“Hope is a matter of attention,” said Mateo Quispe, Poet Laureate of Auburn, WA. This statement, shared at a panel discussion in Southeast Seattle centering Indigenous voices, is a reminder that hope is not simply an emotion or a passive thought — it is an action, an act of resistance lived every day, shaped by what we choose to notice, nurture, and sustain. In a time when the political climate and modern life pull our attention in countless directions, we invite artists to help redirect our collective awareness toward a more hopeful, steadfast future.
Columbia City Gallery is pleased to announce Unwavering Hope, our 18th Annual Juried Exhibit. This exhibit invites artists working in all mediums to submit work that reflects resilience, persistence, and hope amidst adversity. We are honored to have Avery Barnes of Avery Barnes Gallery and James Coley of the Seattle Office of Arts & Culture serve as jurors for this year’s exhibit.
Artists are encouraged to submit works completed within the past three years that reflect the theme of Unwavering Hope. We welcome 2D and 3D artwork that depicts ideas, gestures, and perspectives that feel defiant yet grounded; work that keeps the embers of hope alive. Submissions are open until June 7, 2026, 11:59pm PT.
Awards
First Place: $500
Second Place: $300
Third Place: $200
Submission Details
For a $30 entry fee, artists may submit up to three works for consideration. Please include 1–5 images per artwork. One video per artwork is also permitted.
As part of our commitment to equitable access, discounted entry fees are available to BIPOC, LGBTQ+, disabled, and/or immigrant artists, and others from marginalized communities who would benefit from reduced-cost access. To request a discount code, please email manager@columbiacitygallery.com with the subject line “Juried Exhibit Community Access” and include a brief write-up about your background.
Important Dates
- Entry deadline is June 7, 2026, 11:00pm PT.
- Notifications emailed by June 20, 2026.
- The exhibit will run from August 26 – October 4, 2026.
- Accepted artwork must be delivered by Monday, August 24, 2026, 11am PT.
- Artists’ Reception and Awards Ceremony will be held on Thursday, August 27, 2026, from 5-7pm PT.
- All unsold artwork must be picked up between October 4 after closing – October 6, 2026.
About the Jurors
Avery Barnes is an entrepreneur, gallerist, and community advocate. Named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 Seattle Class of 2023, Barnes owned and operated TASWIRA, Seattle’s only African art gallery and event space in Pioneer Square, which has since rebranded as Avery Barnes Gallery. This transition marks a significant milestone in her journey as a gallerist in the Pacific Northwest art market, moving from rising entrepreneur to a primary stakeholder in contemporary art and cultural preservation. She also serves on the Seattle Arts Commission.
James Coley is the King Street Station Program Lead for the Seattle Office of Arts & Culture. As part of the Creative Placemaking Division, his work focuses on uplifting artists from historically underrepresented communities, particularly artists of color, and creating civic space for community. Coley is a writer, composer, and arts educator with a background in film, digital media, and music composition. He holds an M.Ed. in Arts Education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, where his work centered on using art to combat and overcome systems of oppression. His recent work includes helping shape the “We Still Dream a Future” narrative theme at the core of the Creative Placemaking Division’s calls for exhibitions and activations.
We invite artists to share the work that sustains them — and us. Through Unwavering Hope, we seek to create space for reflection, resilience, and collective imagination.
Submit your work and learn more via the application link below.