Deadline: May 31, 2026

The Midnight Garden centers on ideas of cultivation, transformation, and unseen processes of growth, both in nature and within ourselves. Framed as a space of quiet unfolding, the garden becomes a metaphor for creative practice and emotional life, where cycles of blooming, decay, and renewal coexist, and where beauty and tension sit side by side. The exhibition also explores the duality between control and wildness, a garden as both designed and unpredictable, shaped yet ever-changing. Through a range of approaches including abstraction, realism, and experimental forms, artists may reflect on structure, intuition, and the act of tending to what emerges. We’re seeking a selection of work that speaks to or challenges these ideas, interpreted through each artist’s lens.

The Midnight Garden will be presented in Brooklyn on August 20, 2026 and will be on view through August 22, 2026 at a ground-level gallery space we’re renting for the pop-up, located at 61 Atlantic Ave. Programming will take place throughout the exhibition. A selection of artists will also be featured in New Visionary Magazine, and all works will be available on Artsy through our gallery, Warnes Contemporary.

This exhibition will be curated by Jessica Libor, a Philadelphia-based visual artist, curator, and founder and director of Era Contemporary. Libor's work explores feminine identity, storytelling, and personal mythology through richly imagined figurative paintings. Through Era Contemporary, Libor has curated a wide range of exhibitions, supporting artists working in imaginative and contemporary realism while fostering meaningful opportunities for visibility and connection. She holds an MFA from the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and has exhibited internationally, with her work included in museum exhibitions and private collections worldwide.

Eligibility: This opportunity is open to visual artists based in the United States. Artists of all career levels are welcome to apply.

This exhibition will be curated by Jessica Libor, a Philadelphia-based visual artist, curator, and founder and director of Era Contemporary. Libor's work explores feminine identity, storytelling, and personal mythology through richly imagined figurative paintings. Through Era Contemporary, Libor has curated a wide range of exhibitions, supporting artists working in imaginative and contemporary realism while fostering meaningful opportunities for visibility and connection. She holds an MFA from the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and has exhibited internationally, with her work included in museum exhibitions and private collections worldwide.

Additional info:

You may submit 1-2 images of your work for $25, 3-4 images for $30, or 5-6 images for $35.

You do not need to include the dates of artwork that you submit.

Work does not have to be for sale to be included in this exhibition. We include work that is for sale, along with work that is not available.

Requirements:

• Please be sure to include high-quality images of your work, 72 DPI, minimum 800 pixels wide

• All images must be cropped to show only the artwork (with the exception of 3D work)

• Bio, 300 words max

• Artist Statement, 300 words max

• Files no larger than 10 MB

This virtual exhibition will be presented in Spring 2026. 

All exhibitions are presented to our website visionaryartcollective.com and promoted on our social media platform: @visionaryartcollective

Visionary Art Collective’s mission is to support contemporary artists through thoughtful curation, professional opportunities, and educational programs. Submission fees directly support the work behind each exhibition and publication, including curator honorariums, fair compensation for our team, and the production of exhibitions and catalogs. These fees help ensure that each opportunity is approached with care, integrity, and a commitment to supporting artists at a high professional standard. Please note that submission feeds are non-refundable.