July Open Call: Animalia

Industry:

Organisation:

Eligibility:

Not for profit:

Our July Open Call, “Animalia," has been created by our 34 Gallery Art Advisor Lawrence W. Lee to generate discussion on emotions that often defy words. Previous Winners can be found on the Open Calls page of our website. Our initiative aims to channel the power of art to explore monthly mental health themes through art therapy.  This month, we are particularly interested in works by artists who reduce mental health distress through self-care with the assistance of pets, guide/therapy animals and the natural world.

Why Animals Matter in Art

  • "Animalia" is scientific name for the kingdom that contains all animals, including humans.
  • Artists use animals in their art to show feelings they don’t want to say out loud. It’s like telling a secret to a pet who won’t judge you.
  • Animals and the nature depicted in art assist in the expression of fears, dreams, hopes, and the intangible.
  • This method can be utilized to explore often intangible concepts like instinct, aloneness, freedom, or the sublime.
  • For reference, a few examples of artists uses animals and nature as a form of expression: Frida KahloPablo PicassoDavid HockneyLouise BourgeoisDamien Hirst, & Banksy.

Themes: We ask artists to explore the connection between humanity and the natural world. We invite you to express your own connection with animals and nature.  It might be an old cat who shared your childhood bed or a wild bird of prey that represents the strength and freedom you are longing for. Show us what "Animalia" means to you!

Remember: Artists create Golden Ages. Join us in starting one! Let's remind humanity to embrace the light of who we are. Your artistic advocacy with us can and will make a difference. As a Mental Health Art Gallery, we are asking Creatives to mobilize to help save lives at this time. Someone seeing your work can be inspired to keep going with hope and resilience despite their mental health struggles. 

Requirements: 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 describing how animals and nature play a role in your mental health routine or have helped you navigate difficult emotional circumstances. 

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. 
  • Technique for this call is open but not limited to: Open Medium. Poetry, Audiovisual & A.I. Artwork Accepted.  
  • File Type: .MP4, .JPG, .PNG --File Size: Up to 100 MB for art & audiovisual submissions; Word, Google Docs, .PDF for poetry.
Prizes Details: 

The 34 Gallery is an international Virtual Arts Initiative based on UN Agenda 2030 SDG 3.4 and created by SimukaAfrica.org to promote global mental health. Selected Artists will work with our Curator M. for inclusion in our website gallery, Interludes interviews, social media campaigns and additional opportunities with UNV.org. As a Mental Health Arts Gallery, we represent our artists with care and precision while providing a therapeutic outlet for the 85% of the global population without access to mental health care services.  The 34 Gallery accepts no fees or payments of any kind for art sales. All inquiries are forwarded directly to our artists.

Event date: 
July 10, 2025
Location: 
34Gallery.org
Deadline: 
27/June/2025

Entry Fee:

Contact & Links: 
Call for Artists

Les Nouveaux Riches

Vienna

OPEN CALL "DATING ALIENS"

15/July/2025

Call for Submissions

Art Forward

London

I'm Migrant Film Festival

27/July/2025

Residency

Akademie Schloss Solitude

Residency program in Namibia for artists from Baden-Württemberg

04/July/2025

Call for Artists

Ten Moir Gallery

Kansas City

Ebb and Flow 2025 Art Competition & Exhibition

30/June/2025

Call for Artists

HMVC Gallery

New York City

Summer Lovin'

27/June/2025

Call for Entries

BBA Gallery

#Berlin

BBA 360: CALL FOR ENTRIE - ONLINE EXHIBITION

23/June/2025

Call for Artists

Primo Piano Special Projects

Torre Dell'Orso (Lecce)

WATER PATH: Art residency and Exhibition in Itay

19/July/2025

Call for Entries

L'Alternativa, Barcelona Independent Film Festival

BARCELONA

L'Alternativa, Independent Film Festival of Barcelona

08/July/2025

Call for Artists

Ten Moir Gallery

Kansas City

Blu Sky Artist Award: July 2025 Edition

31/July/2025

Call for Artists

FIRST STREET GALLERY

New York

Call for New Artist Members

30/June/2025

Call for Submissions

Beth Elliott

Newburgh, NY

Small Plates Choreography Festival - Newburgh, NY

01/August/2025

Call for Entries

The Guild of Boston Artists

Boston

2025 New England Regional Juried Exhibition

19/July/2025

Call for Artists

Aedra Fine Arts Publishing

Atlanta

Series 21 : Curatorial Review Catalogue Publication Edition

31/July/2025

Call for Artists

Charlie Wayne

Echoes of Lynch - A tribute exhibition to David Lynch

30/June/2025

Call for Artists

ARTJOBS.com

London

Artist Of The Month ( June )

30/June/2025

Call for Entries

Art Center Sarasota

Sarasota

Self Portrait

20/July/2025

Call for Entries

International Awards Associate

New York

2025 MUSE Creative Awards: Season 2

14/August/2025

Call for Entries

International Awards Associate

Online, New York, International

2025 European Photography Awards

15/August/2025

Contest

Gallery NAT UK

London

The Lost Vision – 2025 London Contemporary Art Review Exhibition

05/July/2025