Us by Us Gallery is throwing open the gates for the triumphant return of "199c" the baseball-themed art extravaganza originally cooked up by the BLDG crew (including Matt and Nick) back in 2014. Now, with the ball gathering dust in the outfield, we’re picking it up, dusting it off. As our beloved team have updated their team colors, we have updated the name to reflect, and are bringing it to Us by Us. This revival will be curated by none other than Matt Barnes and Nick Dew themselves.

This show is a full-throttle celebration of Cincinnati's enduring love affair with its iconic baseball team. We're calling all artists, designers, and makers to step up to the plate with your finest creations. Whether you’re slinging screen prints, crafting collages, or sculpting something that’s just out of left field, we want to see it.

We’re sticking to a rough 18x24 inch work or less for most of the pieces—think of it as our sweet spot—but if you’ve got a grand slam idea that needs more room, hit us up early. Space is tight, and we’re reserving a few spots for the bigger submissions.

So, sharpen your pencils, fire up your presses, and let’s make some art that hits it out of the park!

This isn't just another exhibition; it's a love letter to baseball and Cincinnati, brought to life by you, the hand-picked creative pros. We’re talking original works that dive deep into the culture, history, and quirks of the game and the city. Whether you’re sketching, snapping photos, throwing paint, sculpting, or even crafting a video masterpiece—anything goes.

We want you to push boundaries, redefine what baseball art can be, and inject your unique perspective into the mix. 199c isn’t just looking for art; we’re looking for bold, unexpected, and contemporary interpretations that channel the fervor of Cincinnati's iconic team. This is your chance to showcase that passion in the most creative, unconventional ways possible.

Eligibility:
This is an exclusive invite. You’ve been personally selected by Matt or Nick (our Show Curators) to be part of this. Please keep this under wraps and don’t forward it to other artists without our approval.

Entry Fees:
It is at no cost and free to enter.

Sales of Art:
A 25% commission will go to the Us by Us Gallery, while 75% will go to the artist. All works sold must remain in the gallery for the duration of the exhibition. Payment to the artist, via Venmo or bank transfer, will be issued within 30 days after the exhibition closes.

Submissions: 

• Artists may submit up to two (2) pieces. 
  
• All media is accepted.
  
• Work should be hang-ready
  
• Dimensions need to be within 24 x 24 inches (request for larger space if needed but space is limited)
  

Delivery of Artwork:
Shipped works should arrive between Monday, March 10th and Friday, March 14th—No Exceptions. Please coordinate with your chosen shipper. Shipped works will be boxed and returned within 30 days after the exhibition closes.

Hand-delivered works may be brought to the gallery between March 10th and Monday, March 17th. Email to coordinate times.

Insurance & Liability:
All works exhibited in the gallery must be self-insured by the artist for the duration of the exhibition. The gallery will not be responsible for any loss, damage, or theft, and it is the artist's responsibility to ensure their works are properly covered.

Step 01 -
Intent of Entry Confirmation

Deadline for Entry Confirmation
By confirming your participation, you are indicating that you intend to submit a work (even if you’re unsure of the exact piece at this time). Please submit your confirmation as soon as possible. Final confirmation is due by Monday, March 3, 2025 (By-end-of-day).

Step 02 -
Pre-Drop-Off

Deadline for Pre-Drop-Off
The next submission is when you know what you are making, you can still be working on your submission but have some details to share, please provide them as soon as possible to help us manage our workload and stay organized. The pre-drop-off deadline is March 10, 2025.

Pre-Submission:
Send the following to hello(at)usby.us

1. Images of your (work-in-progress) work (JPEG format, high resolution)
   
2. Title, dimensions, and medium of each piece
   
3. Short artist statement (up to 200 words) on how your work relates to the theme
   
4. Artist bio and contact information
   
5. Price: 75%(artist)/ 25%(Us by Us) split)

Step 03 - Ship or Drop off Work
Deadline for Drop-Off

Shipped works should arrive between Monday, March 10th and Friday, March 14th

Hand-delivered works may be brought to the gallery between March 10th and Monday, March 17th.