Post 563: Art Show Themes That Make You Go Hmmm

Art Show Themes That Make You Go Hmmm

Calls for Art are interesting yet contemplative things for an artist. When a call for art shows up in your inbox or you see one in your social media, one of the first things you take note of is the title of the show. One of the next questions (for me at least), is where is it? This blog post looks at some of the perplexing art show themes, titles and other things where artists end up scratching their heads and going, "Hmmm". 

Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash

Now, What Shall We Call Our Art Show?

I do realize of course that art galleries / art spaces need to name their upcoming scheduled art shows something. I could be wrong, but I'm thinking its more for the public's interest and promoting it than for the artist's sake except that how else are you going to refer to it? A call for art / art show name can make it appealing and a curiosity to the public and make it stand out, to even be a memorable event. Understood.

You can't very well name them "January", "February", "March", etc. for a lot of reasons. Many art shows don't sit in exactly those time frames either. So, what's in a name? I suppose a lot.

"Hey, do you remember that art show we did a couple of years ago called 'Coloring the County'?" - Yes, that name works better than saying, "Do you remember that art show we did in May 2022?" AND the name was pretty generic - a vague hint of submitting some colorful artwork... more or less.

And then there are the typical art show names, like "Art in Motion (insert whatever)...", "A Journey Through (insert whatever)...", and "Art Unleashed (insert whatever)...". Hmmmm. I'm thinking bicycling, traveling in my car, and freeing my canvases...

And THEN the questions that must be answered for you to figure out if you can enter the show:

1. Does the time frame work for me - from drop off/pickup and actual show dates?
2. Does the art I have fit the size or medium requirements they are asking for?
3. Does the location work for me - how far away is it? 

Yes, location. As in WHERE the heck IS IT? I come across a lot of art calls online BUT finding out what state or city or even the country the thing is in is absolutely missing. Put out a APB to find that art show! Very often I have to do an internet search to find out WHERE it is! Maybe its me, but I think that's an important thing to PUT ON THE ART CALL. Last I remember, the internet is global.

And finally...

What is the art theme, and what the heckles are they asking for? There are titles I have puzzled over definitely. I don't like the idea of submitting my art to the show and hoping it fits the puzzle.

Photo by Reid Naaykens on Unsplash

Hmmm. Google needs to come up with an art show app to decipher the names of art shows. Does anyone have an app for that?

Is the name actually the theme of art they want you to submit or it is just a generic name of the show? 

"April Showers Bring May Flowers" is rather obvious. "A Sense of Play - Young at Heart" would leave me baffled. Whimsical art maybe?

The art call should spell it all out for you - IN YOUR FACE! I'm talking neon light here in some fancy colors.

Like: 

"OPEN CALL - Landscape"

Ok easy enough there, they want landscapes. K.I.S.S.

"Call for Art Word and Image"

Also pretty easy, they want some kind of image and some text on the art in some manner. Whoever can mix that up in a meaningful and delightful way gets in I presume.

Befuddling Art Show Names 

I can't be the only one here...How many of you have read the title of the art show and thought, "What the heck are they asking for?" And they want you to write up a statement about the art that you submit for it! Including how your artwork reflects that theme. Hmmmm.

I did just come across an art call like this: "Call for Artists - Get ready for the biggest art show of the year! 8' x 8' Small Canvas Art Show". Do you see the problem with that one?

Even "Emerging Artists" shows - hey I'm still emerging. I haven't been doing art all that long. Or are they asking for the spring chickens here?

Sometimes you just must bring out the soapbox (maybe in this instance I should say the pochade box) and say a thing on your mind. Sure, it is good to have an interesting and appealing name for an art show's call for art. But I do like the clarity of a oh, they want THIS kind of art. Just hopefully, I have something that will fit the moniker.

I'd love to hear some art show names that have puzzled you as well. Drop a comment!

As a sidenote, check out this list 1,015 Memorable Exhibition Name Ideas to Spark Curiosity

 

This blog post was originally posted on Donna's Cave Painting Blog on July 1, 2025 by Donna Liguria.

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Author: Donna Liguria is the Blogmaster for the PWAS Artistry Spin Blog and Donna's Cave Paintings Blog, and an artist member of the Prince William Art Society (PWAS) in Woodbridge, Virginia. And she takes on the PWAS social media duties as well (help me!) Donna specializes in acrylic painting of landscapes, seascapes, historic locations, animals and many subjects. Visit her Website at DonnaLiguriaArt.com and her Donna's Esty site to shop her art. 

Local Art: The Prince William Art Society is a 50+-year-old non-profit art group in PWC for the appreciation of fine art throughout the county and Northern Virginia. Visit us at any of our local art shows or join us for our monthly meetings - held on the 4th Monday of the month at the Tall Oaks Community Center at 12298 Cotton Mill Dr, Woodbridge, VA at 7:30pm (typically, but check the website in case of any changes).

Want to join PWAS? Go to https://www.princewilliamartsociety.com/membership

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