Mental Health Call for Art
is now OPEN

Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood.

How do you define mental health? What does it mean to be mentally well or mentally ill? Are we able to assess our own mental health, or is it ambiguous and ever changing? How do we relate to those around us, based on their mental health and our own? 

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or Live Online Chat

If you or someone you know is suicidal or in emotional distress, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Trained crisis workers are available to talk 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Your confidential and toll-free call goes to the nearest crisis center in the Lifeline national network. These centers provide crisis counseling and mental health referrals.

Important Dates

Exhibit runs: December 11th-February 6th
Submissions open: October 2nd
Submissions close: November 22nd
Artwork Drop-off: Monday, December 7th
Opening Reception: Friday, December 11th, 6-9pm
Artwork Pick-up: Monday, February 8th

We’re looking forward to seeing what you create.

This is a juried exhibition, with awards given to Best of Show, Second Place, and Third Place.

We are pleased to welcome Jaqueline Carmody LCPC, ATR-BC, ATCS as our guest judge.

Jacqueline Carmody is a Chicago-based artist, board-certified art therapist, and licensed clinical counselor whose work explores how visual art helps people process grief, trauma, and personal growth. She directs Twist Out Cancer's free "Twistshops" art therapy program and has mentored artists through its Brushes With Cancer program since 2013. As a juror, she values both technical skill and the vulnerability behind the work, and sees each submission as a courageous act of expression and resilience. Learn more at jacquelinecarmodyart.com.

Submission Requirements:

ELIGIBILITY

  • Open to artists age 18 and older.

  • All artwork must be hand-delivered, we do not accept shipped work. Please confirm you can deliver and pick up in person before applying.

  • Work must be original and created by you.

  • Work previously exhibited at Water Street Studios is not eligible.

ENTRY FEE

  • $35 for non-members, $25 Water Street Studios Annual Members, Resident Artists, Clay Makers, and Artist Collective.

    • This is a flat fee per artist, whether you submit one work or two.

    • Fees are non-refundable and do not guarantee acceptance.

    • Make your payment HERE.

      • This is a separate process from your artwork submission. Please be sure you also hit “submit” on the artwork submission form below as well.

SIZE LIMITS

2D work - Choose one of the options below:

  • Two works whose width add up to 40” or less, OR

  • One work up to 36” wide

3D work:

  • Up to two works, which together must fit within the footprint of a 12”x12” pedestal

  • We will provide a pedestal unless we notify you otherwise.

HANGING REQUIREMENTS

  • Artwork must arrive ready to hang. Canvas does not need to be framed, but must have picture-hanging wire securely attached across the back. Wire should be strung between two D-ring hooks or screw eyes, not saw-tooth hangers.

SUBMISSION PHOTO REQUIREMENTS

  • Please upload a .jpg or .png file

  • Please name each file ArtistName_ArtworkTitle_ExhibitName

    • Ex: PabloPicaso_GuitarPlayer_Portrait

  • Shoot against a plain, neutral back ground in even lighting, with the artwork filling most of the frame. Accepted artwork may be featured in our advertising our social media.

JURYING & AWARDS

  • This Exhibit will be juried by the Community Gallery Committee and will be judged by a Guest Judge, Jacqueline Carmody. Awards will be given to Best of Show, Second Place, and Third Place. For questions about the jurying process please visit our main landing page here.

IMPORTANT DATES

Exhibit runs: Friday, December 11th- Saturday, February 6th
Submissions open: Friday, October 2nd
Submissions close: Sunday, November 22nd at midnight
Notification of Acceptance: Friday, November 27th*
Artwork Drop-off: Monday, December 7th**
Opening Reception: Friday, December 11th, 6-9pm
Artwork Pick-up: Monday, February 8th**

*Notifications may arrive after business hours, please check your spam folder.

**Artwork must be dropped off and picked up according to this schedule. Our storage space is limited. Any artwork not collected by March 6th, 2027 will be considered abandoned.

Ready to submit your work? Please fill out the form below. You will not receive an automatic email confirmation upon completion.

For any questions please contact Caitlin at gallery@waterstreetstudios.org