Central New York Artist Initiative

Call for Entries for 2026 Exhibitions

The Central New York Artist Initiative builds upon the Everson Museum of Art’s ongoing support of the region’s vibrant arts community. Launched in January 2022, the Everson CNY Artist Initiative is a competitive program that highlights the multi-faceted talents of regional artists. Each year, Everson curators select artists to display their work in solo exhibitions at the Museum. Selections are based on the innovative quality of the work, how the work aligns with the Museum mission, and its relevance to the community.

CNY Artist Initiative exhibitions run for six to eight weeks and are displayed in the Everson’s Members’ Council Gallery. The gallery is 18 by 32.75 feet; proposed work must fit within this space.

Artists selected this year will show their work in exhibitions in 2026.

The Everson CNY Artist Initiative is made possible with support from Terry and Bill Delavan.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Artists must live and work within a 75-mile radius of Syracuse, NY.

APPILCATION REQUIREMENTS

  • Artist statement
  • Resume or CV
  • 20 images of artwork; include the title, date, medium, and dimensions

TIMELINE

  • Submission portal opens: July 12, 2025
  • Submission portal closes: September 13, 2025
  • Notification of decisions emailed to applicants: October 2025
  • Public announcement of selected artists: November 2025

TO APPLY

Visit here. You will need to create a free profile to apply. All entries must be submitted through the callforentry.org platform. Entries not submitted through the platform will not be considered.

QUESTIONS

Please direct all questions about the CNY Artist Initiative to [email protected] with “Everson CNY Artist Initiative” in the subject line. For questions about how to use the callforentry.org platform, please contact their customer support.

Courtney Rile: On view January 25 – March 30, 2025

Courtney Rile, co-founder of Daylight Blue Media in Syracuse, is a lens-based artist with a BFA in Art Video from Syracuse University. Her work has been widely exhibited, and she has served as a video artist for the Society for New Music and held roles in curation, communications, and education.

Catherine Spencer: On view April 5 – June 8, 2025

Catherine Spencer, a Central New York artist, creates sculptures and environments exploring the intersection of nature and human experience. She holds a BFA from Alfred University and an MFA from Syracuse University. Her work has been shown nationally and featured in residencies such as Cleveland West Art League and Chautauqua School of Art.

Anna Warfield: On view June 14 – August 17, 2025

Anna Warfield (she/they) is a visual artist and poet based in Binghamton, New York, working with text-based fiber sculptures that explore the body and identity. Recent solo exhibitions include UNDOINGS at SUNY Oneonta and Placid Thoughts at the Roberson Museum. Warfield has shown work at MAG Rochester, Schweinfurth Art Center, and the Arts Council of the Southern Finger Lakes. They are the 2025 Antigravity artist at the Rockwell Museum and hold a BFA and BS from Cornell University, where their thesis won the Charles Baskerville Painting Award.

Maria Park: On view August 23 – October 26, 2025

Maria Park’s work explores how technology shapes perception and participation in the world through paintings, installations, and public projects. Her recent focus involves diagrammatic language and its interplay with protocol and duration. Born in Munich and raised in the Bay Area, Park holds an MFA from the San Francisco Art Institute and is an associate professor of art at Cornell University.