Gallery Eleven is our upstairs art space, set up with eleven easels that keep the room alive as a working oil painting studio. When we’re not painting, the space transforms into a gallery with openings that always feature eleven pieces of art. Sometimes it’s a solo show, other times it’s a group exhibition built around a theme or call for entry. In between public shows, you’ll find works in progress on the easels, and visitors are always welcome to stop by during regular hours to see what’s taking shape.

Call for Entry — Gallery Eleven, 2026

Theme: Year of the Fire Horse — The Kirin

Exhibition Dates: Opening February 2026

Gallery Eleven in Bellingham, WA, announces an open call for submissions for our 2026 exhibition, Year of the Fire Horse — The Kirin.

The Kirin (麒麟), a legendary creature from East Asian mythology, combines attributes of the horse, deer, dragon, and fish, and is said to appear only in times of peace and prosperity. Often depicted surrounded by flames or with a fiery mane, the Kirin is associated with the element of fire, symbolizing transformation, vitality, and divine presence. Revered as a harbinger of balance and auspicious energy, the Kirin offers a profound theme for artistic exploration during the Year of the Fire Horse.

Exhibition Details

• Location: Gallery Eleven, upstairs studio at Olinjär, Bellingham, WA

• Format: Eleven selected artists will exhibit one painting each, displayed on site

• Original Artwork Only — Accepted mediums: oil, acrylic, watercolor, mixed media, or works on paper, canvas, or board (no digital or AI submissions)

• Size Requirement: Artwork must be 20” × 30” or 24” × 48”

• Framing: We prefer framed works without glass, or gallery-wrapped canvas

• Exhibition Dates: Opening February 2026, closing date TBA

What to Submit

• A link to your portfolio, website, or Instagram page that clearly represents your work

• A brief artist statement (50–100 words) describing how you would approach the Kirin theme

Selection Process A curatorial panel will select 11 artists whose works best embody the Kirin’s mythology and connection to the Year of the Fire Horse. Notifications will be sent by November 2025.

Gallery Eleven is committed to curating exhibitions that bring myth, culture, and contemporary art into conversation. We invite artists to reinterpret the Kirin’s timeless symbolism for today’s audience.

Email Submission - Info@olinjar.com