, France; The Art Institute Boston; and Boston University. She studied with Lois Griffel at The Cape Cod School of Art, Wolf Kahn at the Santa Fe Institute of Fine Arts, Janet Fish in NYC. She was an art teacher in public and private education for over 40 years. She now works full time in her home studio and facilitates “Artist Trips” taking artists to paint on location all over the world. Her process is a passionate trial of color placement, color relationships, light effects, introspection, form and pattern manipulation, and textural play Her goal is to project the visual vibrations of energy, light, excitement and enthusiasm through her intuitive and colorful translations of beauty and capture it in physical form. She believes art is a manifestation of love.
The Theme: For the Birds
The theme for this year’s Art in Bloom is For the Birds. This phrase, commonly used as an idiom, refers to something perceived as worthless, not to be taken seriously, of no value, or only believed by the gullible, or to express a dismissive or irreverent attitude. For instance, one might say, “This party is for the birds—let’s get out of here".  We'd like you to consider the concept of frivolity, things that waste our time (Bills, laundry, politics, addiction to devices, pop culture, cold weather, high prices, scam calls, namedropping, boasting, etc.) Incorporate humor or sarcasm into your creative choices to capture the essence of this theme.  
Although you may submit artworks that depict flowers, please consider other subjects to make it more interesting for the floral designers. 
Specifications: Up to three artworks not shown at HCA may be submitted. All 2D media, including photos, fiber, and digital art, may be entered. The work must be wired for hanging. The maximum height and width for framed wall-hung work is 40 inches. 
3D work may be entered if it is free-standing (does not require a pedestal), can be hung on the wall, and does not protrude more than 10 inches. No sawtooth hangers, sandwich frames, giclee prints, copies, derivatives, or electronic reproductions will be accepted.  You will be asked to sign a Loan Agreement form at drop off.  
Important Dates:April 14, 2026: Call Deadline April 23, 2026: Announcement of selected artworksArt Drop off:  Friday May 1, 3-6pm, and/or Saturday May 2, 10am-1pmMay 5, 2026: Exhibition OpensMay 8, 2026: Opening Reception 6-8PMMay 28, 2026: Exhibit EndsArt Pick Up: Friday May 29, 3 - 6pm, and Saturday May 30, 10am - 1pm 
*Non-local selected artists' work must be received at the HCA, 98 Hayden Rowe St, Hopkinton, MA 01748 c/o exhibitions by May 2, 2026. Non-local artists are responsible for shipping costs to and from the HCA and insure their work while in transit. If shipping work, each artist must provide a pre-paid UPS or FedEx return shipping label, including insurance. Please pack your work in sturdy, reusable packaging. The HCA carries appropriate insurance to cover all artwork in the show for the duration of the exhibition, including the time frame of drop-off, installation, de-installation, and pick-up.
Eligibility: Artists of all ages are welcome to apply.
Submission Fee: $35 for Members and $45 for Non Members for up to three submissions. To become a member, please visit the HCA Membership page.  If you are a member please email Megann at megann@hopartscenter.org for your coupon code.

Accessibility: The HCA gallery spaces are fully accessible, and we strive to make the exhibition submission process accessible to all artists. We encourage anyone to enter our open-call exhibitions. If you need any additional information or accommodations to enter, please call Art Director Sarah Alexander at 508.589.4409.
Commission Structure: Artists receive 70% commission, and the HCA receives 30% for art sold during the exhibition. The HCA may duplicate and reproduce images of work for purposes of public relations and exhibition announcements directly related to the exhibition.
About the HCA: Serving individuals of all ages, cultures, and artistic abilities across the MetroWest region, the HCA develops artistic skills, offers outstanding artistic performances and exhibitions, and enables visitors to experience art in all forms. Under one roof, we celebrate art through classes and events in visual art, theater, music, dance, ceramics, writing, and film. In 2015 we opened our expanded art center, with a new exhibition space, a 200-seat performance space, and newly renovated classrooms. The Delbridge Family Performance Space and the Lotvin Family Gallery annually present dozens of productions and exhibitions by students and adults, amateurs and professionals. Created in 2011, HCA, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community arts center, fosters and celebrates the creative spirit in everyone.
To submit images of your work, please REGISTER or LOGIN by clicking on the button to the right, above.
Click below for a quick tutorial about how to use this site. If you have trouble with it, you are welcome to contact Megann Filios at megann@hopartscenter.org