2026 Resistance - Johnson City, TN
Overview Mid-South Sculpture Alliance and ETSU Slocumb Galleries are partnering to present “RESISTANCE”, a thematic juried exhibition. This exhibition fosters MSA’s mission to advance the creation and awareness of sculpture in its many and varied forms and promote a supportive environment for sculpture and sculptors. Selected sculptures will offer a dynamic exhibition highlighting a variety of techniques, media and content. MSA Professional Member Artists are encouraged to submit up to three artworks for consideration. Application and Exhibit Timeline Call opens: September 12, 2025 Deadline for submission: November 16, 2025 Artist to be notified: December 13, 2025 Delivery Deadline: January 9, 2026 Hand delivery: January 5-9, 2026 Installation dates: Jan 12-13, 2026 Exhibition dates: Jan 14 - Feb 13, 2026 Closing Reception: Feb 12, 2026 De-installation dates: Feb 16-20, 2026 In Person Pick up: Feb 23-27, 2026
Artist Eligibility ● This opportunity is open to all professional visual artists, aged 18 and older, who are current or new professional members of MSA. ● Each applicant may enter up to THREE artworks; all entries must have been conceived and created by the artist submitting the artwork; all media suitable for indoor exhibition will be considered. ● Application for membership can be made when submitting for this exhibition. Artwork Themes RESISTANCE is a thematic juried exhibition exploring resistance in all its diverse forms. The artworks will delve into how resistance can embody a fundamental force—a counter-energy exerted against pressure or dominance. This exhibition highlights resistance as a basic quality of matter and action, as seen in kinetic artworks, and also as the ability to withstand adverse influences or aggression, like political protest or fighting disease. The show will feature how even small acts of resistance can challenge existing systems and lead to lasting, transformative effects, underscoring resistance as an intrinsic quality of opposition in both natural and societal realms. The intent of this juried exhibition is to showcase a wide range of artistic approaches and practices, with the final shape and content defined entirely by the juror. Juror With more than 15 years of experience leading both commercial and institutional art galleries, Dickins has collaborated with artists working across a broad range of media. He has curated and produced over 45 exhibitions and public art projects, and has served as a guest curator at Atlanta Contemporary. His expertise has also been recognized through jury service for organizations such as South Arts, apexart, AIRIE, and collegiate student exhibitions. Dickins holds a BFA from Georgia Southern University and an MFA in Interdisciplinary Arts from Goddard College. In 2014, he joined Austin Peay State University as director and curator of The New Gallery and University Collections. He now serves as director and chief curator of the Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art at the College of Charleston's School of the Arts in Charleston, South Carolina.. Site The Slocumb Galleries promote the understanding, presentation and appreciation of contemporary art in support of the academic experiences and the cultural development of the region, through collaborative, interdisciplinary programming with various units and community institutions. The Slocumb Galleries are located at 232 Sherrod Dr, Johnson City, TN 37614. They are two mirroring galleries with glass entrances. Gallery one is 25’ 6.5” by 14’ 10” by 41’ 6.5” and gallery two is 20’ 6.5” by 20’ 10” by 35’ 10” and a 9‘ high ceiling.
Catalog An exhibition catalog documenting all accepted artworks will be produced during the exhibition run. Artwork images, artist statements and biographies submitted for the juroring process will be used for the catalog production. Shipping, Installation, and De-installation All accepted artwork should either be shipped or hand delivered
at artist’s expense by Friday, January 9, 2026 to: Slocumb Galleries Hand delivery: Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm. Prior to arrival, please schedule your delivery via email with Karlota Contreras-Koterbay, Director, at CONTRERA@mail.etsu.edu to set a date and time. Return Shipping: All artwork requiring return shipping must include a return shipping label at delivery. Artwork Scale The exhibition encourages small and medium sized work due to space limitations. Sculptural assemblage may be considered but too elaborate installation is discouraged. Wall-mounted works and lightweight suspension works are permissible. Works must not exceed 5 ft in any direction and not weigh over 150 lbs. No suspend works will be allow for this exhibition. Limitation & Restrictions 1. All work must be original and completed within the last 5 years. 2. Wall mounted artworks must be ready to hang upon delivery and include anchoring hardware appropriate for dry wall. 3. All shipping or hand delivery and the return of work for the exhibition is the responsibility of the artist. 4. MSA reserves the right to reject works that are misrepresented in the application process or are not properly outfitted to display in the gallery. Artist Responsibilities MSA and the Tipton Gallery will supply power, tools, pedestals and assistance for installation. The artist will provide hardware needed. Selected artists are encouraged to send a detailed installation instruction of artwork. If needed, Artists may come during installation to set up their work. Notification Both selected and rejected artists will be notified of their selection by email. For further information regarding MSA please visit midsouthsculpture.org or contact Chelsea Moulder, Administrative Assistant, at admin@midsouthsculpture.org or 803.956.9876 Application Requirements ● Artist statement - about artwork conception and its relationship to the exhibition theme. Submissions should be 300 to 500 words in length. These statements will be used for exhibition didactics including artist labels and exhibition catalogue. ● Artist biography - 100 to 150 words in length ● Images - please submit up to
three artworks. Detail images are encouraged with a maximum of up to ten image
files total. Works in progress will be considered only if images clearly
depicting where the sculpture is to this point and a detailed technical drawing
is included. For work better suited for representation by video (installation,
kinetic sculpture, etc) post a video and include a link in the application
form. ● Saved in jpeg or png format ● Set color to RGB ● Image size should not exceed horizontal pixel dimension of 1600 pixels or vertical pixel dimension of 1200 pixels ● each file must be less than 1MB ● Saved as the artist's
last name and image title. ● Image list - for each image, include: ● Title ● Date completed ● Media ● Dimensions ● Weight of artwork ● Description of how the artwork would be installed/hung etc ● Optional description about the artwork ● Completed entry form Submitting your application indicates that you have read and understood all guidelines and criteria contained within this prospectus. To the best of your knowledge, you are eligible to be considered for MSA’s Juried Member Exhibition. Your application contains your work and the information in your resume is complete and true. You understand that if accepted, it will be your responsibility to deliver your work to Lightwell Gallery ready for hanging and on time, concurrent with any schedules given to you upon acceptance. If accepted, the work presented with this application is the work that will be installed in the exhibit. The School of Visual Arts (and Gallery) does not provide insurance for the artwork during the exhibition. The Artist assumes all liability and any injury or damages incurred directly from the artwork or associated malfunctions of equipment/technology in the exhibition. This includes damages to networks in conjunction with internet or server access required for the exhibition. No person will be excluded from participation in or otherwise subjected to discrimination in regards to services, programs and employment, provided by Lightwell Gallery based on color, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, age or religion. Slocumb Galleries Floor Plan and Images: |
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