AAC 2026 Fall Show

The AAC is seeking submissions for its 2026 Fall Show, a juried AAC MEMBER exhibition.

AAC MEMBERS ONLY: You must be a current member of the AAC to be eligible to participate. Entry fee will not be refunded for non-members.

JUROR: Susan Tibbles

Susan Tibbles works in mixed media assemblage using found and fabricated objects in an idiosyncratic and imaginative way. She moves fluidly between sculptural and constructional formats and her images often involve composition structures more closely linked with works on canvas or paper. In Tibbles' fine art and in her illustration, psychological and sociological complexities inform metaphors distilled from discarded objects animated by rearrangement in novel configurations. Much of the strength of her work lies in the decontextualization, reconditioning, and enshrining of bits and pieces of American culture, combined to forge icons from the patchwork of common historical experience. Her work reunites us with our past, throws our present into stark relief, and forecasts our future. She currently serves as the Gallery Curator and Director of Exhibitions at the Santa Barbara Tennis Club.

WHEN: August 31 - September 25, 2026

INGATHERING: Sunday, August 30,10am-12pm

OPENING RECEPTION: Thursday, September 3, 5-8pm (1st Thursday)

3rd FRIDAY RECEPTION: Friday, September 18, 5-8pm

TAKEDOWN: Saturday, September 26, 10am-12pm

ONLINE SUBMISSION: Through CaFE, July 19 - August 8, 2026.
Up to 4 entries: $30 for 1, $10 more for each one after, payable to CaFE. Please note that the APPLY button will not show before July 19.
 
ENTRY DEADLINE: August 8, 2026, Midnight

ACCEPTANCE NOTIFICATION: Tuesday, August 18. Please note that there may be more than one notification email. Please check all emails from CaFE.

WHERE: Voice Gallery, La Cumbre Plaza, 121 S. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara.

Voice gallery is a professional gallery space, spacious, well lit, and with plenty of room to showcase beautiful 3D work.

WHAT: Abstract Art both 2D and 3D.

COMMISSION: Artists keep 90% of sales, 10% of sales going to AAC

This show does not call for a specific theme, however, the work is expected to be of abstract nature.

The Abstract Art Collective (AAC) supports a broad definition of abstract art which ranges from non-objective to conceptual, where the degree of abstraction can vary. Abstract art uses a visual language of shape, form, color, and line to create a composition which may exist with a degree of independence from visual references in the world. This departure from accurate representation can be slight, partial, or complete.
Our guidelines for accepting work into exhibitions allow for submissions that range from non­-objective, fully abstract work to that in which some images, objects or text are recognizable. Since the line between representational and abstract can be fuzzy, work not seen abstract enough might not be accepted. It is up to the juror to make such a decision autonomously while selecting work for an exhibit.