Celebrating America’s Semiquincentennial

 

The 250th Anniversary of the founding of the United States of America offers an opportunity to reflect on a history shaped by challenge, change, and resilience, and on a future that continues to unfold.  The Davis Arts Council’s 250 and Counting exhibition asks artists to approach this milestone not only through theme, but through artistic process. 

 Artists are invited to create a work consisting of 250 or more intentional actions – marks, strokes, stitches, knots, lines, cuts, or other repeated gestures. These accumulated actions serve as a meditation on the many trials, triumphs, setbacks, and successes that have shaped the United States over time, and the many that still lie ahead. 

 Artists working in all visual media are encouraged to interpret the idea of “250 actions” in ways that are meaningful to their individual creative practice, and as part of the submission process, Artists are asked to briefly describe what constitutes an “action” in their work. Artists may choose to continue beyond the 250th action as a reflection on the future of the United States, in addition to its past. Each artist may submit up to two pieces for consideration, but each piece must consist of a different medium and/or “intentional action.”   

 Prizes will be awarded for Best in Show and Honorable Mentions. 

LOCATION 

Davis Arts Council’s Snow Horse Gallery is located at the Davis Conference Center/Hilton Garden Inn. Specific drop-off instructions will be sent with selection notification. 

 

 

 SCHEDULE 

  • Submissions Due: 9:00 AM, Wednesday, May 13, 2026
  • Selection Notification: Wednesday, May 27, 2026 
  • Art Drop Off: 4:00 – 6:00 PM on Tuesday, June 16, 2026 
  • Exhibition: June 18 – August 6, 2026 
  • Exhibition Events: TBA 
  • Art Pickup: 4:00 – 6:00 PM, August 6, 2026 (Any artwork not retrieved at the specified pickup time shall be deemed abandoned and forfeited, and will become the property of the Davis Arts Council unless prior arrangements have been made and confirmed in writing.)
 
 
 
 
 
ARTIST ELIGIBILITY
  • All artists 18 years of age or older are eligible for this exhibition.
  • All selected pieces must be delivered in-person by the artist or their representative at the appointed time and place.
  • Fully AI-generated artwork is not eligible for this exhibition. AI tools may only be used as a supplemental component within a broader, artist-driven process.

 

SELECTION 

Pieces will be selected for exhibition through a juried review process conducted by Davis Arts Council staff and local arts professionals. Artists will be notified no later than Wednesday, May 27 if their piece has been chosen for the exhibition. 

 

CONTENT 

Davis Arts Council reserves the right to decline or remove artwork deemed inappropriate for a public exhibition environment, including but not limited to: 

  • Explicit sexual content or nudity 
  • Graphic violence 
  • Profanity or vulgarity 
  • Drugs, alcohol, or substance abuse 
  • Overtly political or religious advocacy. 

Final decisions regarding suitability are at the sole discretion of Davis Arts Council. 

 

FORMAT & INSTALLATION  

  • All artwork must be wall-mounted, self-contained and compatible with a rail and cable system 
  • No floor-based or pedestal work is permitted 
  • Each piece must include at minimum 2 D-hooks and multifilament picture wire securely attached to the frame 
  • Artwork cannot be hung with monofilament wires, strings, or hooks. 
  • Maximum depth from the wall: 4 inches. 
  • The gallery receives natural light, which may cause fading. Artists should take this into consideration when choosing materials and media. 
  • Artists or their designated representative must be present to deliver artwork. Selected artworks will be accepted on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, from 4:00 – 6:00 PM at the Davis Arts Council’s Snow Horse Gallery, Davis Conference Center/Hilton Garden Inn. 
  • Artwork must be properly prepared for hanging as detailed above; Staff will not accept pieces that arrive without the required hardware. 

 

PROMOTION 

Artists agree to any exhibit promotion by Snow Horse Art Galleries and the Davis Arts Council. This promotion may include the use of Artist name, image, biography, images of the artwork, artist statement in any form of promotion of the programs of the Davis Arts Council.  The Davis Arts Council is not responsible for any information or images taken of the exhibit by the public. Artist retains copyright to their work but grants Davis Arts Council permission to reproduce images of the work for promotional purposes related to this exhibition. 

 

LIABILITIES 

While reasonable care will be taken in handling artwork, neither Davis Arts Council nor Western States Lodging and Management are responsible for loss or damage. 

 

SALES 

Artwork may be listed for sale, but Davis Arts Council will not process transactions or take a commission. Interested buyers will contact the artist directly. Sold artwork must remain on display for the duration of the exhibition.