North Van Arts is currently accepting submissions for artwork to be included in the exhibition Through the Garden Gates, which will take place at CityScape Community ArtSpace in June & July 2025.
Nature’s beauty surrounds us—not just in towering mountains or along the shore, but right in our own backyards. In tandem with Arts in the Garden this year, North Van Arts invites you to step through the garden gates and discover the hidden wonders waiting just beyond our doors
For this exhibition, CityScape Community ArtSpace will be transformed into a vibrant community art garden with a mix of 2D and 3D artwork inspired by domestic floral and botanical themes. We are looking for artworks inspired by flowers, plants, greenery and even pollinators that can be found within home and community garden settings.
Deadline to submit: March 31, 2025
Submission Guidelines
- Both emerging and professional artists are welcome to submit artwork for Through the Garden Gates.
- Artists may submit artwork of any medium and style, no smaller than 4” x 6” and no larger than 50” x 70”.
- Each artist may submit a maximum of two artworks for consideration.
- Please complete a separate application form for each submitted artwork.
- Artists must be located in Metro Vancouver to be considered for this exhibition.
- Priority will be given to artists local to the North Shore in the selection process.
Examples of Eligible Themes
- Still life – local perennials and annuals
- Garden Visitors: Bees, butterflies, ladybugs, caterpillars, bluejays, etc.
- Gardenscapes – the view from your porch
- Home grown nourishment – Fruit and Veg
Examples of ineligible themes
- Landscapes or Cityscapes- Large scale landscape of mountain vistas, or seascapes or cityscapes are not eligible for this exhibition.
- Larger Wildlife – Animals such as eagles, bears or larger wildlife are not eligible for this exhibition.
- No houseplants – As we are trying to build a local community art garden this type of imagery would not be eligible for this show.
- Abstract works – unfortunately for this show, abstract works do not meet the submission criteria.
Review Process
- All artworks will be subject to a juried selection process by North Van Arts staff.
- Submissions will be assessed on how the artwork and artist statement aligns with the open call theme.
- Artists whose artwork has been selected after the jury process will be notified by April 15, 2025.
- Due to the high volume of submissions, we are unable to give individual feedback for artists whose artwork has not been selected.
Accepted Submissions
- Selected artists must be able to bring their artwork into our CityScape Community ArtSpace location in-person, at 335 Lonsdale Avenue (North Vancouver) during the installation period in June of 2025.
- Artwork submitted to Through the Garden Gates also must be available to be displayed for the entire duration of the exhibition time period, June 13-July 19, 2025.
- Please note that North Van Arts does not pay artist fees for exhibiting artwork.
- North Van Arts will receive an administrative fee (30% of the total sale price) for each artwork sold during the exhibition time period.
Image Credit: Summer Blooms exhibit at CityScape Community ArtSpace 2001