Artist Showcase Program
Every quarter, we select 4 local artists to display up to 5 pieces of original work in our cafe. We want to help amplify the voices of local artists across a variety of media to share their own unique voices with the city.
Status
Applications for Q2 of 2025 are now closed. Thank you to all who applied!
Any applications received between April 2nd, 2025, and June 31st, 2025, will be considered for the Q3 term of the Artist Showcase Program.
How it Works
Month 1
The 4 artists are contacted by our team, and we get to work setting up their art in the cafe. Each artist is invited during this month to do a talk on their work, what inspires them, and more.
Month 2
We, along with the individual artists, showcase their work on our social media channels. To promote viewers and potential buyers to see them in person.
Month 3
We open applications for the next quarter, while still promoting the current artists to ensure everyone interested gets to see their work before it leaves the space.
The Application
Thank you for expressing interest in our artist program! Semantics aims to provide a unique outlet for artists to present their work for purchase (or not, we can talk about it) to an audience of creative enthusiasts in a growing community space featuring an array of events throughout the year. Four artists will be selected each quarter to present their work for a three month term. Artists are able to showcase works in multiple non-consecutive terms, priority will be given to applicants who have not been featured. Please use this guide to help you submit your application.
Note: all works must be clearly original to the creator with no elements of A.I.
What We’re Looking For:
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five individual 2D pieces (painting, drawing, print, photograph, digital art), or 3D pieces that can be hung from a wall (tapestries, embroidery, clothing, etc)
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must present completed original work (prints are accepted, please indicate if you will be showcasing prints in your email)
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works must be family friendly in nature, please no nsfw, hateful, or violent content
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artist must be a resident of Calgary or the surrounding area
Showcasing and Selling Your Work:
Artists must showcase work in conjunction with the parameters listed above and represented by the supporting images provided with the application. If you would like to showcase work from outside the parameters, please reach out to us via instagram and we can figure something else out.
Artist Responsibilities:
In addition to showcasing and selling artwork, artists are highly encouraged to run one public 1-hour artist talk or workshop on a topic of their choosing at Semantics Cafe during the exhibition period.
Artists are responsible for transportation of pieces to and from the cafe, as well as ensuring that pieces are ready to be hung.
Submission Information:
All applications must include the following information:
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first and last name
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primary phone number
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a little bit about yourself and your creative journey
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5 images that are representative of work to be on display at the cafe as well as the size, medium, approximate sale price, and installation requirements (if needed)
Please submit your completed application to hello@semanticscafe.com with your full name and “artist showcase” in the subject line so that we can’t miss it. Successful applicants will be contacted via email a few weeks before each new term. All applications will be kept on file, so you could be selected at any point of the year regardless of when your application is submitted. If you have any questions, feel free to come visit us at the shop or message us on instagram.
Love,
Semantics