A global destination for original art + culture with insights into contemporary practice

We feature contemporary artists at the core of creativity & the future of art. 


Call for Artists

Juniper Rag is an independent, women-owned, artist-run, BIPOC founded digital platform whose mission is to elevate emerging and mid-career visual artists and creative businesses from all over the world. We are relatively new, founded in 2020 and have been aggressively expanding our footprint, promoting over 1K artists a year, hosting, jurying and curating for ourselves and other creative organizations 10-12 exhibitions a year. 

Deeply embedded in our global community, we strategically partner and collaborate with galleries, non-profits, curators and businesses to push the boundaries of ordinary practices of art viewing and collecting. We are looking at the future with a big lens, and foresee incredible intersections with the digital world. With years of trend forecasting and art buying for one of the nations top stationery companies, we are positioned to amplify and showcase significant artwork. 

  • Future Focused: We provide a dedicated and committed marketing support team that is inclusive and ready to tackle the future of art in a new developing landscape. We are fascinated with new technology and age-old processes alike. 
  • Artist Showcases: Our latest juried call for artists, whether virtual or live, will be featured heavily on our social media and our website showcasing your artist biography, website, and 1-3 images of your artwork. 
  • Additional Opportunities: You may be invited for additional opportunities, features and exhibitions. 
  • Curatorial Responses: Uniquely, our surprise curatorial responses included with select artist features have become an exciting way artists learn about responses to their work.
  • Prizes: Uniquely, we have developed unique promotional packages for 3 artists for each exhibition for an increased push to the top 3 juror's choice artists.
  • Annual growth: Our followers are growing by 30% a year and our audience is active and collaborative, which amplifies your work reciprocally.
  • Strategic Partnerships: We constantly develop exciting relationships for opportunities for artists and collectors-- to connect, build vibrant networks.
  • Professional Development: We strongly guide and encourage creative business best practices and offer a wide range of creative services, including website builds, marketing plans, brand packages and more. See our website for info.

What sets us apart?

Juniper Rag  focuses on new and exciting ways that art intersects with the future and are creating a narrative for contemporary artists practicing and selling art today. Juniper Rag is currently a web-based initiative for the arts with a strong global community development component. With practical insights that foster a holistic and inclusive perspective on the arts, we contribute meaningfully to the sustainability of our collective creative economy, harnessing the power of the internet, driving growth and connections that advance careers.

We are marketers and mad connectors with 25 years of experience in the luxury goods market, working with brands like Condé Nast | BRIDES, Wynn Companies, GILT, Neiman Marcus and more. Their design work has been featured on The Today Show, in Martha Stewart, BRIDES, and on BRIDES Live Weddings. We help launch startups and small to medium-sized businesses and collaborate with trusted organizations locally for in-person exhibitions like Mechanics Hall, Boston City Hall, New Art Center, ARCK Boston, CUSP Gallery Newport, JMAC and corporate collaborations with Spectrum Healthcare.

Juniper Rag has built a strong reputation in presenting high-caliber art in all media by some of the best emerging and mid-career artists, and proudly we have juried and curated some of the highest attending shows for our creative partners. Locally, we are active in many Massachusetts artist communities, which gives all of our talented artists strategic footing in New England. 

Payal Thiffault and Michelle May are the co-founders of Juniper Rag and Atelier ID Global, a boutique branding and marketing agency.

Visit www.juniperrag.com to research more and please share our link with people you think would enjoy our artists.

BASIC SUBMISSION DETAILS:

  • Eligibility: International artists are welcome to apply to all virtual shows with works in any medium. Each in-person exhibitions have logistical guidelines to follow.
  • Requirements: Artists may submit up to the specific limit of art for each call, which may vary. In some cases you can submit more for a small fee. High-quality, cropped, unframed images, a well-written bio and a statement  (300 words each) are required
  • Optional marketing items can be submitted as well. Include a headshot,  + an optional 15 second video of a studio or process shot or comparable 

REQUIREMENTS

  • Submission Fee: $35 USD (non-refundable)
  • Limit of Submitted Artworks: depends on call requirements, please read.
  • Bio Word Limit: 300
  • Statement Word Limit: 350


CONNECT WITH OUR ONLINE COMMUNITY

Magic happens because of your network. Use your network. Build a bigger network. Invest in your followers & contacts.

  • @juniperrag on all channels. Follow us so we can tag your account.
  • Juried calls mean that not all art or artists may be selected.
  • Submission fees are non-refundable. 

COPYRIGHT & USAGE AGREEMENT

By submitting your work, you attest that it your submission is your own original work. Artist retains full copyright of the work and will be credited. By submitting you give permission to Juniper Rag to use your images by JUNIPER RAG or affiliated partners on our websites, print and digital, advertising, interviews and of course, social media posts. We do reserve the right and hope to use your content again at a later time. We may also share your social media.

By submitting your work, you attest that it is your original artwork, 100% and if you are creating digital art you have diligently checked all copyright information. Any questionable submissions that we ethically cannot support may be omitted.

SUBMISSIONS ARE ONLY ACCEPTED THROUGH SUBMITTABLE.

Thank you for sharing your work with Juniper Rag.

Michelle May and Payal Thiffault

 


$35.00

CALL FOR ART

D E L I R I U M, a hybrid (live + projected) exhibition of art presented by Juniper Rag in tandem with The Hanover Theatre Rep’s 5th Annual Edgar Allan Poe Double Header.

D E L I R I U M  invites artists to explore the fragile line between beauty and unraveling, where the mind thrums with restless energy and shadows glisten with unspoken menace. We seek works that fixate on the obsessive, hush the ordinary, and jolt the senses with stark revelations. Let your visions echo with gasps, fevered strokes, or the pallor of something half-remembered. This is a space for art that bleats in the night, quivers with intensity, and teeters between rapture and ruin — a gallery transformed into the haunting architecture of the mind.

Curated by Payal Thiffault and Michelle May of Juniper Rag, who are known for their annual call for dark art. The exhibition will take place in Worcester, MA.

The D E L I R I U M exhibition will bring a revenant and ethereal atmosphere to the gallery during the heightened sense of the unknown. That last week of October, feel the Suspended reality, when the ordinary feels briefly enchanted or dangerous. Thin veils between the seen and unseen, the living and the dead. Shared rituals, a cultural heartbeat of play and dread. Heightened perceptions, every shadow, creak, and whisper feels loaded.

Inspiration if inclined:

Macabre and Gothic:

  • Poe's writing is characterized by its dark, often morbid, and gothic atmosphere, which aligns well with the seasonal aesthetic.

Psychologically Thrilling:

  • Poe delves into the darker aspects of the human psyche, exploring themes of grief, loss, fear, and madness, which are common elements celebrated at this time of year.

Atmosphere and Setting:

  • Poe masterfully creates a sense of dread and suspense through vivid descriptions of setting and atmosphere, making his works ideal for evoking a spooky mood.

Uniqueness of this Opportunity:

  • D E L I R I U M will explore the dark side of the senses of sight and sound, this hybrid exhibition will feature physical pieces together with a virtual selection of work in a projected slide show, all enhanced by a curated soundtrack.
  • The Hanover Theatre Rep presents its 5th Annual Edgar Allan Poe Double Header for the duration of the exhibition in the adjacent BrickBox Theater. With the production attracting hundreds of viewers, this opportunity to show your work in this genre in one of Worcester’s coolest venues during Poe week is not to be missed.
  • For dark art in central MA, this is the show to be in! Exhibit with the best in this genre, a fun opportunity for all artists to dip into the waters of their dark side. Michelle is also the founder of Worcester's Cirque du Noir, an arts event known for bringing darkness to light and community together to celebrate art.
  • A week of Poe performances equates to a week worth of openings to an audience of viewers who love the darkness--with hundreds of new eyes every day.
  • Collaborative exposure and marketing with Hanover Theater’s Brick Box/JMAC and Worcester Pop Up
  • Total Estimated Attendance to Poe performances are based on past years of 500-750!
  • Costume Gala On Halloween, Friday, Oct 31 from 6-8:30 pm, between the double-header performances. Wear your deliriously cool Poe-tic attire! Prize for best costume. (You do not have to purchase tickets to the show to attend the costume party, but why miss out on the entire experience?)

Awards for 3 Curator's Choice for D E L I R I U M will be chosen. Each artist will receive an artist feature and social media posts.

ARTWORK GUIDELINES:

  • Project Scope: The art should resonate with description above and have the dark, ethereal qualities. Over the years, Juniper Rag’s fall exhibitions have embraced the shadowed, the smoldering, and the surreal. D E L I R I U M is your opportunity to show work from deep subconscious like Poe who plunges into the deep corners, where repressed guilt, fevered dreams, and shadowed desires surface in haunting, inescapable forms. This show is ethereal and dark and we are looking for art that resonates with the ethereal vibe of autumn, haunting dreams, rapture and run, subconscious and macabre.
  • Indicate on your form if your work will be physically there or virtually projected, only for artists that are not in the radius of the physical show and cannot ship work. Projected work can already be sold as well.
  • All physical artwork displayed in the gallery should be for sale.
  • Poe-esque art is also encouraged but certainly not to be on the nose or a must by any means. Catch the vibe! The plays featured in the 2025 5th Annual Edgar Allan Poe Double Header are The Tell-Tale Heart and The Cask of Amontillado.
  • Eligibility: All artists are welcome to apply with works in any medium. Artists are responsible to drop off and pick up their work. Please look at our dates and mark you calendars. National artists can ship with a return label included. Delivery address will be provided. Please record.
  • Requirements: Artists may submit 3-5 pieces of art total, we will choose a selection. High-quality images, short bio and a statement for social media-- that connects to the call. We use this to promote your work.
  • Works on paper or photographs must be hangable.
  • All artwork must be wired and ready to hang. No exceptions.
  • Framed art: your submission images should show us the frame, cropped to edge. No surprises. ; )
  • 3D Submissions of sculpture and photography strongly encouraged.
  • Submit 2D work under 40 x 40 inches max (with or without frame).
  • Submit 3D work or installations are encouraged. We would like to make this as immersive as possible.
  • Make sure your gallery tag information includes specialty descriptions like, "hand-sourced pigments".

Selection Criteria: Works will be evaluated for conceptual strength, originality, and alignment with the theme’s psychological and aesthetic depth. We will consider how effectively each piece evokes atmosphere, engages the viewer’s senses, and lingers in the imagination. Technical skill, material choice, and overall presentation will factor into the selection, but equal weight will be given to emotional resonance and narrative impact. The final curation will reflect a balance of mediums, perspectives, and voices, creating an exhibition that captures the fevered beauty and unsettling allure at the heart of DELIRIUM.

IMPORTANT DATES

  • Submissions close: September 24
  • Artist Notifications: September 30
  • Art Drop Off @ JMAC: Sunday, October 26, from 6-8 pm, Monday, October 27 from 9-12 am. These are the best dates we could manage. We understand these hours are limited and apologize for any inconvenience. We highly recommend dinner or lunch in Worcester's fab restaurants when you come!
  • Shipped Art: Professional artists must have a self-paid return label or it becomes the property of Juniper Rag, which we will put up for sale on our Art Market. Sorry we do not have the bandwidth to chase down all returns.
  • Installation: Monday, October 27 (12-5 pm), 28th (10-5 pm)
  • Opening & Awards: Wednesday, October 29, 5-8 pm, cash bar until doors at theater
  • Costume Gala: Friday, October 31, 6-8:30 pm, in between performances. Cash bar.
  • Check Performance Schedule: Show up and hang in the gallery and mingle with theater goers or see a show!
  • Show Closes: Nov 1, 2025 after doors of last performance.
  • Art Pick Up: November 2 at JMAC, 9 am-5 pm

PRICING, COMMISSIONS & FEES:

ART PRICES: All work should be gallery priced starting at $150- 4K, please contact us if you work is over 4K. Exceptions will be made for the right work. Experience tells us that the sweet spot for art sales in this market is $300-1K. Higher ticket items have sold for us in this area, but we know this range is key. If your mission is to make a splash and selling is not your priority, by all means splash away! Selling is always our priority and we will do our best to sell each piece.

ARTIST COMMISSIONS: Artists receive 50% commission, JR / JMAC 25% each.

JUNIPER RAG SUBMISSION FEES: Your submission fee contributes to keeping the lights on at Juniper Rag, overhead for Squarespace and Submittable, processing submissions, stipends. We work for hours organizing, creating spreadsheets, design, labels, planning the call, hanging the installation, marketing, promotion and social media (and more) and the submission fee supports all the artists we work with. We only exist because of artists.


 

 WHY WORK WITH JUNIPER RAG?


 

  • Elevation of your work – Juniper Rag exhibitions are recognized for their curatorial excellence and thematic sophistication, attracting collectors, curators, and press.
  • Curated Audience – We cultivate an engaged community of art lovers who value conceptual depth and technical skill.
  • Artist Features – Selected artists are spotlighted in Juniper Rag’s digital platforms, expanding their visibility beyond the exhibition.
  • Professional Credibility – Being part of a Juniper Rag exhibition enhances an artist’s CV because we only select the high level of art for our concept-driven exhibitions.
  • Diverse Reach – Our audience spans local, national, and international art markets.
  • Thoughtful Curation – Each show is crafted to create a strong visual and thematic narrative, elevating every participating work.
  • Supportive Environment – We actively promote participating artists through marketing, social media campaigns, and networking opportunities.

Long-Term Impact – Many past exhibitors have gone on to sell works, secure commissions, and gain future exhibition invitations, solo shows and acquisitions into large scale corporate purchases as a result of their Juniper Rag participation.
 

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES:

We are always interested in collaborative relationships. If your like-minded business would like to sponsor DELIRIUM or any Juniper Rag exhibition, please contact michelle@atelieridglobal.com.

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ADDITIONAL BENEFITS of this THT REP/JMAC/POPUP collaboration:

  • Total estimated attendance of 500-750, based on last year’s ticket sales to the Edgar Allan Poe Double Header-- an audience that we already know loves this genre.
  • Collaborative marketing with the Jean McDonough Arts Center and The Hanover Theatre Rep, both programs of The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for the Performing Arts.
  • Special D E L I R I U M selected artist discount on tickets to the Edgar Allan Poe Double Header. A code will be sent with your acceptance for tracking, so please use that code for ticketing.

ABOUT THE JEAN MCDONOUGH ARTS CENTER

Comprised of the intimate BrickBox Theater and ever-changing Worcester PopUp, the Jean McDonough Art Center (JMAC) is the place in downtown Worcester, MA to present and experience a wide range of arts, culture, and community events. The JMAC is committed to cultural equity. All are welcome, and our spaces are accessible to creatives from all backgrounds. 

ABOUT THE HANOVER THEATRE REP 

An initiative of The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for the Performing Arts, THT Rep makes professional plays in Worcester, for Worcester. The Rep energizes, entertains and engages audiences with fresh stagings of classic, modern classic, and classics-inspired works.

ABOUT THE 5th ANNUAL EDGAR ALLAN POE DOUBLE HEADER 

By popular demand, The Edgar Allen Poe Double Header returns for another year to haunt the BrickBox Theater! At turns dark and darkly funny, this 60-minute solo show is staged as a séance, conjuring two of Poe’s most notorious narrators. Created and performed by THT Rep's Artistic Director Livy Scanlon with costume design by Chelsea Kerl, lighting design by Brenda Shepard and sound design by Steve Shepard.

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Please share our D E L I R I U M call for art with anyone you know who has dark artwork that fits this call!

We are thrilled to be curating this exhibition for the annual Poe performances. We strongly encourage you to attend the openings and get some face time with other artists and with us. We love seeing you.

Please help us grow and tell your friends about Juniper Rag. @juniperrag everywhere on social!

As always, thank you for your support.

- Michelle and Payal, Juniper Rag   


 


 

Juniper Rag