.png)
Hidden in Plain Sight:
A Moments in Medford Outdoor Exhibition
Accepting Submissions
Thank you for supporting our artists and projects.
We are now accepting submissions from Medford residents, looking for both artists and writers. Including individuals that are amateurs, aspiring, or dabbling in expressing or capturing their 'Hidden Moment in Medford'.
All artwork will be displayed on 6ftx4ft banners in Medford. Location to be announced.
All proceeds from calendar sales will support our programs for residents of the Medford Housing Authority.
Submission Deadline: May 23, 2025
Outdoor Exhibition: TBD in Medford, MA
Before submitting, please scroll down for submission details
Before submitting artwork, please verify that your artwork meets these requirements:
-
Your digital file MUST be a high resolution image of no less than 300 dpi (the higher the better)
-
Your digital file must be less than 100MB in size.
-
Include a brief (1000 character maximum) "Artist/Writer Statement" explaining your art, your creative process and/or what the theme means to you.
-
Please label your digital art file with the "title" (5 word maximum) and your name - for example "ArtworkTitle-ArtistName".
-
Please do NOT include the words "Moments in Medford" in your artwork or artwork title.
-
AI generated artwork is NOT accepted. If the submission is determined to be AI generated, it will be disqualified.
-
Once submitted no edits can be made. If edits need to be made please contact admin and we will unlock your submission.
About the Moments in Medford Calendars
Welcome to "Moments in Medford," an extraordinary art competition that invites both professional artists, wordsmiths, and local residents to express their creativity and vision through visual art and quotations. This unique event aims to highlight the power of art and words as catalysts for social change, inclusion, and enlightenment, while celebrating the beauty and diversity of our community.
The Power of Art and Words: Art has the unparalleled ability to transcend boundaries and communicate profound messages in ways that resonate deeply with viewers. Combined with the power of words, quotations that capture wisdom and emotion, it creates a compelling narrative that can provoke thought and inspire change. Through the ages, both art and quotations have been forces for social change, reflecting the struggles and triumphs of humanity. They serve as mirrors to society, revealing both its beauty and its flaws, and hold the power to unite people from diverse backgrounds in a shared experience.
Moments in Medford harnesses this power to celebrate the beauty of our community as well as address critical issues. In this competition, we seek works that not only captivate the senses but also provoke thought and inspire change.
The Perspective of Local Residents: Local residents bring a unique and invaluable perspective to "Moments in Medford." Their artworks and quotations reflect the lived experiences and daily realities of our community, providing an authentic and grassroots view of the social issues we face. These artists and wordsmiths, often deeply connected to the local context, offer insights and narratives that might otherwise be overlooked.
By including local residents, we aim to create a platform where their voices can be heard and their stories shared. This inclusivity ensures a rich tapestry of viewpoints and experiences, enriching the competition and fostering a sense of community. Local residents' contributions highlight the personal impact of broader social issues, making the abstract tangible and relatable.
Their artworks can also serve as powerful tools for community building and cohesion. When local residents see their experiences reflected in the community, it validates their struggles and triumphs, fostering a sense of belonging and shared purpose. In this way, the competition not only celebrates artistic talent but also strengthens the bonds within our community.
Become a part of this change by submitting your original art or quotation to Moments in Medford and its annual community calendar.
About the Exhibit
Hidden in Plain Sight: A Moments in Medford Outdoor Art Exhibition
Medford is full of stories—some celebrated, others tucked away in the shadows. Hidden in Plain Sight, a special installment of the Moments in Medford program, is an outdoor art exhibition that unveils the unseen, amplifying voices and moments often overlooked. Displayed on striking 6ft x 4ft banners, artwork will bring to life hidden histories, forgotten spaces, and hidden individuals who shape our community in ways both profound and quiet.
Join us in rediscovering Medford through a new lens—one that brings the unseen into view and challenges us to look closer at the world around us.
Location: [TBD]
Date & Time: TBD
Free & Open to the Public
Want to be part of the exhibition? Submit your work or volunteer with us!
Who may enter?
Artists, professionals, amateurs, students - eveyone can participate. Submissions from Medford Housing Authority residents are strongly encouraged. There is no submission or entry fee.
There is no restriction on entering art which has been submitted to previous competitions.
You may not submit art or quotations to our annual competitions through this website or any related website unless you are 13 years old or over. Your submission to our annual competitions through our website or any related website indicates confirmation that you are at least 13 years old. If you are under the age of 13, you may still enter your art or quotation by submitting it through the mail with parental consent; if you are a MHA resident please contact Lisa Tonello.
Is there a submission or entry fee?
No.
Are there cash awards?
Yes, there will be $100 cash awarded to the artists of the works selected for display.
What is the theme of the exhibit?
Final selections will be chosen based on artistic excellence and originality in the reflection of our theme "Hidden in Plain Sight" All art must include a tribute to Medford by depicting a location, an event (current or historical), or some other symbolic representation. Additionally, the art may include, by way of suggestion only, any one or more of the following: appearance, racial differences; physical or mental impairment; language, religious or cultural differences; socioeconomic status; sexual orientation or identity; gender identity, positive attitude; inclusiveness; acceptance; taunting, bullying and confrontation; human rights and equality; understanding and kindness; empowerment; Holocaust awareness or any other topic which you believe furthers our theme of "Hidden in Medford." Do not feel limited by these suggestions. We strongly encourage new and fresh interpretations of our theme.
What are the selection criteria?
All submissions must be an original concept and execution and not a copy or reproduction of the work of another. Final selections for inclusion in the exhibit will be made by a three-judge panel consisting of The Mystic Project founders and past calendar artists and based on artistic excellence and originality in reflection of our theme "Moments on Medford." Judges will also consider:
-
How the art appears as an 6ft x 4ft vinyl banner?
-
Is the theme clear and easily understood?
-
Does the art explore the theme in an unusual or previously unexplored manner?
-
Will the art and its message prompt a discussion?
*The Mystic Project is a non-profit organization and is not a political organization, therefore it cannot endorse or promote any political candidates.
Do I need to submit my original work of art?
No, only a digital file of your original artwork is required. Due to the number received, submissions will not be returned.
May I submit my artwork, even though I have submitted it to other competitions or to Moments in Medford in the past?
Yes, there is no restriction on submitting art that has been previously submitted to Moments in Medford or other competitions.
What is the acceptable size and digital formats for creating and submitting my art?
Your original art may be any size and medium; however, you must create or scan and submit it as a high-resolution (minimum 300 dpi) digital file (JPG, JPEG, PDF or PNG). Your digital art must measure no less than 12.8” (325.12 mm) wide by 8.8” (223.52 mm) high, or if larger, it must contain the same proportions. Your submission may be cropped or edited to fit the calendar page dimensions.
What does "high resolution" and "minimum of 300 dpi" mean?
The digital copy of your art should have the highest resolution possible and at a minimum no less than 300 dpi. A resolution of 600 dpi or higher is preferred. The higher the resolution, the better your art will reproduce for display during the exhibit.
Will I be credited for my work?
Yes, you will receive full credit for your artistic creation. Please see our Terms and Conditions page as well as our Privacy Policy for additional information.
If selected, do I retain the rights to my art?
Yes, you retain the rights to your art while granting TMP a license.
If selected for the exhibition, by your submission, you will agree to irrevocably grant to The Mystic Project and its related organizations, affiliates, licensees and assigns, in its sole and absolute discretion, without restriction or limitation, a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty free, perpetual, irrevocable license (with the right to sublicense) to use, publish, modify, adapt, translate, create derivative works, distribute and display your work and personal information, including your name, age (if a student) and city/state/country of residence, for exhibits, displays, catalogs, posters, advertising, educational, merchandising/promotional materials and other purposes throughout the world via any media now known or hereinafter devised.
If your artwork is selected for display, you agree to execute additional documentation to effectuate this grant. Please see our Terms and Conditions page as well as our Privacy Policy for additional information.
When will final selections be made and how will I be notified?
Judging will take place at the end of May and those selected for inclusion in the exhibit will be notified by email. Due to the volume of submissions, only artists/writers with entries selected for display will be notified individually. All winning entries will be posted on our website by early December.
How many entries will be selected for the exhibit?
In total, the selected works will include 10 works.
When and where will the exhibit be displayed?
The exhibit will be displayed as a 2 week outdoor exhibit in Medford, MA