Call to Artists: Rooms of Grief

Rooms of Grief

Juried Show exploring loss as transformation

January 17 – March 14, 2026

EXHIBITION DESCRIPTION:

Kennedy Heights Art Center presents Rooms of Grief, an exhibition that invites artists to explore the spaces we inhabit when loss rearranges our world. Each “room” becomes a metaphor, where silence, memory, and renewal coexist. This exhibition seeks work that interprets grief not only as sorrow, but as transformation, revealing the textures, colors, and shapes of what remains and what begins again.

Co-curated by Mallory Feltz and Ena Nearon, Ten Talents Network

ELIGIBILITY:
Eligible artists are those age 18 and over who reside in the Cincinnati-Middletown, OH-KY-IN Metropolitan Area, which includes the following counties: Brown, Butler, Clermont, Hamilton, and Warren Counties in Ohio; Boone, Bracken, Campbell, Gallatin, Grant, Kenton, and Pendleton Counties in Kentucky; and Dearborn, Ohio, and Union Counties in Indiana.

FEE:

No cost to submit

SUBMISSION PROCEDURE:

DUE DATE: Submissions will be accepted until end of day Saturday, December 6, 2025.

Completed entries and all questions can be emailed to curator@kennedyarts.org

All forms of visual art will be considered – including, but not limited to painting, photography, sculpture, digital art, mixed media, fiber art, and video art are welcome. Artist must supply all technical equipment for viewing, if video artwork is accepted.

Artists may enter a maximum of TWO pieces for consideration. They can be from any year. Each piece must also include a short statement as to how it relates to the theme of the exhibition. No more than 100 words, please.

Please name your digital files as follows: 

Artist’s last name, first initial and title of the work, for example: SmithB-Grief.jpeg.

Image files should be large enough to be seen clearly when viewed full screen on a standard computer, and be correctly oriented with the top of the file being the top of the image.

Please include in a word document the following:

Contact information: First and Last name, address, phone number, and email.

 

For each artwork submitted, please include: Title, Materials, Year, statement for piece (no more than 100 words).

• If your piece is selected for inclusion in this exhibition, the submitted statement and title tag information will be printed to hang alongside your

Co-curators Mallory Feltz (Director of Exhibitions, KHAC) and Ena Nearon (Ten Talents Network) will make all selections for this exhibition.

NOTIFICATION:

All Artists will be notified by end of day Saturday, December 13, 2025

ARTWORK DROP OFF DATES:
All artwork MUST be dropped off during Tuesday, January 6 – Friday, January 9, 2026 between 10am-5pm, and Saturday, January 10 between 11am-4pm

DELIVERY AND RETURN OF ARTWORK:
Artists are responsible for the delivery and pick up of their work. All artwork accepted for the exhibition must arrive gallery ready. Work must be hand delivered.

Artists will be notified of when to pick up their artwork after conclusion of the exhibition.

SALE OF ARTWORK:
Artwork may be for sale if desired by the artist, though it is not required. Kennedy Heights Arts Center will retain a 25% commission on all works sold (artist receives 75%). If work is for sale, artists will be required to fill out a W-9 when they drop off their work.

IMPORTANT DATES:
Entry deadline – December 6, 2025 end of day
Notice of Acceptance – December 13, 2026 end of day
Artwork drop off Dates– January 6 – 9, 2026 between 10am-5pm, and Sat., January 10 between 11am-4pm
Opening Reception – Saturday, January 17, 2026 from 6-8pm

 

Exhibition dates – January 17 – March 14, 2026

Completed entries and all questions can be emailed to curator@kennedyarts.org

 

THANK YOU!

Mallory Feltz 

Director of Exhibitions and Public Art
Kennedy Heights Arts Center
6546 Montgomery Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45213
513.631.4278