In honor of the 40th anniversary of the Colorado Black Arts Festival (CBAF) held July 10-12, 2026, we invite artists to submit work for the juried Oye Oginga Art  Pavilion, a vibrant celebration of Black art, culture, and creativity. This anniversary theme invites artists to reflect on how we see life, culture, memory, beauty, struggle, joy, and community and how these individual visions come together to form a larger collective story. Through Our Eyes is a celebration of perspective: the many ways artists of the African diaspora interpret the world, and the power that emerges when those voices stand side by side.

We encourage interpretations that reflect personal narratives, cultural identity, community, imagination, lived experience, social commentary, celebration, or vision for the future. Show us through your eyes.

Jurors:

• Jazz Holmes Studio Artist/ Muralist/ Educator 
• Louis Trujillo Gallery Manager of O’Sullivan Art Gallery/ Artist/ Curator 

Awards: Prizes will be presented to one artist for Best of Show, and two Honorable Mentions will be awarded. The jurors will announce the winners during the opening reception on Friday, July 10, 2026.

Venue: Denver City Park West 1700 Esplanade Avenue Denver, Co. 80205

If you have any questions, please contact Robyn Oye Oginga Art Pavilion Coordinator at [email protected].

Eligibility Criteria:

• Open to emerging and established artists.
• All visual art mediums are welcome, including but not limited to: painting, drawing, photography, mixed media, sculpture, fiber art, digital art, and printmaking.
• All artwork must be original and created by the submitting artist.
  
• Participating artist must Identify as Black, African American,  and/or a part of the African Diaspora.
• Art must fit the theme Through Our Eyes.
• Artists may submit up to 3 entries. The number of entries accepted will be based on space and exhibit considerations. 
• The art can be abstract or representational. Artwork should be family friendly 
• Artwork must be ready to hang or display. The maximum size for 2-D or 3-D works is 20” x 20” or smaller; and able to hang from a wire gallery system or platform. No French Cleats or saw-tooth hangers are allowed.

• Artists may submit up to three (3) artworks for consideration. High-resolution images must be provided in JPEG or PNG format.
• Each submission must include the following details: title, medium, dimensions, and price (if the work is available for sale).
• Include a brief artist statement (150–300 words) explaining how the submitted work connects to the exhibition theme.
• Provide a short artist biography (100–200 words).
• A $30 submission fee must be paid to CBAF at the time of submission and will go towards your booth fee. 
• All accepted artwork must remain on display in the gallery for the entire duration of the exhibition.