Coming Out for Art: 2026 Art Show

About this event

Announcing the opening of Stonewall Chico's Coming Out For Art (COFA) 2026 art show and artistic vendor booth submissions. Humans are storytellers. It's how we record the past, learn lessons, make meaning, form identities, and understand our place in the world. Censorship and narrative control of Queer and Trans histories, realities, and futures attempt to bury our existence but when we choose and hold the stories that define us, teach us and sustain us, we choose and hold power for ourselves. For COFA 2026, we invite you to bring art that tells your stories, your ancestors' stories, and your communities' stories as we co-create a Queer anthology of things we must not forget. Who is invited to submit artwork/ vend: People of any age and experience level who identifies as LGBTQIA2S+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans or Nonbinary, Queer, Intersex, Asexual or Demisexual, 2-Spirit) and wants to participate. What types of work can be submitted: All kinds of visual and 3-dimensional art including paintings, collage, sculpture, textile and woven art, etc. Music and performance art will be be presented at the Grand Reception. Set design, audio, electronic or light effects are welcome so long as they do not interfere with other art. Art and artisan vendors of all kinds are invited. Nudity and mature themes are welcome for our 18+ gallery section, but excessive gore, art promoting violence, hate or abuse, culturally insensitive pieces or anything deemed pornography is subject to refusal. Entries must be the original work of the artist and be created without the use of AI. Submissions close September 18th. The gallery will be open October 1st until October 31st and art may be purchased at any time during open MONCA hours: Thurs-Sun, 11am-5pm. The Grand Reception on the evening of October 16th will feature our vendor fair and any music/performance art pieces.