29 Sep “History Explored” Open Call for Art – Augusta Black History Exhibition
Thank you for your interest in showing your work in the Augusta & Co. Gallery, managed by the Greater Augusta Arts Council.
Deadline to submit: November 8, 2026 by 11:59 p.m.
Click here to submit a finished or proposed artwork!
About “History Explored”
The Greater Augusta Arts Council invites CSRA-based artists to create new works inspired by Augusta’s rich African American & Black History. This open call encourages artists to explore the people, places, stories, traditions, and experiences that have shaped Augusta’s Black communities and continue to influence our region today.
Artists are invited to draw inspiration from the Mayoral Collection of Augusta Black History, a collection of restored and enlarged historical photographs managed by the Greater Augusta Arts Council. The collection was funded through the support of former Augusta Mayor Hardie Davis Jr., with support from the Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History. The photographs provide a visual window into Augusta’s past and offer artists an opportunity to reinterpret these historical moments through a contemporary lens.
Artists may also draw inspiration from the Greater Augusta Arts Council’s “Augusta’s Black Arts History” series, which highlights the people, artists, organizations, and cultural contributions that have helped shape Augusta’s Black arts community. Artists are also strongly encouraged to visit the Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History to explore its collections and exhibitions and gain additional inspiration for their work.
This open call is an opportunity for artists to create work that goes beyond simply reproducing historical imagery. Artists are encouraged to consider how these photographs, stories, and histories connect to Augusta today and to use their own artistic voices to create thoughtful, original responses. Artists of all backgrounds and visual arts disciplines are encouraged to apply. We welcome a wide range of creative approaches, perspectives, and mediums, including painting, drawing, photography, sculpture, mixed media, fiber, printmaking, digital art, ceramics, collage, and more.
EXHIBITION DETAILS
Selected works will be incorporated into a special exhibition at the Augusta & Co. Gallery from January 7–March 25, 2027, presented in tandem with an exhibition of the Mayoral Collection of Augusta Black History at the City Gallery, 535 Telfair Street.
A reception celebrating both exhibitions will be held on Friday, February 5, 2027, from 5:00–7:00 p.m. at Augusta & Co.
This paired exhibition will create a dialogue between historic photographs from the Mayoral Collection and contemporary works by CSRA artists, inviting visitors to consider Augusta’s Black history through both historical documentation and modern artistic interpretation.
WHO CAN APPLY
1. Artists must be based in the CSRA (Central Savannah River Area).
Georgia Counties: Richmond, Columbia, Burke, Jenkins, Lincoln, Wilkes, McDuffie, Jefferson, Taliaferro, Warren, Glascock, Hancock and Washington.
South Carolina Counties: Aiken, Edgefield, Allendale, Barnwell and McCormick.
2. Artists of all backgrounds, experience levels, and visual arts disciplines are encouraged to apply.
3. We welcome emerging artists, established artists, students, and artists working across a variety of mediums and creative practices.
4. Artwork must be original and created specifically for this exhibition.
INSPIRATION & RESOURCES
Artists may draw inspiration from:
1. The Mayoral Collection of Augusta Black History
2. The Greater Augusta Arts Council’s “Augusta’s Black Arts History” series.
3. Scheduling an in person visit to The Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History.
We invite artists to look to the past, reflect on the present, and consider how Augusta’s Black history continues to shape our community’s future.
About the Gallery
The Augusta & Co. Gallery operates with a 60% Artist / 40% Commission split of all works sold. If featured in the Augusta & Co. online shop, a 70% artist / 30% Commission split for all online sales.
All works remain in the gallery until the exhibition is complete. Any sold works will be distributed to the buyers by Augusta & Co at the close of each showcase.
The Augusta & Co. Gallery operates on a quarterly pay processing system. Artists who have sold work through the Augusta & Co. Gallery should expect checks at the close of each quarter.
This being a visitor’s destination, we encourage works to have Augusta themes. We encourage all artists interested in showing in the Augusta & Co. gallery to visit prior to submitting to get a sense of the space and the type of works that are typically shown.
Please keep in mind, this is a family friendly space. Works may not feature nudity or violence of any kind.
To learn more about the Augusta & Co. Gallery, visit www.augustaarts.com/galleries.