"Tea is the elixir of life." ~ Lao Tzu
Whether as a morning inspiration for the day, or a warm moment at the end of one, tea is always comforting. Tea carries a rich history, spanning thousands of years and is a part of many cultures. The beverage may be an individual indulgence or shared with a neighbor on a hot summer day. A cup of tea sets the stage for conversation or for ceremony. This call for art welcomes creative minds to contemplate the tastes, smells, traditions, and emotions in various media. We encourage artists to expand on the theme of tea in representational and abstract forms that may include tea vessels, depictions of tea/tea traditions, artwork made with tea, or the sense of warmth, belonging, and so much more.
Artwork may be of any style and medium and may invite the viewer to actually touch the artwork.
Artists from within the DMV region and beyond are encouraged to apply.
The room is set, your spot awaits at Strathmore’s Teatime Juried Exhibition.
Submission Fee
A submission fee of $35 is required for each artist submitting up to 8 works. Submission fees are non-refundable, but they are tax-deductible. Payment will be collected after submission and can be made by credit card or debit card via Stripe, or by check.
Deadlines and Important Dates
Application Deadline: January 19, 2026 11:59pm*
Notification of Jury Results: February 12, 2026 *
Drop-off of All Accepted Work: Feb 26-28
Exhibition Opens to the Public: March 14
Opening Reception: March 19
Exhibition Closes to the Public: April 25
Required Art Pickup: Monday April 28 * #^
*subject to change
# The artist is responsible for all arrangements, costs, and execution of the delivery and pickup of artwork to and from Strathmore.
^All artwork on exhibition must remain on the Strathmore site throughout the entire exhibition. Early removal of artwork is strictly prohibited.
Jurors
Darryl Patterson & Adah Rose Bitterbaum.
Submissions will be evaluated on technical mastery, connection to theme, and original & aesthetic approach. Each artwork will be considered individually. There is no limit to how many works from one artist's entry may be accepted.
All artwork must be matted, framed, or otherwise made exhibition-ready. The Mansion at Strathmore uses the cable based Arakawa hanging system. All hanging artworks must be fitted with ¾” d-rings or larger, or use screw eyes with a ¼” diameter opening or larger. If using a metal frame, omni or screw hangers must be fitted to the frame. All d-rings, screw eyes, and omni or screw hangers should be installed at ¼ or less of the total height down from the top of the artwork to ensure that the artwork hangs flush to the wall. Cleats, sawtooth hangers, steel plates and wire, or any other hanging device requiring a nail in the wall are not acceptable hanging mechanisms.
*Any artwork previously exhibited or for sale at Strathmore is not eligible
