Give a Damn is a holiday group exhibition for people who would rather give something meaningful than another scented candle, novelty mug, or panic-purchased gift set.
We’re looking for original artwork that is thoughtful, strange, beautiful, funny, heartfelt, wonderfully unnecessary, or simply too damn good to come from a big-box store. The concept is simple: give art, support artists, and stop buying people stuff they’ll quietly donate in February.
Because this is a gift-focused exhibition, every piece must be available for purchase and priced at $200 or less. Small works, prints, editions, fiber art, sculpture, photography, ceramics, mixed media, and other giftable creations are welcome. “Giftable” does not have to mean festive, tiny, beige, or acceptable to your mother-in-law. It just needs to be original, human-made, and worth giving a damn about.
The exhibition will also be featured during the Bad Bitch Bazaar on November 28, bringing even more holiday shoppers through the gallery and giving them the opportunity to purchase something made by an actual person.
Submit work you’ve already created or use the theme as an excuse to make something new. It doesn’t need to scream “holiday.” Frankly, we’d prefer that it didn’t.
The best gifts aren’t grabbed in a panic. They’re made by people who give a damn.
Deadline: October 31, 2026 · Entry fee: $20.00 per artwork · Exhibition: November 20, 2026 – November 29, 2026
ELIGIBILITY
This call is open to artists of all ages, experience levels, backgrounds, styles, and mediums. Emerging artists, established artists, students, first-time exhibitors, and artists who have shown with us before are all encouraged to apply.
Artists under 18 may participate with the involvement and permission of a parent or legal guardian. All work must be original, human-made, appropriate for public exhibition, available for sale, and priced at $200 or less.
RULES
- All artwork must be original and created by the submitting artist. AI-generated artwork is not accepted.
- Every submitted piece must be available for purchase and priced at $200 or less.
- Small works, prints, editions, photography, fiber art, sculpture, ceramics, mixed media, and other giftable artwork are welcome.
- Artwork does not need to be holiday-themed.
- Artists may submit existing work or create something specifically for the exhibition.
- All accepted artwork must arrive ready to display. Two-dimensional work must be appropriately wired or otherwise prepared for installation.
- Standard gallery commission is 50/50 for in-person sales.
- Artsy participation is optional. Artists may choose whether they would also like their accepted work listed in the exhibition on Artsy. For artwork sold through Artsy, proceeds are divided 40% to the artist, 40% to Not Shockboxx, and 20% to Artsy.
- Artists are responsible for delivering and retrieving their artwork according to the schedule provided to accepted participants.
- Submission does not guarantee acceptance.
- Absolutely no Ai produced works.