Stanislaus Arts Council’s Exhibition Program

Exhibition Program Information

The Stanislaus Arts Council is proud to present a vibrant year-round Exhibition Program, showcasing work from artists of all ages, backgrounds, and disciplines. Our exhibitions are hosted at 1315 J Street in downtown Modesto, a shared creative space that houses both the Stanislaus Arts Council and Visit Modesto, our community’s visitor center. This collaborative environment fosters connection, dialogue, and inspiration through the arts.

Exhibition Opportunities & Submission Details

We offer a dynamic range of juried exhibitions throughout the year, each designed to highlight artistic excellence, amplify diverse voices, and encourage community engagement through visual storytelling.

All artwork submissions are processed via the Smarter Entry platform. Each exhibition is professionally juried and judged, with awards presented to at least three works per exhibition.

Submission Fees

Unless otherwise noted, all exhibitions follow the standard fee structure below:

  • $40 for the first submission

  • $30 for each additional submission

  • Maximum: 8 total submissions per artist per exhibition

Member Discounted Rates:

  • $25 for the first submission

  • $15 for each additional submission

Membership discount codes are provided below and within each Call for Art. Please note: If a discount code is used without an active membership, you will be invoiced for membership before your submission is accepted.

Members Submission Discount Codes:

  • ReImagined; the Art of Reclamation SUMMER25

  • ARTiculate Your Truth FALL25

  • Collective Illumination WINTER25

  • Youth in Bloom FAM100

Commission Rates & Artwork Sales

All artwork submitted to Stanislaus Arts Council exhibitions must be for sale.

We are proud to provide artists with opportunities to share and sell their work in a community-centered, professionally managed gallery setting. To sustain this work and ensure future exhibitions, a portion of each sale is retained by the Stanislaus Arts Council.

Commission Structure:

  • Members receive 60% of the sale price

  • Non-members receive 50% of the sale price

Artist payments are issued within one month of the close of the exhibition.

The portion of sales retained by the Stanislaus Arts Council directly supports our mission to support artists through exhibitions in our community, by artists from our community - funding not only the program itself but also artist outreach, youth engagement, and cultural visibility across Stanislaus County.

Spring 2026, Youth Exhibition – “Youth in Bloom”

This annual spring exhibition celebrates young creatives ages 3–25.

To ensure accessibility for youth, students, and families, we offer a reduced submission rate:

  • $10 for the first submission

  • $5 for each additional submission

Student & Family Membership Discounted Rates:

  • First submission FREE

  • $5 for each additional submission

Please use the discount code provided in the Call for Art when submitting.

If a teacher is submitting on behalf of a student, a parent or legal guardian must provide permission for the student's work to be displayed and available for sale in the exhibition.

Need Help?

For any questions about our exhibitions, submission process, or hanging guidelines, please don’t hesitate to contact us at:
info@stanislausarts.org

We look forward to seeing your work and sharing your creative voice with our community.

2026 Calls for Art

2026 Calls for Art

Stanislaus Arts Council’s Spring 2026 Exhibition

March 9 – May 22, 2026

Click to submit on Smarter Entry

Title: Youth in Bloom
Exhibition Dates: March 9 – May 22, 2026
Reception & Awards: Wednesday, May 20, 2026
Art Walks: Third Thursdsay of March, April, May

Call for Artists:
A celebration of the creative voices of emerging and young artists ages 3 to 25. Youth in Bloom honors imagination, growth, and bold expression across generations. Artists of all ages inspired by the theme may submit for consideration.

Tone: Vibrant. Hopeful. Affirming.

Special Notes: All youth artists will have at least one piece of submitted artwork accepted. Additional works are space-dependent.

Members discount Code: FAM100

Important Dates:

  • Submissions Close: February 28 at 11:59 PM (via Smarter Entry)

  • Artwork Receiving: Saturday, March 7, 11 AM – 2 PM

  • Exhibition Opens: Monday, March 9

  • Exhibition Closes: Friday, May 20

  • Artwork Pick-Up: Saturday, June 6, 11 AM – 2 PM

Past Exhibitions

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Past Exhibitions 〰️

California Native

Flora & Fauna

This exhibition will celebrate the beauty, diversity, and significance of the native plants and animals of our region.

June 4, 2025 - June 27, 2025

This exhibition will celebrate the beauty, diversity, and significance of the native plants and animals of our region and the natural beauty and ecological significance of Central California’s native species. This a unique opportunity to celebrate and support local art while drawing attention to the incredible natural world around us. We encourage artists of all backgrounds to participate and share their perspectives. The exhibition will be held at the Stanislaus Arts Council Gallery.

Stanislaus Arts Council poster for 'Fragments of the Mind: The Healing Power of Creativity' exhibition May 3 to June 6, 2025, exploring art and mental health at stanislausarts.org/exhibitions.

Fragments of the Mind; The Healing Power of Creativity

This powerful exhibition will explore the intersection of art and mental health, fostering awareness and promoting the healing power of creativity.

May 7, 2025 - May 29th, 2025

We invite artists to submit work for an upcoming exhibition focusing on Mental Health, Art, and Healing. The exhibition will run alongside "To Whom it May Concern," a special project by SAC Grant Recipient Andi Palma, which highlights the lived experiences of individuals dealing with mental health challenges.

Our goal is to create a platform for meaningful dialogue on mental health. This exhibition will bring together artists whose works shine a light on the profound connection between mental health and creativity, fostering understanding and promoting healing within our community.

Colorful poster for the 2025 Emerging Artist Exhibition by Stanislaus Arts Council, featuring geometric and abstract designs. Dates: April 2 to May 2.

“Emerging Artist “

This exhibition will highlight the exceptional work of emerging artists within Stanislaus County.

April 2, 2025 - May 2, 2025

This is an incredible opportunity to showcase your talent, engage with the community, and gain visibility in a professional gallery setting. Open to all artists in Stanislaus County, California. Artists must be within their first 5 years of exhibiting artwork, or have not shown work in an exhibition previously.

The theme is open to any subject matter and style. We welcome works that reflect your personal journey as an emerging artist and resonate with contemporary artistic practices. This exhibition celebrates the diversity, creativity, and unique perspectives of artists who are shaping the future of the arts in Stanislaus County.

“Young At Art “

An Exhibition by Stanislaus Arts Council for Young Creatives

March 5, 2025 - March 29, 2025

The Stanislaus Arts Council is thrilled to announce our upcoming exhibition, "Young at Art," celebrating the talent and creativity of young artists aged 2 to 18 years old in Stanislaus County!

This exhibition aims to highlight the creativity, imagination, and talent of our youngest community members.

We invite parents and guardians of young artists to submit their child's artwork for this special annual exhibition!

All young artists are welcome to submit to this show but young Members with a student or are part of a Family membership can submit their first entry for free with their members code. See our membership page if you would like to become a member.

Poster for "Celebration in Black Exhibition" by Stanislaus Arts Council and Gallo Center for the Arts, featuring colorful African patterns, black silhouetted hands, and event details from Feb 5 to Mar 2. Website link: stanislausarts.org/exhibitions.

Celebration in Black

An Exhibition that Honors African American Life and Culture

February 5, 2025 - March 2, 2025

The Celebration In Black exhibition honors African American life and culture, showcasing visual art that explores themes from history, civil rights, and culture to music, poetry, and politics. This powerful exhibit is intended to provoke thought, foster dialogue, and celebrate often-overlooked artists and contributions.

 This open call invites all artists to submit works exploring African American themes. While African American artists are encouraged to submit,  the exhibition welcomes all artists regardless of ethnicity or SAC membership status.

Graphic for the Stanislaus Art Exchange Exhibition featuring an opportunity for students to exhibit art. Includes handshake icon, Stanislaus Arts Council logo, and mentions exhibition dates from February 5-28, 2025, and submission deadline on January 18, 2025.

The Stanislaus Art Exchange Exhibition

The Stanislaus Arts Council is excited to announce a groundbreaking partnership with California State University, Stanislaus, to present "The Stanislaus Art Exchange," a dual exhibition set to take place in February 2025. This innovative collaboration marks the first of its kind, showcasing the artistic talents of BFA students alongside the exceptional work of our member artists.

February 5, 2025 - February 28, 2025

The primary aim of The Stanislaus Art Exchange is to foster a vibrant artistic dialogue between emerging and established artists within our community. By providing a platform for BFA students to exhibit their work at the Stanislaus Arts Council Gallery and for our member artists to showcase their creations at the University’s gallery,

Not a Member yet, but want to participate? Join today at stanislausarts.org/membership

Logo of the Stanislaus Arts Council with geometric shapes and text "Our Collective Spirit: An Exhibition Focused on Celebrating the Artwork of the SAC members."

Our Collective Spirit

January 8, 2025 - January 31, 2025

This exhibition is intended to be a vibrant celebration of our member artists, showcasing the rich diversity of creativity and talent within our community. We invite all member artists to contribute their unique voices and perspectives to this collective homage to the art we create together. 

Not a Member yet, but want to participate? Join today at stanislausarts.org/membership

Member Artists accepted into this exhibition will be invited to participate in one of three Artists Talks to be held on

  • Friday, January 10, 2025 from 5:30-7:30PM

  • Saturday, January 18, 2025  from 3-5PM

  • Friday, January 24, 2025 from 5:30- 7:30PM

Neon sign displaying "2024" with text about an exhibition titled "A Year of Reflection: An Exhibition About Life and World Events," running from November 20th to December 20th, presented by Stanislaus Arts Council.

A Year of Reflection: An Exhibition about Life and World Events

The Stanislaus Arts Council invites artists to join A Year of Reflection: Life and World Events, an exhibition from November 20th to December 19th, 2024, exploring the significant personal, social, community impacts, and personal stories of the past year. In a broader perspective of anything you have reflected on this year: a family trip, a birth or death in the family, personal growth as an artist or individual. 

or

If our theme does not resonate with you, we would like to open submissions to all works of art.  This has been a year of change for the Gallery, the Stanislaus Arts Council, our SAC Members and our artist community. We would love to see your work displayed in the Gallery as 2024 comes to an end.  Submit a new or favorite piece for A Year of Reflections.

Close-up of a large white flower with a dark center, showcasing detailed petals and intricate textures on a dark background.

Finding Peace

An exhibition of inspirational art and writing created by cancer survivors and caregivers of the complimentary therapy programs.

Exhibition Dates: October. 16th - November 15th, 2024

October 16: Exhibition Opens

1800 Coffee Road

In the hallway between the Infusion Center and the Cancer Services offices

These programs are made possible by a grant from Memorial Medical Center to the Stanislaus Arts Council and generous donations made to the Memorial Hospital Foundation. For more information about these programs call 209-535-2226

Sutter Health logo with medical cross design
Promotional poster for Día de los Muertos event by Stanislaus Arts Council. Features a close-up of a face painted in colorful Dia de los Muertos style with floral patterns. Event details: October 16th to November 21st, Downtown Modesto Art Walk, hosted by Showtime Studios on October 17th from 5-8pm at 1313 J Street, Downtown Modesto. Website: stanislausarts.org/exhibitions.

Dia de los Muertos Exhibition

Oct 16, 2024 – Nov 21, 2024

The Stanislaus Arts Council invites you to participate in the Dia de los Muertos exhibition, celebrating the vibrant and culturally rich Mexican tradition of honoring deceased loved ones. This exhibition, running from October 16th through November 21st, 2024, at Showtime Studios (1313 J St., Modesto, CA), will feature artwork that embraces themes of remembrance, cultural traditions, and the joyful celebration of life. Artists are encouraged to submit works that pay tribute to ancestors and explore the rich symbolism associated with Dia de los Muertos. All mediums are welcome.

Abstract floral artwork titled "Twigs and Blooms" by Nicole Slater. Featured in the Autumn Art Exhibition from September 3rd to October 11th, 2023, as Best of Show.

Autumn Art Exhibition

September 3rd - October 11th

Join us for an inspiring journey into creativity and innovation at the Autumn Art Exhibition, presented by the Stanislaus Arts Council. This esteemed exhibition, once exclusive to members, now welcomes submissions from artists of all backgrounds and mediums from all over California. Held at our new location at 1315 J Street, Modesto, CA, this juried showcase invites artists working in water media, oil, pastel, graphics, mixed media, and sculpture to share their unique perspectives. Celebrate artistic excellence and community spirit with us from September 3rd to October 11th, 2024. Join us for Art Walk on September 19th from 5-8pm. Additionally, this exhibition will host an invitation only artist reception for the participants of this exhibition and its sponsors.