SPARK
AN ANNUAL COMMUNITY EXHIBITION FOR ALL
What Is Spark?
SPARK is Public Works Art Center’s annual themed exhibition that takes over all of the gallery spaces, to ignite the “spark” of creativity in artists of ALL ages and experience levels!
Each year, a new theme brings together artists of all backgrounds, including established professionals, early career or emerging artists, students, hobbyists, enthusiasts, and more; in a showcase celebrating the incredible diversity of the community.
What’s more, we celebrate the opening reception of SPARK with an entirely FREE BLOCK PARTY!
Whether you have years’ worth of experience or are just starting out, SPARK is designed to be an opportunity for everyone to create, connect, and share their work!
We invite you to join the SPARK exhibition!
HOW DOES IT WORK?
SPARK is made up of three distinct galleries:
INVITATIONAL EXHIBITION
An exhibition comprised of featured artists, invited by Public Works Art Center, on view in our West Gallery.
COMMUNITY EXHIBITION
An exhibition open to everyone, regardless of age or artistic experience, on view in our East Gallery.
YOUTH EXHIBITION
A dedicated gallery showcasing artwork by artists under 18, on view in our South Gallery.
SPARK 2026 THEME:
WONDER
SPARK 2026 SUBMISSIONS ARE CLOSED!
Thank you to everyone who joined SPARK: WONDER! While submissions are now closed, you can still explore the 2026 theme & guidelines below as inspiration for SPARK 2027!
Want to be the first to know what’s in store for next year? Keep an eye on our socials or join our mailing list for the theme reveal, submission details, and important deadlines!
This year’s show will be on view from September 12th 2026 – November 14th 2026! Come out and support all our wonderful community artists 😀
PAST THEMES
“HARMONY”
2025
“JOY”
2024
“CULTIVATE”
2023
“GROWTH”
2022
“IDENTITY”
2021
“WATER”
2020
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What kind of art can I submit?
As long as it is:
1) One artwork per artist
2) Fits within our sizing parameters
3) Is ready to hang or be displayed and is appropriate for all ages – anything, really!
We welcome all mediums 2D or 3D, here’s just a few examples of what we have seen in past SPARK exhibits: painting, drawing, weaving, pottery, charcoal, pastels, clothing, sculpture, wood, photography, textiles, assemblage, prints, small quilts, mixed media, printed digital art, written work, collage, fabric, metal, crochet, rugs, poetry, etc.
How should I prepare my artwork to be displayed?
Great question! We love it when things look good, but most importantly we love it when your art is safe. There’s a few different ways we’d love to recieve your work, and a few things we would really hope you not do!
DO
We love it when you:
- Label the back of your piece with your name, a working phone or email, and whether your work is for sale (with the price attached) or not for sale (NFS)
- Bring only one piece of art per artist
- Make sure all work is fully dried and fits within sizing parameters!
- Make sure all 3D work can stand confidently on its own or is ready to be secured to a wall
- Work displayed on a wall must be ready hang. We recomend using D-rings or eyelet hooks attached to the work itself or a frame, about one-third of the way down the sides of the piece with a picture wire.
- For work behind glass, please make sure your hardware is fully attached, secure, sturdy, and can hold the weight of the art.
- We don’t recommend sawtooth hangers, but if you must, they’re okay on lightweight artwork without glass.
DON’T
We do not like it very much (and it makes us a little sad!) if you do the following:
- Drop off work without a completed entry form. Please complete it prior to drop off!
- Bring too much artwork, we’d love more but we don’t have the wall space
- Forget to label the back of your work, we won’t know who it belongs to!
- Use string, yarn, or shoelaces, commandstrips, spring clips on any work or sawtooth hangers on heavy work or work behind glass – it’s not strong enough!
- Drop off artwork with broken parts or pieces not fully dried.
- Bring artwork that’s well outside of the sizing parameters.
Public Works Art Center has the right to refuse any artwork that does not comply with the following criteria.
Why do I need to take all these extra steps to get my art ready for SPARK?
Proper hanging methods and techniques prevent your work from becoming damaged, and it helps us move more efficiently regarding setup! With over 200+ pieces to display across 3 gallery spaces, there’s lots to do, and this really helps us make sure everything is ready (and safe) before the exhibit opens!
Can I submit artwork that's larger than the sizing parameters?
Unfortunately, no. Since we receive more and more submissions each year, to ensure we have enough space for every artist, we do have to be a bit firm on this one. But we welcome:
2D work that’s be no larger than 18″ x 24″ (or 22″ x 28″ framed)
3D work that’s no larger than: 18″ L x 18″ W x 24″ H.
I'm not an artist, should I still put my artwork in the show?
Absolutely! Regardless of your skill level or background, we’d like to see what you’ve created (so long as it’s only one submission and meets the criteria in the entry form!)
Do I have to be local to Summerville to enter SPARK?
Not at all! Our only requirement is that you’re able to drop off and pick up your piece within the allotted timeframe. You’re more than welcome to have someone drop off and pick up your artwork for you!
Can I put my art in any other exhibits at Public Works Art Center?
You’re welcome to submit an exhibition proposal during our Request For Proposals process, in which a committee reviews submissions annually. This typically opens up in the spring. Watch out for our announcement in our weekly newsletter to be the first to know!
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