Narrative

Chico Art Center is a community arts gallery at 450 Orange Street, Suite 6 in Chico, California. "Narrative" is the gallery's open call for photography that explores visual storytelling — work that communicates a narrative through a single image or cohesive series, whether personal journey, cultural or historical commentary, political statement, or fiction.

All photographic mediums and styles are welcome — documentary, street, conceptual, staged, experimental — with no thematic constraint beyond the storytelling brief. AI-generated images are not currently accepted. Work previously exhibited at CAC is ineligible.

Selected work is exhibited at Chico Art Center August 15 through September 18, 2026, with an opening reception on September 4. The gallery handles installation. Each artist receives a free copy of a printed exhibition catalog produced via Blurb, and selected work is promoted through the gallery's website and social channels.

Sales are facilitated by the gallery, which requests a 30% donation but pays the artist the full listed price. Artists are responsible for shipping and insurance.

Entry fee is $35 (general) or $25 for CAC members. Submissions take up to 7 images via JotForm. The 2026 deadline is June 14 at 11:59 PM. Selection is by Gallery Director Cameron Kelly with a CAC board member.