Hugo Gallery

The Hugo Gallery allows emerging artists to share their new work in our nonprofit literary arts center, fostering a synthesis between visual art and the written word.


To apply for the Hugo Gallery, download an application and submit it along with all requested support materials. Please read all submission guidelines first.

About the Hugo Gallery
The Hugo Gallery encourages the new work of emerging artists by providing a commission-free space and publicity resources for exhibitions of two-months' duration. The Hugo Gallery encourages the collaboration between visual and literary artists, although such collaborations are not required for exhibitions. If you are a visual artists or a writer who is already part of a collaboration or who would be interested in working on one, please contact the gallery manager.

The submission process
The Hugo Gallery accepts submissions three times a year. Two artists are chosen in each submission round; each will show a for two-month show in the subsequent four months. The deadlines and corresponding exhibitions are as follows:

Deadline: Friday, March 28, 2008
Exhibitions: June/July and August/September
Deadline: Friday, June 6, 2008
Exhibitions: October/November and December/January
Deadline: Friday, November 7, 2008
Exhibitions: February/March and April/May

If you choose to submit your work by one of these deadlines, you must be available to show during either of the exhibitions.

Please download and fill out the application (PDF at top of page) and return it to Hugo House along with the following support materials:

  • Application form;
  • Current resume;
  • A description of the work you would like to show at Hugo House, along with a statement telling us why the Hugo Gallery would be a good venue for your work;
  • Slides or a CD of your current work;
  • A self-addressed stamped envelope for the return of your materials.

The review process
Work shown in the Hugo Gallery is selected by a committee made up of Hugo House staff members, local artists and local gallery owners, including representative from Platform Gallery, SOIL and 4 Culture. If your work is selected, it is up to the discretion of the committee if your work will be chosen for a solo or group show.

If your work is selected
You will receive a packet from the Hugo Gallery detailing the exhibition process. This packet will include a list of e-mail contacts for various questions you may have, a sample press release and media contact list and a checklist of things to consider and prepare for your show.

Hugo House will list your show on our Web site and in our e-mail and print newsletters. It is your responsibility to write a press release and distribute it to local media sources, as well as to print any postcards you may want for the exhibition.

Hugo House will also provide you with a time slot for an opening reception. This will be the first Monday of your exhibition from 6-8 p.m. The Hugo House Cafe will be open during that time as a cash bar selling wine, beer and soft drinks. If you choose to not have the cafe open, there will be a $50 buy-out fee. You are welcome to provide any food items you would like for your opening, but are not allowed to provide any drinks if you choose to have the cafe open.

We look forward to seeing your work! Please contact Dawn Quinn, gallery manager, if you have any questions at dawnquinn@hugohouse.org.