Pride Exhibit - Full Colour: A Celebration of 2SLGBTQIA+ Art and Expression
2026 Pride Exhibition - Call to Artists
All emerging, student and established artists living in the Niagara Region are invited to submit to the 2026 City of St. Catharines Pride Month Exhibition, Full Colour: A Celebration of 2SLGBTQIA+ Art and Expression.
Full Colour celebrates the depth, diversity, and vibrancy of queer and trans artistic practices. This exhibition will bring together artists working across disciplines to explore the many ways 2SLGBTQIA+ communities express identity, build connection, and imagine new possibilities.
The exhibition will be installed in the exhibition space on the third floor of City Hall (50 Church St., St. Catharines).
Important Dates
Exhibition Dates: June 5, 2026 to August. 14, 2026
Submission Deadline: Sunday, May 10, 2026
Selected Artists Notified by Email: Friday May 22, 2026
Artwork Delivery: Monday, June 1, 2026
Opening Reception: Thursday, June 11, 2026
Artwork Pick-Up: Monday, August. 17, 2026
Eligibility
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Open to all emerging, student and established artists, designers and collectives from across the Niagara Region.
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Artworks must be original.
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All selected artworks will be made available for display for the entire period of the exhibition.
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Each work must either be:
Note: Only 1 sculptural piece will accepted for display.
Artist Fees
There are no costs associated with entry.
Selected artists will be compensated $225, based on 2026 CARFAC Fee Schedule Section.
Submission Information
Selection Process
All submitted artworks will be reviewed by a selection committee comprised of local arts and culture community. The selection committee will take the following criteria into consideration when selecting work for the exhibit:
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Originality
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Artistic merit and interest
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Relationship and response to exhibition theme
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Creativity of expression and medium/s used
The selection committee reserves the right to accept or reject any or all applications and shall not be bound to accept any of them and reserves the right at any time to cancel the call or exhibit.
Submission Guidelines
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A maximum of 3 artworks will be considered per artist.
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1 to 4 digital images of each work that you propose to exhibit (minimum of 150 dpi jpeg or high quality png).
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Artist Biography or CV.
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Artist Statement providing insight into each piece and explaining its relationship to the exhibit theme. (This statement helps the selection committee understand your intentions. If selected it will be included on the exhibit label for public viewing. Limit 150 words per work)
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Please DO NOT submit original works of art. Submission material will NOT be returned.
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The selected artworks will be installed by City staff.
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Successful applicants are responsible for delivering their work.
- When preparing your submission, please keep in mind the work will be displayed in a publicly accessible, family-friendly space at City Hall. Non-sexual nudity or works dealing with violence are permitted, but neither type should cross over into explicit or graphic territory.
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The selected artworks available for purchase may be considered for acquisition into the City of St. Catharines’ Municipal Art Collection.
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Submissions must be received by Sunday May. 10, 2026 at 11:30 p.m
Contact Info
If you are experiencing difficulties with this submission form or have questions related to the application or supporting documents, please contact culture@stcatharines.ca to connect with Cultural Services Staff. Regular office hours are Monday to Friday 9 am to 4:30 pm.
