- Each person is welcome to submit a maximum of 2 pieces
- Maximum size is 60cm x 72cm
- All art must be original work and easy to display
- Canvases are preferred due to Assembly Hall’s installation requirements. Otherwise, works will need to be framed with the capacity to have d-ring picture hooks (see picture below) – BIST can help with this process.
- Art of any medium is encouraged! The gallery can also accommodate small sculptures and jewellery in display cases – so get creative!
Submissions are now open for our 7th Annual Expressive Art Show!
Art on the Brain | Assembly Hall | May 17 - June 14th, 2023
Submission Guidelines:

Virtual Art Show:
In addition, our Expressive Art Show will also be virtual and will once again be hosted at: www.bist.ca/ART. Selected pieces will be part of our Brain Injury Awareness Month social media campaign in June, 2023. We will seek permission from each artist prior to posting their artwork online, and participation in our Virtual Expressive Art Show is voluntary. (Meaning, some artists may choose to only show their work in person at Assembly Hall, and this is fine!
Financial Reimbursement:
Limited financial reimbursement for art materials is available for members who produce artwork using their own materials. Please contact Meri at: [email protected] to discuss the parameters.
About Assembly Hall:
Assembly Hall is a City of Toronto run art gallery located at Kipling and Lakeshore, at 1 Colonel Samuel Smith Park Drive. It is open 7 days a week with FREE admission to members of the public. Find out more, HERE.
Important Dates:
1) April 3rd, 2023: Application Deadline
Email us a clear photo of your original artwork. All art is welcome! We encourage art that reflects at least one of the following themes.
- Life with brain injury
- Brain injury awareness
- Hidden disability
- Intersections of identities and brain injury (race / class / gender identity / age)
Art doesn’t need to be completely finished at this date, but your photo should give a clear idea of the project.
➡️ Send your pictures to: [email protected] by April 3rd, 2023.
2) April 5th, 2023: Response from BIST
The BIST team will review all work to ensure it’s the right size, easy to display and adheres to our BIST member code of conduct. We will reply to all artists by April 5th, 2023.
3) April 10th, 2023: Art Show Form Completion
If your work is selected for our Expressive Art Show, we will send you a short application form to fill out with details needed for Assembly Hall’s catalogue, permission for posting your work online, and information about protecting and, if you choose, selling your artwork.
If you choose to sell your work, 100% of the sales go to YOU the artist – neither BIST nor Assembly Hall will take any of the proceeds.
The form needs to be completed by: April 10th, 2023. Assistance will be available to anyone who needs help completing it.
4) May 15th, 10 – 11 AM: Installation day
All art needs to be delivered to Assembly Hall on Monday, May 15th, 10 – 11 AM. BIST will contact artists to arrange logistics, any artists who are able to drop their art directly to Assembly Hall will be encouraged to do so. Otherwise, BIST will arrange delivery.
5) May 17th, 6 – 8 PM: Opening reception
We hope to see everyone there!