Birds &
the Art of Nature
Submit up to 3 artworks to our international virtual exhibition. Any medium, any style, inspired by birds and the natural world.
Selected works are exhibited in our 3D virtual gallery, with an exhibition credit and catalogue listing.
- Open worldwide
- All visual mediums
- Existing work welcome
Birds in art, 17th to 19th century, by Kubo Shunman, Bow Porcelain, Hiroshige, an unknown painter and Hokusai. The Met, public domain.
Birds, and everything around them
Open Call for Artists presents Birds & the Art of Nature, an international virtual exhibition. For as long as people have made art, they have drawn birds: as messengers, as symbols of freedom and home, and as some of the most beautiful things in nature.
We want to see how you see them, and the natural world they live in. Realistic or abstract, quiet or bold, a single feather or a whole landscape.
Woodblock print. The Met, public domain.
Read the full theme
Birds have appeared in art across almost every culture and era. They have been painted as messengers and omens, as symbols of peace, love, freedom, and the soul, and studied closely by naturalists and artists trying to capture every feather. At the same time, the natural world around them, the forests, wetlands, skies, gardens, and coastlines they live in, has inspired some of the most loved artworks ever made.
Birds & the Art of Nature invites artists to explore this relationship from their own point of view. You might be drawn to the shape of a wing, the colour of a feather, the movement of a flock, or the stillness of a bird resting on a branch. You might focus on a landscape, a plant, a season, or the light at a particular time of day. You might connect birds or nature with a memory, a place, a person, a culture, or a feeling.
Your artwork can explore the theme directly or in an unexpected way. Birds or nature can be the main subject, a small detail, a recurring element, or the idea behind the work. You may create a detailed study, an expressive painting, an abstract composition, a photograph, a sculpture, a textile piece, or a completely imagined world.
You can explore freedom, flight, migration, home, belonging, fragility, renewal, growth, the seasons, wildlife, conservation, our relationship with the environment, or simply the beauty and visual qualities of the natural world. Whether your work is realistic or abstract, personal or conceptual, we invite you to show us how you see birds and nature through your art.
Any medium. Any style.
Five ways artists have shown birds over 300 years. Yours can be any of these, or something new.
Eligible mediums
- Painting
- Drawing
- Watercolour
- Photography
- Illustration
- Printmaking
- Sculpture
- Ceramics
- Digital art
- Mixed media
- Collage
- Textile art
- Fiber art
- Embroidery
- Installation art
- Performance art
- Video
- Glass art
- Metalwork
- Woodworking
- And more
Artworks shown above: The Met, public domain.
Your work, hung in a 3D gallery
Open Call for Artists brings artists and audiences together through open calls and virtual exhibitions. Selected works hang in a 3D gallery anyone can visit online. This is our latest one: drag to look around, click to move.
- A place in the 3D virtual exhibitionShown alongside artists from around the world, open to visitors any time.
- An international exhibition creditFor your CV, portfolio, website and artist bio.
- A listing in the exhibition catalogueYour name and artwork details, ready to share.
- Promotion to our 200,000+ communitySelected artists may be featured on our website and social media.
- Professional visibilityA link to share with collectors, curators, galleries and art organisations.
Artist interview +$19
A personal feature about your journey and process, published on our website and shared on social media. Keep the $19 option selected at checkout. Subject to selection.
Read recent interviews
Fees support review, curation, exhibition development and promotion. As a self-funded organisation, fees are non-refundable. Selection is not guaranteed.
How it works
- 01
Submit
Upload up to 3 artworks as JPG or PNG, under 5 MB each.
- 02
Jury review
We look at quality, originality, technique and connection to the theme.
- 03
Notification
Selected artists hear from us by email.
- 04
Exhibition
Your work goes live in the 3D gallery and catalogue.
Who can apply
- Artists aged 18 or older at the time of submission
- Anywhere in the world, all genders, nationalities and backgrounds
- Emerging, self-taught and established artists
- Your artwork connects with birds or the natural world in some way
- The work is original and made by you
- Previously made, exhibited or published work is accepted if you hold the rights
- Collaborations are welcome when every contributor is credited and agrees
Submitting an application and paying the fee does not guarantee selection.
Submissions close 30 November 2026
Apply early to leave time for uploads. Late, incomplete or unpaid applications will not be considered, and extensions are not guaranteed.
Submit your work
You will need a headshot (not a selfie), up to 3 artwork images (JPG or PNG, under 5 MB), the title, medium and size of each work, and a short bio.
Questions
Anything else? Write to info@opencallforartists.com
Does my artwork have to include a bird?
No. Birds are one way into the theme, but any work inspired by the natural world is welcome: landscapes, seascapes, flowers, trees, gardens, animals, insects, skies, weather, or the seasons. Birds or nature can be the main subject, a small detail, a symbol, or simply the inspiration behind the work.
Who can participate in this open call?
Artists worldwide aged 18 and over, regardless of gender, nationality, or experience level. Emerging, self-taught, and established artists are equally welcome.
What types of work can I submit?
Work in any visual medium, including painting, drawing, photography, illustration, printmaking, sculpture, ceramics, textiles, digital art, mixed media, collage, installation, video, and more. You are free to interpret the theme in your own way, realistic or abstract.
Can I submit work I have already made or exhibited?
Yes. Previously created, exhibited, or published work is accepted, as long as it is your original work and you retain the rights to it.
What files do I need to upload?
Up to 3 artwork images in JPG or PNG format, each under 5 MB, plus a headshot (not a selfie). For each artwork, add its title, medium and size. You will also write a short bio.
Is there a fee to submit my work?
Yes. The fee is $12 USD and covers up to 3 artworks. The optional artist interview feature is an additional $19 USD.
How will my work be exhibited?
Selected works are installed in a 3D virtual gallery that visitors can walk through online, along with an exhibition catalogue. You can explore our latest exhibition on this page to see the format.
How are submissions selected?
Our jury reviews every submission on artistic quality, originality, technical execution, and connection to the theme. Every entry receives equal consideration, regardless of background or experience.
When is the deadline, and how will I know if I am selected?
Submissions close on 30 November 2026. Selected artists are notified by email after the review period, so please make sure your contact details are accurate and check your inbox, including spam, regularly.
Which payment methods are accepted?
Card via Stripe, PayPal, and Razorpay (including UPI and GPay). For any payment issue, email us and we will get back to you within 15 to 20 minutes.