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Overview

Mid-South Sculpture Alliance (MSA) is excited to present 2026 MSA Select - Conway, AR, an exhibition held at University of Central Arkansas in the Baum Gallery, McCastlin Hall and juried by Johanna Hutchison.

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: May 2026
Deadline for submission: June 21, 2026
Artists to be notified: July 7, 2026
Shipping artwork deadline: Aug. 7, 2026
In-person delivery deadline:  Aug. 10-21, 2026
Installation dates: Aug. 7 -31, 2026
Exhibition dates: September 1 – October 3, 2026
Exhibition Reception: Friday, Oct. 2, 2026
De-installation dates: Sunday, Oct. 3-4 2026
Return Shipping: Oct. 5, 2026
In-person pick up Window: Sunday, Oct. 4, 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. 

• Applying for membership can be made when submitting for this exhibition.

• Application is free for MSA Professional members

Juror

Johannah Hutchison - Executive Director, International Sculpture Center

Johannah Hutchison is a respected leader in the nonprofit arts sector, known for her steadfast belief in the transformative power of art and her deep commitment to artists as cultural workers, activists, and community builders. As Executive Director of the International Sculpture Center (ISC), she has guided the organization through a period of strategic evolution—expanding its engagement with cross‑cultural exchange and supporting conversations that link diverse sculptural practices and communities. Her leadership strengthens ISC’s role in advancing critical dialogue around sculpture and three‑dimensional practices while championing accessibility, equity, and the future of sculptural art.

Johannah’s leadership is defined by a vision that places artists at the heart of social change. She recognizes their capacity to shape inclusive, resilient communities through creative expression, and she works to build platforms that amplify their voices—whether through Sculpture magazine, public programs, residencies, or new initiatives developed as part of ISC’s transition to Pittsburgh. Her approach blends strategic clarity with a belief in the power of collective imagination, ensuring that artists remain central to the organization’s mission and impact.

In addition to her executive work, Johannah is a fiber artist whose practice reflects her values of collaboration, sustainability, and social engagement. She works across a wide range of fiber techniques and embraces collective making as a means of fostering dialogue and connection. Her materials often include recycled and upcycled textiles, natural fibers, and plant-based dyes—underscoring her dedication to environmentally conscious artmaking and honoring traditional craft practices.

Johannah’s dual commitment to organizational stewardship and hands-on creative practice exemplifies her belief that art is not only a vehicle for personal expression but also a powerful tool for community transformation. Whether guiding a global arts organization or working collaboratively in the studio, she remains dedicated to nurturing the conditions in which artists—and the communities they serve—can thrive.

Join us on the MSA Youtube Channel to hear from Johannah Hutchison about her curatorial projects
and about jurying this exhibition 

Site

The Baum Gallery 
McCastlain Hall, Room 145
201 Donaghey Ave, Conway, AR 72034

https://uca.edu/art/baum/

The Baum Gallery is an educational art museum for UCA students, faculty and staff, and the central Arkansas community. The Director and Faculty Exhibitions Committee select national and international touring exhibitions, sponsor juried student shows, and cooperate across disciplines to curate original exhibits distinctly suited to an academic environment. The gallery develops exhibitions and events that invite interaction and encourage dialogue about visual art: the creators, studio process, history, criticism, curation, and cultural contexts.

Exhibits and events are under the aegis of the UCA Department of Art and Design, College of Fine Arts and Communication. The Baum Gallery maintains institutional memberships in the Arkansas Museums Association, the Association of College and University Museums and Galleries, and the American Association of Museums.

Artwork Themes 

The open call for submission requires no theme nor specific media or subject matter. Innovative, new, excellent examples of formal, process-driven, transformative, and strong conceptual or technical works in sculpture are desired. The shape and content of the show will be defined entirely by the jurors.

Shipping, Installation, and Deinstallation

All accepted artwork should either be shipped, or hand delivered at the artist's expense. All shipped artworks must arrive by end of day August 7, 2026. 

Shipping address

Windgate Center for Fine & Performing Arts, 131
Attn: Dr. Bryan W. Massey, Sr.
The University of Central Arkansas
201 Donaghey Avenue
Conway, AR 72035                        

In-person delivery

Please coordinate in-person delivery in advance with Dr. Bryan W. Massey, Sr. Email: bryanm@uca.edu  to schedule an appointment for August 10-21, 2026.

Deinstallation

Deinstallation will begin Evening of October 3 – 4, 2026.

Return Shipping 

All artists requesting return shipping of artworks must include a return shipping label. 

In-person pick up

Please coordinate in-person delivery in advance with Dr. Bryan W. Massey, Sr.. Email: bryanm@uca.edu   to schedule an appointment for October 3 – 4,2026

Artwork remaining on site after 180 days following the conclusion of its associated exhibition is considered the property of Baum Gallery for dispersal as it sees fit.

Artwork Scale

The exhibition space allows for free-standing, pedestal, and wall-hung pieces. No suspended works. Wall-mounted works must be less than 75lbs. when installed. The footprint of pedestal works should be max 36” x 36”.  

All packaging and artwork must fit through a 6’ (height) double door.  

Packaging requirements 

Reusable Shipping Package/Crate, weight limits: 175 lbs or less

Limitations & Restrictions

1. All work must be original.

2. Wall-hung artworks must be ready to hang upon delivery and include any specialty anchoring hardware needed. Wall-hung artwork weight limit is 75lbs.

3. All shipping or hand delivery and the return of work for the exhibition is the responsibility of the artist.

4. University of Central Arkansas and MSA reserve the right to reject works that are misrepresented in the application process or are not properly outfitted to display in the gallery.

Artist Responsibilities

Exhibiting venue will supply power, tools, pedestals, basic installation materials and assistance for installation. The artist will provide any specialty hardware that is needed. Selected artists are encouraged to send a detailed installation instruction of artwork. If special arrangements are needed for installation, please email Dr. Bryan W. Massey, Sr.

For further information regarding MSA and this exhibition, please visit www.midsouthsculpture.org, or contact Chelsea Moulder, Administrative Assistant, at admin@midsouthsculpture.org or 803.956.9876

Application Requirements

1. Completed entry form
2. Artist statement - about artwork conception. Submissions should be no more than 400 words in length. These statements will be used for exhibition didactics including artist labels and exhibition catalog.
3. Artist biography statement - 100 to 150 words in length
4. 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 are included. For work better suited for representation by video (installation, kinetic sculpture, etc), post a video and include a link in the application form.

Image upload directions - each image must be:

• 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.
  Example: DOE_UNTITLED.jpg

5. Image list - for each image, include:

• Title
• Date completed
• Media
• Dimensions (please be as accurate as possible)
• Weight of artwork
• Description of how the artwork would be installed/hung etc.
• Optional description about the artwork

No person will be excluded from participation in or otherwise subjected to discrimination in regard to services, programs and employment, provided by the exhibition venue based on color, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, age or religion.

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