2026 Crete Creative Community Showcase

- Submissions are now OPEN -​

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

General Information

Welcome to our 10th Annual Community Showcase! This annual Crete Creative exhibit is an independent survey of art in Crete, IL, and surrounding communities. This exhibition is intended to provide a unique opportunity for artists of all ages and experience levels in the far south Chicago suburbs to celebrate and showcase their work within the community.

 

Exhibition Dates

November 28th, 2026 through January 15th, 2027

 

Jurors

The Community Showcase will be judged by a committee of Crete Creative volunteers.

 

About Crete Creative

Crete Creative is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to supporting and promoting arts education and accessibility in and around Crete, IL. Crete Creative hosts solo and group exhibits, teaches classes for all ages, organizes community art projects, and provides workspace to local artists.

Eligibility

The Crete Creative Community Showcase is open to all artists 16 and older within a 20-mile radius of Crete, IL. The exhibition is open to everyone, established and emerging artists alike.

 

How to Enter

• Please include the following in an email to cretecreative.info@gmail.com to be considered:

  1. Your full name, your home address, and phone number.

  2. Photos of the art you would like for us to consider for the showcase.

     • Attach them in JPEG format, no larger than 1400 x 1800 px, and under 2 MB.

     • Include the title of each piece, the medium, size, and whether the art will be for sale.

 

• The following media will be accepted:

  • Two-dimensional work including painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, fiber and digital art.

    • ​All two-dimensional pieces must be framed and ready to hang.

  • Three-dimensional work including sculpture, ceramics, fiber, glass and metal.

  • Installation and video.
     

• ​Each accepted piece will be assessed a $10 registration fee. We will accept no more than two works per artist.

​​

• All work must be original. No Trademark or intellectual property-infringing pieces will be accepted.

  • If working from photo references, you must originate the photo or name the photographer as a collaborator (with permission).

​

• Collaborative work is allowed if all artists are identified.​​

​

• All work must be packed appropriately to ensure its safety during shipping and storage awaiting exhibition installation. Crete Creative is not responsible for damage due to improper packing or shipping. The artist is responsible for any shipping costs and should include a prepaid return shipping label with any work that will be shipped after the show.

​

• Submitting your work for consideration does not guarantee acceptance.

​

Important Dates

Exhibition Announcement: September 26, 2026

Entry Deadline: November 13th, 2026

• Notification of Acceptance: November 19th, 2026

• Delivery of Accepted Artwork: November 22, 2026

Opening Reception: Saturday, November 28th, 2026 11 AM to 1 PM

• Exhibition Dates: November 28th, 2023 through January 15th, 2027

• Pick-up of Artwork: January 16th, 2027

 

Equipment and Instructions

You should be prepared to provide all equipment and instructions necessary to display your art in a gallery space, as needed.

 

Authorship and Ownership

By entering a piece of work, you represent that you are its creator and that you either own the work or have the permission of the owner to enter it for presentation. Artwork found to be in violation after acceptance may be removed or marked not for sale at the discretion of Crete Creative's Exhibit Committee. If this is the case, the $10 registration fee will not be refunded.

 

Loan Agreements

Artists must complete a loan agreement, including the specified insurance value, before acceptance of a work is final.

​

Artwork abandoned and not picked up by its owner within 30 days of the final exhibition date will become the property of Crete Creative.

 

Reproductions and Publicity

By entering your work and providing images and other documentation, you agree that any images and other materials you provide may be reproduced and published in the Crete Creative promotional and press materials and distributed via the websites and social media channels. You also agree that images of your work may be reproduced in the context of the exhibition and its promotion by third parties such as journalists.

 

Sale of Work

All work included in the exhibition must have an insurance value, even if it is not for sale. Crete Creative will receive a 20% commission on works sold during the exhibition. Works not for sale must be marked NFS.

 

Questions?

If you don’t find your answer there, please direct questions to cretecreative.info@gmail.com ​

​

​

​