On behalf of the Associated Arts of Ocean Shores (AAOS) and the Coastal Interpretive Center (CIC), we jointly invite regional artists—regardless of chosen media—to enter our unique and free art exhibition. This year the exhibition's theme is Between Land, Sea, & Sky. It will hang from June 12 through August 30, 2026, at the CIC in Ocean Shores, Washington.​

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Grays Harbor is a region of dynamic environments – particularly in the places where those interactions come together. Where the sky meets the sea could be a horizon of far-off shipping traffic or near-shore diving birds. Where the land meets the sea changes on a daily – or even hourly! – basis, depending on the tides, the rains, and the seasons. And where sky descends into the land is where trees reach the forest floor or storms puddle in marshy roadways.

Consider how Grays Harbor is “between places” all the time, and how you might visually represent being between, as reflected in the natural world. We can display up to 24 works of art in CIC's temporary exhibition space, in a manner that's particularly suited for emerging artists.

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Importantly for most artists, this exhibition offers rare opportunities—free exposure to the public, and possible financial compensation. Artists are free to sell their accepted submissions. If a piece sells during the exhibition, we request a nominal commission of 15%. Your financial gain, shared with us, will help us meet the needs of more people just like you. It will be split equally between both nonprofits, CIC and AAOS, and it will benefit the CIC's community education and stewardship initiatives as well as the AAOS Annual Arts and Crafts Festival. Artists may also elect not to sell their work.

And how about this next benefit? Anyone can win a First, Second, or Third Place prize of $250, $150, or $50 respectively. Prize money is donated by AAOS.

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Submission

There is no entry fee. Please submit—within an email to hello@interpretivecenter.org, with “Between Land, Sea & Sky" in the subject line—JPEG or PNG images of no more than four pieces of your original art. Art submitted should relate to the theme. Please include the following information for each submission, by close of business on Wednesday, May 27, 2026:

• Title
• Brief personal statement of purpose
• Description of media
• Image dimensions
• Price, if the art is for sale
• How you heard about this exhibition

Judging

Representatives of AAOS and CIC will review all submissions, ultimately selecting as many as 24 pieces of art for exhibition at CIC. In early June, we'll notify you by email if your art is selected. This email will also include pertinent instructions for exhibiting artists. Three judges, one from the AAOS board, one from the CIC board, and another from the local art community, will award the three prizes. Prize-winning artwork will be published as part of our annual AAOS series of postcards, which will be available for purchase at our CIC bookstore in mid-to-late 2026.

Festivities

The opening reception of Between Land, Sea & Sky, on June 12th from 5-7 pm, is open to the public, but we especially hope exhibiting artists attend. Duration of this exhibition will extend from June 12, 2026 through August 30, 2026. The opening reception will be cohosted by AAOS and CIC, at Coastal Interpretive Center, 1033 Catala Ave SE, Ocean Shores, Washington.

Questions or concerns? Please feel free to contact CIC at hello@interpretivecenter.org.

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