CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS FOR PRIDE IN ART 2026
Pride In Art
BY PRIDE IN BUSINESS
Bodies in Bloom
Presented By: Pride in Business
Creative Director: Fernando Vargas
Pride In Art Manager & Curator: Felipe Jasso
Bodies in Bloom: Celebrating Diversity
We are thrilled to announce the call for submissions for Pride In Art 2026, an exhibition exploring the body as a living site of transformation, resilience, and becoming. Bodies in Bloom celebrates growth in all its forms—tender, unruly, political, sensual, ancestral, and defiant.
In a world where queer bodies and marginalized identities have often been controlled, erased, or misunderstood, blooming becomes a radical act. To bloom is to take up space. To bloom is to heal, to evolve, to insist on visibility. Art has the power to uplift, connect, and restore, and this exhibition highlights how embodiment itself can be a form of liberation and renewal.
Theme: Bodies in Bloom is a call to explore the body as landscape, as garden, as archive, as inheritance. We invite artists to reflect on cycles of growth and decay, on softness and resistance,on rootedness and transformation.
How do bodies bloom under pressure?
What does blossoming look like in spaces never meant to hold us?
How do we carry seasons within ourselves—wintering, rooting, budding, flowering?
This exhibition highlights the diverse ways artists interpret embodiment—from personal metamorphosis to collective renewal. We invite all artists, especially queer artists, to submit works that explore transformation, healing, resilience, sensuality, memory, and the beauty of becoming.
Artistic mediums: We want to welcome submissions including, but not limited to, paintings, drawings, mixed media, 2D and 3D pieces, Sculpture, photography, mixed media, digital art, video/recorded performance art, film, etc.
We seek artworks that go beneath the surface to reveal aspects of the subjects that usually remain hidden.
We encourage artists to explore diverse techniques and the boundaries of their chosen medium to create impactful art that resonates with the audience.
Eligibility: This exhibition is open to artists from all walks of life, regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation. We strongly encourage submissions from emerging artists, underrepresented communities, and artists with diverse backgrounds.
No previous gallery or exhibition experience is required to participate in this show.
Submission: For detailed information on how to apply please read the sections below, Call for Submission Requirements, and Submission (How to Submit Your Work).
Timeline
Pride In Art event date (exhibition date): Friday, May 22, 2026
Art submission deadline: Thursday, April 30, 2026
Notification of Acceptance: Friday, May 3, 2026
Location: 54th Floor Sky Garden — The Bow Building
** Set-up will happen on the day of the event. You need to be available to bring and assist in the setup of your artwork.
** Artists need to be available the day of the event from 2:00 pm until 10:00 pm
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PLEASE EMAIL YOUR SUBMISSION TO:
prideinart@prideinbusiness.caEMAIL SUBJECT LINE:
[year] Pride In Art: [First and Last Name]
Example:
2026 Pride In Art: Joe SmithSUBMISSION DEADLINE:
April 30, 2026NOTIFICATION OF ACCEPTANCE:
May 3, 2026EVENT & INSTALLATION DATE:
Location: 54th Floor Sky Garden — The Bow Building on the same day as the Exhibition Date.Set up will happen on the day of the event. You need to be available to bring and assist in the setup of your artwork.
Artist need to be available the day of the event from 2:00 pm until 10:00 pm
Include your work examples in the email attachment with:Title
Medium
Year
Dimensions
Price
BIO: A short bio about you written in third person (maximum 250 words).
Headshot: A 300 dpi headshot to accompany your short bio.
For details see the section on 2026 CALL FOR SUBMISSION SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS
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Meet the above (general requirements)
First and Last Name | email | phone number | preferred pronouns
Artist biography / Artist statement (250 words max)
Include a link to your portfolio (professional) Website and social media
Headshot: A 300 dpi headshot to accompany your short bio.
• Artwork info (title, medium, year, dimensions, price).
Each piece of artwork must be accompanied by a work description, including the title, medium used, and price.
All this information is important for your benefit and exposure if selectedMaximum of 4-8 pieces (one or all may be selected by our panel) • Digital images of artwork (as jpeg attachments)
All works must be professionally presented (for example: framed, wired, foam core, no loose prints).
In the case of video submissions, audio may not be presented at the exhibit.
Artwork must be complete on drop of DATE
Artist must be available for installation (artwork drop off and artwork pick up on event day).
Artists must be available on event day to speak about their work and /or self-promote their work to the event attendees.
Be available for a short interview (a published article)
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Who is the Community Spotlight For Artists intended for?
LGBTQ2S+ self-identifying member, ally, and/or supporter.
Artists who are established or in the early stages of their career (self-identify as emerging).
Seeking to make a profession and aspire to make a primary income from their artistic work.
LGBTQ2S+ immigrants/newcomers creating work.
LGBTQ2S+ First Nation two-spirit community members.
**** Selected artists will be provided with guidelines. However, they will be responsible for shipping, installation, and being present during the event once accepted.
All artwork sales will go directly to the artist. Artists will be responsible for coordinating arrangements with collectors. Artwork must remain on display until the end of the event.
Once selected, artist must ensure their work is ready for sale, framed if necessary.
Selected artist will have a plus one free ticket.
Artists who reside in Calgary: must be available for installation (artwork drop off and artwork pick up on event day).
Artists who reside in Calgary: must be available on event day to drop off artwork 2 hours before the event start time.
Artists who reside in Calgary: must be available to pick up and remove their artwork at the end of the event time.
Artwork must be completed, delivered, and ready for display
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Pride In Art by Pride In Business is an Exhibition that focuses on supporting established and emerging artists across all art disciplines.
It is a unique opportunity for LGBTQ2S+ artists in Calgary, Alberta, to showcase their work to the community through an energetic event that celebrates the arts in our province.
Our volunteer team provides our time, effort, and professional skills to put together a wonderful exhibition. Pride In Business fronts all event costs to showcase and promote the artist.
The sole purpose of the event is to create visibility for artists in our community and introduce them to our members, sponsors, and a wider audience.
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Pride In Business was established in 2011 to promote and encourage networking between LGBTQ2S+ businesses, professionals, entrepreneurs, and trailblazers (whether as a self-identifying member, ally and/or supporter). The intent is to help provide more visibility within our community, allowing community members to better support our local LGBTQ2S+ professionals and businesses. Learn more about Pride In Business.
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Pride In Business offers:
Artist honorarium of $100
Our volunteer team provides our time, effort, and professional skills to put together a wonderful exhibition.
Pride In Business fronts all event costs to showcase and promote the artist.
The sole purpose of the event is to create visibility for artists in our community and introduce them to our members, sponsors, and a wider audience. To truly showcase what our community has to offer.
Prior to the art show, we will be featuring a short article (about you and your artwork). The article will be featured on the Pride In Business website in conjunction with the PIB social media channels.
You would need to be available to either meet in person, over the phone, or via zoom for the interview.
Pride In Art by Pride In Business is an exhibition with great opportunities for artists to sell their art (if they choose to), If you have any marketing collateral for yourself (for self-promotion), you are welcome to bring it.
To support the artists, Pride In Business will not take any commission for artwork sold during the event.
The intent of this event is to provide a free space for the chosen artists to showcase their work to our network of sponsors, other professionals, and business owners in the community.
PARTNERS AND SPONSORS