Call for Art: When You Know Your Neighbor

Submission Deadline: Saturday, June 7, 2025, 9 pm

When You Know Your Neighbor is a juried group show curated by Claire Millett Lima, that invites artists to explore themes of connection, place, and the many expressions of community. Being a neighbor is more than simply sharing a street or a building—it’s about the invisible threads that tie us to the spaces, people, and living systems around us.

This exhibition will highlight personal interpretations of neighborhood and kinship, both visible and hidden. How do your surroundings influence your sense of self? In what ways do they affirm—or challenge—your place in the world? We welcome thoughtful, creative approaches to the idea of “neighbor.”

Join us in celebrating the beauty of community and connection. We look forward to seeing how you interpret the theme When You Know Your Neighbor!

Eligibility

This call is open to artists who have participated in Somerville Open Studios at any time in the last five years (2020 – 2025). If you are not a current member and your work is selected, you will need to renew your SOS membership for 2025 at the Sustaining Member level ($30).

Location

Exhibit @ 50 Prospect, sponsored by @discoverusq, is a new community arts space showcasing local creativity as part of the Union Square Revitalization Project (USQ). Located at the corner of 50 Prospect Street—directly across from the MBTA Union Square Station—the exhibit is viewable from both Station Plaza and Prospect Street. Work will be displayed in the large windows of the new, as yet un-leased retail space closest to the T Station.

Submission Guidelines

We are seeking a diverse range of media. Although most work will be hung on display walls, a limited number of 3D submissions—whether floor-standing or requiring a display pedestal—will be considered. Regardless of whether works are 2D or 3D, we encourage materials that may not be normally associated with wall-hung art. In addition, note that work may have more depth than is common for wall-mounted work.

You may submit up to 3 works for consideration. All work must be available from June 23rd through the end of October.

All work intended to be hung on display walls must:

  • Be ready to hang with a horizontal picture wire
  • Not exceed 6 feet high by 3.5 feet wide, including frame
  • Weigh no more than 30 lbs

3D work that is floor standing or requires a pedestal should be on the smaller side, ideally less than 2 feet wide by 2 feet deep. A maximum height of 6 feet is suggested. Taller pieces may be considered but will exceed the height of display walls and therefore may not show well, depending on the nature of the piece.

How to Submit

Artists may submit a single application with one to three artworks. Applications must include:

  • Artist’s name (and public name, if different)
  • Contact information (phone number and email)

For each piece include the following:

  • Title
  • Medium
  • Dimensions – H x W x D, including frame
  • Price
  • JPEG image labeled as: LASTNAME_1.jpg, LASTNAME_2.jpg, etc.

Please note that the price will be used as the insured value. If not for sale, please still provide the pieces’ value for insurance purposes and indicate “NFS”.

Submit your application via email to limaclairem79@gmail.com with the subject line: “Submission – When You Know Your Neighbor”.

Key Dates

  • Submission Deadline: Saturday, June 7th, 2025 by 9 pm
  • Notification of Acceptance: June 20th, 2025
  • Artwork Drop-Offs: June 23rd and 24th, 4:00 to 7:00 PM
  • Installation: June 27, 2025
  • Opening Reception: TBD
  • Exhibit Close & Artwork Pickup: Approximately October 31, 2025 (exact date(s) TBD).