Painting and 2D media
Fall Exhibition 2026: Essence
October 1 to October 18, 2026
Awards
Essence is the Victoria Chapter juried fall exhibition for 2026. Artists are invited to interpret the theme of essence, the core character of a subject once surface detail is stripped away. The show hangs at the Goldfinch Gallery in Colwood from October 1 to 18, then continues as an online exhibition at Federation Gallery until November 2. The Call to Artists runs from Friday, July 3 to Monday, August 31. Entry is open to Victoria Chapter Exhibiting, AFCA and SFCA members in good standing, with two-dimensional work up to 36 by 36 inches including frame, maximum three pieces per artist. Awards are First $150, Second $100, Third $75, three Honourable Mentions of $50 each, and the $375 Margot Clayton Memorial Theme Award. This is a qualifying exhibition toward FCA signature status.
If your work sells
You can enter work that is for sale, already sold, or not for sale; give a price for every piece whatever its status. Prices and availability cannot be changed once entered.
You receive 65% of the sale price; the Federation keeps 35%.
The Federation may negotiate up to 10% off your price, and pays artists by cheque within 30 days of a sale.
General FCA submission guidelines
- Your own work. Reference photos must be your own, or an amateur photographer’s used with their express consent. Stock images and photos by professional photographers are not allowed, even with permission or a paid licence; stock may only be used for anatomical study. Work made in a workshop or class cannot be entered, and neither can work that has already shown at Federation Gallery (chapter shows are fine).
- One of a kind. Each piece must be one of a kind (prints in runs under 200) and finished to an archival standard. For mixed media, list every medium you used.
- Your images and details. Photograph the work on its own: no background, frame or visible edges, straight and the right way up. Blurry or badly cropped images are declined without a refund. Give the medium and what it is on (canvas, paper, board or panel), and a one or two sentence description; it is printed on the gallery label. Nothing can be changed after the deadline.
- Results. Each piece is Accepted (shown in the gallery and online), Recognized (shown online only) or Declined. At the chapter’s discretion, pieces may also be accepted as Non-Qualifying to fill the exhibition venue: they are hung apart from the qualifying works and labelled Non-Qualifying, and are not eligible for awards, the online gallery or an Elected Status point. There is no individual feedback, and the decision is final. Contacting a juror about your entry removes it from the exhibition.
- Once accepted. From the results email your work is under contract with the Federation: do not sell it elsewhere. Withdrawing or selling an accepted or recognized piece costs $100, removes the Elected Status point it earned, and you cannot enter another Federation exhibition until the fee is paid.
- Entry fees. Entry fees are in Canadian dollars and are not refundable.