Open Call for Summer Soiree All Art+ Exhibition: Summer Solstice, Concrete Myths

Van Der Plas Gallery is seeking submissions for an upcoming All Art+ group exhibition, Summer Solstice, Concrete Myths. The exhibition will be held from June 20th-June 29th, 2025, with an opening reception on June 20th, from 6pm–8pm. 

Summer Solstice, Concrete Myths will embrace the history of the summer solstice while paying homage to New York City, by showcasing works that explore New York local legends, contemporary folklore, and urban mythologies.

The summer solstice marks not only the longest day of the year but the true arrival of summer.  Civilizations have honored this celestial event for millenia through rituals, festivals, and gatherings aimed to bring luck, vitality, abundance, and rebirth to their communities. Traditions like bonfires, sun devotionals, and stone circles enhanced the mysticism of the solstice, while storytelling and celebration reinforced its cultural significance. 

Today, the summer solstice marks the start of the dog days here in New York City, when grey skies lift and the streets become saturated with sunlight. This exhibition not only celebrates the transition of spring to summer,  but invites artists to explore the potent collision of myth and metropolis. We’re looking for works that breathe new life into local lore: the whispered stories, half-remembered legends, block-by-block ghosts, and the ever-evolving fictions that thrive here. Whether rooted in history, invented from rumor, or spun from the poetry of everyday life, your pieces should evoke the mystique that lingers in the city’s heat-hazed streets. 

Please note that we are prioritizing New York-based artist submissions for this open call in an effort to strengthen our local art community. However, if you believe your artwork resonates with these themes, we encourage you to submit!  

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Through this exhibition, New York artists will be able to gain exposure and establish a relationship with the gallery by displaying their work in Manhattan’s Lower East Side. Additionally, we promote the artists in each exhibition through social media outlets and through our official website. Our objective is to provide a visible platform for both emerging and established artists. 

We look forward to reviewing your submission, and thank you for your support and interest!

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