Accepting Entries NOW!

Artists, here’s your chance to create a solo exhibition or installation in the Inner Room at GearBox Gallery in Oakland! The Inner Room is an intimate project space within GearBox Gallery, perfect for special installations and small solo exhibitions. 

Exhibition Dates: May 28 — July 3, 2026

Entry Deadline: April 12th, 2026, 11:59 pm Pacific Time Zone

Announcement: Selected Proposal Announced April 20th, 2026

Eligibility: Open to Northern California Artists (Fresno and North) over the age of 21.

The winning installation or exhibition will be selected from pdf proposals submitted by email and will be juried by the Gearbox Inner Room Selection Committee. Proposals should include a written explanation of the installation or exhibition along with photos or images of the work to be installed, or very similar work. Links to video clips may also be submitted. All artwork must be original to the submitting artist. There is no specific theme. Selection will be based on the quality of artwork, with special emphasis on how it relates to, enhances, transforms, or makes innovative use of the space.

Submit your proposal for the space by email to info@gearboxgallery.com with your last name and the words “Inner Room Proposal 2026” in the subject line of the email. 

The Gallery will provide a postcard featuring the exhibition/installation and will promote it along with our already scheduled featured exhibition. A reception for the artist will be hosted Saturday, May 30th from 1-4 pm, concurrent with the reception for the featured exhibition on view at the same time. The artist will also be invited to participate in an artists’ talk together with the artists showing in the featured show. 

Please note, Artist will be responsible for delivery, installation and retrieval of work, as well as for any special installation procedures & equipment (video projector, etc.) that may be necessary. Installation to be scheduled between May 24th - 27th. The Artist should plan to patch the walls after artwork removal. Basic tools and a step stool/ladder are available at the gallery. Deinstallation to be scheduled between July 5th - 7th.

The Inner Room is 8’ X 8’ X 8’ with sheet rock walls & ceiling, and a small bank of track lights. There are 2 electrical outlets on one wall, a single light switch on the opposite wall, & a doorway (with no door) to the main gallery space. Please refer to the photos below & floor plan included here, and/or visit the gallery to view the space in person.

Sales: Work shown in the Inner Room is expected to be for sale, either as a complete installation, or individually priced components or artworks. The gallery will handle sales. The Artist’s commission on sales is 60%.

Entry fee: $25.00 fee can be paid by PayPal or credit card by clicking the PayPal link below. Not a PayPal member? You may also pay by credit/debit card without a PayPal account, select “check out as a guest” and follow the prompts) or mail checks to GearBox Gallery at 770 West Grand Ave., Oakland, 94612.