2026 Members’ Invitational Exhibition

IMPORTANT DETAILS
Location: Gallery X, 169 William Street, New Bedford, MA 02746
Gallery Hours: Wed. – Fri., 11 - 4 p.m. Sat. & Sun., 12 - 3p.m.

Registration: March 1 – 21, 2026

Intake: April 18 & 19, 12:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Pickup: May 17, 12:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Exhibition: April 22 - May 16, 2026
Reception: Sat., April 25, 5:00 – 8:00 p.m.

ARTWORKS: This is a non-juried, non-themed members’ exhibition with awards. Works previously shown in SCA exhibitions will not be accepted. Up to three artworks may be submitted, however the total wall space used by any artist cannot exceed 40” x 40”, including frames. SCA will make every effort to hang as much as they can and will guarantee that all artists will be represented. All 2D work must be securely wired, no sawtooth hangers or clips will be accepted. Gallery wrapped canvases are acceptable, but staples must not be visible. 3D work must fit into a 36”L x 36”W x 96”H space.

ENTRY FEE & PROCEDURE: Enter online March 1 – 21, at Call for Entries via SCA website. There is an entry fee/member due at the time of registration. $15 for the first entry, $10 for each additional entry (up to 3 pieces). Images of your entries must be submitted at the time of registration. No substitutions or changes in information from your online registration will be accepted when you bring your work in.

All works must have an Artwork ID form completed and attached to each piece at drop-off.

Intake: April 18 & 19, 12:00 - 3:00 p.m.

All works must have an Artwork ID form completed and attached to each piece at drop-off.

All works must fit within the size restrictions. Any deviations from the submitted entry will not be accepted.

SALES: All works must be for sale. 75% of sale price will go to the artist and 25% to Gallery X. Payment will be by check within one week of exhibition closing, though typically checks are ready by the last day of the show.

IMAGE REQUIREMENTS: Please follow ALL directions for image file sizes and labeling. Only JPEGs are accepted. Each image must be a minimum of 300 dpi. Images must be labeled as follows: artist’s last name, underscore, first initial, underscore, a shortened version of the title, underscore, price_INV.

For example, Rob Smith’s painting, “Two Trees Standing” would be labeled: SMITH_R_2TREES_300_INV.jpg. Images will be used for promotions, so high quality images are important.

AWARDS: An independent juror will select winning works for awards, including cash awards! $300 First Place, $200 Second Place, $100 Honorable Mention.

ABOUT THE JUROR: Catherine Carter is an abstract artist inspired by the rhythmic gestures of calligraphy and the complex patterns in Nature. Catherine has exhibited her paintings, prints and collages at multiple venues, including the Chrysler Museum of Art and the United States Embassies in Oman and Cameroon. Her shows have been reviewed in the Boston Globe, the Boston Herald, the Providence Journal, and Art New England.

Her artworks are held in a number of public, corporate, hospitality, and private collections, including the Boston Public Library, and the Four Seasons Hotel in Boston. She is the recipient of artist grants from the St. Botolph Club Foundation, the Massachusetts Cultural Council, and New Bedford Creative.

2026 Tour Annual Art Contest

THEME: The Fire Within

“One must never let the fire go out in one’s soul, but keep it burning.”

— Vincent van Gogh

THEME: Following on last year’s elemental series theme of Air, this year we invite registered Tour artists to ignite their creativity through works on the theme of Fire!

Artistic creativity is like a fire—sometimes burning brightly, sometimes becoming glowing embers that must be stirred back to life. Ignite your creativity and share the way you experience the poetic complexities of fire in your work. Are you drawn to its energy and vibrant colors? Do you see fire as a destructive force? Is it a metaphor for passion, lust, fury, anger, hate? Or do you see fire as an element that keeps us warm and nourished? Or as a metaphor for purification, rebirth, determination, transformation, love?

Because the fire of the sun brings the light that makes it possible to see, to create, and to perceive shape, fire is the element most closely associated with artists and eyes. Let this element help you experience the heat of creativity and spark new beginnings in your work.

ELIGIBILITY: Participation is open only to members who are registered for the 2026 Open Studio Tour.

ENTRY PROCEDURE: Enter online at www.SouthCoastArtists.org via the Annual Art Contest form. One entry per member. No size limit. Work must have been created within the last three years.

IMAGES: The contest is judged on digital images only, so clear quality images are important. JPEGs must be a minimum size of 4” x 6” at 300 dpi. We encourage you to submit the highest-quality image possible (scanned images are recommended). Images must be labeled as follows: artist’s last name, underscore, first initial, underscore, a shortened version of the title, underscore, CON. For example, Roberta Smith’s painting, Two Trees in the Woods, would be labeled, Smith_R_2Trees_CON.jpg.

AWARDS: First place receives a Tour registration refund, a $350 value! Second place receives $200, third place receives $100. The winners also get their artwork in a featured section on the Tour brochure and increased exposure in promotional materials.

JUROR: Claudia Fiks is an art administrator with more than 2 decades of experience working in the art sector in the US and abroad. She is an independent curator, and writer dedicated to supporting artists and strengthening creative communities. She is the Founder and Executive Director of the New England Art Center and TAG Gallery in Boston’s SoWa Arts & Design District. Claudia also serves as Executive Director of Newton Open Studios. In addition to her curatorial work, Claudia is a correspondent for Artscope Magazine. Through exhibitions, talks, and workshops, she is deeply committed to helping artists navigate today’s complex and evolving art landscape with clarity and confidence.

2026 OPEN STUDIO TOUR

UPDATE: At this time, Open Studio Tour registration is full. We have met the maximum capacity of 75 registered artists. If you would like to be placed on the waitlist, please complete the form linked below.

OVERVIEW: Once again, SCA will offer New Englanders the chance to visit the studios of some of the best artists living, working, and exhibiting in the four beautiful coastal towns of Tiverton, Little Compton, Westport, and Dartmouth. This well-publicized self-guided tour invites art lovers to travel along small highways and rural byways of stunning natural beauty. Open Studio Tour weekends are free, open to the public, and require no preregistration or advance ticketing for visitors.

PLEASE BE SURE TO READ THE ENTIRE PROSPECTUS BEFORE BEGINNING YOUR REGISTRATION

IMPORTANT DATES

February 1–13: Early Bird Tour Registration (only open to artists who participated in the 2025 Open Studio Tour)
February 14–28: Open Tour Registration. NEW: Registration will open at 8:00 a.m. on February 14th.
February 28: Tour Registration Closes*

March 2: Tour Contest Submissions Open
March 22: Tour Contest Submissions Close
May 21: Contest Winners Announced
June 17: Tour Kickoff Party
July 18 - 19: Open Studio Tour
August 15 - 16: Open Studio Tour

*Tour registration may close earlier if the max. number of 75 artists is reached.

ELIGIBILITY: Open only to South Coast Artists members in good standing.

VENUE: Exclusively members’ studios located in Tiverton, Little Compton, Westport, or Dartmouth. These must be permanent structures, such as a working studio or home studio. Members wishing to participate who do not have studios in one of these four towns may participate as “guest artists” in another member’s studio and must make arrangements with the host artist prior to registration.

GUEST ARTISTS: Members wishing to participate who do not have studios in one of these four towns may participate as “guest artists” in another member’s studio. Guest artists must submit their registration and fees exactly as all other artists, once arrangements are made with the host artist..

REGISTRATION FEE: $350 payable at time of registration.

EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION: Only Tour artists who were registered and appeared in the 2025 brochure are eligible for early bird registration. Early bird registration takes place online only, February 1–13, 2026. REGULAR REGISTRATION: Takes place online only, February 14 – 28, 2026. PLEASE NOTE: Tour registration may close earlier than February 28 if the maximum number of 75 artists is reached earlier.

ENTRY PROCEDURE: Online only, through our Call for Entries. Artists may register for the July weekend, the August weekend, or both weekends (recommended). The fee is the same for all.

IMAGES: A minimum of two images must be submitted with registration (see details below). Professional images are encouraged, but not required. Clear quality images reproduce best and reflect well on you and your artwork. Artists may contact tour@soutcoastartists.org for help troubleshooting
their images. Resources are also available on the SCA website to help rename/resize images.

BROCHURE IMAGES: These may be cropped details of your work, but must be JPEGs saved to at least 300 dpi, at least 2500 pixels on each side. The brochure image must be labeled as follows: artist’s last name, underscore, first initial, underscore, a shortened version of the title, underscore, BRO. For example, Roberta Smith’s painting, Two Trees in the Woods, would be labeled: Smith_R_2Trees_ BRO.jpg. These can be a cropped image of a larger work. They will be printed in a 1”x1” square.

ADVERTISING IMAGES: At least one advertising image must be submitted with registration. Advertising images are larger than the brochure images and need not be cropped to a square shape. They are used on the SCA Mobile app, in digital advertising, in social media, and may be selected for print advertising. At least one advertising image is required.

Artists have the option of uploading up to five advertising images of their work, plus an image of the artist, and an image of their studio, for a total of up to seven advertising images. Remember, advertising images are larger than brochure images and must be at least 1 MB in size. Submit only JPEGs saved at at least 300 dpi labeled as follows: artist’s last name, underscore, first initial, underscore, a shortened version of the title, underscore, ADV. For example, Roberta Smith’s painting, Two Trees in the Woods, would be labeled: Smith_R_2Trees_ADV.jpg.

REMEMBER: A square brochure image plus at least one advertising image must be submitted at the time of registration.

USAGE OF IMAGES: South Coast Artists reserves the right to photograph and use submitted images for documentation, website, publicity, or social media purposes.

AWARDS: All registered artists are eligible to enter a work in South Coast Artists Annual Art Contest. First place receives their tour registration free (a $350 value); second place receives $200; third place receives $100. All winning artworks are showcased in the Tour brochure’s feature section, and are eligible for inclusion in Tour marketing materials. There is no additional fee for the competition, but participation is not automatic and is made via the website after Tour registration. The contest prospectus is available for download on the SCA website. Registration takes place online, March 2 - 22, 2026.

LIABILITY: Artists must provide their own insurance. SCA does not provide insurance and may not be held liable.

REFUNDS: Artists who withdraw from the Tour after February 28 are not eligible for a refund. In the unlikely event that circumstances beyond our control force South Coast Artists, Inc. to cancel the Open Studio Tour prior to May 1, all artists will be entitled to a full refund of their registration fee. In the unlikely event that such circumstances force the cancellation of the Tour after May 1, artists will receive a partial refund of $100. This is due to the expenses that the organization will have incurred by that date. If an artist decides to withdraw (once registered) prior to February 28th, 2026 they will be eligible for a refund, less $25 for processing fees. Any changes or edits to registration information after the closing date may be subjected to additional fees.