Call for artists open for 17th annual juried exhibition

Emerging, student and established artists living in the Niagara Region are invited to submit their work to the 17th City of St. Catharines Annual Juried Art Exhibition, Current.

Niagara is shaped by currents – its waterways, its histories, and the forces that move through the region today. This year’s theme invites artists to explore both the literal flows that define this place and the cultural, social, and global currents influencing our present moment.

“Current encourages artists to consider the energies that move through and around us,” said Culture Coordinator Chelsea Ryan. “From the flow of the Welland Canal and Niagara River to the shifting political, emotional, and technological forces shaping daily life, artists are invited to interpret the theme through material, narrative, or conceptual approaches.”

The exhibition will be displayed in the third-floor gallery space at City Hall, 50 Church St., from Sept. 18, 2026, to Jan. 22, 2027.

Submissions of original artwork in all mediums created within the past three years are eligible, and up to three works may be submitted per artist. The City of St. Catharines continues to accept 3‑D works, provided they fit within an 18‑inch square display case. Selected artists will receive an exhibition fee, and their work will be considered for acquisition into the City’s Municipal Art Collection. There is no cost to make a submission. The submission deadline is Monday, June 29, at 4:30 p.m.

The City Hall exhibition program, coordinated through the Cultural Services Office in the Community, Recreation and Culture Services department, has showcased local artists since 2005. Each year, the program offers visitors the opportunity to experience original artworks that reflect the stories, perspectives, and creative expressions of the community.