Dog Days of Summer
Call to Artists

 

Exhibition Dates:
Aug 4 – 29, 2026

​

 

WHAM Art Center
16560 N Dysart Rd,

Surprise, AZ

85378

​

Hours:

Tuesday - Saturday

10am - 4pm

Call Description:

WHAM Art Center invites artists to explore the “Dog Days of Summer,” the hottest and most still stretch of the season, typically from early July through mid-to-late August.
The term comes from ancient astronomy, when the rise of Sirius—the “Dog Star”—coincided with the peak of summer heat. Today, it simply refers to those long, hazy days when time slows down and everything feels a little heavier, quieter, and more intense.

This exhibition invites artists to respond to the feeling of summer at its peak—heat, stillness,
nostalgia, exhaustion, memory, and atmosphere. Artists are encouraged to interpret the season through color, landscape, abstraction, or personal storytelling—capturing not just what summer looks like, but what it feels like.

All mediums are welcome, including painting, sculpture, photography, ceramics, printmaking, mixed media, and experimental forms. Works may be literal, abstract, symbolic, or conceptual in response to the Dog Days of Summer.

Entry Guidelines:
● The exhibition is open to artists of all levels, ages 18+, residing in the United States. All media are eligible, including painting, drawing, photography, printmaking, ceramics, sculpture, mixed media, collage, and recycled or upcycled art, and both 2D and 3D works are welcome.

● Artwork should be inspired by the “Dog Days of Summer,” responding to the feeling of late summer at its peak—heat, stillness, haze, nostalgia, memory, exhaustion, atmosphere, or personal experience of the season. Interpretations may be literal, abstract, symbolic, or conceptual, as long as they engage with the spirit of this time of year.

● All artwork must be original, created by the submitting artist, and completed within the past three years. AI-generated artwork is not eligible, and artwork previously shown at WHAM Gallery will not be accepted.

​

Size & Weight:
● Wall-hung work may not exceed 4 feet in any direction and must weigh no more than 30 lbs.

 

● Free-standing work must be stable, fit through a standard 36” doorway, and weigh no more than 50 lbs. Larger free-standing works may be accepted if safely accommodated.

 

Presentation:
● Wall-hung pieces must be delivered ready to hang, equipped with a secure hanging wire;
sawtooth hangers are not accepted.

● All work must be gallery-ready and demonstrate good craftsmanship.

● Accepted works may not be substituted and must closely match submitted images; poorly presented work may be disqualified.

​

Submission Requirements:
● All entries must be submitted through EntryThingy. You can access it by clicking the link below
        ○ https://app.entrythingy.com/calls/public/14139/

        ○ If you are new to EntryThingy, you can create a free account.

 

Submission Guidelines:

● All images must be JPEG or PNG format, between 1 MB to 5 MB with a resolution of 72 dpi.

● Each entry requires at least one image and the following information:

        ○ Title

        ○ Materials 

        ○ Dimensions (H × W × D in inches)

        ○ Year Completed

        ○ Price (all entries must be for sale)

        ○ Files should be labeled as:  FirstNameLastName__EntryNumber.jpg (e.g.,JohnSmith__2.jpg).

 

These digital images are viewed by Jurors and Curators during the selection process.

​

Entry fee:

• $40 for five (5) entries.

  • A series or set of related pieces may be submitted as a single entry, counted as one of the five.

• Payment of the entry fee signifies the artist’s acceptance of all terms and conditions and is non-refundable.

• Submission of an application and fee does not guarantee acceptance.

• Online payment is by credit card or PayPal only by paying here: