CALL FOR ARTISTS Submission Dates Coming Up SOON! ...Check out these 3 Chicago-area Art Happenings

1. MARCH 19, 2026 -- SUICIDE PREVENTION FUNDRAISER AT Society 57 in Aurora, IL

2. MAY 2, 2026 -- INAUGURAL ART EXPLOSION in Geneva, IL

3. JULY 25-26, 2026 24th ANNUAL GENEVA ARTS FAIR in Geneva, IL

On March 19, Suicide Prevention Services will host Spring into Art, a new fundraiser to support their mission to open minds, save lives, and restore hope. The inaugural event at Society 57 will invite attendees to “spring up” and take turns at selecting original artwork to take home. Artists are invited to donate original artwork for the event at spsamerica.org.

Geneva will welcome artists to showcase their work throughout downtown businesses at the inaugural Art Explosion from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, May 2. Merchants will transform into pop-up galleries to feature local artists at this free one-day event. Artists are invited to apply through March 1. All mediums are encouraged.  who will showcase paintings, sculptures, photography, jewelry, and more. To apply to be a showcasing artist, visit genevachamber.com. 

Celebrating its 24th year of all-original art by over 140 national artists, Geneva Arts Fair will be back on Third Street in downtown Geneva on July 25 and 26. The bustling arts fair was recently recognized among the Top 20 fine art fairs in the nation. Artist applications are open through February 10. For more information, visit genevachamber.com.

Enjoying its Sweet 16th and final year on August 29, Alley Art Festival is a day filled with local art and community. There’s nothing quite like the end-of-summer event that brings together art, music, food, and fun. The festival welcomes handcrafted work and runs from noon to 5 p.m. on Water Street Mall in downtown Aurora. Local artists residing within 30 miles of Aurora are invited to apply from Feb. 1 to May 1. To apply, visit alleyartaurora.com.