Call for Entry: MONSTERS

A 40 West Arts District Exhibition

CREATIVE BRIEF

Monsters are a facet of society that usually holds space under your bed or in your head. 40 West Arts wants to bring them to life in a special showcase in The Three Leaches Theater & Gallery. Do you love the scary, spooky, dark and demonic monsters from mythology and horror? Do you love the silly, cute, and cuddly monsters from children's books? Do you want to explore the monsters of society? This is your chance to bring any sort of monster to life!

Do you want to commemorate on canvas your favorite monster from literature? Have you created a 3D piece that will keep us up at night? Maybe you have designed a wardrobe inspired by monstrous fashions. Perhaps you develop your own photos in a darkroom or use book and magazine pages to create tangible collages to invent your own kind of monster. 

MONSTERS is your chance to put your connection to all things monstrous into artistic expression in any way you see fits this broad theme. 40 West Arts invites artists of all levels of experience to submit artwork in all mediums that embody the theme MONSTERS.

IMPORTANT DATES

  • Submission Deadline: September 7, 2025 at midnight
    (The project must be completed — in-progress photos are accepted.)

  • Artist Notification Date: September 15, 2025

  • Event Date: October, 2025 6 PM

  • Art Drop off window: Coordinated upon approval

  • Event Location: 1560 Teller St, Lakewood, CO 80214

SCREENING PROCESS

Submissions will be screened by the 40 West Artists in Residence and the 40 West Poet Laureate, with input and guidance of the 40 West curatorial team to ensure quality and applicability of work. Please note that depending on the number of submissions, our curation process, and other factors, not all submitted works are guaranteed entrance into our show. We will notify you within the timeframe indicated herein regarding the acceptance of your work(s).

Also note that while we strive to include works from as many artists as possible, please know that we do not tolerate submissions that promote hate, racism or violence against others--even though those are the monsters of society, we ask if you're shedding light on those factors that no element can be interpreted as promotion. We reserve the right to refuse any submission that does not adhere to or promote our mission.

ELIGIBILITY

This exhibition is open to all professional and amateur artists. All mediums are welcome. Both 40 West Arts members and non-members are invited to submit work. We are unable to accept mailed artwork, you must be able to drop off your artwork at The Three Leaches Theater & Gallery.


HOW TO SUBMIT

Please fill out this google form to submit your design:

District CallGoWestColfax