December Open Call: Solstice

Our December Open Call, “Solstice," has been created by our 34 Gallery Staff to explore the mental health impact of the holiday season.  This month, we are particularly interested in works by artists utilizing this art therapy open call to address: Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), Shift work sleep disorder (SWSD), Circadian Rhythm Disorders, Insomnia, Parasomnia, PTSD & Holiday Isolation.

Themes: As artists, we already know that this time of year can be emotionally volatile and lonely for many.

• Each year, the rate of mental health crisis and suicidal ideation skyrockets during the holiday season.
• Environmental Seasonal Changes and observed Daylight Savings Time increase these outcomes.

Artists are invited to explore connection during the holidays. Memories and dreams. Being different amid cheer. The shift in sunrise and sunset that reaches into the subconscious. Create works that authenticate the human experience of 2025 with the hope we need to enter 2026. Show us what Solstice means to you!

Please Note: As a Mental Health Art Gallery, we are asking Creatives to mobilize to help save lives at this time. The 2025 holiday season is expected to have the highest global percentage of mental health crisis and suicidal ideation since The Pandemic. Someone seeing your work 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 November 28th. 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 the holidays, such as social gatherings and memories, along with coping strategies to begin the new year.

Selected artists will be notified by December 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.