UpCycled 4: Reclaimed & Remembered

Description

Call to Artists: April 2026 –
“UpCycled 4: Reclaimed & Remembered – Honoring Veterans Through Recycled Art”
Presented by: Marion Cultural Alliance (MCA)
Sponsored by: Florida Express Waste & Recycling

Description of Exhibit: Marion Cultural Alliance invites local and regional artists to participate in UpCycled 4: Reclaimed & Remembered, a special exhibition celebrating America’s 250th Anniversary through sustainable art and patriotic storytelling.
Artists are encouraged to create original works using repurposed, recycled, and/or found materials that reflect themes of patriotism, service, resilience, remembrance, and the American spirit. This one-month exhibition honors our veterans while highlighting the transformative power of creative reuse.
Reclaimed & Remembered will serve as both a creative celebration of sustainability and a meaningful tribute to those who have served our country, featuring artist statements that contextualize materials and message.
Definition of Upcycling: Upcycling, also known as creative reuse, transforms waste materials, unwanted items, and discarded objects into new creations of higher artistic and environmental value. Through this process, artists breathe new life into materials while encouraging environmental awareness and innovation.
EXHIBITION DETAILS: 
Exhibition Dates: April 3 – 28, 2026
Location:
Brick City Center for the Arts, Downtown Ocala - Home of MCA!
Call Deadline: Monday, March 23, 2026 by 11:59 p.m.

EXHIBITION GOALS: Through this exhibition, MCA aims to:
Elevate the voices of local artists, especially veterans
Promote environmental awareness through creative reuse
Foster gratitude, patriotism, and historical reflection
Strengthen community bonds through shared storytelling

Who’s Eligible: Open to MCA Artist Members. (New members may join online at mcaocala.org/membership) Veterans, military families, and underserved artists are especially encouraged to apply.
Medium Requirements: There is no restriction on media type. All artwork must incorporate reusable, repurposed, recycled, or reclaimed materials—human-made or organic—including, but not limited to wood, metal, stone, glass, paper, fabric, and plastic. Work may be 2D or 3D, including but not limited to painting, drawing, photography, mixed media, textiles, sculpture, assemblage, pottery, collage, metalwork, installation, or functional art. All work must be structurally sound, and suitable for a public gallery display

Entry Guidelines: All entries must be submitted digitally through https://MCAupcycled4.artcall.org no later than [Monday, March 23] by 11:59 pm. No physical or mailed submissions will be accepted. Artists must complete the online application and include:
Artist’s Contact Information (Name, phone, address, email, social media/website)A brief statement for each submitted piece, including materials used and how the work relates to the exhibit themeHigh-resolution images in JPG, PNG, or PDF format showing the full piece, including frame
Please review full Submission Guidelines before applying at mcaocala.org/calls-to-artists;
Each artist may submit up to two (2) pieces for consideration. All work must be original. No giclée prints or reproductions will be accepted.Suggested size per piece is up to 48” in any direction. Oversized 2D work may be limited to one (1) submission.All 2D work must be gallery-ready, properly wired, framed, or on gallery-wrapped canvas.
All 3D work must be fully assembled prior to acceptance.All accepted work must be for sale. Sales are split 70% to the artist and 30% to MCA. MCA’s proceeds support its mission to Champion, Convene, and Create opportunities for the arts in Marion County.Selection of work is at the discretion of the Gallery Director and Gallery Committee. MCA reserves the right to reject work that does not meet exhibition requirements or align with the intent of the exhibit.

IMPORTANT CALL DATES: (Please verify your schedule before confirming participation for this exhibition) 
Deadline for Submissions: Monday, March 23 (before midnight)

Status Notification: Friday, March 27 by 6pm (via ArtCall email)

Exhibit Dates & Location: April 3 – 25, 2026 at Brick City Center for the Arts (23 SW Broadway St.)

Drop-Off Date: Monday, March 30 (10am – 4pm) at Brick City Center for the Arts

Opening Reception: Friday, April 3 (5 – 6 pm: Artists’ Reception* with local dignitaries and veteran speakers
(*RSVP – Members, Artists & Invited Guests Only | 6 – 7 pm: Open Gallery for general guests (no RSVP required after 6pm)

Pick-Up Dates: Saturday, April 25 (11am – 4pm) & Monday, April 27 (10am – 4pm)

Having trouble navigating ArtCall? Click here for a quick step-by-step tutorial guided by MCA! Or watch the video tutorial below.