The Patricia Valian Reser Center for the Creative Arts (PRAx) and the Division of Extension and Engagement at Oregon State University invite submissions for the PRAx Open, a juried art exhibition featuring work from across Oregon. The exhibition emphasizes work that speaks – in any number of conceivable ways – to the places where the contributing artists live.    

The exhibition will be installed primarily in the 3000-square-foot Kate and John Stirek Gallery at PRAx and is anticipated to feature the work of 25-40 artists. The goals of the exhibition are:  

•  to feature artworks from across the state that engage with the physical landscapes, histories, cultures, economies, issues or other dimensions of the places – whether rural, urban, or suburban – where the contributing artists reside, 

• to present a body of artworks representing the breadth of the state and tribal nations in Oregon,  

• to represent the energy and vitality of the Oregon arts economy by exhibiting works that are available for public purchase.  

Artists who are current Oregon residents may submit up to three completed works for consideration. Selected artists receive a fixed $300 stipend intended to cover the costs of shipping/transporting the works to/from PRAx. Professional gallery staff at PRAx will unpack, install, and repack the works. The majority of selected art will be in 2D or small 3D (self-supporting) mediums. Digital or time-based works may be submitted but must be formatted for a single screen with headphones.   

The deadline to apply is July 1, 2026. 

ELIGIBILITY

• Artists must be current Oregon residents to submit work for consideration. For a collaborative work to be considered, both artists must currently reside in Oregon. 

TERMS & GUIDELINES

• Artists currently residing in Oregon may submit up to 3 completed artworks. A collection/series of no more than 3 linked small-format works that will be considered a single work if that series can be installed in a space no larger than 3’ x 3’ (wall-hung works). Works in progress will not be considered.

• Submitted work must be original. Works may be in traditional, emerging, or new mediums. 

• PRAx supports the use of new technologies for artmaking purposes, but works that incorporate computational methods must be based on code/scripts written by the artist or commissioned by the artist for the specific purpose of that artwork. Artwork that is generated by publicly available AI tools is not accepted.

• Artists will submit a 2-3 sentence explanatory statement about each work. Statements should define the relationship of the work to the major goal of the exhibition: “to feature artworks from across the state that engage with the physical landscapes, histories, cultures, economies, issues or other dimensions of the places – whether rural, urban, or suburban – where the contributing artists reside.”  

• Artists will submit a short biographical statement, including their place of residence. Artists must be residents of Oregon. For collaborative works, biographical statements for each artist in the collaboration must be included and all artists in the collaboration must reside in Oregon. 

• The majority of selected works are anticipated to be in 2D wall-hung or 3D self-supporting mediums. Digital or time-based works may be considered but must be formatted for a single screen with headphones, and must play on a media player, USB drive, or similar technology provided by the artist. Works may not be networked or connected to remote servers. The number of works selected in digital or time-based mediums will be limited. PRAx recognizes that not all time-based works are linear or loop the same content, but the general intent is to include shorter works (<10 minutes) in such cases.

• Works may be of any scale, and PRAx does contain larger open wall space inside and outside the gallery. However, the number of large-format works will be limited by the total available space and the number of large-format submissions. Artists are responsible for shipping and delivery as described in the guidelines, and no extra support is provided for larger or heavier works. Installation feasibility is a criterion that will be considered within the selection process.

• Artists are responsible for shipping or transporting the works to PRAx by the deadline. Works not received by the deadline will not be included in the exhibition. Professional gallery staff at PRAx will unpack, photograph, install, and repack the works. PRAx will retain the shipping materials for the purpose of repacking in those materials.

• Shipping logistics and costs are the responsibility of the artist. All correspondence with the artists’ selected shipping method will be conducted by the artists, with pick-up of the works from PRAx being arranged during normal business hours. Artists may also self-transport the works to/from PRAx.

• Insurance on all works is the independent responsibility of the artist. In the application, artists may indicate if the work must be located in the gallery (locked during non-open hours) or if it may be located in a public space within PRAx. The exhibition will be curated to include some works that are not located in the gallery and flexibility of installation location is a criterion that will be considered within the selection process.

• All installation decisions – including location and method – will be made by staff in PRAx. Artist statements about each work may be edited for grammatical consistency across the entirety of the exhibition. 

• If works require support structures for display (e.g. cases, stands, or similar), the submission must indicate if the artist can provide such structures and must include a picture of the structure. PRAx has a limited ability to provide pedestals, plinths, casework, or similar items. If such structures are needed, artists will describe that need in the application.

• PRAx will make contact information for each artist available to the viewing public. Sale of work is conducted by the artists directly. If the work is to be shipped to a location other than the location whence it came, PRAx as well as the shipping company must be informed.

• While it is not a requirement that artworks are available for sale, the exhibition will be curated with the intent that a significant majority of the works may be purchased via direct correspondence with the artist. Artists are expected to include an asking price for each work on the application. PRAx will share that information with the viewing public, but artists and purchasers will arrive at the final price independently. All financial transactions occur directly between the artist and patron.

• Selected artists receive a $300 stipend to reimburse costs for packing, shipping, and/or transporting works to and from PRAx. 

• Artists will be invited to the reception opening.

PROGRAM & APPLICATION DATES 

• April 15, 2026: Submission window opens. 
• July 1, 2026: Electronic submissions due. 
• September 15, 2026: Decisions announced. 
• November 1, 2026: Deadline for works to arrive at PRAx. 
• November 30, 2026: Exhibition Opening and Reception. 
• January 25, 2027: Works shipped back to artists or to purchasers .  

HOW TO APPLY

Complete the short application form below and upload files for up to 3 completed artworks. Works in progress will not be considered. In addition to basic personal information, applicants will provide the following: 

• A short biographical statement, including their place/region of residence in Oregon. For collaborative works, biographical statements for each artist in the collaboration must be included and all artists in the collaboration must reside in Oregon. Submitted statements may be used for interpretive material connected with the exhibition. 

• One file upload for each submission. Upload one image/media file or up to two images combined into a single file (e.g., two images in one pdf document). Note: Digital or time-based works may be uploaded for consideration but must be formatted for a single screen/headphones.

• The title, medium, and asking price of each submitted piece. 

• A 2–3 sentence explanatory statement for each submitted piece. Statements should define the relationship of the work to the major goal of the exhibition: “to feature artworks from across the state that engage with the physical landscapes, histories, cultures, economies, issues or other dimensions of the places – whether rural, urban, or suburban – where the contributing artists reside.” 

• If works require support structures for display (e.g. cases, stands, or similar), there is space in the form to indicate if the artist can supply such structures, and if a structure will be self-supplied, a photo of the structure must be uploaded in the space provided.

REVIEW & SELECTION:

PRAx and the Division of Extension and Engagement will curate the exhibition with an eye to achieving the goal of broadly representing the state and sovereign tribal nations in Oregon. Reviewers will also consider the following during evaluation: 

• The connection with the exhibition goal of showcasing work “engaged with pertinent places, themes, issues, concerns, cultures, landmarks, ecosystems, or other region-specific topics” across Oregon.  
• Artistic and thematic interest. 
• Logistical feasibility of display.