ARTISTS CALL FOR ENTRIES
Rhythm and Rhyme
Works Inspired by Music and Lyrics
An open show, juried by the Rocky Neck Cultural Center Exhibitions Committee
Exhibition Dates: Friday, May 22 through Sunday, June 28, 2026
Art Drop Off: Sunday, May 17, 2026 at 5:00 pm at the Rocky Neck Cultural Center, 6 Wonson Street, Gloucester, MA 01930
Opening Reception: Sunday, May 24, 4-6 pm
Submissions: https://client.smarterentry.com/rnac
Technical support: entry@rockyneckartcolony.org
All other questions: exhibitions@rockyneckartcolony.org
Submissions Open: Tuesday, January 20, 2026 at 12:00 noon (EST)
Submissions Deadline: Monday, April 20, 2026 at 12:00 noon (EST)
Entry Fee: Up to 5 submissions, $25 for RNAC members, $35 for non-members
The Call
The Rocky Neck Art Colony (RNAC) invites artists to submit work for inclusion in the Rhythm and Rhyme exhibition to be held at The Cultural Center at Rocky Neck, in Gloucester, Massachusetts.
Show Description
Kandinsky said, “Lend your ears to music, open your eyes to painting…and stop thinking!” The structural pattern of music, including melody, harmony, tempo, tone and texture, has long been a muse for the visual arts. Similarly, a song’s lyric quality may evoke powerful imagery and stir the imagination. From classical to hip-hop, cool jazz to honky-tonk, rhythm and rhyme can serve as catalysts to inspire rich visual art.
With this exhibition, the Rocky Neck Art Colony invites artists to submit up to five works inspired by music or musical lyrics in any media. Regardless of materials or the creative method, submitted work should reflect the artist’s inspiration by sound and/or song, and the accompanying artist statement should support this connection.
Eligibility
- The work cannot have been shown in the last two years at a Cape Ann venue.
- Work must be an original creation of the artist.
- Work must be ready to display; gold frames are discouraged.
- All work is for sale.
- All participating artists (or their designated proxy) are required to gallery sit. It is an opportunity to meet visitors, encourage sales, and give back to the organization. Shifts are in 2.5-hour increments, and no experience is necessary. Rocky Neck offers support and basic training. Link to sign up will be sent to participating artists when it is available.
- Entries must be submitted via smarterentry.com/rnac. Use your previous password & ID or click “Start Here” to create a new ID.
- To submit video or other time-based work, contact exhibitions@rockyneckartcolony.org for instructions.
- For technical support, contact entry@rockyneckartcolony.org. Please reach out for tech support as soon as you have difficulty. Don’t wait!
Images used for online submissions
- Photographs submitted should be good quality JPG or PNG images
- Images should be 300 dpi resolution, sized approximately 1- 3MB
- Each image must be labeled with the following information: Last name, first initial, title.jpg. (Example: Smith, J._Sunset.jpg).
Artwork:
If you are submitting 2D work that is greater than 60” wide or installation work requiring a large amount of space, please check with the exhibitions committee to ensure that your work can be accommodated.
The Rocky Neck Art Colony, Inc and its galleries (RNACG) does not carry property insurance for artwork and it does not assume responsibility for any loss damage or theft of artwork exhibited in its galleries. We suggest that exhibitioners carry their own insurance coverage.
Commissions:
- All work must be for sale. RNAC members receive 75% commission on all works sold; non-members receive 60%. To qualify for the member commission, you must be an active member when you ENTER THE SHOW. To join or renew, click HERE. To check your membership status, email director@rockyneckartcolony.org.
- All work will remain in the gallery and buyers will be instructed to pick up purchased work at the conclusion of the exhibition. If a buyer is unable to pick up the work, the artist must collect the work and make delivery arrangements directly with the buyer. RNAC assumes no financial responsibility for costs of delivery as coordinated by the artist.
Promotion:
- RNAC will promote the exhibition through its weekly e-Newsletter, social media campaigns, and outreach to a significant list of media outlets through targeted press releases.
- Artists are encouraged to promote the exhibition through their own social media channels.
About the Rocky Neck Art Colony
The Rocky Neck Art Colony is one of the oldest working art colonies in the country and has been luring artists to its picturesque shores for more than 150 years. As a 501-c3 nonprofit organization, RNAC is dedicated to nurturing excellence in the arts and celebrating the artistic history and culture of Rocky Neck in Gloucester, MA. Find out more at rockyneckartcolony.org.
Image: Gordon Goetemann, “Movement Two”, oil on canvas, 2009, based on the Second Symphony of Gustav Mahler. Image courtesy of the Goetemann Gallery.
