Art in Daily Spaces returns this spring – Applications now open

By James Albright, chair of the Mason Arts Council

After two successful years of transforming Annandale into a street-long art show, Art in Daily Spaces returns with expanded plans for 2026.

Funded by a generous grant from ArtsFairfax to Community Art for Everyone (CAFE), Art in Daily Spaces will take to the streets of Annandale in May 2026. For the first time, the will include a community art project, as well as the transformation of local businesses into temporary mini art galleries.

Over the last two years, Art in Daily Spaces has placed juried art into local retail and institutional spaces – hair salons, churches, coffee shops, and others – allowing artists’ work to be seen by more than just the gallery-going public. Given the lack of exhibit spaces in Mason District, Art in Daily Spaces fills a need for this cultural community.

CAFE has issued an artist call with a deadline of Jan. 31 for this year’s Art in Daily Spaces project. View the details and requirements here. To apply, send an email to [email protected].

This year’s theme, the Journey of Belonging, is intended to allow artists to express their personal or metaphysical journeys through two or three-dimensional art (painting, photography, sculpture, ceramics, or watercolors). The show will open with a public event on May 1 and will run through May 31.

Related story: Exhibit brings art to Annandale’s daily life

The Art in Daily Spaces community art project will build on CAFE’s experience and strength in galvanizing community members to work together to create art for display. There will be several gatherings to build community and generate ideas, eventually leading to the creation of one or more pieces of work. The project portion of Art in Daily Spaces starts in the spring and will be announced separately from the current artist call.

Artists interested in participating in the Art in Daily Spaces exhibit will need to submit an artist statement, a statement that connects their work to the Journey of Belonging theme, a history of the shows where their works have been displayed (if any), and three samples of their work. Participants will receive a stipend of $100 for their involvement in the show.

Successful applicants will be notified by Feb. 15. Artists can propose existing works for inclusion or can create new works for the show. It isn’t essential that the applicant’s current body of work be connected to the show theme, but these artists should prepare new works to align closely with the theme.

Art in Daily Spaces is a major part of the Annandale/Mason District cultural scene. It joins other art-related activities – such as the 2025 inaugural Mason District Art Festival, the Mason Arts Council, local murals, and social events for artists – to highlight the role and meaning of culture to our community.