Call for Artists: “Liminal”

Rumriver Art Center is calling for artwork submissions that investigate liminality. “Liminal is a word for the in-between. It describes states, times, spaces, etc., that exist at a point of change—a metaphorical threshold…” (Merriam Webster Dictionary). Artists are encouraged to explore the strangeness in moments of change.

• Places that once held life but are now forgotten or a blurry recollection of what they once were. Perhaps this place held lots of activity, movement, human presence; but is now vacant of such things.
• Objects in unconventional settings that may challenge logic. These items could be in a state of deterioration, stasis, or emergence.
• Someone who is in a moment of rest, a period of waiting, or whose image has been slowly reshaped through memory.
• Dusk, twilight, the unease before a storm.
• Anxious anticipation of the unknown, yet the alluring feeling remains present.

We encourage personal interpretation of this prompt by all applying artists!

This show is on display at Rumriver Art Center from October 3rd – October 31st, 2026. The exhibition will then move to the Anoka County Library’s Northtown branch and be on display from November 2nd through January 7th, 2027..

Paid Entry Fee – (part of the application form)

• The application fee is a sliding scale structure. This means that artists determine what amount to pay based on what they are able to afford within a designated range. The minimum entry fee is $5. This is a flat fee.
• Whether your work is accepted or not, there will be NO REFUNDS of the entry fees. (Note: one, two, three or none of your pieces may be accepted for the gallery show).

Application Guidelines: * If you have any questions regarding these guidelines please contact Madison Nelmark at madison@rumriverart.com *

• ALL ages can apply! We are a community art center and believe that you can be an artist at any age. 
• Your artwork must be ready for installation. ONLY wired hanging systems will be accepted for work that is meant to be hung. (e.g. paintings, drawings, prints, hanging sculptures…)
• All mediums can apply, with the exception of digital/virtual art forms that require technological support to be displayed.    
• Rumriver Art Center will not accept AI generated imagery OR writing.
• Each of your submissions must not be larger than 36” x 36” for two-dimensional pieces. Three dimensional works may not exceed 36” x 36” x 36”
• Accepted artwork will be labeled with a price. Submitted artwork marked NFS or left empty in the entry form will be marked NFS (Not for Sale).
• Rumriver Art Center will take a 35% commission on the sale price of any artwork sold during the show. Please price your pieces accordingly.
• All accepted artworks MUST be dropped off at the Rumriver Art Center Gallery on Tuesday, September 29th between 10 am and 7 pm.
  • If you are unable to drop off your artwork during this time, please email madison@rumriverart.com as soon as possible to set up an alternative time to drop off your artwork.
• Artwork that has been unclaimed for 14 days after the designated pick-up date, or if no communication is received by Rumriver Art Center to arrange an alternative pick-up plan, the piece will become property of the Rumriver Art Center. The artwork will either be added to our collection of artworks or sold as part of a fundraiser for the organization.
• Rumriver Art Center will not ship artwork back to participating artists; all artworks must be picked up in-person.
• You may NOT remove your artwork from the gallery or library earlier than the designated pick-up time.

The following will result in the rejection of your application:

• Failure to adhere to the provided application guidelines.
• Incomplete application.
• Harassment, discrimination, or inappropriate actions towards any Rumriver Art Center staff.

Our Call for Entries are juried by different anonymous artists who are professionals in a creative field related to the show’s theme. When making their decisions many aspects are taken into consideration. The judge will examine the overall cohesion of the submitted artworks, adherence to the theme, presentation, and compliance to the application guidelines.

The judge will award a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place prize. The first place recipient will receive $100, second place $75, and third place will be awarded $50.