Annual Winter Closure Extended – Reopening In Person April 6, 2024

 

Artist Opportunities

Leighton Art Centre is situated on 80 acres in the Alberta foothills south of Calgary. We operate a museum and galleries in the historic home of Barbara and A.C. Leighton – two influential artists in Alberta from the early 1900s to the 1980s.

The privilege of Leighton Art Centre’s presence on 80 acres of foothills landscape within Treaty 7 territory is combined with respect, humility, and responsibility to be caretakers of the land. We acknowledge the people of these ancestral and traditional lands, which include the Niitsitapi – Blackfoot Confederacy – comprised of the Siksika, Kainai, and Piikani; the îyârhe Nakoda – Stoney Nakoda – including the Chiniki, Bearspaw, and Goodstoney First Nations; as well as the Tsuut’ina First Nation and Otipemisiwak Métis Nation of Alberta, Region 3. We also recognize that many more First Nations, Métis, and Inuit have marked these lands with their footsteps. We are grateful for all people who make their home in, or visit, the Treaty 7 territory of Southern Alberta, and who act as respectful stewards to this land, where we learn, create, and build relationships in meaningful ways.

OPEN OPPORTUNITIES

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: EXHIBITION PROPOSALS

ANNUAL DEADLINE: JULY 5TH

Leighton Art Centre (LAC) is at the confluence of art, history, and nature and we welcome proposals that consider our relationship to the environment. We invite submissions from artists, craftspeople, collectives, and curators of all backgrounds working in all genres, styles, and mediums. We endeavor to provide a platform for artists at all levels of their artistic careers, while presenting diverse programming and a stimulating exhibition schedule that challenges – and appeals to – a wide audience.

THE CRITERIA FOR APPLYING ARE AS FOLLOWS:
  • Be an artist (or artist group) based in Alberta
  • Have a body of work that is ready and available to exhibit
  • Be willing to work with our educational department to develop programming relating to your exhibition
  • We aim for diversity in our programming and encourage submissions from BIPOC artists
  • We are especially interested in proposals that consider the relationship between art and nature, or that show a tie to Leighton Art Centre
APPLICATION PROCESS:

Please fill out the appropriate form (solo or group exhibition) by July 5th.

SOLO EXHIBITION SUBMISSION FORM

GROUP EXHIBITION SUBMISSION FORM

If you have any questions don’t hesitate to ask Lindsay (contact details listed below).

SELECTION PROCESS:

All applications will be reviewed by a selection committee. The selection committee is composed of representatives from Leighton Art Centre. You will be informed about the results of the selection within four weeks of July 5th.

PLEASE NOTE
Leighton Art Centre offers CARFAC project fees and takes a commission of 40% on all sales. All exhibitions are organized by the LAC in coordination with the artist. Exhibitions generally run between four and eight consecutive weeks.

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS: JULY 5th (ANNUALLY)

For more details or assistance please contact our Manager of Exhibitions, Events & Volunteers Lindsay Corbet: lindsayc@leightoncentre.org or 403.931.3153.

EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST: OUTDOOR AND SITE-SPECIFIC PROJECTS

ONGOING INTAKE

The natural environment of the Leighton Art Centre is home to site-specific installations and has hosted numerous temporary, ephemeral, or performative art pieces. We accept expressions of interest on an ongoing basis, from artists across Canada and abroad. Expressions of interest are assessed on a case-by-case basis and generally involve two to three years of planning and fundraising. Contact Executive Director Christina Cuthbertson (christinac@leightoncentre.org) with a short email introducing yourself and your proposed project. Please describe why your work is a good fit at Leighton Art Centre.

MEMBER OPPORTUNITIES

Leighton Art Centre Members enjoy exclusive discounts and are encouraged to submit their artwork for an opportunity to show and sell in our Gallery Shop, be part of our annual Juried Members Exhibition and Festive Foothills Art Sale, and be considered for participation in our Clothesline Art Sale.

PLEASE NOTE
Leighton Art Centre takes a commission of 40% on all sales. All exhibitions and opportunities are organized by the LAC in coordination with the artists.

For more information on becoming a member, please visit our Become a Member page. For further assistance, please contact Gallery Shop & Guest Services Manager Joanne Smith: gallery@leightoncentre.org or 403.931.3633.

MEMBERS COLLECTION

ONGOING INTAKE

Members Collection is a chance to show your artwork in the Gallery Shop at Leighton Art Centre. This program is for new and established artists in all media including painting, drawing, photography, printmaking, ceramics, textiles, glass, woodwork, jewelry, books, and more. We will work with you, according to your level of experience, to select, display, promote, and manage your collection. Please note that space and availability are limited for this popular program and wait times vary.

Selected artists commit to:
1. Submitting artwork images and information in digital form
2. Delivering artwork one week prior to their feature
3. Picking up unsold pieces within two weeks of their feature end date

Gallery Staff commit to:
1.Working with you to select the artworks that have the strongest chance of selling in our context.
2. Installing and de-installing your artwork.
3. Managing the sale and delivery of sold works.

For more detailed information, please review and submit a Members Collection Expression of Interest. 

Due to the popularity of this program, please anticipate a booking wait time of up to a year, while Gallery Staff review your Expression of Interest and work with you to develop a timeline for your feature. Please note that all artwork is subject to approval by Leighton Art Centre.

Important: Please read up on our Gallery Shop Guidelines & Requirements.

Members Collection Expression of Interest

ANNUAL JURIED MEMBERS EXHIBITION

DEADLINE: JANUARY 5, 2024
EXHIBITION DATES:

ONLINE: FEBRUARY 9 – JUNE 9, 2024
IN PERSON: JUNE 8 & 9, 2024 (DURING CLOTHESLINE ART SALE)

This popular annual exhibition showcases the very best of the Leighton Art Centre’s artist members’ work, in all styles and mediums. For 2024, we are inviting current members and alumni to contribute to a ‘square foot show’ style exhibition.

Submission Guidelines – Juried Members Exhibition
  • Current LAC members and alumni are invited to submit one piece to be considered for the exhibition.
  • The exhibition will follow a “square foot” format, with each [hanging] piece to be sized up to 12 x 12 inches. That maximum size includes the frame, if the piece is framed. 
  • 3D works (such as fine craft) that do not hang on a wall must fit within a 12Hx12Wx12D inch space, but do not need to fill it.
  • Any participating artist who wishes to share a story, a reflection and/or a couple of images from Leighton Art Centre’s first 50 years will have the opportunity to submit those during art submission. Selected stories and images may be shared in a variety of ways during LAC’s 50th Anniversary year.
  • Submitted pieces can be for sale or not for sale.
Important Dates:

* IMPORTANT: NEW DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS *

January 5, 2024: Deadline to submit via the online form.
Mid-January: Artists will receive info about the status of their submission.
January 24-27: Art selected for the exhibition must be delivered to Leighton Art Centre.
February 9, 2024: Exhibition opens online at leightoncentre.org.

CLOTHESLINE ART MARKET

*NEW for 2024* – APPLICATION PROCESS OPEN TO ALL MEMBERS
SALE DATES: JUNE 8 – 9, 2024

This popular art sale is our signature summer sale and one of the longest-running programs at the Leighton Art Centre. Members are invited to participate in this outdoor event.

This year we will allow all members to apply for a juried spot in the art market.

REVIEW Art Market Guidelines

APPLY FOR CLOTHESLINE ART SALE

Deadline to apply: March 18, 2024.

CLOTHESLINE ONLINE ART SALE

*NEW for 2024* – ONLINE SALE WILL BE JURIED; APPLICATION PROCESS OPEN TO ALL MEMBERS
SALE DATES: JUNE 1 – 30, 2024

Implemented during 2020 as a response to COVID-19 closures, this online art sale has proven to be very popular and will continue annually!

This year the Clothesline Online art sale will be juried; applications will be open to all members. 

REVIEW Online Sale Guidelines

APPLY FOR CLOTHESLINE ART SALE

Deadline to apply: March 18, 2024.

PAINT THE FOOTHILLS: PLEIN AIR PAINTING COMPETITION

MID-SEPTEMBER DURING ALBERTA CULTURE DAYS

This annual competition is open to Leighton Art Centre’s members and typically runs during the second weekend in September. Registered artists are invited to paint the beautiful vistas at Leighton Art Centre and submit their work for competition. Guest judges award cash prizes for First, Second, and Third prize, and visitors vote for the People’s Choice Award! Please watch our social media feeds and e-newsletters for more information.

FESTIVE FOOTHILLS ART SALE

ANNUAL START OF REGISTRATION: OCTOBER 1ST
ANNUAL SALE: NOVEMBER – DECEMBER

This annual seasonal art sale, which takes place both in person and online, is open to Leighton Art Centre artist members on a first come, first served basis. We have limited space available and registration fills up very quickly, so please put the October 1st registration date on your calendar!

Registration for the 2023 sale has now filled. We have created a waitlist – please email communications@leightoncentre.org to request to add your name.