The Big Small Show 2026

About the Show

We invite you to submit work for consideration in this year's The Big Small Show 2026, our year-end review of works made in the past 2 years, celebrating our 25th Anniversary as an arts non-profit.

Now in its eleventh year at Drawing Rooms, The Big Small Show will present works that connect and interact with each other visually and conceptually in a curatorially-driven narrative in our expanded gallery spaces at the Mana Contemporary complex in Jersey City. Our goal is to gather together a large array of innovative and exceptional new small works to produce an exciting survey show.

Artists chosen will also be considered for our other programs, such as The Art Project JC lobbies, and online Artsy.net exhibits throughout the year.

The exhibition will be featured on Artsy, shared on our website, email newsletter and social media platforms. The Curator will write a Statement and the show will be reviewed.

Events

• Opening Weekend 12/11/26 - 12/13/26
• Reception Fri, 12/11/26, 6-9p, Sat & Sun 12/12/26 - 12/13/26, 4-6p
• Meet The Artists 12/20/26 Sun, 3-5p and 1/11/27 Sun, 3-5p
• Closing Reception 1/17/27 Sun, 3-5p

Curation

The curator will choose works and place them in context together to create visual, formal and conceptual connections, amplifying themes and deepening ways of understanding the works.

Acceptable Works

Any media will be considered of any size, although small works are preferred up to 18 x 24 inches including frame size, if you choose to frame. A limited number of larger works will be included.

• Works must have been made in the past two years.
• 2-dimensional works may be unframed, framed, or mounted on cradled panel.
• 3-dimensional works may also be considered.
• painting or drawing on paper, canvas, or other media; sculpture, collage or textiles, photography or prints.
• Works must be original. No AI or reproductions of original works.
• All works must be For Sale.
• Size: Works that are dropped-off at Drawing Rooms, Jersey City can be any size.
• Shipped 2D works must be no larger than 18 x 24 inches and meet the shipping requirements below.
• Please make sure any unframed paper works are durable enough to be exhibited with clips. We will not accept ripped, torn, wrinkled, or otherwise damaged or overly fragile paper.

Hanging Preparation

• 2D Works can be unframed, framed, or mounted on a cradled panel.
• If framing, please use simple frames in white, black, or wood tones, no floating acrylic frames.
• Exterior frame dimensions should be no more than 5 inches more than the height or width of artwork. (A 10 x 8 inch work = 15 x 13 Inches framed at largest.)
• All works must be ready-to-hang. Works can be hung from picture wire (not fishing line), D-rings, saw-tooth hangers, or the top of the frame or cradled panel. Please self-assess if your frame is strong enough for this. Cleats or any hanging systems that require the use of screws in the wall are not acceptable.
• Works that present hanging problems may not be included in the exhibit.

Sale of Artwork

All works in the exhibit must be for sale with 60% to artists and 40% to Drawing Rooms.

Fees

All Artists: Application Fee through CAFE $35

Important Dates

• Submissions Due: 11/2/26
• Artist Notification: 11/5/26

Drop Off

• Fri 11/20/26 to 5-7p: The Oakman 160 1st St JC NJ: Grove St. PATH stop
• Sat/Sun 11/21/26 & 11/22/26, 3-6p: Drawing Rooms 926 Newark Ave JC, NJ: Journal Sq. PATH stop or use parking lot.
• Accepted work may be delivered by yourself or someone you assign.

Mail-In

Must ARRIVE by Monday, 11/23/26

Shipping Requirements

We prefer works to be dropped off at Drawing Rooms or at The Oakman. If you live at a distance or live locally and have an extenuating issue, you may ship to our Drawing Rooms location.

2D: ONLY unframed 18" x 24" or less, works on paper or panel may be mailed in and must fit in a padded or cardboard shipping envelope, (stay flat photo envelope / rigid mailer) and you may include a piece of cardboard inside the envelope if you choose, or a tube, and you MUST include a return label or postage. NO BOXES, please. Send to the Drawing Rooms location listed.

3D: Please pack well in a box 30" x 36" x 36" or less. Work not packed well may be rejected.

Pickup

Sun, 1/17/27 6-8p, Mon, 1/18/27 3-6p, Tues, 1/19/27 3-6p

Mail Back

Starts Tues, 1/19/27

Exhibition Location

Drawing Rooms, 926 Newark Ave. T101, Jersey City NJ, 07306. Closest PATH stop is Journal Sq. Free parking lot. Entrance is on Newark Avenue. Drivers: turn into Mana/Topps building driveway.

FAQ

What resolution should my images be? Any resolution (pixels per inch) is fine. We only care about the overall dimensions (how many pixels high by pixels wide). This is called pixel dimensions on the Image Size function of Photoshop. (At least 1200 pixels wide or high).

How large can my images be? There is no reason to send images much larger than 3000 pixels in any dimension since that will allow us to print to over 8 inches. Please crop any background out of your images.

Is the work insured? All works are insured from the time they are in our possession.

How are sales handled? Commissions from any sales will be paid to the artist within 30 days of our receiving the payment, via check, PayPal, or cash, depending on the situation.

Is there a theme? No, just send work you would like to be considered, and the curator will identify and create groups/connections of concepts.

Why did my work not get chosen? There are many factors that influence final selections, and ultimately not all submissions can be included. We hope all the artists submitting work understand this and continue to respond to future calls.

The curator will choose works and place them in context together to create visual, formal and conceptual connections, amplifying themes and deepening ways of understanding the works. The exhibition will be featured on Artsy, shared on the website, email newsletter and social media platforms. The Curator will write a Statement and the show will be reviewed.