OPEN CALL FOR ARTISTS

Art That Gives Back

A Curated Silent Auction Exhibition

Presented by TheKIDSpeaks / Interpretations Showcase
Curated by Artbae
Official Curatorial & Creative Partner

Create Work That Moves People

Art has the power to preserve memory, inspire healing, and transform lived experiences into collective action.

Artbae invites emerging and established visual artists to submit original artwork for Art That Gives Back, a professionally curated exhibition and silent auction presented during the Sneaker Ball on Saturday, August 15, 2026.

This exhibition serves as the visual centerpiece of Full Circle, a multidisciplinary initiative that uses visual art, storytelling, wellness, and community engagement to raise awareness and support individuals and families impacted by cancer.

Selected artists will join a thoughtfully curated exhibition where every artwork contributes to a larger narrative of resilience, hope, remembrance, and healing.

The Curatorial Vision

We are seeking artwork that explores the emotional truths of the human experience through themes inspired by the cancer journey, not simply the illness itself.

Rather than documenting disease, we invite artists to create work that reflects what it means to persevere, love deeply, rebuild, remember, heal, and continue forward.

Whether your work is figurative, abstract, conceptual, symbolic, or narrative, we encourage authentic interpretations rooted in your own artistic voice.

Exhibition Themes

Artists may respond to one or more of the following:

Transformation
Healing
Hope
Resilience
Restoration
Faith
Identity
Legacy
Family
Community
Strength
Reflection
Wellness
Remembrance
Human Connection

Who Should Apply

We welcome submissions from artists working in:

Painting
Mixed Media
Drawing
Photography
Printmaking
Sculpture
Fiber Arts
Assemblage
Digital Illustration
Contemporary Fine Art

Both emerging and established artists are encouraged to apply.

Selected Artists Will Receive

Inclusion in a professionally curated exhibition presented during the Art That Gives Back Sneaker Ball
Artwork featured in a public silent auction supporting cancer awareness initiatives
Professional curatorial guidance from Artbae
Promotion through event marketing and digital campaigns
Recognition in official event materials
Complimentary vendor opportunity at an approved PoetsGiving event
Opportunity to serve as a Team Captain during the Cancer Awareness 5K
30% of the final winning bid, up to the approved retail value of the artwork
Exposure to collectors, community leaders, sponsors, and supporters

Submission Requirements

Please prepare the following:

Artist Biography
Artist Statement
1–5 Artwork Images
Image List (Title, Medium, Dimensions, Year, Retail Value)
Brief Statement (Optional): How your work connects to the exhibition themes

Important Dates

Submission Deadline
Wednesday, July 29, 2026 at 11:59 PM (EST)

Exhibition Event
Art That Gives Back Sneaker Ball & Curated Silent Auction
Saturday, August 15, 2026
Creative Suitland Arts Center
Suitland, Maryland

Why This Exhibition Matters

This exhibition is more than an opportunity to display artwork.

It is an opportunity to contribute to a larger movement where creativity becomes advocacy, storytelling becomes healing, and art creates meaningful impact beyond the gallery wall.

Every selected work helps honor lives, amplify stories, and support individuals and families navigating the cancer journey.

Together, we are creating an exhibition that reminds us that while every story begins differently, hope is something we can build together.