The Museum of Northern California Art (monca) invites artists to look closer — much closer. Submit your original work to be considered for the upcoming exhibition titled Small Wonders.
The exhibit will be held at the Museum of Northern California Art in Chico, on view from March 19 - May 3, 2026.
Submission Deadline is Sunday, February 1, 2026 by 5PM.
Description of Call:
This exhibition celebrates the beauty, mystery, and significance of the microscopic, the miniature, and the overlooked. We invite works that magnify the unnoticed and reveal worlds within worlds.
Artists are encouraged to explore scale, detail, and viewpoint. Join us in remembering that even the tiniest details can hold vast meaning.
All media welcome. Please note that no giclée prints of original art/non-photographic art will be accepted. No AI please.
Eligibility:
Original works created by artists residing in Northern California, defined as San Jose and all points north, east, and west to the state border. Refunds will not be given to those who enter but do not live in this region. If you have eligibility questions please email submissions@monca.org.
All exhibited artworks must remain in the exhibition until the close of the exhibition, May 3, 2026 at 5PM.
Jurying:
The museum’s exhibition committee, comprised of professional artists and art collectors, will make the final selections for the exhibition. Artists whose work is not accepted will not receive refunds of their entry fee.
Presentation:
Accepted work must be delivered ready to hang or display. Work to hang on the wall must be fitted with framing wire because we use a cable and hook system that hangs from a picture railing. Work with sawtooth hangers will be disqualified and returned to the artist. If you have questions regarding presentation, please reach out to submissions@monca.org.
Pedestals are available for three-dimensional work or the artist may provide other means of display. The artist's name, phone, and title of work MUST be on the back of each artwork. All work must be dry and clean.
Entry Fee:
$35 ($25 for monca members) for up to 3 entries ($10 for each additional entry). All fees are non-refundable. Payment (check, cash or online) must reach monca by February 1, 2026.
Membership information can be found at monca.org
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For check payment: make payable to monca and write “Small Wonders” and your telephone # in the memo. Mail or deliver in person to monca, 900 Esplanade, Chico CA during museum hours: Thurs-Sun, 11AM-5PM
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Pay in person at monca, Thurs-Sun, 11AM-5PM
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For online payment, Click here.
To Apply:
Submit your art (up to 3 distinct original works) with this link: [Click here for submission form]
If you wish to submit more than 3 works, please fill out the form a second time and pay an additional fee of $10 for each piece.
Artwork that has been previously exhibited at monca, and AI work, will be disqualified.
Artists will be notified of the jury’s decision on or before February 15, 2026.
If you have questions or difficulty with the above form, email submissions@monca.org.
Sales:
If you wish to sell your exhibited work, please provide a retail price reflecting a 50% museum commission. Prices will not appear on museum signage. The price list will be available upon request at the reception desk.
Calendar/Timeline:
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Deadline for entries and payment February 1, 2026 by 5PM.
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Jury results notification: On or before February 15, 2026 by email (add submissions@monca.org to your contacts to prevent email from ending up in your spam folder).
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Artwork Delivery: March 5-8 & March 12-15 during museum hours, Thurs-Sun, 11AM-5PM.
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Opening date: Thursday, March 19, 2026
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Reception: Friday, March 20, 2026
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Closing date: Sunday, May 3, 2026
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Artwork pickup: Sunday, May 3, 2026 at 5PM, or during museum hours on May 7-10 and May 14-17.
Works left beyond May 17, 2026 will be assessed a storage fee of $5 per piece, per day (Thurs-Sun). Works left beyond June 18, 2026 will become property of monca.
Please note:
Postage/packaging/shipping insurance are the responsibility of the artist and will be required upfront. If the work is to be shipped back, the artist must provide a pre-paid mailing label. We only return-ship work that was shipped to us. Insurance is the responsibility of the artist.
monca will be diligent in the care of artwork but is not responsible for loss or damage that might occur. The museum will not be held responsible for anything damaged in shipment.
Pictured art (not on view):
Microphotograph of Traverse Section of Wood (Salisburia) 1870s Dr. Arthur Durham
Courtesy of the National Gallery of Art Open Access program
