About the Exhibition
The Harford County Cultural Arts Board, the Harford County Public Library, Ashley Addiction Treatment, and the Harford Artists Association invite artists to submit work for a community art exhibition The Art of Healing. Recovery is deeply personal and not a one-size-fits-all, and we recognize that creativity can be an important part of the healing journey.
We welcome artists of all abilities and encourage submissions from those whose artwork played a pivotal role in their healing and recovery process from addiction, or whose artwork served as a creative outlet or support as a family member or friend navigated addiction and recovery.
Visual artwork (2D and 3D) will be installed in the Bel Air Library. Literary art will be displayed for reading in the Library exhibit room, outside of the Passport Office. Selections may be read at the opening reception.
Submissions will be reviewed for eligibility (based on restrictions below) by HCCAB, Harford Artists Association, and Library staff.
Exhibition address: Bel Air Library, 2nd Floor exhibition room and other public library spaces, 100 E. Pennsylvania Avenue, Bel Air, MD 21014
Click here to fill out the art submission form.
Themes
Artists could explore themes including (but not limited to):
Eligibility and Size Restrictions
This exhibit is open to artists of all skill and experience. Art may be visual, including any two-dimensional or three-dimensional media, or literary art, including poetry and short narrative works such as flash fiction or short stories. All artwork must be original and may not represent any political, violent, or illicit materials or imagery.
Submissions will be reviewed for eligibility based on content and size restrictions only.
Artists (visual or literary) are limited to five submissions per artist. Given space limitations, not all submissions may be included in the final exhibit.
Visual artwork is restricted to the following sizes:
Submission Instructions
To submit work, please complete the online submission form, available at the end of March:
Liability
By submitting artwork to this exhibition, the artist acknowledges and accepts all rules and conditions shared in the call for art and on this form. The Harford County Public Library, the Harford County Cultural Arts Board, the Harford Artists Association, and Ashley Addiction Treatment, their staff, patrons, and volunteers reserve the right to photograph accepted work for publicity, inventory, and reporting purposes.
All entries will be handled with care while in the custody of the Harford Artists Association, the Harford County Cultural Arts Board, the Harford County Public Library, or Ashley Addiction Treatment; however, submission is at the sole risk of the artist. Neither the Harford Artists Association, the Harford County Cultural Arts Board, the Harford County Public Library, or Ashley Addiction Treatment assumes responsibility or liability for loss, theft, or damage of any kind, regardless of cause. Insurance for submitted and exhibited work is the sole responsibility of the artist.
Please note, all pieces will be on display in library spaces that are open and accessible to the public while the Bel Air Library is open for business.
Deadlines and Important Dates
Activities are made possible by a County Arts Development grant from Maryland State Arts Council, a Maryland State agency under the authority of the Department of Commerce, Division of Tourism, Film and the Arts.
We welcome artists of all abilities and encourage submissions from those whose artwork played a pivotal role in their healing and recovery process from addiction, or whose artwork served as a creative outlet or support as a family member or friend navigated addiction and recovery.
Visual artwork (2D and 3D) will be installed in the Bel Air Library. Literary art will be displayed for reading in the Library exhibit room, outside of the Passport Office. Selections may be read at the opening reception.
Submissions will be reviewed for eligibility (based on restrictions below) by HCCAB, Harford Artists Association, and Library staff.
Exhibition address: Bel Air Library, 2nd Floor exhibition room and other public library spaces, 100 E. Pennsylvania Avenue, Bel Air, MD 21014
Click here to fill out the art submission form.
Themes
Artists could explore themes including (but not limited to):
- Addiction
- Recovery
- Family
- Resilience
- Hope
- Community
Eligibility and Size Restrictions
This exhibit is open to artists of all skill and experience. Art may be visual, including any two-dimensional or three-dimensional media, or literary art, including poetry and short narrative works such as flash fiction or short stories. All artwork must be original and may not represent any political, violent, or illicit materials or imagery.
Submissions will be reviewed for eligibility based on content and size restrictions only.
Artists (visual or literary) are limited to five submissions per artist. Given space limitations, not all submissions may be included in the final exhibit.
Visual artwork is restricted to the following sizes:
- 2D Framed or Unframed: 36 inches wide by 36 inches tall
- 3D: Artwork must be safely free standing, or the artist must provide a display stand to make the work safely free standing, and be no larger than 36 inches wide by 36 inches tall
- Must be delivered in hard copy, printed and bound
- Works may be a maximum of 5 pages
Submission Instructions
To submit work, please complete the online submission form, available at the end of March:
- Completed online submission form that includes a completed image list.
- Visual Art:
- 2-3 images of the actual pieces you would like to display, in JPEG, PDF, or PNG format. Please use the following format for file names: last name, first initial, image title. Abbreviate as needed.
- Literary Art:
- A file, either image or text formats, of the literary piece you are submitting, or a link to that work online. For image files please use JPEG, PDF, or PNG format. For text files please use MS Word, PDF, or Text Only. Please use the following format for file names: last name, first initial, title. Abbreviate as needed.
- An artist’s statement is encouraged but not required. If you choose to submit a statement, we suggest including some information about your recovery and/or healing journey and how creating art has played a role in that process. Artist’s statements should be submitted as a separate file. Please use MS Word, PDF, or Text Only formats. Please use the following format for file names: last name, first initial, artist statement.
- If your artwork is accepted and you wish to remain anonymous for labeling, please let us know that preference on your submission form.
- Accepted artists will have an option to sell their work. Please let us know your preference for your pieces on your submission form. Art sales will be handled through the Harford Artists Association. All pieces must remain on display for the duration of the exhibit.
Liability
By submitting artwork to this exhibition, the artist acknowledges and accepts all rules and conditions shared in the call for art and on this form. The Harford County Public Library, the Harford County Cultural Arts Board, the Harford Artists Association, and Ashley Addiction Treatment, their staff, patrons, and volunteers reserve the right to photograph accepted work for publicity, inventory, and reporting purposes.
All entries will be handled with care while in the custody of the Harford Artists Association, the Harford County Cultural Arts Board, the Harford County Public Library, or Ashley Addiction Treatment; however, submission is at the sole risk of the artist. Neither the Harford Artists Association, the Harford County Cultural Arts Board, the Harford County Public Library, or Ashley Addiction Treatment assumes responsibility or liability for loss, theft, or damage of any kind, regardless of cause. Insurance for submitted and exhibited work is the sole responsibility of the artist.
Please note, all pieces will be on display in library spaces that are open and accessible to the public while the Bel Air Library is open for business.
Deadlines and Important Dates
- Submissions open: March 23, 2026
- Submission deadline: May 17, 2026
- Accepted Art Confirmations: May 22, 2026, sent via email
- Art Drop Off: June 1 – 7, 2026, Harford Artists Association, 37 N Main St Suite 104, Bel Air, MD 21014
- Exhibition Dates: June 12 – August 1, 2026
- Opening Reception: June 12, 2026, 6 – 8 p.m.
- Art Pick-Up: August 7 - 8, 2026, Bel Air Library, 100 E Pennsylvania Ave, Bel Air, MD 21014
Activities are made possible by a County Arts Development grant from Maryland State Arts Council, a Maryland State agency under the authority of the Department of Commerce, Division of Tourism, Film and the Arts.
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