2026 SCA Elected Members Juried Exhibition:
"Celebrate"
CALL FOR ENTRY
SCA 2026 Elected Members Exhibition
Theme: CELEBRATE
$18,000 total Prizes and awards
Call Dates: Saturday August 1st – Sunday, October 4, 2026, 11:59PM EST
Exhibition Dates: October 31 to November 11, 2026Gallery: Dignam Gallery, 23 Prince Arthur Avenue, Toronto, ON
CELEBRATE
Since our modest beginnings almost 70 years ago, the Society of Canadian Artists has had much to celebrate. Among these reasons are our membership increase to almost 600 Associate and Elected members, our growing presence in the international art community and now our Platinum Jubilee in 2027.
SCA Elected Members, we look to you to launch our milestone celebrations with your submissions to the SCA 2026 Elected Members’ Exhibition. Through either the Representational or Contemporary category, show what Celebrate means to you.
Perhaps it’s your own milestone captured in abstract form. Maybe a triumph that you wish to carve into stone. Or, like Mary Pratt (Hon. SCA) who bathe the mundane of her domestic space in painterly light, you too may bring objects to life that tell your story. Some of the grandest reasons to celebrate may be the resilience we or someone we know has shown in their life, battle scars and all.
From the steadfastness of your home at the Society of Canadian Artists, we cheer you on to build your submission with tenacity and boldness to explore, challenge and transform how and what we Celebrate.
Call Information
Call Dates: Saturday August 1st to Sunday, October 4, 2026, 11:59PM EST
Exhibition Dates: October 31 to November 11, 2026
Exhibition Location: Dignam Gallery, 23 Prince Arthur Avenue, Toronto, ON
Vernissage: In person at Dignam Gallery, Saturday, October 31, 1- 4PM
Participants: SCA Elected Members only
Maximum number of artworks per entry: Artists may submit up to three (3) artworks for jurying. Up to two (2) artworks per artist will be accepted if juried into the show.
Elected Member Entry Fee: $50 (non-refundable) for up to 3 artworks.
Results Notification by Email: October 12, 2026
Shipping of Artwork Deadline: Must be received by the Gallery by, October 23 by 4PM EST
Hand Delivery Dates: Tuesday October 13 – Tuesday October 23 during regular gallery operating hours.
Shipping/Delivery address: Dignam Gallery, 23 Prince Arthur Ave, Toronto, Ontario M5R 1B2
Exhibition Closes: November 11, 2026
Hand Pickup Dates: After November 12, by appointment
Returning Shipping Dates: Starts November 25th
About Dignam Gallery
The Women’s Art Association of Canada is a diverse and inclusive non-profit arts hub offering exhibition, education and volunteer opportunities for men and women with a passion for the arts. The Dignam Gallery is a historic gallery space located on the main floor of the hidden gem heritage building at 23 Prince Arthur Avenue in Toronto.
The Dignam Gallery is situated in Toronto’s historic Yorkville/Annex neighbourhoods in downtown Toronto.
Awards To Be Won
18 Prizes totalling $18,000 including $5,000 to the Mary Pratt Award Winner
Contemporary
1st Award of Excellence ($2,500)
2nd Award of Excellence ($1,000)
Creative Innovation Award ($750)
Artistic Expression Award ($750)
Technical Excellence Award ($750)
Representational
1st Award of Excellence ($2,500)
2nd Award of Excellence ($1,000)
Creative Innovation Award ($750)
Artistic Expression Award ($750)
Technical Excellence Award ($750)
In addition, there will be 8 Honourable Mention Awards ($500)
Mary Pratt Award
The SCA will bestow an additional $2,500 to the 1st Award of Excellence Award winner with the highest overall score, for a total top prize of $5,000
Two Categories to Enter
Submit your work under either the Contemporary or Representational categories.
These categories reflect our growth and commitment to celebrating a wide array of styles, genres, and mediums of artistic expression.
Contemporary invites artists to explore fresh perspectives, new ideas, and unique ways of expressing themselves. It’s a space where diverse approaches are encouraged, from abstract to conceptual works.
Representational welcomes works that explore the world around us, whether through detailed portrayals or personal interpretations of familiar scenes. This category embraces a broad range of approaches, allowing artists to connect with the viewer in meaningful ways.
With two separate five-person juries for each category, made up of professionals who understand the essence of both approaches, artists will have the opportunity to be celebrated for their individuality. Each category also has its own prize pool, offering even more chances for recognition.
For this exhibition, artists may select the category, Contemporary or Representational, for each of their three artworks. For example, an artist may select all three pieces to be in the same category, or they may submit one or more pieces in one category and the other piece(s) in the other category.
Our Jurors
Contemporary Jurors
TBA
Representational Jurors
TBA
Eligibility, Terms & Conditions of Entry
By submitting your entry, you are agreeing to the following:
1. The Exhibition is open to all SCA Elected Members in good standing.
2. All submissions must be original artwork and must not be copies or derivatives of someone else’s: paintings, photographs (copyrighted or not), or other artistic work. The artwork must be solely created by the artist without guidance from an instructor(s).
NOTE: If you use reference photos, then you must have taken the photo. Realistic likenesses of people must have a consent form or model release form.
3. The media must be clearly identified and may include techniques such as: painting, drawing, pastel, printmaking, sculpture, fibre art, photography, mixed media, and digital art. Artwork generated using an artificial intelligence (AI) platform is NOT permitted.
4. Art must have been completed within 36 months (October 2023) of the entry deadline and must not have been previously exhibited in an SCA exhibition. Submissions with variations from previously accepted work may be deemed to be a resubmittal, and therefore ineligible.
5. The maximum size restriction is 24″ on the longest dimension, NOT including frame.
6. Artists may submit up to 3 views of an individual artwork. You may show multiple views of works in 3D format, relief works, rich texture and wrapped canvases, and/or details of works 2D or 3D. You may also provide a written description / artist statement for each piece.
7. Any infractions of the aforementioned entry conditions may result in serious consequences; including, but not limited to: the removal of the artwork from the exhibition, the forfeiting of award prizes, a prohibition from entry to future SCA exhibitions, and the artist expulsion from the SCA.
8. Using the ArtCall platform, artists may edit their entries until the call closes. No changes can be made after the deadline.
9. The artist by submission grants the SCA the right to utilize images of the accepted work for the Exhibition’s publicity and website purposes.
10. As part of our due diligence process to ensure fairness and transparency, we may request the following documentation to verify compliance with our entry terms:
a) Photos of Your Artwork in Progress: Images showing the development stages of your artwork.
b) Source Material: This may include original sketches, reference photographs, or other materials demonstrating that the work is your own creation and not derivative of other copyrighted works.
c) Additional Information (if applicable): Any supplementary details or materials that support the originality of your artwork.
11. For this exhibition, artists may select the category, Contemporary OR Representational, for each of their three artworks. For example, an artist may select all three pieces to be in the same category, or they may submit one or more pieces in one category and the other piece(s) in the other category.
* Note: Artwork does not have to be for sale. Please write: NFS for the price.
Image Specifications
For this exhibition, you may enter up to 3 pieces, and up to three views for each piece. Please ensure the images meet the following specifications.
- May be in jpg or png format
- Images must not be smaller than 1000 px on its shortest side *
- Image files cannot exceed 10 MB *
Image files are to be named using the following convention:
FirstName LastName, Title, Medium, Size**.jpg (ie: Jane Doe, My Painting Title, Acrylic, 18×24.jpg)
*Images that do not meet these specifications will fail to upload. Please make sure your files are sized properly before you begin the submission process.
**Size to be specified in INCHES in HxWxD with D-Depth only required for 3-D work.
how to enter
If you have any questions, please contact the Exhibition coordinator, at exhibitions@societyofcanadianartists.com
Jurying Rubric
download here:
Jury Rubric SCA Exhibitions (March 2025)
Cadre de Sélection des Œuvres pour les Expositions de la SCA (mars 2025)
