Call for Submission
FCA Victoria: 2026 Spring Show: Transitions
As the year turns and the old becomes new, we encourage you to contemplate the concept, “Transition/s”. By the time the exhibition is in the gallery and ready for viewing, spring will have sprung, the days will be longer and the landscape will have changed, subtly in some cases but brilliantly showy in others.
In the context of art, transitions are a fundamental part of a well-balanced painting. Formally, the shifts between the ‘lost’/soft and ‘found’/hard edges often become a ‘road map’ for the viewer, they lead the eye around the surface and signal where the point of interest lies. Furthermore, the use of contrasts – such as cool/warm, light/dark, jagged/curved, bold brights/quieter hues – also serve to suggest change. Where these opposites are placed and how they function is important. Do they create sharp contrasts, stop the eye or are they almost imperceptible, letting the eye freely wander across the picture plane? Perhaps it is a mixture of both, so we are drawn through the painting by an intriguing rhythm? Might a more literal interpretation be of interest, and could your work contain a door or window? At first glance, liminal spaces like these may seem prosaic but they are often psychologically charged; imbued with potential, they ask viewers to ponder what exists beyond the threshold. And, thinking of what lies beyond, Renaissance memento mori – a sub-genre of still life featuring a variety of objects and foodstuffs in various states of decay – not only address the passage of time but the inevitability of change. Such symbolic representations of transition are also present in other genres including landscapes, floral works, and portraiture.
Whether your approach is metaphoric, literal or symbolic, from the fully abstract to the photorealistic,all interpretations are welcome and encouraged. Like the new year, the canvas before you is blank, yours to fill as you will. For this Artist Call, we invite you to explore and express your perspective on the theme, ‘Transitions.’
The 2026 Spring Show is classed as a ‘Qualifying’ show for signature status. Showcasing recent works by Exhibiting FCA, AFCA and SFCA members in good standing of the Victoria Chapter of the FCA, it will feature two-dimensional pieces in multiple genres, styles and a variety of mediums as per established FCA guidelines.
IMPORTANT: The Margot Clayton Memorial Award will be given to the work that best exemplifies the theme, ‘Transitions’. However, all submitted works will be adjudicated for inclusion on merit (as per established FCA criteria) not on adherence to the suggested prompt.
Please note:
- This show will be hung salon style to allow us to display a greater number of artworks and promote as many of our multi-talented members as possible.
- Work can be listed as NFS (i.e. Not For Sale).
- Works may be framed BUT maximum size in either direction is 36 inches x 24 inches without frame. Please be cognizant of size when framing as wall space is limited.
- Follow all FCA requirements re hanging standards – the link for which can be found on our Chapter website, failure to do so may result in the work not being hung.
- Please read FCA policy re the use of photo reference and copyright - the link for which can be found on our Chapter website.
- Location: ArtSea, 9565 5th Street, Sidney, BC V8l 1N8
- Drop off:Thursday March 26 between 5:00 – 6:00pm
- Bring signed contract – the link for which can be found on our Chapter website
- Bring an updated Artist Biography/Statement if applicable.
- Pick up:Thursday April 2, between 3:00 - 5:00pm Please make alternative arrangements if you are unable to drop off and/or pick up during these windows. There is no storage at ArtSea therefore, as per FCA Vancouver, charges will be incurred if work is not collected.
- Demonstration Artists will be needed and we ask for your support – sign up sheets will be circulated at a later date.
Show details:
- Run dates: Friday, March 27 – Thursday, April 2
- Gallery hours: Every day, 10:00 am to 4:00pm
- Reception: Saturday, March 28 from 1:00 to 3:00pm
Award details:
- First prize ($150), Second ($100), Third ($75)
- 3 Honourable Mentions ($50)
- And, the “Margot Clayton Memorial” for the work that best exemplifies the theme ($375)
Jurors:
Maria Josenhans, SFCA
Doris Charest, AFCA
GENERAL FCA SUBMISSION GUIDELINES COPYRIGHT AND STANDARDS:
If you have already successfully submitted artwork to an exhibition hosted by this Chapter, (the piece was included in some capacity, either live at a venue or in an online gallery), you cannot submit the same piece to a different exhibition hosted by the same Chapter, again.
Copyright and Standards: The following is taken from the Federation Policy:
7.1.5 "While using photos as a reference for painting is a long-held accepted practice, making substantive use of stock imagery or photos taken by professional photographers is not permissible, even with their permission. Photographs by professional photographers are considered artworks in and of themselves. Reference photos must be taken by the artist themselves or provided to them by an amateur photographer with their express consent. Stock images may only be referred to for anatomical study and must be incidental to the completed artwork to be permissible."
While an artist may have paid a licensing fee or retrieved explicit written permission that places them on the right side of copyright laws, Federation Standards do not permit the use of stock photography or reference material from another artist - even with permission or paid licensing.
Federation Standards are different than copyright laws, submitting artists must adhere to both to avoid being removed from the exhibition - if in doubt about the source material of your artwork - do not submit it.
INSURANCE: The FCA does not provide insurance for artwork. Artists are responsible for arranging their own insurance.
JURY: Entries will be reviewed by two SFCA Members and one AFCA member. Please check the submission page for juror names. Images will be reviewed independently online by each juror. All artists will receive emailed notification of their results. Artists may not display artworks that have not been juried and may not send artworks unless they receive an acceptance email. Your submitted pieces will receive one of the following jury results: Accepted – artwork has been chosen for exhibition online and in gallery, Declined – artwork was not chosen for exhibition at this time.
SALES: Artwork is under contract with the Federation effective from the date notification emails are sent. Do not submit an artwork if you intend to sell it yourself outside of the exhibition. If artists have an interested client and they direct sales through the Federation before the exhibition start date, the artwork can still be exhibited in the exhibition as “sold” for the duration of the exhibition and artists can retain their associated Elected Member Status point.
SUBMITTING INFORMATION: Images submitted to the online submission system that are blurry, poorly cropped, display a background/frame, were made in error, or are the wrong orientation will be declined without refund. When submitting online, crop your image to exclude visible edges of substrate. The description of your piece should be one to two sentences long, aiming to enhance a viewer’s interest in the artwork. This description will be printed on your gallery label so please proofread and spell check it. Artists cannot change details on their submission after the deadline for entries has passed. Attempts to change submitted information (including prices or sizes) after the deadline, or when the artist delivers will not be honoured. The artist is responsible for ensuring that the information provided at the time of submission is correct and spelled correctly.
ENTRY FEES: are non-refundable and accepted in Canadian dollars.
CONDITIONS: Submission of entry to this exhibition automatically constitutes the entrant’s acceptance of the guidelines and rules outlined on this page. Due to the volume of entries, the FCA and their jurors do not provide individual feedback on submissions. The juror’s decision is final, submissions to this exhibition declares your acceptance of their decision.
First item included with Entry Cost
Items 2-3: CAN$15.00 per item