Creative Arts
Open Call for Art
The Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine Humanities in Healthcare Education Initiative invites artists to submit work for its upcoming Fall 2026 exhibition:
Where Healing Grows: Exploring Art, Nature, Health, and Well-Being
Exhibition Details
Exhibit Dates: September 21 – December 17, 2026
Exhibit Location: Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine
Opening Reception: Date TBD
The exhibition is open to amateur, emerging, and established artists working in all media, including 2D and 3D work. Up to three pieces per artist or collaborative group may be submitted.
Artists are invited to collaborate with nature by allowing natural elements such as weather, time, and living organisms to help shape the final work. Rather than imposing complete control over natural materials, artists are encouraged to act as facilitators — arranging found elements, capturing organic processes, or allowing natural forces and materials to complete the piece.
Every piece submitted should incorporate and actual piece of nature (leaf, flower, rock, seeds, bark, etc.) as an integral part of the artwork.
Submission Information
Submit images of your work to Courtney Powell (cbrakes@vt.edu) by August 1, 2026.
Please include:
Artist name and contact information
Title, dimensions, and medium for each piece
Images of submitted work
Brief artist statement (optional)
Accepted work should be delivered to the school by Friday, September 4, 2026.
**If you would like additional free resources for your work, including picture frames; paper and fabric with eco-prints, cyanotype, or rust prints; sliced stones; glycerin treated leaves of most sizes including large ones such as banana to be painted on; various types of bark, seed heads, pressed flowers, fungi, wasp nests, or other natural materials collected over several years, please contact: Diane Relf, eARTh Studio (dianerelf@icloud.com or 540-769-3957)**
For questions or additional information, contact Courtney Powell (cbrakes@vt.edu).
David Trinkle, Associate Dean for Community and Culture says of the Creativity in Health Education Program, “Art can enhance a person’s adaption to illness as well as promote recovery. We hope that the programs and shows that we feature at our school reinforce a holistic, patient-centered approach to healthcare that will benefit the students as well as the community as a whole.”
