Gdac Signature Exhibitions

Artists under 30 years of age

The state of Texas is filled with innovative young artists, from students at the local high schools and universities, to the self-taught baddies at home.

This exhibition showcases 30 artists that are 30 years old or younger who explore the inventions and innovations of contemporary art.

New Media encouraged and welcome!

2D, 3D, Installation, New Media

Currently for artists under the age of 30 and artists over the age of 60 - Call open now!

Generations in Conversation features artwork created by artists 30 years of age and younger alongside artwork created by artists 60 years of age and older.

The exhibition centers around influences and conversations, emphasizing the visual and conceptual nuances that are both shared and differing between generations. It is not meant to be a competition, but rather a point of conversation that draws together two age groups often seen in opposition to one another.

The exhibition will explore changes in technique, media usage, social, environmental, and technological influences, as well as how artists representative of two different periods are inspired in their work.

This year we have chosen to identify 5 overall themes for artists to submit under. The themes are:

- Shape-Shifting Media
- Macro & Microcosms
- Queer Identity & Social Justice
- The Psyche & Subconscious
- Social Roles & Expectations

Generations in Conversation opens July 19th and runs until September 20th, 2025.  Submissions close on June 22 by 11:59 PM.

Apply here!

International Contemporary Craft Competition & Exhibition

This exhibition celebrates the fine-art qualities of craft materials such as ceramic, fiber, wood, glass, metal and mixed-media in addition to conceptual art and digital art in a contemporary competition exhibition.

Each year, approximately 50 works are selected for exhibition, and then ‘best-in-show’ and ‘best-media’ categories are judged to win cash prizes by esteemed jurors at the Patterson-Appleton Arts Center.

Recognized as one of the premier craft exhibitions in the country, Materials: Hard + Soft began in 1987 and was originally initiated by area artist Georgia Leach Gough.

2D, 3D, New Media, Conceptual, Digital

A Valentines month special!

This special exhibition is a call for artworks that explore and celebrate Alternative Love. It is for those who challenge traditional notions surrounding the expressions of Love and also for those who reject and critique the traditions of Valentines Day.

It is an exhibition for the heartbroken, edgy, alternative, and those who love ferociously. There are more types of love to celebrate than just with chocolate and roses. Show us what Punk Love means to you!

2D, 3D, New Media, Digital

An Installation Art Exhibition - Call Open Now!

GDAC presents a brand-new group show inspired by modern and contemporary feminist theory concerning solidarity, community and connection.

Call for installation artworks designed by one or more artists collaborating on themes of feminist art activism such as power, privilege, race, gender, class and other aesthetics of representation.

With a focus on process and discussion, we are looking for documentation of the creation and installation of the artwork. For example, a physical or digital sketchbook or journal may be provided and shown in the gallery alongside the finished work.

An artist talk will be scheduled during the run of the exhibition to include discussion on these topics.

To begin the discussion, we wanted to share a list of contemporary feminist theorists reading excerpts and journal articles provided but not limited to:

“How to Survive the Next Four Years” & “Mission Statement” from The Crunk Feminist Collective 

“A New Declaration of Independence” and “The Tragedy of Women’s Emancipation” by Emma Goldman

The urgency of intersectionality, TED Talk by Kimberlé Crenshaw

Land of indigenous feminist resurgences with Dr Leanne Betasamosake Simpson (audio interview)

“Not Murdered, Not Missing: Rebelling against Colonial Gender Violence” by Leanne Betasamosake Simpson

“Feminism Beyond the Waves” by Aalya Ahmad

Reading list provided by TWU WGS Professor – Dr. Agatha Beins

Apply here! The deadline to submit applications is June 15 at 11:59pm.

Other key dates:
- Notification of acceptance or denial: June 20 by 5pm
- Installation of works in Gough Gallery: June 30 - July 3
Deinstallation: September 1 - 5

Exhibition Poster Photo Credits: Featured installation artists Karla Ramirez Santin’s work “Baggage, 2024” and Deyjah Stewart’s work “A Daisy Beyond the Wire, 2023”.
@art_by_kfrs & @deyjah98