How to Submit Your Artwork to an Online Gallery

Submitting your artwork to an online gallery for the first time can feel uncertain. What do they actually want to see? What makes a submission stand out? And what happens after you hit “send”?

This guide walks you through the entire process — from finding the right open call to preparing your files and writing your artist statement. Whether you’re submitting for the first time or looking to improve your approach, here’s what you need to know.

1. Find the right open call for your work

Not every open call is a good fit for every artist. Before you submit, take a moment to read the brief carefully. Most online galleries organize exhibitions around a specific theme and that theme matters.

Ask yourself:

Does my work connect to this theme, even loosely?
Is my technique listed as accepted?
Do I meet the eligibility requirements (age, country, format)?
Is there a submission fee, and am I comfortable with it?

A submission that genuinely speaks to the theme will always have a stronger chance than a technically perfect piece that feels disconnected from it.

2. Prepare your artwork image – technical requirements

The quality of your submission image matters more than most artists realize. A strong work presented in a blurry or poorly-lit photograph will not make it through curation, not because the work is weak, but because the juror simply cannot see it properly.

Most online galleries require:

Format: JPG or PNG
Minimum resolution: 1500px on the longest side
File size: under 10MB
No watermarks, filters, or digital signatures on the image

Photograph your work in natural, indirect light or with a neutral studio setup. The image should be straight-on, sharp, and true to the colors of the original piece. If you’re working with 3D work or sculpture, choose the angle that communicates the piece most clearly.

3. Write your artist statement

The artist statement is one of the parts artists struggle with most. It’s not a biography, and it’s not a technical description. It’s a short text that gives the juror, and eventually the viewer, a way into your work.

A good artist statement for an open call submission should:

Be specific to the work you’re submitting, not your practice in general
Explain your inspiration and connection to the theme
Be written in your own voice — not overly formal, not too casual
Be between 80–150 words

Think of it as a brief, honest conversation with the curator. What do you want them to know about this piece before they look at it?

4. Fill in the submission form carefully

Most online gallery submissions happen through a form. Take your time with it errors in artwork titles, dimensions, or your email address can cause unnecessary complications.

Typical fields include:

Artwork title, medium, dimensions, year of creation
Image upload
Artist statement
Full name, email, country
Optional: website, Instagram, Facebook

Including your website and social media links is always worth it, even if they’re optional. It gives the curator and future viewers a way to explore more of your work and it’s free visibility.

5. Understand what happens after you submit

After submitting, the waiting begins, and that’s completely normal. Curated galleries review each submission individually, which takes time.

Here’s what typically happens:

You receive a confirmation email that your submission was received.
The curator reviews all submissions and selects works for the exhibition.
Selected artists are notified by email, usually within a few weeks of the deadline.
Selected works are featured in the online exhibition, and artists receive a certificate of participation.
At Marea Gallery, selected artists also receive a feature in the digital catalogue and social media promotion.

Not being selected doesn’t mean your work isn’t good. Curation is always a combination of artistic quality and the specific needs of that exhibition. Keep submitting.

Common mistakes to avoid

Submitting a low-resolution image. Even a beautiful work can be passed over if the photo doesn’t do it justice.
A generic artist statement. Reusing the same text for every submission rarely works. Tailor it to the theme.
Ignoring the theme. Themed exhibitions are curated for coherence. A technically strong work that doesn’t connect to the theme is harder to include.
Missing the deadline. Most galleries don’t accept late submissions. Set a reminder a few days before the closing date.

Ready to submit your work?

Marea Gallery runs themed open calls for visual artists worldwide. Each edition is built around a single theme, giving the exhibition a strong visual and conceptual identity. Accepted techniques include Painting, Drawing, Printmaking, Sculpture, Mixed Media, Collage and Digital Art (non-AI).

Browse our current open call at https://mareagallery.com/open-calls — and submit your work at https://mareagallery.com/submit-your-work.