Impulse & Inspiration: 2025 Juried Exhibition

About the Open Call

"Impulse and Inspiration" explores the dynamic relationship between spontaneous instinct and the deeper muse that drives artistic expression. This exhibition invites artists to delve into the raw energy of their impulses—the fleeting, urgent moments that demand creation and the quieter, enduring force of inspiration that shapes their vision over time. We invite artists working in 2D media, including painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, and mixed media to submit their work. This juried exhibition celebrates both impulse-driven creativity and thoughtful inspiration. Whether it's a flash of emotion captured in bold strokes or a long-simmering idea brought gently to life, the works in this show reveal how art can be both a reaction and a revelation. From abstract experiments to detailed storytelling, this collection celebrates the unpredictable dance between chaos and clarity, immediacy and intention. Each piece is a testament to the unique spark that ignites the creative process—sometimes unplanned, sometimes hard-won—but always deeply human.

What is Offered

Best of Show: Opportunity to host a featured show at LGAL, $300 cash prize, one-year LGAL membership. First Place: $100 cash prize and ribbon. Second Place, Third Place & Honorable Mentions: Award ribbons. Winners will be announced during the Reception & Awards Presentation.

Requirements

Open to artists aged 18 and older from Chicago and surrounding areas. Eligible media include painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, and mixed media. Artwork must be original, completed after January 1, 2023, and available for sale. Work must not exceed 70 lbs or measure more than 48 inches in height or width. Artwork on paper must be under glass and framed. All artwork must be wired for hanging using two D-rings placed approximately one-third of the way down from the top of the frame. Artwork without a frame must have finished, professionally presented sides. All works must be hand-delivered and picked up; no shipped works will be accepted. Images should be JPEG format, at least 300 DPI, and under 5 MB, labeled with the first three letters of the artist’s last name followed by the full title of the artwork.

How to Apply

Artists can submit their work online via the provided Jotform link (https://form.jotform.com/251574241869162). An entry fee of $30 per application is required, permitting the submission of up to two artworks. Additional artworks require separate applications and fees.