Call for Submissions: 6th Annual International Women’s Day Art Exhibition

Material World
6th Annual International Women’s Day Art Exhibition

The King Heritage & Cultural Centre (KHCC) is pleased to announce, Material World, the 6th annual art exhibition in recognition of International Women’s Day to be held from January 30 to March 27, 2027.

Registration is ongoing from September 25 to December 4, 2026.

Curatorial Theme:

Beyond their basic function of covering the body, dress and fashion communicate a myriad of meanings. They accompany women through life’s rites of passage, reflect cultural and political contexts, express identity, and animate the rituals of everyday life. Both personal and inherently social, what women wear connects them to the past, expresses who they are in the present, and helps them imagine the future.

Material World considers how clothing and adornment reflect women’s lives while also revealing broader themes of family, community, labour, culture, and change. Relevant subjects may include gender and identity, culture and community, ritual, performance, self-expression, social change, environmental fashion and the relationships between people and the objects they wear.

These ideas are intended as points of departure rather than limitations, and artists are encouraged to interpret the exhibition theme through their own unique perspectives and creative practices. All artistic mediums are welcome. Artists may incorporate textiles in any form and are encouraged to explore clothing, fashion, and adornment through their chosen medium, including the creation of wearable works, garments, costumes, textile-based artworks, or other material explorations that engage with the exhibition theme.

Submission Guidelines:

• Artwork must be submitted in good condition and ready for gallery display including appropriate hanging hardware (two medium or large D-rings, no wire is required), professional-grade canvases, suitable framing where applicable, and clean, finished edges on unframed works.
• Artwork submitted must relate to the theme Material World as interpreted by each artist.
• Original artwork is accepted in a wide range of media (no photomechanical reproductions).
• Only one entry may be entered into the show by each artist.
• Artists may enter an unfinished piece by submitting a sketch or photograph of their work in progress by the December 4, 2026 deadline.
• All artwork accepted into the exhibition must be dropped off at, or delivered to, the King Heritage & Cultural Centre between January 14, 2027 and January 20, 2027.
• Each artist must submit a statement, story, or poem of 200 words or less to accompany that provides insight into the artwork and helps viewers connect with and interpret the exhibition’s theme.
• The maximum recommended size for 2D artwork is 20 square feet. Size restrictions may also apply to 3D works. If your artwork exceeds these dimensions, has an unusual shape, or requires a riser, mannequin, or custom installation, please contact KHCC at kingmuseum@king.ca before submitting.
• The exhibition is open to emerging and established women artists and artists who self-identify as women, who are a minimum age of 14 years at the time of application.
• An entry fee of $30 + HST is to be paid when the completed registration form is submitted.

Additional Information:

• Registration form and fee of $30 + HST must be received by December 4, 2026, for artwork to be considered for the exhibition.
• All submissions will be reviewed by the Exhibitions Committee for their relevance to the Material World theme. While diverse interpretations are encouraged, priority will be given to works that demonstrate a clear connection to the theme. Due to space limitations, not all submissions can be accepted. The KHCC reserves the right to decline a submission deemed unsuitable for the exhibition.
• Late entries or artwork delivered late may not be included due to space and scheduling limitations.
• The KHCC will produce a label to include the name of artist, title, medium, size of artwork and the artist statement/story. The KHCC may edit stories that exceed 200 words for the purpose of display.
• Sale of artwork is at discretion of individual artists. A commission of 20% will apply to sales.
• If sold, artwork must remain in the show for the entire duration of the exhibit.
• The KHCC, the Township of King and/or Arts Society King may share photos of your artwork and story on social media for promotional purposes and as part of a long-term digital exhibit.
• Artists, whose artwork has been accepted into the show, will be contacted by mid-December 2026.
• Following the closing of the exhibition, unsold artwork must be picked up from the King Heritage & Cultural Centre (or shipping arrangements made), within 14 days.

To submit to the Material World exhibition, you will need to provide:

• Artist name
• Title of artwork
• Medium
• Size (in cm and inches)
• Price (or NFS)
• Statement/Story/Poem (200 words or less)
• Payment of $30 + HST

How to Submit:

Please fill out the registration form online.

Submission Deadline: December 4, 2026

Still have questions? Please contact the KHCC at 905-833-2331 or kingmuseum@king.ca.

King Heritage & Cultural Centre
2920 King Road
King City, ON L7B 1L6
905-833-2331
kingmuseum@king.ca
www.kingheritageandculture.ca

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