--- title: The Sacred Ordinary description: Oakland gallery open call on the theme 'The Sacred Ordinary'; winner gets a solo exhibition at Mercury 20 Gallery. url: https://www.artsume.com/programs/21b934b0-e8a4-4668-801f-954501ff7428 type: program status: open createdAt: "2026-10-24" updatedAt: "2026-10-24" programType: Exhibition organization: Mercury 20 Gallery organizationUrl: https://www.artsume.com/o/mercury-20-gallery deadline: "2026-11-15" entryFee: 35 USD location: Mercury 20 Gallery, Oakland, CA, United States isOnline: false compensationRange: Solo exhibition in The Back Room Gallery at Mercury 20 Gallery in 2027 for one selected artist --- # The Sacred Ordinary **Hosted by:** Mercury 20 Gallery **Type:** Exhibition | **Location:** Mercury 20 Gallery, Oakland, CA, United States | **Deadline:** November 15, 2026 | **Entry fee:** $35 ## About This Program > "The Sacred Ordinary" Mercury 20 Gallery is seeking art that interprets the theme: The Sacred Ordinary The Sacred Ordinary invites artists to explore the beauty, meaning, and quiet significance found in everyday life. This theme considers how the mundane, domestic, familiar, or overlooked can be elevated into something sacred or extraordinary. Through personal experience, memory, ritual, observation, or transformation, artists are encouraged to reveal the wonder that may exist within ordinary moments, objects, places, and routines. Artists are encouraged to interpret this theme broadly and in their own distinctive ways, using a variety of artistic mediums including painting, sculpture, collage, photography, and mixed media. About the Juror: Svea Lin Soll is a curator and art consultant with nearly 30 years of experience across galleries, museums, and independent practice. She has curated over 70 exhibitions and is currently co-curating *Kōmij Mour Ijin / Our Life Is Here*, a two-year project with UC Berkeley and the David Brower Center. Svea advises private collectors on acquisitions, helping them build collections of lasting significance. **PRIZE** - *ONE* artist in any medium will be selected for a solo exhibition in The Back Room Gallery at Mercury 20 Gallery in 2027 We look forward to receiving your thought-provoking interpretations of The Sacred Ordinary theme. ### Application Requirements **Submission Format:** Please provide high-quality images of your artwork in JPEG format. Please be sure to crop the image to the artwork only. No background or borders, unless it is a 3d artwork. **File format: JPG / JPEG** **Minimum file size 2 MB / Maximum file size 5 MB** **Pixel Dimensions: 1920 pixels on longest side** **Resolution: 300 ppi** The file name must be titled in this order: LastName-FirstName-Title-Dimensions-Medium-Year **Artist Statement:** Along with your artwork, include an artist statement describing how your work relates to the theme of The Sacred Ordinary **Medium:** We accept all 2D & 3D mediums. No video or performance. **Size** - 60 inch limit in any direction. **Weight** - 25lb maximum **Fee** - $35 for up to 3 works of art. With the option to add up to 2 more artworks at $10 each. 3 artworks = $35 4 artworks = $45 5 artworks = $55 **Submissions not adhering to these submission requirements will NOT be considered.** **Instructions for accepted entries:** **Please note, selected artwork must be** ***hand delivered*** **to Mercury 20 Gallery in Oakland, CA in order to be included in the exhibition.** Drop off Dates: Saturday January 2nd 5 - 7 & Sunday January 3rd 12 - 3pm - Exhibition Dates: January 8, 2027 - February 6, 2027 (Gallery Hours are Fridays, Saturdays 12 - 5 & by appointment) - Opening Reception: January 9, 2027, 3-5pm - Pick up Date: Saturday February 6, 5 - 7pm OR Sunday February 7, 9am - 12pm Please note that selected artists will be responsible for **hand delivering** and **picking up** their artwork. **No artwork can be shipped or stored**. Artists must ensure that their artwork is prepared for display. **Artwork**: All art must be dry upon delivery to the gallery and be ready to install. The backs of work to be hung must have D-rings and be wired, with wire ends covered. We realize certain pieces may need to be hung differently from these specifications, i.e. quilts, fiber arts. If special installation instructions are required, please email us clear instructions and related imagery to thesacredordinaryopencall@gmail.com If you submit any installations or complicated hanging pieces, the gallery may ask you to install your own work with their guidance. All submissions must be original artworks and completed within the **last 3 years.** The gallery holds a 50% commission on sales of artwork. Please price your work accordingly ## Eligibility & Requirements - **Career Stage:** Open to all - **Geographic Eligibility:** Local - **Disciplines:** All disciplines - **Age Requirements:** 18+ years old - **Note:** This call is open to artists, both emerging and established, above the age of 18 who are able to hand deliver and pick up their work. We welcome artists of all backgrounds and experience levels to submit to this opportunity. ### Additional Requirements - High-quality images of your artwork in JPEG format, cropped to the artwork only (no background/borders unless 3d) - File format JPG/JPEG, min 2 MB / max 5 MB, 1920 pixels on longest side, 300 ppi - File name format: LastName-FirstName-Title-Dimensions-Medium-Year - Artist statement describing how your work relates to the theme of The Sacred Ordinary ## Compensation & Benefits Solo exhibition in The Back Room Gallery at Mercury 20 Gallery in 2027 for one selected artist **Includes:** Prize ONE artist in any medium will be selected for a solo exhibition in The Back Room Gallery at Mercury 20 Gallery in 2027. The gallery holds a 50% commission on sales of artwork. ## Timeline - **Opens:** August 29, 2026 - **Deadline:** November 15, 2026 - **Program Start:** January 8, 2027 - **Program End:** February 6, 2027 ## Contact **Email:** thesacredordinaryopencall@gmail.com **Phone:** 510-918-9093 ## How to Apply Apply at: https://artist.callforentry.org/agreetoterms.php?ID=18080