Call for Art: "Play: The Joy of Creation"
“If you are going to be creative, you have to be in a state of play. You can't play if you’re being careful. If you’re trying not to make mistakes, it destroys creativity completely because if you have a new idea, you can’t immediately say that’s a mistake until you’ve explored it.” - John Cleese
The MCD Gallery at Worcester State University invites artists to explore the theme of “Play”. We hope that artists will rediscover, as children with toys once did, the whimsical avenues of creativity inherent in play.
Artists are invited to think about Play as a concept through image, material, but also as activity through kinetic art and work that invites participation. Materials can include the use of actual toys, games, and other articles of play. All media are accepted (2D, 3D, video, etc.).
Join us as we bring vibrant color, imagination, and a touch of whimsy to the dark days of winter.
The strange and weird are always encouraged.
“If you are going to be creative, you have to be in a state of play. You can't play if you’re being careful. If you’re trying not to make mistakes, it destroys creativity completely because if you have a new idea, you can’t immediately say that’s a mistake until you’ve explored it.” - John Cleese
The MCD Gallery at Worcester State University invites artists to explore the theme of “Play”. We hope that artists will rediscover, as children with toys once did, the whimsical avenues of creativity inherent in play.
Artists are invited to think about Play as a concept through image, material, but also as activity through kinetic art and work that invites participation. Materials can include the use of actual toys, games, and other articles of play. All media are accepted (2D, 3D, video, etc.).
Join us as we bring vibrant color, imagination, and a touch of whimsy to the dark days of winter.
The strange and weird are always encouraged.
This exhibition is being juried by the Mary Cosgrove Gallery Team. This includes Fiona Wilson who is a WSU VPA alumni and our MCD Gallery Curator, Stacey Parker who is our MCD Gallery Director and VPA Art Faculty, and Brad Chapman who is a VPA Art Faculty and former MCD Gallery Curator.
DATES TO REMEMBER:
Important information:
Submission format/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:
- Submission deadline: January 2nd, 2026
- Email notifications: January 7th, 2026
- Delivery of work to gallery: January 10th 11-2pm, January 11th 1-5pm
- Exhibition dates: January 22nd - February 21st, 2026
- Opening reception: January 22nd, 2026 (4-7pm)
- Work pick up dates: February 21st (4-6pm) or February 22nd (11am-5pm)
Important information:
- Accepted works must be delivered to the gallery by January 10th, 2026. We do not ship work to or from the gallery.
- The Dolphin Gallery reserves the right to reject any work that is significantly different from the original submission.
- All accepted works must remain on display for the duration of the exhibition.
- All work must be display-ready. Hangable work must be framed where appropriate with proper hanging hardware installed and ready. 3D work must be structurally sound and safe, ready for display. Any work requiring technical support must include that technical support and/or equipment. Any work with special display issues will require additional consideration before final acceptance.
- All work must be original and not have been shown at the Dolphin Gallery in the last five years.
- 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.
Submission format/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 and if it is for sale include the price. Also include in this document 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 three views of each) 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/sound/video files. If your work is accepted, it is that file that will be used for the online exhibition.
- Incomplete or incorrectly formatted submissions will not be considered
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.
