Every artist's career has a first wall. For five years, The Depot has been providing one for emerging artists from throughout Oklahoma. 

The Depot Gallery is now accepting applications for its 5th Annual Emerging Artists Show, an exhibition devoted entirely to local artists who have never had a gallery show. The call is open to any visual art that hangs on a wall, including painting, photography, printmaking, collage and more. A jury will select approximately 12 artists for the exhibition.

The show opens with the January 2027 2nd Friday Norman Art Walk and runs through the end of February 2027 in the gallery at Norman's historic 1929 Santa Fe Depot.

"I love that we get to see talented people in our community raise their voices in ways they maybe haven't before," said Joy Andrews, Gallery Manager at The Depot. "To me, Emerging Artists is our most important show, because voices that haven't had a platform finally get one. With education, patience and a defined structure, we create a pathway for these artists to join Oklahoma's larger community of artists."

Selected artists go through the full experience of a professional exhibition, from submission and jurying to installation and opening night, often for the first time. That experience tends to open doors. "We've seen the Emerging Artists Show give artists a foot in the door to apply and show elsewhere," said Danielle Tipton, The Depot's Programs Director.

Trinity Slough, a past Emerging Artists participant who now works at The Depot, put it simply: "As an emerging artist, I felt supported in ways I had not before."

How to Apply

·  Deadline: Midnight, Sunday, October 25, 2026

·  Eligibility: Oklahoma artists who have not previously had a professional gallery show

·  Accepted work: Any wall-hangable visual art

·  Notifications: Selected artists will be notified by November 8, 2026

·  Apply: https://tinyurl.com/emergingartists2027

·  Questions: depotgallery@normandepot.org

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This Event/Opportunity is provided by The Depot and is not in direct affiliation with Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition (OVAC).
The address for this event is: 200 S Jones Ave., Norman OK 73069

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