Draw the Line

Overview

Draw the Line is a juried exhibition showcasing drawings of all kinds. The Museum of Northern California Art invites artists to submit work where mark-making, line, and gesture are the primary language, using traditional and non-traditional tools on conventional and unconventional surfaces, digital line work, or three-dimensional materials that blur the boundary between drawing and sculpture. All media are welcome. Giclée prints of original art and AI-generated work will not be accepted.

Eligibility

Original works created by artists residing in Northern California (Alameda, Alpine, Amador, Butte, Calaveras, Colusa, Contra Costa, Del Norte, El Dorado, Glenn, Humboldt, Lake, Lassen, Marin, Mariposa, Mendocino, Merced, Modoc, Mono, Napa, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Sacramento, San Francisco, San Joaquin, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Solano, Sonoma, Stanislaus, Sutter, Tehama, Trinity, Tuolumne, Yolo, Yuba).

Key Dates

• Submission deadline: October 4, 2026
• Jury results notification: On or before October 18, 2026 by email
• Artwork delivery: November 5–8 & November 12–15, 11am–5pm
• Exhibition opening: Thursday, November 19, 2026
• Reception: Friday, November 20, 2026
• Exhibition closing: Sunday, January 10, 2027
• Artwork pickup: January 10 at 5pm, or January 14–17 and January 21–24 during museum hours

Submission Limits & Fees

• Maximum 8 entries per artist
• $15 for one entry
• $10 for each additional entry
• All fees non-refundable

Application Requirements

Submit 1–8 images of your work. All work must be original, dry, and clean.

Presentation Requirements

• Wall-hung work must be fitted with framing wire (cable and hook system); sawtooth hangers will be disqualified
• 3D work must fit on a provided pedestal or artist may provide other means of display
• Artist's name, phone, and title of work MUST be on the back of each artwork
• All artwork must remain in the exhibition until January 10, 2027, 5pm

Shipping & Liability

Postage, packaging, and shipping insurance are the artist's responsibility and required upfront. If work is shipped to the museum, the artist must provide a pre-paid mailing label for return shipment. The museum will return only work that was shipped to it. The museum is not responsible for loss or damage in shipment or during the exhibition.

Storage & Unclaimed Work

Artwork must be picked up by January 24, 2027. Works left beyond January 24 will be assessed a storage fee of $5 per piece per day (Thurs–Sun). Works remaining beyond February 25, 2027 will become property of the museum.

Contact

For questions, email [email protected] or call 530-487-7272.