Call for Art for "Community Voices" a WSU student and Alumni show at the WSU LGBTQIA+ Community Center
About the show:

​“Without community, there is no liberation...”
-Audre Lorde

Finding spaces to be their authentic selves is increasingly difficult for queer folks, trans folks, and other marginalized groups. At Worcester State, students, faculty, staff, and alumni can find such a space at the LGBTQIA+ Community Center, a welcoming campus home for all Lancers to be their true selves. In celebration of the Center’s upcoming Lavender Graduation ceremony, “Community Voices” invites LGBTQIA+ and ally students and alumni to uplift our community through the transformative power of art.

This show is a unique opportunity to exhibit work in the LGBTQIA+ Community Center. The exhibition will also serve as a backdrop to the Lavender Graduation on May 6.

Jurors for this exhibition include LGBTQIA+ Center Director Stevie Edwards, MCD Gallery Director and VPA Art professor Stacey Parker, and VPA Art professor Brad Chapman.
About the Center
The LGBTQIA+ Community Center is a welcoming campus space for every Lancer to be their true selves. There is a lounge and study area where regular programming occurs and guests can be in community with each other during open hours. Additionally, the Center provides resources, safer sex supplies, and staff connections to anyone.

Mission
The LGBTQIA+ Community Center works to be an inclusive space and programming hub where everyone is welcome. We support students, faculty, and staff of all gender identities, sexual orientations, and gender expressions through programming, education, and advocacy.

Vision
The LGBTQIA+ Community Center is committed to the vision of collective liberation for all marginalized peoples. We hope to make our campus a more supportive environment for the LGBTQIA+ community and a more inclusive home for every Lancer. 

May we thrive, love, and celebrate together. ​
Submission Format and Requirements
All work is submitted digitally for consideration. Send your submissions in one email to the Mary Cosgrove Dolphin Gallery at [email protected].

Include in your email submission:
  • ​Attached Word, PDF, or Google document that includes the following info for each submission: 
    • Title
    • Media/materials
    • Size 
    • Whether the submission is for sale and the price
    • Any social media or website information you would like to include
  • Attached 2nd Word, PDF, or Google document that includes a 1-2 paragraph (no more than a page) art/artist statement.
  • Attached digital image files (up to 5 separate works with up to 3 views of each), which must be .jpg files. Each image file should be named using the following format: Artist name_Artwork title.jpg **Please do not embed your images in your Word or PDF documents.**
  • All submissions must include high-quality image files. If your work is accepted, it is that file that will be used for the online exhibition and/or marketing purposes for the gallery.​​
  • Incomplete or incorrectly formatted submissions will not be considered.

Framing Requirements
All work must be properly framed and ready to hang. Please reach out to your professors if you have any questions about photographing or framing. Students who need help with either photographing their work for submission or with framing for the show may meet with Professor Brad Chapman or Professor Stacey Parker in the art studio. You can also come to the MCD Gallery in the science and tech building on campus to meet with either professor Thursday and Fridays from 11:00 am-5:00 pm and Saturdays from 1:00-5:00 pm.
  • Meet with Professor Brad Chapman in the art studio Tuesdays and Wednesdays 1:00-4:00 pm.
  • Meet with Professor Stacey Parker in the art studio Mondays and Wednesdays 12:30-1:30 pm and Tuesdays 1:00-3:00 pm.

Important Exhibition Dates
Submission deadline: April 17
Notifications sent: April 22
Drop off (at the Center): April 24
Install: April 25-29
Opening Reception: April 30 4:00-7:00 pm at The Center
Lavender Graduation: May 6 2:30-5pm
Closing: May 15
Pick up: May 16

Additional Information:
  • Accepted works must be delivered to the Center by April 24, 2026. We do not ship work. ​
  • We reserve the right to reject any work that is significantly different from the original submission. 
  • For this show we are only accepting submissions of 2D, wall-hangable work.
  • All accepted works must remain on display for the duration of the exhibition.​
  • All work must be display-ready. Artwork must be framed with proper hanging hardware installed and ready. Any work with special display issues will require additional consideration before final acceptance. 
  • All work must be original.
  • Artists are invited to submit up to 5 works of art.
  • We do not take commissions or sell work through the Gallery. If someone is interested in purchasing your work, we will give you their contact info and let you work that out with them directly.​​
The Mary Cosgrove Dolphin Gallery, located in the Ghosh Science and Technology Center, offers five main exhibits interspersed with shorter term events throughout the year. The gallery invites artists in all stages of their careers along with our faculty and students to exhibit works that explore the established, edgy, and innovative ideas in the artistic world. The gallery’s mission is to contribute to the cultural offerings of the region by exhibiting work of vitality and interest in the contemporary art world.