Our exhibitions aim to showcase the work of our occupants along with local, regional, and national artists, organizations, and institutions. We welcome visual art in all media, including drawing, painting, printmaking, ceramics, fibers, photography, sculpture, installation, performance, video, and new media.

Sawyer Yards has 7 dedicated gallery spaces across the campus, that are programmed out on a rotating basis. Each gallery hosts up to 7 exhibitions a year, each lasting between 6 and 8 weeks depending on the building schedule. 

Project Description:
 

• Sawyer Yards is accepting exhibition proposals on an ongoing basis. We invite artists and curators to propose exhibition ideas for our gallery spaces.
• The gallery spaces on average are approximately 2000 SQFT.
• Proposals are invited from individual artists, curators, teams, or groups. 
• The Sawyer Yards Exhibition Program's goal in selecting proposals includes presenting a cross-section of media, content, and diversity over the year while showcasing quality art. 
• Sawyer Yards Exhibitions reserve the right to refuse the exhibition of work that does not accurately reflect the original proposal. 
• Sawyer Yards is not responsible for damage or loss or artwork while on view. Artists are encouraged to insure their work while on view at Sawyer Yards.
• Publicity will be provided through the Sawyer Yards Exhibition Program and Marketing Director. 
• Open flames and animals are not allowed. Soundtracks and audio must have headphones or be able to be set on timers to be silenced during theater performances. 

 Evaluation Criteria:

• Artistic quality: Artists of the highest artistic caliber, as demonstrated by examples of past work.
• Responsiveness: Letter of intent, proposal images, and final work successfully portray the overall goals of the project, while also engaging and inspiring the community.
• Project management ability: Applicant(s) demonstrate that the Artist has the necessary capability to accomplish the project, and to create and deliver the work on schedule

 Application Requirements:

1. Resume/CV, no more than three pages.
2. Letter of Intent, to include contact information, and a description of how the Artist intends to meet the criteria listed above (1,500 words maximum). This statement should describe the work the artist plans to show and provide some context for it. 
3. Work Examples: Up to ten (10) samples of previous work or new works intended for the exhibition. Only JPEGs up to 5 MB in size will be accepted. For proposed site-specific works or installations, schematic drawings may be submitted. 
4. Image List for all Work Example: to include Artist name(s), title, date completed (as applicable), dimensions, and material/medium.

Timeline:

Once your proposal has been reviewed you will receive notification from Sawyer Yards. Upon selection, the gallery and timeline will be determined for the upcoming year. Applicants whose work does not fit the criteria will be notified in a timely manner. 

Please contact Alexander Squier with any questions: exhibitions@sawyeryards.com

SABINE STREET STUDIO TENANTS ONLY.

On View:  December 13 - January 24, 2026

Opening Reception:  TBD
 

Zuzu's Petals. A self curated show of Sabine Street Studio Artist.
 

Zuzu's Petals” is a reference to the classic 1946 movie Its a Wonderful Life.  The story is about  a man who has given up on his personal dreams to help others in his community, and whose thoughts of suicide on Christmas Eve bring about the intervention of his guardian angel. This angel shows him all the lives he has touched and how the world would have been if he had not existed.  If you have not seen the movie, I highly recommend it. It's a very entertaining, well acted and thought provoking movie.

Therefore the theme for this exhibition can be interpreted in many different ways. On a lighter side, consider this our Holiday, End of the Year, celebratory exhibition. Where we say goodbye to yesterday and welcome in the New Year, new energy, in a holiday or winter wonderland spirit.

Or perhaps a more thoughtful and personal interpretation might be about suicide, or “what if's” and being grateful for all the things in our lives, the good and bad, for everything that has happen and will happen to us will make us the person we are.  

One of the main characters is Clarence, who is a guardian angel sent down from Heaven to save the main character. The idea of a guardian angel, or someone above looking out for us, wings, Higher Powers, is intriguing and an idea that could be developed upon.  

So, final recommendation, check out the movie It's a Wonderful Life.

Consider the Holidays, Winter, and blessings.

IMPORTANT DATES:

Submit works. Nov. 15 through Dec. 10th.

Drop off artworks in South Gallery Dec. 7th to Dec. 10th.

Hanging Artworks Dec. 11, 12.

Second Saturday Dec. 13th. January 10th.

Opening Reception TBD.

Exhibition Guidelines:
Works must:


 

• be wired for hanging (wire MUST be firmly attached to the back of the piece)
• use D rings
• or wooden cleats
• NO sawtooth hangers or built-in cardboard clips. Painting stretchers will NOT be hung on nails on drywall walls.
• No Anchor Bolts
• All works on paper, including photographs, must be framed.
• All paintings must be dry (NO wet submissions in any media.)
• Painting stretchers must lay flat against the wall
• Unframed works will be considered, but artist must be available to install
• Artist must be available to hang their own heavy works (over 30 lbs) or provide special installation instructions and hardware. Most walls are drywall only.
• Works on canvas must be framed or have edges appropriate to the image or process
• Frames must be in good condition (no scratches or loose corners)
• Artworks must be clean and free of smudges and smears that are not in keeping with the stylistic intent of the artwork
• Please specify if an electrical outlet is needed before installation!
• Works sold may be removed IF replaced with an artwork similar in scale and no holes are added to the walls within 48 hours and the exhibitions coordinator is informed. A new tag with the correct information must be placed on the wall alongside new piece of work. 
• All sales are handled directly by the artist. Management will not handle sales in any way.
• Please provide scrap cardboard/plastic to set delivered work upon.
• Packing materials will not be returned – We do not have storage capabilities.
• Works must never have been shown in a past Sabine Street Studios Tenant exhibition.

Installation Guideline Additions / Exemptions:

 

• Large or unframed paper works will be considered at the discretion of the exhibition
• Headphones or a timer must be installed with all sound works.

Sawyer Yards is not responsible for damage or theft, however, we will follow professional standards when installing and handling artworks. In addition, we guarantee:


 

• All works will be hung with weight specific hooks
• Artworks not meeting the guidelines will not be included in exhibits to avoid damage to other artists’ work
• If your artwork is difficult to hang/site, too delicate to handle, you will be contacted for assistance.
• Artists will be contacted to pick up their work if it does not meet the specific guidelines. If it is an easy fix, the Exhibition Coordinator might give you time to do the fix. It is best to look over the guidelines before dropping off work.

 We cannot guarantee:

 

• that every work will receive its’ own lighting source since all fixtures are permanent
• specific locations for specific works
• multiple works by the same artist are hung together