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 the 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
Every year, SPARK explores a new theme, inviting all artists to interpret it in their own unique way. This year’s exhibition celebrates WONDER!
Ready to create? Learn about this year’s theme, important dates, submission guidelines, and enter your artwork for the Community or Youth Exhibition!
PAST THEMES
“HARMONY”
2025
“JOY”
2024
“CULTIVATE”
2023
“GROWTH”
2022
“IDENTITY”
2021
“WATER”
2020
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
When can I drop off my work?
For this year’s SPARK 2026 show, drop-offs will be open from August 28th – September 5th. Visit the Welcome Desk to sign in and they will direct you where to go. You may drop off work between those dates during our business hours (Tuesday-Saturday, 10am-5pm).
Please do not drop off any earlier or later, as we simply don’t have the space! Thank you so much for understanding.
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)
- 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!
- 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!
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!
Sign up for our mailing list here!
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