Back to All Events

The Cabinet of Secret Art


  • Oak Park Art League 720 W. Chicago Ave. Oak Park IL. 60302 US (map)

The Cabinet of Secret Paintings with with Betsy Zacsek, reveals artworks from artists’ personal collections: or rather works made by artists for themselves.  It features works that tell a secret story, works made from an emotional place, works that reveal too much vulnerability to ever be shared with the public, displayed in a conventional gallery setting, or subjected to critique.  This is a rare opportunity to examine artists’ personal creative practices through dialog and revelation and to confront otherwise forbidden works. What do Makers hide and what becomes part of public discourse?  What makes a piece appropriate for sharing? How do we want to be viewed by our art world colleagues and why do certain pieces not fit into this standard, when they’re still quite important to the Maker?

The show is and open call and is not judged. It is structured to provide a safe, anonymous environment to explore “secret paintings” within a supportive and curious community.
The works will be revealed along with an anonymous reading of their stories and hung during a live performance in front of an audience.

*Please read the Exhibition Guidelines. Entry into the exhibition and payment of the hanging fee constitute your acknowledgment that you have read and understood the guidelines for exhibitions in OPAL’s Carriage House Gallery.


This is an Open Call. The artwork you submit will be included if it meets the Call criteria.

● Deliver artwork to the Gallery on the drop-off dates below. All media/mediums accepted except for AI generated work.

● ARTWORK IS LIMITED IN SIZE TO (36”) IN THE LARGEST DIMENSION, including frame.

● Sculptural work can be up to 24” high if it is freestanding but must be no more than 24” wide in the round.

● All work MUST be ready to hang, with hanging wire. (ABSOLUTELY NO SAWTOOTH OR STRING HANGERS WILL BE ACCEPTED)

● A story about the submitted work is part of the piece, please include anonymous “story” in the Entry Form.

● Limit of 1 submission per artist.

Submission fee:

Art Member -   1st work - $15.

Non-Member - 1st work - $25.


Important Dates

Drop off work: Feb 1 & 2

Exhibition dates: Feb 7 - Mar 9

Please note ~ Opening reception:
Saturday, February 8, 1pm - 4pm

Pick up work:  Mar 8 & 9

Previous
Previous
January 10

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Next
Next
March 14

POSE! Juried Figure Exhibition