Perennial Hug 3 Chicago and Vicinity

We are excited to announce the return of our beloved open call exhibition now in its third year, Perennial Hug 3 Chicago and Vicinity!!!

Perennial Hug is an annually occurring open call and guest juried exhibition that will feature artists of all demographics, and abilities.  Through the deployment of various formal and material strategies the work selected for Perennial Hug functions as an assembly of outstretched arms awaiting the warm embrace of the viewer.

Generally speaking, artists use their hands to make things.  The hands are connected to arms which are connected to the torso….the same bodily elements that allow us to hug one another.  Many have been moved beyond words when viewing particularly resonant works of art.  What is it that touches us?  Do the hands and arms of the artist remain concretized within an object?  

Works of art operate prismatically; illuminating the economic and sociopolitical conditions in which they are made.  And as viewers, we can understand artworks not only as indicators of these systems, but as analog recordings of the thoughts and feelings of the maker.  Encoding the emotions and decision making processes into the various materials that are used.  We can observe the sensitive touch, attenuation to color and surface held within a painting, sculpture or photograph.  And these elements indicate the presence of the maker through the trace of their thoughts.  This exhibition is a group hug, gathering together a cross section of generous makers and thinkers in order to highlight the ways in which visual forms of expression reach out to the viewer embodying the act of communal meaning making.  

******Jurors to be announced soon.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:
-This exhibition submission is free and open to the public residing in Chicago and its vicinity.
-Artists are responsible for drop off and pick up of their work.
-Works for sale will have a standard 50/50 gallery commission split with the artist.
-Individual artists may submit up to 3 works for jury consideration.
-3D artwork must not be larger than 24″ x 24″ x 24″.
-2D artwork must not be larger than 36″ x 36″.
-All 2d and 3d work will be considered.
-Video and digital works will be considered.
-Artwork must be display-ready. Framing is not required but is preferred for flat works.
-Artwork containing what the jury perceives as signs of hatred will not be considered.
-Artist name and work title must be included in the image file.
-For groups or organizations looking to submit as a group reach out to ([email protected]).

SUBMIT HERE JUNE 1 – JUNE 30, 2025

TIMELINE:
06/01 Open Call announced
06/30 Open Call closes
07/01-07/18 Final jury selections made
07/18 Artist roster finalized
07/25 All work due to the gallery (Arts of Life, 2010 W Carroll Ave)
07/28 – 07/31 Install
08/01 Opening 5:00-8:00 pm
09/12 Exhibition closes
09/15 – 09/19 Deinstall and artwork returned

Opening Reception:
Friday August 1, 2025
5:00-8:00 pm.

***Gallery open by appointment only, to schedule a visit please email: [email protected]***