July Open Call: Recovery

Our July Open Call, “Recovery,” has been created by our 34 Gallery Art Advisor Lucid Jordan to explore social situations impacted by mental health crisis & self-forgiveness. This month, we are particularly interested in works by artists utilizing this art therapy open call to address:  Substance Abuse Recovery, PTSD/CPTSD, Postpartum Depression, Domestic Violence, Adjustment Disorders, RAD.

Themes: As artists, we already know burnout exists. It lurks in the aftermath of every deadline, presentation or event necessary for our work. But how do we recognize that life circumstances have truly run us into the ground? This month, we ask you to channel your energy into providing support for others climbing out of a “rock bottom” situation.

Each of the conditions covered in this Open Call takes a toll on human life:

• Globally, individuals with access to prescription or recreational drugs and firearms is at a high risk of dying by suicide.

• Up to 54% of suicides in people with PTSD are directly attributable to the disorder.

• 62% of pregnancy-related suicides occur during the first year postpartum, followed by 24% during pregnancy and 14% within 42 days postpartum.

• Official statistics capture very little of the true number of cases suicides linked to domestic violence and abuse, often citing less than 10%. Of the known research, 1 in 3 survivors have experienced suicidal ideation at least once.

• Those diagnosed with adjustment disorders have 12 times the rate of suicide as those without this diagnosis.

• Children with RAD have high rates of suicide attempts (28.6%) likely due to lack of proper treatment and diagnosis.

For 2026, Artists are invited to explore what “Recovery” means. Delve into past trauma and mental delusions to measure growth today. Explore how you survived domestic violence or abuse. Seek out rays of light that you guided you out of darkness. Authenticate the experience of severe depression as a parent. Remind us why recovery is a different process for everyone. Show us what “Recovery” means to you.

Please Note: As a Mental Health Art Gallery, we are asking Creatives to mobilize to help save lives. Someone seeing your work this year can be inspired to keep going with hope and resilience despite their mental health struggles. Your artistic advocacy with us can and will make a difference!

Requirements: Open Medium. Fine Art, Poetry, Audiovisual, Short Film & A.I. Artwork Accepted. Submit up to 3 artworks or poems by June 27th. Include the following questions in your cover letter: 

• Your artist name, artwork titles, and website/social media links.  

• 1 - 2 paragraphs describing the creative process regarding your work & how it fits with the Open Call Theme. 

• 1 - 2 paragraphs on your experience of recovery from a mental health crisis, a trauma situation, or substance abuse. Describe the “aha” moment that made you realize you needed to change. 

Selected artists will be notified by July 10th.

Restrictions: 

• Be advised that this open call also includes a global youth & adult audience. 

• Works that are sexually graphic and/or advocate violence (self or others), discrimination, or hatred (societal/gender/religious/cultural) of any kind will be disqualified.

• File Type: .MP4, .JPG, .PNG --File Size: Up to 100 MB for art & audiovisual submissions; Word, Google Docs, .PDF for poetry.