Community Ensembles
THE BIG: ART CENTER EAST'S ANNUAL OPEN EXHIBIT
Art Center East (ACE) invites you to submit your artwork for “The Big”: Art Center East's Annual Open Exhibit. Artists throughout the greater Northwest (Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and beyond) who are age 18 or older are invited to submit their work. Entries are eligible to win cash prizes, awarded by exhibit judges.
This annual open exhibition invites Eastern Oregon and other PNW artists to celebrate the arts, creates awareness of the value of arts in our communities, and raises funds for Art Center East’s Gallery Program.
Those visiting the exhibit, whether in person or online, may cast their votes for the cash-prize People’s Choice Award.
The 2025 Annual Open Exhibit will be on display December 5, 2025 - January 31, 2026.
What to Expect
“The Big”: Annual Open Exhibit is an art exhibit at Art Center East in La Grande, Oregon. The 2025 exhibit will be on display December 5, 2025 - January 31, 2026. There will be an opening reception, free and open to the public, on Friday, December 5, 2025, from 6:00 - 8:00 pm. There will be a closing reception, free and open to the public, on Friday, January 30, 2026, from 6:00 - 8:00 pm. A virtual tour of the exhibit will be featured on our website thanks to a partnership with High Country Realty Professionals of La Grande.
Online submission period: September 1 - November 22, 2025. Artworks will not be accepted without submission of the online form.
Artwork drop-off: November 12 - 22, 2025, during ACE business hours: Wednesday - Friday from 12:00 - 5:00 pm and Saturday from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm.
If an artwork is over 50 lbs or larger than 40”x40”, please make arrangements with ACE Gallery Director, Jennifer Durr, [email protected] before November 12, 2025. Artworks of this size will be accepted by appointment only from November 22 - 25. If the artwork is mailed to ACE, it must be received between November 12 - 22, 2025.
Online forms and artwork submission deadline: Saturday, November 22 at 2:00 pm. We cannot accept online forms/artwork submissions after this deadline.
About our Gallery Space
The exhibition gallery space is upstairs in a restored 1913 Carnegie Library building. ACE Gallery Program staff take great care in displaying all work to its best advantage. As a non-profit organization, we take pride in running a professional exhibition program on a modest budget.
What to Enter
Artists may submit up to three (3) original, gallery-ready pieces in any artistic medium. Please note that ACE does not accept pieces that have been exhibited at prior ACE Annual Open Exhibits or pieces created more than three years ago.
** Submitted artworks must be for sale. Artworks not for sale (“NFS”) will not be accepted.**
Questions about whether your piece is a good fit for this exhibit? Contact our Gallery Director, Jennifer Durr, via email at [email protected] or by phone at 541-624-2800.
How to Enter
1) Select a maximum of three (3) pieces that you would like to submit and prepare them for gallery display. 2D pieces or wall-mounted pieces must be framed with screw eyes/D-rings and hanging wire securely attached. Check out this informative video about how to wire your 2D piece! All other pieces must be ready for freestanding gallery presentation. ACE provides pedestals, but does not provide display surfaces (e.g., for jewelry), easels, or other display accessories. If your artwork requires electricity, please supply appropriate wall plug-in materials (if your piece includes a battery operated pack with a switch, please contact ACE Gallery Director, Jennfier Durr at [email protected] before you complete an online submission). All artworks must be dry to the touch and appropriately labeled. Artworks that are not gallery display-ready will not be accepted. Artists are welcome to enter three gallery-ready pieces; at least two of those pieces will be included in the exhibit, gallery space permitting.
2) Online submission period: September 1 - November 22, 2025. ACE does not accept incomplete submission forms or artworks delivered without an accompanying online form.
We cannot accept online forms/artwork submissions after Saturday, November 22 at 2:00 pm.
Entry fee: $40.00. The fee is $40.00 per artist regardless of ACE membership status; it covers 1-3 artworks. Ask about our pay-it-forward program if you need assistance paying the fee.
The artwork submission form must be filled out and submitted online. Please contact ACE at 541-624-2800 if you experience technical difficulties.
Submit your online form early! Early submission helps us know how much art to prepare for and reserves your place in the exhibit, perhaps even before you make or finish your artwork(s)! Submissions are accepted on a first-come basis.
3) a. Deliver your gallery-ready piece(s) to ACE November 12 - 22, 2025, during ACE business hours. ACE is located at 1006 Penn Avenue in La Grande, Oregon.
b. Mail your gallery-ready piece(s) to Art Center East, P.O. Box 541, La Grande, Oregon 97850, with an anticipated delivery date between November 12 - 22, 2025. Please email the tracking number to Gallery Director Jennifer Durr at [email protected].
c. If artwork is over 50 lbs or larger than 40”x40”, please make arrangements with Gallery Director Jennifer Durr, [email protected] by November 12, 2025. Artworks of this size or larger will be accepted by appointment only from November 22 - 25. If artwork of this size is mailed to ACE, it must be received between November 22 - 25, 2025.
*Should ACE have a high volume of submissions, we will limit the number of submissions per artist. In the unlikely event that the exhibit fills before the submission deadline, ACE reserves the right to refuse new submissions. Declined artworks must be collected on Thursday, December 4, from 10:00 am - 5:00 pm.
4) Plan to attend the opening reception on Friday, December 5, from 6:00 - 8:00 pm, and the closing reception on Friday, January 30, 2026, from 6:00 - 8:00 pm. Share the virtual exhibit tour on your social media platforms, follow and tag us! @artcentereast
5) Collect your unsold piece(s) on Wednesday, February 4 or Thursday, February 5, 2026, during ACE business hours (12:00 - 5:00 pm). Note: payment for works sold will be sent to you no later than the eighth day of the month that follows the artwork purchase date.
Why Enter?
GET YOUR NAME OUT THERE! - This is a great opportunity for professional and amateur artists to display their artwork and gain exposure in a gallery setting. ACE markets the show regionally and locally via press releases, print advertising and promotion, a poster campaign, social media, and at our community outreach booths.
SELL YOUR ART! - Submitted artworks must be for sale. Artworks not for sale (“NFS”) will not be accepted. ACE retains a commission for artwork purchased. The commission rate is 30% for current ACE members ($30/Solo Artist Membership or higher tier) and 40% for non-members. Purchase or renew your ACE membership here.
CREATE COMMUNITY! - The arts are more fun when more people are involved. We are an inclusive organization that values artwork of all kinds. We encourage you to be brave, share your voice, and come join us for the Annual Open Exhibit!
WIN A PRIZE! - The winning artists, selected by our 2025 exhibit judge, TBA, will be announced during the opening reception on Friday, December 5. Most awards have a cash prize.
Best in Show Award $300
Best Two-Dimensional Award $200
Best Three-Dimensional Award $200
Best Creative Sculptural Glass Award (e.g., blown glass, fused glass) $100
Best Creative 2D Glass Award (e.g., stained glass, mosaic glass) $100
Best Ceramic Award $100
Outstanding Jewelry Award $100
Katherine Jensen Fiber Award $100
Best in Photography Award $100
Art Center East Honorable Mentions
*** People's Choice Award $100 (sponsored by the ACE Board of Directors) The winner will be announced during the closing reception on Friday, January 30, 2026, at 6:30 pm.
ABOUT THE JUDGE (2025):
TBA
