Cherry Blossom community art exhibit
Call for artists!
Call for artists!
The Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum invites artists to submit original artwork that depicts or interprets the spring season through Cherry Blossoms. Selected pieces will be featured in the Inamori Pavilion space or the Upper Garden Gallery space as part of a special exhibition on view from March 6th through May 2nd.
The available locations are as follows:
Inamori Pavilion Display Case
Upper Garden Gallery
Inamori Pavilion Ceiling Rail - Only for works that can safely hang from a railing, e.g. Hanging Scrolls
Garden Space - Only for larger sculptural items. These must be dropped off in person and must be stable and weatherproof.
Submissions are open to all artists, including professional and emerging creators. Artists working across a variety of mediums are encouraged to apply and share their unique interpretations of Cherry Blossoms.
In addition to the standard exhibition dates, selected artworks will be on display during the 2027 JFGM Cherry Blossom Festival in March, offering artists the opportunity to share their works with festival guests.
TIMELINE
Submission Deadline: January 24th, 2027 at 11:59 PM PST
Acceptance Notification: January 29th, 2027
Artwork Delivery: February 9th–13th, 2027 (in person at the JFGM Office, 2220 Paseo De Oro)
Exhibition Dates: March 6th – May 2nd, 2027 (open during regular JFGM public hours; dates subject to change due to special events)
Deinstallation: May 4th, 2027
Artwork Pick-Up: May 5th–8th, 2027 (JFGM Office, 2220 Paseo De Oro, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM)
Requirements
Open to all mediums, excluding work generated by Artificial Intelligence.
Each artist may submit up to three (3) works.
Artwork must not exceed 24" × 36", including the frame.
All submitted works must be original and not previously exhibited at JFGM.
Submission does not guarantee selection. Artists will be notified by the JFGM Exhibit Coordinator if their work is selected.
How to submit your art
To submit, email the following materials to registrar@niwa.org:
Artist's full name and phone number
Photograph(s) of each artwork (file names must include the artist's last name and a number, e.g., Smith1, Smith2)
Dimensions of each submitted artwork
All required materials must be included for a submission to be considered. The JFGM Exhibit Coordinator will notify artists of their submission status.
Presentation
Selected works must be framed, matted, or mounted and ready to hang upon delivery. Sculptural works must be self-standing.
Each work must include a label with the following information: artist's name, title, date created, medium, and dimensions.
Note: Unframed works will be displayed using clips, which may result in damage to the artwork.
All submitted artwork must be appropriate for general audiences, as determined by JFGM.
FAQs
Q: Can I choose the location I want my work to be displayed in?
A: You may indicate in your submission a preference, but placement in your preferred location is not guaranteed.
Q: How long will JFGM hold artwork after the exhibit?
A: Artwork will be held after the exhibit at JFGM for up to one year, after which point it will be considered abandoned.
Q: Will JFGM pay for the shipping fees of my artwork?
A: Arrangements for getting the work to JFGM are the responsibility of the artist. If selected, please be sure to include a return shipping label as well in your shipment.
Q: Can I come see my work during the exhibition?
A: Artists may enter the garden for free once during the exhibition on non-festival days. Any accompanying individuals will need to pay for entry, and entry on festival days requires festival tickets.
Q: Can I donate my artwork to JFGM after the exhibit?
A: Donations to the JFGM collection are possible at the discretion of the Registrar and Exhibits Coordinator.