Call for Artists: MADE HERE! Mini Art Exhibition Celebrates the Creativity of Stanislaus County
Small Works. Boundless Imagination. Made Right Here.
The Stanislaus Arts Council is pleased to announce an open call for artists for MADE HERE!, a community exhibition celebrating the extraordinary imagination, craftsmanship, and artistic expression found throughout Stanislaus County.
Opening December 5, 2026, and continuing through January 14, 2027, this exhibition invites artists and makers of all ages, backgrounds, and experience levels to share original works measuring 12 inches or smaller. Through an intentionally inclusive approach, MADE HERE! seeks to recognize the diversity of creative practices that enrich our region and provide opportunities for both established and emerging artists to share their work with the community.
Celebrating Creativity in Every Form
Artistic expression is not confined to a particular medium, tradition, or definition of fine art. It lives in the intricate details of handcrafted jewelry, the careful construction of a ceramic vessel, the expressive strokes of a painting, and the imagination behind objects that are as functional as they are beautiful.
MADE HERE! embraces this expansive understanding of creativity.
Artists are encouraged to submit work in a wide range of disciplines, including painting, drawing, photography, ceramics, sculpture, illustration, mixed media, beadwork, jewelry, textiles, embroidery, fiber arts, doll making, tattoo-inspired artwork, and other original forms of artistic expression.
The only common thread is that each work must be an original creation, made by someone connected to the place we call home.
By bringing these diverse disciplines together within a single exhibition, the Stanislaus Arts Council hopes to encourage new perspectives on what constitutes art, elevate creative practices that may be underrepresented in traditional gallery settings, and invite visitors to discover the remarkable talent that exists throughout our communities.
An Invitation to Artists of Every Age and Experience Level
At the heart of MADE HERE! is a simple belief: creative expression deserves to be seen, valued, and celebrated.
Participation is open to artists and makers of all ages who live, work, study, or create in Stanislaus County. Whether an artist has exhibited professionally for decades, is developing an emerging practice, or is sharing their work publicly for the very first time, this exhibition offers an opportunity to participate in a collective celebration of local creativity.
The Arts Council is particularly interested in encouraging participation across artistic disciplines, cultural traditions, generations, and communities.
While gallery capacity will determine the total number of works accepted, every effort will be made to include at least one artwork from each eligible participating artist. This approach reflects the organization's commitment to expanding equitable access, fostering a sense of belonging, and creating meaningful opportunities for artists at every stage of their creative journey.
Small in Scale. Significant in Expression.
Working within a smaller format presents a distinctive creative opportunity. It encourages artists to consider the relationship between scale, material, composition, and meaning, demonstrating that artistic impact is not dependent upon physical size.
A miniature painting may convey an expansive landscape. A small ceramic object may carry generations of cultural knowledge. A piece of jewelry may reflect extraordinary technical skill, personal identity, or a meaningful connection to tradition.
Each work offers an opportunity to look more closely, discover something unexpected, and appreciate the thought, intention, and imagination behind its creation.
Together, these individual expressions will form a larger portrait of the creativity that exists throughout Stanislaus County.
Call for Artists: Submission Information
The Stanislaus Arts Council invites eligible artists to submit up to 10 original works for consideration.
Submission Guidelines
Eligibility: Open to artists and makers of all ages who live, work, study, or create in Stanislaus County.
Accepted Media: Original works in a broad range of artistic disciplines, including traditional, contemporary, and handcrafted art forms.
Artwork Size: Maximum of 12 inches in height and 12 inches in width, including framing or presentation materials. Additional display restrictions may apply to three-dimensional works.
Submission Fee: $5 per artwork.
Submission Limit: Up to 10 artworks per artist.
Selection: Submissions are subject to available gallery space and exhibition requirements. The Arts Council will endeavor to include at least one work from each eligible participating artist whenever possible.
Submission fees are nonrefundable and help support the coordination, administration, and presentation of the exhibition.
Important Exhibition Dates
Call for Artists Opens: Friday, October 9, 2026
Submission Deadline: Sunday, November 15, 2026
Artist Notifications: Monday, November 23
Artwork Receiving: Thursday, December 3, 2026, 9 AM to 5 PM
Exhibition Dates: December 5, 2026 to January 14, 2027
Artwork Pickup: Friday, January 15, 2027, 9 AM to 5 PM
Exhibition Location: Stanislaus Arts Council, 1315 J Street, Modesto, Ca 95354
Made Here. Made With Imagination. Made to Be Seen.
The creative identity of a community is shaped not only by its institutions and cultural landmarks, but also by the people who make, imagine, experiment, and express themselves within it.
Through MADE HERE!, the Stanislaus Arts Council seeks to bring greater visibility to these creative voices, celebrate the breadth of local artistic talent, and remind our community that meaningful cultural expression exists in many forms, often in the most unexpected places.
We invite artists throughout Stanislaus County to contribute to this celebration of creativity, and we look forward to welcoming the public to experience the exhibition this December.
Because extraordinary creativity does not require extraordinary dimensions.
Sometimes, the smallest works leave the greatest impression.
Ready to Participate?
Artists are encouraged to review the complete exhibition guidelines and submit their work before Sunday, November 15, 2026.
VIEW THE CALL FOR ARTISTS & SUBMIT YOUR WORK
MADE HERE! Mini Art. Major Creativity. is presented by the Stanislaus Arts Council as part of its ongoing commitment to supporting artists, fostering community engagement, and expanding equitable access to arts and cultural experiences throughout Stanislaus County.
This activity is supported in part by the California Arts Council, a state agency. Learn more at www.arts.ca.gov.
