Our Emerging Artists Exhibition Returns April 2024!
Since its founding in 1993, 20 North Gallery has periodically hosted emerging artists exhibits, promoting the development of promising new talent in the Toledo art landscape. Previously installed in 1994, 2008, 2011 and 2018, ARToledo is a small-group exhibition of 3-5 artists which provides the opportunity to nurture and retain Toledo’s rising artistic talent, giving new artists a chance to enter the commercial art market in their home community, surrounded and supported by the work of established artists—while providing Toledo collectors the opportunity for a first view of the future of Toledo’s rich, continuing art legacy. As we celebrate 20 North Gallery’s 30th anniversary season, we are making preparations to offer ARToledo again April 19 – June 22, 2024!
Applications for ARToledo open September 9 and will be accepted through December 16, 2023, 5 p.m. (EST). Artist notification will be sent on January 26, 2024.
Designed as a competitive show, the ARToledo exhibition is open to Ohio and Toledo-area artists who have prepared a body of work, but who have not yet been a featured artist in any commercial gallery venues prior to the ARToledo exhibit. For a $20 non-refundable application fee, each artist may submit up to 5, but no fewer than 4 completed, gallery-ready artworks. Submissions of completed ARToledo application forms will be accepted digitally.
Click to view and download the ARToledo full exhibit prospectus and application form.
The exhibiting artists of the 2024 ARToledo will be juried by award-winning painter and arts instructor, Aaron Pickens.
Aaron Pickens (Greentown, Indiana)
Born and raised in Toledo, Ohio, Pickens is a Toledo School for the Arts alumnus. He received his B.F.A. from Bowling Green State University (Ohio) in 2011 and M.F.A. from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania in 2015. Pickens spent his years as an emerging artist in Toledo, exhibiting in regional shows including Undisclosed at Toledo School for the Arts, NowOH at the Dorothy Uber Bryan Gallery at Bowling Green State University (First Place in 2D Art, 2016; Best of Show, 2017, 2018), as well as Salon Des Refuses at the Parkwood Gallery (Toledo, Ohio) (Best of Show, 2014). Recently, his paintings have been included in national and international juried and invitational shows such as the 85th National Midyear Exhibition at The Butler Institute of American Art (Youngstown, Ohio) and Surreal Salon 14 at Baton Rouge Gallery (Baton Rouge, Louisiana).
Prior to his acceptance of the tenured position of Assistant Professor of Fine Arts and New Media at Indiana University Kokomo (Indiana), Pickens enjoyed a solo exhibition at 20 North Gallery in Toy Stories: Paintings by Aaron Pickens.
The upcoming ARToledo exhibit will be on view
April 19 – June 22, 2024. Stay tuned for more information on this exciting exhibit!
Past ARToledo exhibitions:
