Call for Submissions: Art Meets Word Juried Exhibition

Etobicoke Civic Centre Art Gallery. Photo: Young Hee Sung

Call for Artists & Poets: Art Meets Word Juried Art Exhibition
Interdisciplinary Collaboration of Visual Artists and Creative Writers

Organized by Laird Art Gallery & All Seeds Academy
Submission Deadline: May 22, 2026
Exhibition Dates: August 19 – September 17, 2026
Exhibition Venue: Etobicoke Civic Centre Art Gallery, 399 The West Mall, Etobicoke, ON M9C 2Y2

Philosophy & Theme

Art Meets Word explores the creative dialogue between visual and literary expression, where painted lines find their voice and written verse takes tangible form upon the canvas. Developed through Laird Art Link, an initiative dedicated to fostering exchange between visual artists and writers, this exhibition celebrates the reciprocal relationship between image and text, between what is seen and what is expressed.

The visual artworks, either 2D or 3D, may be created in response to creative writings such as poetry, or serve as the source of inspiration for original writing, existing in a reciprocal creative dialogue with them. The visual artwork and text may be created by one individual or by two people through collaboration.

Example:

Young Hee Sung, We’re Coming Home, 2025, Acrylic on Canvas, 60″ x 48″. Urban Renewal by Richard Scarsbrook, 2017.

Eligibility

We invite submissions from visual artists and creative writers age 18 and older. We welcome emerging, mid-career or established artists. Submissions may come from Canada or other countries. If you submit internationally from outside of Canada, please contact Laird Art Gallery at info@lairdartgallery.com for more details.

Submission Guidelines

Artists may submit 1 to 3 works for consideration. Work must be original. One artwork per artist will be finally selected for exhibition. The visual artwork is considered the primary work, and the text component should remain secondary in scale.

• 2D works: Maximum width: 36 inches. Height: up to 60 inches.
• 3D works: Must fit within one of the available gallery display cases. Weigh under 30 lbs. Floor installations are not permitted. Six pedestal display cases are available for 3D works with the following dimensions:
  60″ L x 36″ W x 32″ H (2 cases)
  32″ L x 16″ W x 28″ H
  30″ L x 30″ W x 35″ H
  28″ L x 14″ W x 22″ H
  24″ L x 12″ W x 18″ H
• Writing Component (Optional): The writing component is optional but strongly encouraged. Text may take the form of poetry, short prose, or reflective writing. It will be displayed along with the artwork as part of a unified presentation. If written by a third party, all copyright permissions must be secured by the submitting artist before submission. For submission, please provide it in digital files in .docx or .pdf format. For the event, the text panel must be exhibition-ready (e.g. mounted), and its maximum size is 11 × 17 inches.

Jury Process

Submissions will be reviewed by the Laird Art Link Curatorial Committee. The committee will be made up of Laird Art Gallery, All Seeds Academy and external reviewers. Not all submissions will be selected for the exhibition. Selected artists will be notified via email by June 19, 2026.

Etobicoke Civic Centre Art Gallery. Photo: Young Hee Sung

Artist Benefits

This interdisciplinary exhibition takes place during the 50th anniversary year of the Etobicoke Civic Centre Art Gallery, originally opened in May 1976. Selected artists and collaborating writers are invited to participate in:

1. Opening Reception, Saturday, August 22, 2026, 2:00 – 4:00pm
2. Art & Poetry Reading Event, Saturday, September 5, 2026, 2:00 – 4:00pm

The Etobicoke Civic Centre Art Gallery is a publicly accessible exhibition space managed by the City of Toronto. The gallery provides free access to visitors and supports broad community engagement.

In addition to the in-person exhibition, all selected works will be featured for viewing and sale on the Laird Art Gallery website: lairdartgallery.com

This combination of public exhibition and online visibility offers meaningful exposure to a diverse and engaged audience.

Fees and Commission

A $10 application fee supports the administration and curation of the exhibition (e-transfer to 72LAIRD@gmail.com or payment via the gallery website). If selected, a $100 participation fee applies. Selected artists are responsible for delivering exhibition-ready works. For international submissions, you are responsible for all the other related costs such as shipping. Artworks may be listed for sale at the artist’s discretion. 20% commission will be retained on all sales.

How to Submit

For more information and to submit, please visit here.

Submission Deadline: May 22, 2026

About Laird Art Gallery

Founded in April 2022 by artist Young Hee Sung, Laird Art Gallery began as an intimate, artist-led space grounded in dialogue and connection.

What started as a personal response to artistic solitude has grown into a collaborative platform supporting visual artists and interdisciplinary exchange. The gallery focuses on care, integrity, and meaningful engagement rather than spectacle.

Through exhibitions, conversations, and partnerships with writers and community organizations, Laird Art Gallery contributes to Toronto’s diverse and evolving art landscape.

72 Laird Dr, East York, ON M4G 3V1

About All Seeds Academy

All Seeds Academy believes education is not the transfer of information but the awakening of potential. Through interdisciplinary programming, All Seeds Academy fosters environments where imagination, reflection, and growth can flourish.

Contact

For inquiries, please contact Young Hee Sung at info@lairdartgallery.com
Website: lairdartgallery.com
Instagram: @lairdartgallery