Artina 2025: Upside Down – Inside Out

Presented by the Washington Sculptors Group and Sandy Spring Museum

Exhibit dates: September 7 - November 9, 2025

Call for Entries

Artina 2025: Upside Down - Inside Out, Presented by the Washington Sculptors Group and Sandy Spring Museum

JUROR: Zoma Wallace

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: Sunday, July 27, 2025 (received by 11:59pm EST, received through the submission site EntryThingy)

ABOUT THE EXHIBITION

The realities of today’s world seem to have turned topsy-turvy. What was up is now down, ‘left’ is pitted against ‘right’, and confidence proportionally falls as uncertainty climbs higher with the hour. Meanwhile, self-proclaimed outsiders have resolutely taken ownership of the inside track. In reflection, we ask ourselves collectively, “What now? What next? Where are we? Where do we go from here? How do we reorient ourselves within a world turned upside down and inside out?” We ask these questions in an attempt to locate ourselves within a morphing paradigm and to ground ourselves despite ever-changing circumstances.

Quite possibly, creative responses to these questions are best communicated in sculptural form. Through sculpture, installation, sound, performance, and interdisciplinary expression, Upside Down, Inside Out invites artists to explore inversions and reorientations. 

Inversion and orientation can each be interpreted geographically or directionally, psychologically or sexually, politically, positionally, or materially. This exhibition thematically embraces the carnivalesque: inclusive of mischief, playfulness, whimsy, chaos, and excess. Approaches and interpretations of related topics may range widely, from the unfamiliar and the uncanny, to the surreal and the satirical, the absurd and the abject, the ironic and the burlesque, the silly and the serious. As such, Upside Down, Inside Out is a space of radical hospitality, welcoming and inviting all modes of imaginative subversion and unfettered inquiry that challenge the dominion of absolute power, unquestioned patrimony, and obligatory acceptance of the status quo.

- Zoma Wallace, May 2025

ABOUT THE ARTINA EXHIBITION SERIES

The ARTINA exhibition series, now in its 9th year, is an ongoing partnership between Washington Sculptors Group and the Sandy Spring Museum that invites social engagement with the environment through participation and collaboration. Artists are encouraged to envision interactions in the natural landscape, engaging visually and physically with nature.

Past exhibitions include: A Point of View, juried by Nehemiah Dixon III (2024); Queering Nature, juried by Stephanie Mercedes (2023); A Space in Place, juried by Natalie Fulgencio-Turner (2022); Balancing Acts, juried by Twylene Moyer (2021); Light, A Sculptural Solar Dance, juried by María Gabriela Mizes (2020); Introspective, juried by Cecilia Wichmann (2018); (Re)Use and Abuse of the Land, juried by Ursula Achternkamp (2017); and Art in Nature, juried by Martine Van Kampen (2016).

HONORARIUM: Accepted Artists will receive an honorarium of $150.

DOWNLOAD the Call for Entries.

Zoma Wallace, Juror

Zoma Wallace is an artist and independent curator raising a family in her hometown of Washington, D.C. For the past 20 years, Zoma has charted a unique path as a creative, earning respect and recognition for her aesthetic instincts, adventurous ideas, and thoughtful critical insights. Many in the D.C. arts community know her from a decade of public service as the curator for the DC Commission of the Arts & Humanities, where she changed the municipal art landscape; expanding the agency’s art collection with diverse contemporary acquisitions, instituting a gallery exhibition program, and creating a new grant to fund emerging D.C. curators in realizing compelling exhibition concepts. Zoma holds a BA from Spelman College, an MFA from Howard University, and is a PhD candidate in Art Theory, Aesthetics, & Philosophy at the Institute for Doctoral Studies in the Visual Arts (IDSVA).

ELIGIBILITY

The exhibition is open to current or new members of the Washington Sculptors Group only. Artists who are not already members may join WSG by paying annual dues of $45 ($15 for full-time students) during the Entrythingy checkout process.

Prospective members may also join WSG through the website About Us: Join WSG (Payment by PayPal) or may print and mail a membership form with a check payment. Note that Payment by PayPal is preferred. If you are a new member and mailing a check, please notify membership@washingtonsculptors.org when you submit your Entrythingy application.

Existing WSG members must renew their dues for 2025 to be eligible for submission.

Question about your membership? Contact membership@washingtonsculptors.org

SUBMISSION DEADLINE

Sunday, July 27, 2025 (received by 11:59pm EST)
Artina 2025 will be juried from digital images submitted through EntryThingy, and there is a $5 processing fee for uploading images. No entries will be accepted by mail or email.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

Washington Sculptors Group (WSG) is accepting proposals from emerging and established sculptors for its annual exhibition of outdoor sculptures at Sandy Spring Museum. Located in Sandy Spring Maryland, the museum serves as a catalyst for community building by providing opportunities for creative engagement in a range of cultural arts. The museum offers the environment and inspiration for artists and community members to create and host events, performances, activities, and exhibits, which engage, stimulate, and bring people together. The Sandy Spring Museum grounds are open daily and many special events and programs are offered throughout the year.

Artists are invited to submit existing or new sculptures, and site-specific installations that fit the theme. Artists are encouraged to engage with the museum’s history and current mission in any way they see fit.

About the Sandy Spring Museum

Sandy Spring Museum Archives / Digital Maryland

Sandy Spring Museum is located on 7+ acres of land, 3 acres of which are heavily forested. The remainder is naturally landscaped with mature trees. Sculptures can be installed throughout the property. Artists can also use a wooden trellis that blooms with wisteria in the spring and extends from the museum’s front entrance to the sidewalk along Route 108.

Works should be suitable for long-term, outdoor exposure, as well as fabricated and installed in a viewer-safe manner. Artists are responsible for any maintenance of the work. There are no restrictions on media/materials.

Artists should detail their installation requirements when submitting the application. A map of the property is attached. We highly recommend artists visit the site and plan their proposals accordingly.

WORK TO BE CONSIDERED
A maximum of 6 images (including any detail images) of sculptures/installations per artist or team may be submitted for consideration.

In addition, please include:

  • A description of where the project pieces are to be placed (if site-specific) on the grounds of the SSM
  • A brief background or narrative information about the artwork or proposal
  • An explanation of how the project relates to the theme and whether there is light, sound, or movement that may impact placement or the ability of others to experience nearby artworks.
  • Artists may choose to install their work with public participation and involvement during the installation period, or if required, over the life of the artwork.
  • Artists must submit a proposal in .doc or .pdf format. The proposal should include the project description, concept sketches or renderings, and any other information pertaining to the proposed project.
  • It is highly recommended that artists visit Sandy Spring Museum to get a sense of the surroundings and possibilities prior to applying. Artists can visit the site seven days a week, at any time.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR ENTRYTHINGY

Submission Image/Attachment Guidelines

  • Please view this instructional video on using EntryThingy if you need help and feel free to contact exhibits@washingtonsculptors.org with questions.
  • All submissions must be anonymous.
  • Submit all images with a resolution of 300 dpi and a maximum of 2MB each. Video files must be smaller than 50MB each (maximum running time: 5 minutes).
  • Files should be named with only the title of the work (no first or last names). Use the actual title for each work. Example:
    Title 1.jpeg
    Title 1 (detail).jpeg
    Title 2.jpeg
    Title 3.jpeg
  • The EntryThingy platform allows you to submit a statement about how your work relates to the exhibition’s requirements. It also offers you a chance to provide a brief description of each work along with a title, dimensions, etc. To avoid being disqualified, do not include your name in either the statement or any of the description paragraphs.

Submission Steps:

  1. Applicants should go to www.entrythingy.com and click on the tab (at the top) “for artists”.
  2. Click on “list of current calls”.
  3. Scroll down and click on the Artina 2025 listing.
  4. Create a login account to www.entrythingy.com if you don’t have an account, or if you do, login to your existing account with the “Click here to login” button. After logging in, select the Artina 2025 call and complete the entry steps.
  5. There is a $5 entry fee.
  6. All applicants will receive ‘accepted’ or ‘not accepted’ notifications via email.

INSURANCE, COMMISSIONS, AND SALES

SSM insures works on loan up to $10,000 after the work is delivered and the exhibition loan agreement is signed. Insurance during transportation is the responsibility of the artist.  Artists are encouraged to offer their work for sale, but are not required to do so. Artwork sold will remain on display for the duration of the exhibition. The Museum will coordinate the pickup of work by purchasers after the closing date. Upon sale, a check will be mailed to the artist within 40 days. The Museum takes a 30% commission on all sales.

PROMOTION & MARKETING

Self-guiding maps of the exhibition will be available at Sandy Spring Museum and on the websites of WSG and SSM. Exhibition postcards will be distributed to WSG, SSM members, and the community. Promotion of the show will be actively pursued.

EXHIBITION DATES:
Sunday, September 7 – Sunday, November 9, 2025

CALENDAR
Exhibition Dates:
Sunday, September 7 – Sunday, November 9, 2025

Call for Entry Posted:
Sunday, June 15, 2025

Site Visit
Sunday, July 13, 2025 between 12-4 PM
Applicants can meet with the WSG exhibition manager and tour the site

Submission Deadline:
Sunday, July 27, 2025 11:59 PM

Artist Notification:
Friday, August 8, 2025

Delivery & Installation:
Friday, August 29, 2025 12-4 PM (Exhibition juror, manager, and museum staff will be on-site)
Saturday, August 30, 2025 from 12-4 PM (museum will be closed; exhibition juror and manager on call)
Sunday, August 31, 2025 from 12-4 PM (museum open; exhibition juror and manager on call)
Monday, September 1 – Friday, September 5, 2025 between 10-4 PM (museum staff on site; exhibition juror and manager on call)

Opening Reception:
Sunday, September 7, 2025 2-4 PM

Closing Reception/Artist/Juror Talk:
Sunday, November 9, 2025 1-3 PM

Deinstallation/Pick up:
Sunday, November 9, 2025 after 3PM, Monday, November 10 – Friday, November 14 between 10-4 PM

Submission Deadline: Sunday, July 27, 2025 (received by 11:59pm EST)

Enter your Submission

Sandy Spring Museum 17901 Bentley Rd Sandy Spring, MD 20860

ABOUT THE SANDY SPRING MUSEUM

“… At Sandy Spring Museum, it’s all about the community. Everything we do—every milestone we celebrate, every program and exhibit—is here for the community and because of the community.”

Founded in 1981 in the basement of a bank in nearby Olney, the museum today stewards a 7-acre historic site featuring an archive, artist studios, ceramic workshop, community gathering spaces, exhibition galleries, library, nature trails, picnic areas, museum shop, and more.

Sandy Spring Museum connects diverse communities and advances social equity through shared and inspiring experiences of our region’s cultural heritage. The museum envisions an equitable Montgomery County that leverages the rich and diverse cultural heritages of its residents as a vehicle toward increased empathy, cross-cultural understanding, and coalition building.

17901 Bentley Rd Sandy Spring, MD 20860