Art of the Spectacle

This exhibition explores the intersection of fashion, circus, and stagecraft, capturing the drama, elegance, and eccentricity of the performing arts. Art of the Spectacle creates a visual celebration of performance, where costume, movement, and theatrics take center stage.

Artists are invited to submit works that embrace the bold, the theatrical, and the extraordinary. Whether inspired by vintage vaudeville, avant-garde fashion, or the magic of the circus, this show seeks artwork that transforms the gallery into a stage, where every piece tells a story.

Meet the Juror, Maria Schaedler-Luera

Maria Schaedler-Luera is a Brazilian-born educator, artist, and cultural strategist working at the intersection of theater, mindfulness, and community engagement. Her work blends performance, storytelling, and healing practices to foster connection, expression, and collective transformation. Maria is a certified meditation teacher, an Ayurvedic Health Counselor, and a facilitator of applied theater techniques including Augusto Boal’s Theatre of the Oppressed. She has worked with institutions such as Harvard Art Museums, the Sarasota Performing Arts Center Foundation, and The Patterson Foundation. Maria is currently the Co-Executive Director of Lifeline Productions and the Program Officer at the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County, where she leads initiatives rooted in civic engagement, arts education, and creative wellness. She is passionate about supporting artists and communities in telling their stories with authenticity, imagination, and purpose.

• Submissions are welcome in all media including painting, drawing, photography, printmaking, mixed media, digital arts, sculpture and video. 
• AI generated art is not allowed.  
• All artworks must be submitted ONLINE for jurying.  Awards will be chosen by the juror in person when all works are installed at Art Center Sarasota. 

 IMPORTANT DATES 

• Exhibition Dates: Thursday, March 5 - Saturday, April 18, 2026
• Online Submissions: Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025 - Sun. Feb. 1, 2026
• Notification of Acceptance: Artists will be notified by email of their submission status no later than Wednesday, February 11 by 5pm.
• In Person Receiving Days for Accepted Work:  Tuesday, February 24 - Wednesday, February 25, 10am-5pm.
• Shipping Accepted Work: Mailed Artwork must arrive between Monday, February 23 - Wednesday, February 25.  Any work that is delivered after this date will not be included in the exhibition.
• Award Winners Notified: no later than Wednesday, March 4 at 5pm.  
• Opening Reception: Thursday, March 5, 5-7pm.
• Artwork Pickup In Person: Monday, April 20 & Tuesday, April 21, 2026, 10am-5pm

JURIED EXHIBITION RULES & REGULATIONS - READ THIS DOCUMENT FULLY!
ABOUT THE EXHIBITION 

This exhibition is open to all artists to showcase their work at Art Center Sarasota (ACS). This show is open to all media types. The juror will see all requested information except the artist’s name and the price of artwork. The ACS Exhibition Department asks jurors to make all selections based solely on artistic merit with the exhibition theme in mind. In an effort to maintain best gallery practices, ACS implements the following rules and regulations for this juried exhibition. Observing the following points ensures your artwork is exhibited in the best way possible. We appreciate your support.        

SUBMISSION FEES 

All juried exhibitions require a NON-REFUNDABLE entry fee for each submission. 

• One Piece: $30 Members, $40 Non-members, $10 Student Members, $20 Student Non- Members
• Two Pieces: $40 Members, $55 Non-members, $20 Student Members, $30 Student Non- Members
• Three Pieces: $45 Members, $65 Non-members, $25 Student Members, $35 Student Non- Members

AWARDS: 

Awards will be selected by the juror in-person after the exhibition has been hung. All checks for awards will be mailed out to the artists at the close of the exhibition.

• 1st place: $500
• 2nd Place: $300
• 3rd Place: $200
• Merit (2) & Honorable Mention (4)

SIZE

• Maximum size for 2D artwork is 65" x 65" AFTER framing.
• Maximum size for 3D artwork is 60" x 36" x 36". (HxWxD)

UPLOADING IMAGES TO SUBMITTABLE 

• Images of artwork should be high quality, at least 1mb up to 5mb
• 2D works should be cropped around the piece 
• 3D works should be placed in front of a solid background or photo backdrop
• Please indicate if framed or unframed
• Video submissions: File formats allowed for upload: MP4, MOV, AVI, MPG.  

If you need assis­tance in submit­ting please contact the exhibitions department. We are here and happy to help get everyone's artwork seen by the juror no matter your technology level.     

ORIGINALITY & PRINTS:

All entries must be original work completed within the last three years and not previously shown in any ACS show.

• Copies and reproductions of original works of art, whether embellished or not, are not eligible for submission to juried exhibitions. However, prints such as photographs, lithographs, woodcuts, engravings, etching, screen prints, and digital works are acceptable as long as they are labeled as such, and numbered as an edition.
• Please be mindful of copyright infringements – Be original!
• Artwork submitted must be finished and not in-process upon the time of submission.  All accepted artworks must be dry upon entry, if they are not, they will NOT be included in the exhibition.

TWO DIMENSIONAL ART

• Stretcher bars are the preferred method for hanging canvas works.
• No sawtooth hangers.
• Please state the surface the work is on, ie. paper/canvas/metal/board/etc., including photographs.
• Picture frame wire should not be above the frame. Picture frame wire is a multi strand wire.  Do not use monofilament.
• All framed artwork with glass/plexi should be clean and scratch free. The mat if it has one should be clean and smoothly cut.  Frames must be in good condition (no scratches, chips or loose corners).
• If the work requires unconventional hanging methods, please provide a detailed description of the hanging method in the "Special Instructions" section of the application.  If accepted, please provide any special materials/tools required to hang/mount your work.

THREE DIMENSIONAL ART

• ACS provides pedestals. However, the artist must provide a sculpture pedestal for oversized work and/or works with special display requirements.
• Please use the "Special Instructions" section to indicate weight if sculptures are more than 30lbs or to describe any necessary details of mounting or displaying your work or special requests.  These will be taken into consideration when installing, but may not be executable.
• Non-ACS Pedestals must have a broad base.
• Jewelry must be submitted on a display stand or form.

DIPTYCHS & TRIPTYCHS

• A Diptych or Triptych is considered one submission of artwork and must be priced as one individual piece. It must be submitted, charged, and labeled as such.
• If framed, the frames must be uniform and included in dimensions.

RECEIVING & SHIPPING OF ACCEPTED WORKS

• All entries shipped to ACS should include a return shipping label. It is the artist’s responsibility to pay for shipping to and from the Art Center.
• ACS Hours of Operation: Monday - Saturday 10am-5pm.
• Shipping address: Art Center Sarasota, Attn: Exhibitions, 707 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota FL 34236.

SALES

• All work on exhibit must be for sale. No POR (Price on Request) or NFS (Not for Sale) is permitted in a juried show unless specified in an exhibition prospectus.
• Artists who are ACS members receive payment of 60% of selling price.
• Artists who are Non-members receive payment of 50% of selling price.
• The artist is responsible for filing sales in accordance with State and Federal Tax regulations.
• All Artwork on exhibit at ACS must be sold on site or through the ACS website (when exhibits are online). Sales through third party dealers or entities are not permitted. Direct sale via the Artist is not permitted.

SALES OF WORK PRIVACY POLICY 

ACS will ask the purchaser if they would like to share their information with the selling artist. If they agree, ACS will pass that information along to the artist, if not no information of either party will be shared. 

MISCELLANEOUS

• Should your artwork be accepted and it is discovered to not be in compliance with the rules and regulations, the artist will be notified to collect the work immediately.
• Placement of accepted artwork will be decided by the Exhibition Director, please do not ask to change its location. Once artwork is installed, it is in its final location and cannot be moved.
• Any artwork not picked up by the last day of artwork pickup will be charged $5 a day holding fee.  Artwork not picked up after 30 days becomes the property of Art Center Sarasota.

ON CONTENT 

At ACS, we are committed to free exchange of ideas, and believe that art can (and should) expose us to different perspectives, new ideas, and the experiences of others. As a community-based art center, we also seek to be open and welcoming to all. We therefore reserve the right to not display art that contains hate speech; contains racist, violent or cruel images or symbols; encourages racism, violence or cruelty; contains pornographic images; or vilifies or demeans individuals or groups of people. Fortunately, we rarely have to reject art for these reasons. But we reserve the right to do so, at our sole discretion. Thank you for respecting these guidelines.  

WITHDRAWAL 

Work accepted for an exhibition may not be substituted, nor will any be permitted to be withdrawn during the exhibition.  Artworks cannot be picked up before the end of the show due to press and advertising obligations.       

STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITY 

Art Center Sarasota will insure the work for the duration of the exhibition period. The Artist (Consignor) and the Consignee (Art Center Sarasota) agree that all claims, whether for full or partial damage, will be based on the Insurance Value, and that the Consignee (Art Center Sarasota) shall be liable only up to such Insurance Value (and only to the extent of the Consignee’s insurance coverage). It is mutually agreed upon that any right of subrogation is hereby waived by the Artist.    

DISCLAIMER / PHOTO RELEASE 

Exhibiting artists consent to the use of their name and the artworks image(s) for purposes of promotion and advertisement by ACS. The artist waives any claim, including any claim for invasion of the right of privacy or copyright, against ACS, its directors, officers, employees, and agents. 

QUESTIONS?

If you have any questions about submission requirements, please contact:

Christina Baril at 941-365-2032 or christina@artsarasota.org.   

Medium Mutiny

This exhibition seeks work that defies expectation and reinvents tradition. We’re looking for pieces that experiment boldly—with process, form, and concept. Whether through unexpected techniques, hybrid materials, or subversive approaches to craft, the work in Medium Mutiny resists easy categorization.

If your creative practice breaks boundaries, blurs lines, and challenges how art is made—or how it's perceived—we want to see it.  Medium Mutiny is a celebration of fearless experimentation. Show us how you turn convention on its head and redefine what art can be or how it communicates.

Meet the Juror, Ed Swan Jr.

Ed Swan Jr. has over 35 years experience in institutional investment management and marketing. He received a BA from Tufts University and a MBA from the Wharton School. He attended a director development program at the Kellogg School at Northwestern University and was a captain in the US Air Force. 

Ed has been a furniture maker for over 35 years alongside his investment management career. His expertise includes designing stained glass windows and doors, as well as creating wooden tables and benches. He had a workshop at the Boston Center for the Arts and now maintains workshops in Sarasota and Martha's Vineyard, MA.

• Submissions are welcome in all media including painting, drawing, photography, printmaking, mixed media, digital arts, sculpture and video. 
• AI generated art is not allowed.  
• All artworks must be submitted ONLINE for jurying.  Awards will be chosen by the juror in person when all works are installed at Art Center Sarasota. 

 IMPORTANT DATES 

• Exhibition Dates: Thursday, May 21 - Saturday, August 1, 2026
• Online Submissions Dealine: Sun. April 19, 2026
• Notification of Acceptance: Artists will be notified by email of their submission status no later than Wednesday, April 29 by 5pm.
• In Person Receiving Days for Accepted Work:  Tuesday, May 12 - Wednesday, May 13, 10am-5pm.
• Shipping Accepted Work: Mailed Artwork must arrive between Monday, May 11 - Wednesday, May 13.  Any work that is delivered after this date will not be included in the exhibition.
• Award Winners Notified: no later than Wednesday, May 20 at 5pm.  
• Opening Reception: Thursday, May 21, 5-7pm.
• Artwork Pickup In Person: Monday, August 10 & Tuesday, August 11, 2026, 10am-5pm

About the Exhibition

This juried exhibition is open to all artists and all media. Selected works will be exhibited at Art Center Sarasota (ACS). The juror will review all required information except the artist’s name and artwork price. Selections are made on artistic merit and relevance to the exhibition theme. To support best gallery practices, ACS requires the following rules and guidelines to help present your work at its best.

Submission Fees

All juried exhibitions require a NON-REFUNDABLE entry fee per submission:

One Piece

•  $30 Members / $40 Non-members
•  $10 Student Members / $20 Student Non-members

Two Pieces

•  $40 Members / $55 Non-members
•  $20 Student Members / $30 Student Non-members

Three Pieces

•  $45 Members / $65 Non-members
•  $25 Student Members / $35 Student Non-members

Awards

Awards are selected by the juror in person after the exhibition is installed. 

•  1st Place: $500
•  2nd Place: $300
•  3rd Place: $200
•  Merit Awards (2) and Honorable Mentions (4)

Size Limits

•  2D work: maximum 65" x 65" after framing
•  3D work: maximum 60" x 36" x 36" (H x W x D)

Uploading Images to Submittable

•  Upload high-quality images: 1MB–5MB each
•  2D: crop tightly to the artwork
•  3D: photograph against a solid background/backdrop
•  Indicate whether work is framed or unframed
•  Video formats accepted: MP4, MOV, AVI, MPG

Originality & Prints

•  Work must be original, completed within the last three years, and not previously shown at ACS.
•  Copies/reproductions (embellished or not) are not eligible.
•  Editioned prints are allowed (e.g., photography, lithograph, woodcut, engraving, etching, screen print, digital works) if they are labeled as prints and numbered.
•  Artists are responsible for avoiding copyright infringement.
•  Submitted work must be complete (not in process).
•  Accepted work must be fully dry upon delivery; wet work will not be included.

Two-Dimensional Work Requirements

•  Stretcher bars are preferred hanging method for canvas works.
•  No sawtooth hangers.
•  Indicate the surface/material (paper, canvas, metal, board, etc.), including photographs.
•  Use multi-strand picture wire only.                    
  •  Wire must not sit above the top of the frame.
  •  Do not use monofilament. 
•  Framed work with glass/plexi must be clean and scratch-free. Mats (if used) must be clean and professionally cut. Frames must be in good condition (no chips, scratches, or loose corners).
•  If your work needs special installation, describe it in “Special Instructions.” If accepted, include any required tools/materials.

Three-Dimensional Work Requirements

•  ACS provides pedestals; however, artists must provide a pedestal for oversized work or work with special display needs.
•  Non-ACS pedestals must have a broad base.
•  Jewelry must be submitted with an appropriate display stand or form.
• If your work needs special installation, describe it in “Special Instructions.” If accepted, include any required tools/materials.

Diptychs & Triptychs

Diptychs/triptychs count as one submission and must be:

•  Submitted, charged, labeled and priced as a single piece
•  If framed: frames must be uniform, and dimensions must include framing

Receiving & Shipping Accepted Work

•  Shipped entries must include a prepaid return shipping label.
•  Artists are responsible for shipping to and from ACS.   

ACS Hours: Monday–Saturday, 10am–5pm   

Shipping Address:   

Art Center Sarasota

Attn: Exhibitions   

707 N. Tamiami Trail   

Sarasota, FL 34236

Sales

•  All work must be for sale. No POR (Price on Request) or NFS (Not for Sale) unless specifically stated in the exhibition prospectus.
•  Artist commission:                    
  •  Members: 60% of selling price
  •  Non-members: 50% of selling price

•  Artists are responsible for reporting and filing taxes in accordance with state and federal regulations.
•  All sales must be completed on site or through the ACS website (when applicable).                    
  •  No third-party dealer sales
  •  No direct artist-to-buyer sales during the exhibition 

    

Sales Privacy Policy

ACS will ask purchasers whether they would like their contact information shared with the artist. If the purchaser agrees, ACS will share it; if not, no personal information will be exchanged.

Miscellaneous Policies

•  If an accepted work is found to be non-compliant, the artist must retrieve it immediately.
•  Artwork placement is determined by the Exhibition Director; locations cannot be changed after installation.
•  Work not picked up by the final pickup day will incur a $5/day holding fee.
•  Work not retrieved after 30 days becomes property of Art Center Sarasota.

Content Guidelines

ACS supports the free exchange of ideas and aims to remain welcoming to all. ACS reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to refuse to display artwork that:

•  contains hate speech
•  includes racist, violent, cruel imagery or symbols
•  encourages racism, violence, or cruelty
•  contains pornographic images
•  vilifies or demeans individuals or groups

Withdrawal

Accepted work may not be substituted or withdrawn during the exhibition. Artwork may not be picked up before the end of the show due to press and advertising obligations.

Statement of Responsibility

ACS will insure exhibited work for the duration of the exhibition period. Damage claims (full or partial) will be based on the Insurance Value, and ACS’s liability is limited to that amount and only to the extent of ACS insurance coverage. The artist waives any right of subrogation.

Disclaimer / Photo Release

Exhibiting artists consent to ACS using their name and artwork image(s) for promotional and advertising purposes. Artists waive claims against ACS (including privacy or copyright claims) related to this use.

Questions

For submission questions and support contact:   

Christina Baril   

941-365-2032   

christina@artsarasota.org