Arts of Kenmore reopens call for entries for August art show; deadline June 24

The Arts of Kenmore has reopened entry for its annual Kenmore Art Show, organizers said, with submissions accepted through June 24 and an entry fee of $25. The juried exhibition, themed “togetherness,” will be displayed in Kenmore City Hall across two weekends: Aug. 14–16 (opening night and awards on Aug. 14) and Aug. 19–23, with a farmers-market evening during the second week.

The show is run by Arts of Kenmore, a volunteer nonprofit that traces its roots to a community art show first held in 1998 and formally registered as a 501(c)(3) in 2000. Organizers described the group’s partnership with the City of Kenmore as a community contract that allows the nonprofit to deliver programming the city does not directly operate, from public-art installations to year-round workshops and a City Hall gallery.

"Come support your community. Be part of it," said Sharon Gautula, marketing coordinator for Arts of Kenmore, urging residents to attend events and encourage artists to apply. Organizers said artists keep all proceeds from sales in the City Hall gallery; Arts of Kenmore does not take a commission.

The Kenmore Art Show is juried by outside experts, and the awards package includes more than $2,000 in prizes plus a mayor’s purchase award: the mayor selects a piece to join the city collection. This year the show adds a "little gallery" category for smaller works (a perimeter guideline discussed as 70 inches) intended to increase affordability; those pieces will be priced at $265 or less.

Submission requirements include framed, wired artwork ready to hang; applicants are asked to use the online entry at artskenmore.com. Organizers said jurors are experienced professionals drawn from regional arts institutions and past Arts of Kenmore leadership.

Beyond the show, Arts of Kenmore runs programs including a student poet-laureate program with printed chapbooks, monthly adult workshops (“Come as You Art”) limited to about 20–25 participants, and booths at city events such as Earth Day, Juneteenth at the Kenmore Hangar, Pride Day at the farmers market, and Octoberfest activities (including a design contest noted in previous years).

Local businesses can sponsor the show (example: a $200 sponsorship level includes logo placement on posters and website promotion), and volunteers are needed to staff the exhibit and manage reception tables and refreshments. Organizers encouraged people to sign up for the Arts of Kenmore newsletter for early notices about workshops and calls for artists.

The call for entries closes June 24; full submission details, categories, hours and the jury list are available at artskenmore.com. The show’s awards and the mayor’s selection will be announced at the opening-night ceremony on Aug. 14.