Call for Entries: Petersburg As Muse

An October 2026 exhibition at the Petersburg Visitor Center 

Artists are invited to submit original artwork for Petersburg as Muse, a community exhibition celebrating Petersburg, Virginia, to be presented in October 2026 at the Petersburg Visitor Center, located in the historic Southside Depot at 37 River Street. The exhibition seeks artwork in any medium that reflects, interprets, or responds to Petersburg’s people, places, history, architecture, landscapes, culture, neighborhoods, creative spirit, and evolving story. 

Exhibition Theme 

Submitted work should be meaningfully connected to Petersburg, Virginia. Artists may explore the city through personal memory, local landmarks, historic events, everyday life, community traditions, natural and urban landscapes, contemporary change, or imaginative interpretations inspired by Petersburg. Work may be representational, abstract, documentary, conceptual, or experimental, provided that the connection to Petersburg is clear in the artist statement. 

Accepted Media 

Artwork in any medium will be considered, including but not limited to painting, drawing, photography, printmaking, sculpture, textiles, ceramics, mixed media, digital art, video, sound, installation, literary or text-based work, and interdisciplinary projects. All accepted work must be appropriate for a public visitor center setting and must be ready for display according to the presentation requirements below. 

Eligibility 

• Open to artists working in any medium. 

• Artists may be emerging, mid-career, or established. 

• Artists do not need to live in Petersburg, but submitted work must relate directly to Petersburg, Virginia. 

• Collaborative submissions are welcome. 

• Artists may submit up to three works or one cohesive proposal for installation, time-based, or multi-part work. 

Submission Requirements 

To apply, artists should submit the following materials: 

• Artist name, email address, phone number. 

• Artist bio of no more than 150 words. 

• Artist statement of no more than 250 words explaining how the work relates to Petersburg, Virginia. 

• Up to three images, links, or samples of submitted work. For video, sound, digital, or time-based work, include a viewing or listening link. 

• Artwork details for each submitted work: title, year, medium, dimensions or duration, installation needs, and insurance value if applicable. 

• Any special display, technical, accessibility, or handling requirements. 

Key Dates 

• Submission deadline: Friday, September 18th, 2026 

• Artist notification: Wednesday, September 23rd  

• Artwork delivery or installation window: Wednesday, September 30th – Saturday, October 3rd  

• Exhibition dates: October 9th - November 7th 

• Opening reception: Friday, October 9th  

• Artwork pickup: November 4th – 7th  

Selection Process 

Submissions will be reviewed based on artistic quality, clarity of connection to Petersburg, suitability for the visitor center setting, feasibility of installation, and the overall balance of the exhibition. The selection team may consider a range of media, perspectives, and approaches in building a cohesive exhibition. 

Presentation and Installation Requirements 

• Two-dimensional artwork must be framed or otherwise professionally presented and ready to hang (with a wire if framed art for hanging, no nails/tacks/hooks can be used in the Visitor Center). 

• Three-dimensional, installation, digital, video, or sound-based work must include clear display instructions and all required equipment unless otherwise arranged in advance. 

• All work must be safe for public display and suitable for audiences of all ages. 

• Accepted artists are responsible for timely delivery and pickup of artwork. 

• The organizers reserve the right to decline work that differs significantly from the submitted proposal or cannot be safely displayed. 

Sales 

Artists may indicate whether submitted work is available for sale. Sales procedures, commission details, and buyer coordination will be confirmed with accepted artists before the exhibition opens. 

How to Apply 

Submit application materials by email to daniel@richmondcultureworks.org with the subject line Call for Entries: Petersburg as Muse. If file sizes are large, artists may include a link to a folder, portfolio page, video platform, or shared drive. Questions may be directed to Daniel Jones at daniel@richmondcultureworks.org or 804.536.3025. 

About the Venue: The Petersburg Visitor Center welcomes residents and visitors seeking to explore the history, culture, attractions, and stories of Petersburg. This exhibition offers artists an opportunity to contribute to that welcome by sharing creative perspectives on the city and its continuing legacy.