Evva Vale Art Exhibition & Competition

Online Submission Deadline: Friday, May 15, 5 PM

Selected Artwork Drop Off: Tuesday, May 26, at the Alpert JCC

Calling all artists! Submit your artwork to the returning Evva Vale Exhibition & Competition for a chance to be featured in the Gatov Gallery and win a cash prize!

*Please note that this is a juried exhibition, and not every submitted piece will be included in the exhibit.

The Evva Vale Annual Endowed Art Exhibition and Competition is hosted at The Alpert Jewish Community Center (AJCC) in Long Beach. Established through a gift from the estate of Evva Vale, a former art educator and member of the JCC art committee.

🎨Theme: Makom: Creating Holy Space

In Jewish tradition, Makom means “place.” It is also one of the names for God — HaMakom, “The Place.” This dual meaning invites us to consider: What makes a space holy? How do we create sacredness in our homes, our community, our everyday lives?

Makom: Creating Holy Space invites artists to explore the ways physical, emotional, and spiritual spaces become infused with meaning.

Sacred space can be grand — a sanctuary, a coastline at sunset, a moment of communal prayer.

It can also be intimate — a Shabbat table, a quiet corner with candlelight, hands kneading challah dough, a hospital room where hope is held, a neighborhood gathering, a family tradition.

We encourage artists to interpret this theme expansively. Consider:

The meaning of HaMakom — God as Place
Jewish ritual and tradition as creators of sacred space
Home as sanctuary
Nature as holy ground
Community as sacred container
Memory as sacred space
Spaces of healing, resilience, and belonging

Your work may be literal or abstract, contemporary or traditional, personal, or communal. We welcome art that explores holiness not only in ritual moments, but in the ordinary spaces where life unfolds.

✅Submission Guidelines

Open to artists ages 18+ residing in Long Beach and West Orange County
All mediums welcome, including paint, photography, mixed media, sculpture, fiber art, and more
Artwork must be appropriate as the Gatov Gallery is public in a family-friendly community center
All artwork must be ready to hang or ready for display in a gallery setting (properly wired, framed, mounted, or display-ready)
All submissions must include a short written statement (100-300 words) explaining: What inspired the piece; How it connects to the theme of Makom

All artwork must be pre-submitted digitally for review by May 15 at 5 PM.

If selected for the show, artwork must be dropped off at the Alpert JCC by May 26.

🥇Prizes

1st: $500
2nd: $250
3rd: $100

Winners will be awarded at the artist reception on July 12.

Sacred space is not only found — it is created.

We look forward to seeing how you interpret Makom and bring holiness into the gallery through your unique artistic vision.

CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT YOUR ARTWORK🎨

Interested in selling?

If you would like to sell your work, the Alpert JCC will handle the purchase. We normally take a 30% commission on all art sales, but you are welcome to donate more if you like. All proceeds support cultural programs at the Alpert JCC. If you would prefer not to sell your work, please include the replacement value for insurance purposes on your submission.