Opportunities for Artists

The Blue Mountains Public Library’s Gallery at L.E. Shore offers a variety of opportunities for artists to exhibit and share their work with the community.

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Annual Exhibition Schedule

The Gallery’s annual exhibition schedule is planned one year in advance. Applications to exhibit typically open June 1 and close August 31, with submissions reviewed in September by The Gallery’s Arts & Culture Council (ACC).

Learn more about the ACC

An exhibition season runs from January to December, with approximately 10-11 exhibition opportunities available each year. Individual exhibitions generally run for one month.

The Gallery accepts applications for both solo and group exhibitions.

Annual Colour Exhibition

The Gallery’s Annual Colour Exhibition is held in February and is an open invitational exhibition centered around a colour theme. Each year features a different colour theme, with past themes including gold, blue, turquoise and more.

This is a non-juried exhibition. Registration is required, and registration forms typically become available in November preceding the exhibition.

Other Opportunities

Throughout the year, The Gallery also hosts one-day art events, competitions, workshops and more. These opportunities provide artists with additional ways to connect, grow, and participate in the local arts community.

Information for Artists

As part of the not-for-profit Blue Mountains Public Library (BMPL), The Gallery’s primary focus is providing the community with accessible arts experiences and local artists with meaningful exhibition opportunities. While sales are supported, it is not a focus, and artists are encouraged to consider this when setting revenue expectations for their shows. The Gallery strives to provide artists with a supportive environment to share their work with the community, build connections and explore new ideas and creative approaches.
The BMPL does not charge exhibition fees for use of The Gallery space or for installation support. However, a 25% commission is collected on artwork sales when they occur. Revenue generated through commissions is reinvested into supporting the Blue Mountains Public Library’s Gallery, Library, Archives, and Museum services.
The Arts & Culture Council has established the following priorities to help guide the artist selection process for exhibitions at The Gallery at L.E. Shore:
- Connection to the Area
  Priority (not exclusive) is given to artists who live in, or have a meaningful connection to, the communities of:
  The Town of The Blue Mountains
  The Counties of Grey, Bruce, and Simcoe
- Suitability for the Space
  The Gallery regularly hosts programs, events, and private rentals. Selected work must be suitable for a shared, high-traffic environment. Artwork should be safe to display and should not disrupt the use of the space. While two-dimensional work is best suited to The Gallery, artists working in three-dimensional mediums are still encouraged to apply.
- Creative Exploration
  The Gallery aims to present a diverse annual exhibition schedule that showcases a wide range of artistic styles, mediums, genres, and themes. Applications that demonstrate creativity, innovation, or exploration of new directions are encouraged.
- Balance of Emerging and Established Artists
  The Gallery is committed to supporting artists at various stages of their artistic journeys. Exhibitions are selected to maintain a balance between emerging and established artists, fostering a supportive environment that encourages artistic growth and community connection.
- Recent Exhibition History at The Gallery
  Priority will be given to artists who have not exhibited in The Gallery within the past year. This does not include participation in the annual February Colour Exhibition, or large group exhibitions.
- Timing & Overlap
  Artists are encouraged to share if they have an individual exhibition in nearby galleries. This will not affect eligibility, but priority may be given to proposals that bring a fresh exhibition experience to the community.
  Artists do not need to disclose if they maintain their own public studios or currently have ongoing representation with multiple works on display in other galleries.