No Theme Open Call 2026

East Bay Photo Collective (EBPCO) is an Oakland-based photography nonprofit founded in 2017, operating the Oakland Photo Workshop gallery in Chinatown and a darkroom in downtown Oakland. The mission centers on access — facilities, education, and community for East Bay photographers, including those who are under-served or without a creative community elsewhere. The Oakland Photo Workshop gallery has shown over 200 local artists since opening in 2021.

The No Theme Open Call is EBPCO's annual open-theme exhibition — any subject, any photographic medium (digital, film, alternative process) — with one process restriction: generative AI is not accepted. The brief is deliberately broad to surface the range of Bay Area practice rather than steer toward a single mood or genre.

Selection structure: 30 to 45 pieces are chosen for the in-person gallery exhibition at Oakland Photo Workshop (312 8th St., Oakland), plus an additional 10 to 20 for the online exhibition. The opening reception is August 7, 2026, from 6 to 9 PM. Submissions are reviewed blind by volunteer jurors.

Eligibility is geographic: artists must be 18 or older and based in or around the Bay Area — this is a regional show by design. Submission is through Artwork Archive: up to 3 images for $35, or $20 for students and low-income artists. Fee waivers are available on request — emailing info@ebpco.org. Framed work cannot exceed 24 inches wide. The deadline was extended to May 30, 2026 at 11:59 PM.