Call for Proposals: NAC Flea Market Gallery 2026/27 Exhibition Season

Flea Market patron observing I am the house and the person of that house by Alicia Nauta

Niagara Artists Centre (NAC) is Seeking Proposals for Installations at the Flea Market Gallery

Submission Deadline: Friday, September 5, 2025, 11:59pm ET

NAC’s Flea Market Gallery is an 8′ x 8′ gallery (the size of a market booth) located at the bustling and eclectic Factory Outlet Flea Market in St. Catharines.

For over a decade, NAC has been making space for bold, experimental, and community-responsive art in our unconventional Flea Market Gallery. As Yogi Berra once said, “If people aren’t going to come out to the ballpark, no one’s going to stop them.” NAC feels the same goes for art galleries. We’re not waiting around—we’re meeting people where they are.

The Flea Market Gallery is nestled among booths selling socks and belts, comic books, LP records, vintage tools, and baked goods. It thrives on surprise and connection. We welcome interdisciplinary installations, experimental media, interactive experiences, and community-engaged work that respond to the unique context of a flea market and the vibrant public who populate it.

Samantha Jones, Some of My Friends Eating Ice Cream

Project Requirements

Open every Sunday, approximately 2500 patrons visit on market days. Selected proposals will be exhibited for three months. Artists must take into account that the installation will be presented unsupervised in a public space. Work for display must be secured and effort may be needed to deter theft, though it has not been an issue. Technical details of the gallery space are listed below:

• 8′ x 8′ white wall space
• No climate control — artists should consider temperature and humidity in their material
• High-traffic, unsupervised, public environment (Sundays from 9am – 4pm only)

Eligibility

NAC encourages submissions from:

• Artists of all disciplines and experience levels
• Creators interested in cross-class conversations
• Those exploring themes of consumerism, nostalgia, accessibility, and human connection
• Artists from underrepresented communities

Compensation

Artists are paid above CARFAC recommended rates as well as travel and transportation costs. NAC will contribute to unique display costs associated with presenting in the Flea Market Gallery. NAC will also provide insurance for work on display.

Alicia Nauta, I am the house and the person of that house

Submission Requirements

To apply, please include:

• Ten images (digital), video, or other appropriate documentation
• A description of the proposed show (one page or less)
• A statement about the work (one page or less)
• A resume and/or bio of the artist (three pages or less)

How to Submit

Submit proposals via email to artists@nac.org, with the subject line: Flea Market Gallery Submission – [Your Name]

Submission Deadline: Friday, September 5, 2025, 11:59pm ET

For additional information or questions, please contact: artists@nac.org

Niagara Artists Centre
354 St. Paul Street
St. Catharines, ON L2R 3N2
www.nac.org
artists@nac.org
905-641-0331

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Accessibility: Niagara Artists Centre is partially accessible. For more information, visit nac.org. The Factory Outlet Flea Market is accessible.