Bloom Above the Waterline: Lotus Art Show

Call for Artists – Group Exhibition

In conjunction with Lian (蓮): The Lotus Festival

Lan Su Chinese Garden invites local artists to submit work for a group exhibition celebrating the lotus flower—蓮花 (lián huā)—as a powerful cultural, philosophical, and seasonal symbol. This exhibition will take place during peak summer bloom, when lotus flowers rise across the garden, mirroring the living subject of the show itself.

We are seeking 2D artworks only that offer a unique interpretation of the lotus and its layered meanings.

Key Dates

Submission Deadline: Midnight on June 20, 2026

Exhibition Dates: July 3–August 22, 2026

About the Lotus Theme

The exhibition will be presented within the garden during the lotus bloom season, creating a dialogue between living plants and artistic interpretation. Visitors will experience the artworks alongside the real lotus in bloom, reinforcing the connection between art, nature, and reflection.

The lotus holds deep significance in Chinese culture, especially as a summer flower associated with purity, resilience, transformation, and spiritual awakening. Rising from the mud yet remaining unstained, it is traditionally seen as a symbol of clarity of mind and moral integrity.

The Song dynasty scholar Zhou Dunyi 周敦頤 (1017-1073) famously wrote in On the Love of the Lotus that the lotus is the “gentleman of all flowers,” admired for its ability to grow in humble conditions without losing its elegance or purity. This philosophy has inspired generations of scholars, poets, and artists who see the lotus as a model for personal cultivation and inner strength.

Beyond symbolism, the lotus is also deeply woven into daily life and culinary tradition—its leaves used for steaming rice, its crisp roots enjoyed seasonally, and its seeds transformed into sweet pastes found in mooncakes and pastries. It is both poetic symbol and lived experience.

Lotus vs. Water Lily

Both lotus flowers and water lilies grow in Lake Zither at Lan Su Chinese Garden.

It can be easy to confuse lotus flowers and water lilies, especially taken out of their natural growing context. When observing the plants, one significant difference is how high above the water the flowers bloom. Water lilies are typically resting on the surface or just a couple of inches above, while lotus tend to reach one to two feet above at full size. That fact is actually the inspiration for this exhibit’s name, “Bloom Above the Waterline”!

While this group art show may include some water lilies among the selected works, our primary focus is to highlight the lotus in its various stages of growth. Because they are so commonly confused (looking at you, mis-named emojis 🪷), we will also take the opportunity to educate visitors on the differences.

Lotus Art Show Submission Guidelines

• Local artists (i.e. Portland-Vancouver metro area) are invited to interpret the lotus in any 2D medium—painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, collage, or mixed media. Works may be traditional, contemporary, abstract, or conceptual.
• Works should respond to the theme of the lotus and its meanings.
• Submitted artwork must be appropriate for all ages and suitable for a family-friendly audience.
• Each artist may submit up to two artworks for consideration by uploading images in PDF, JPG, or PNG format.
• Due to limited space, the maximum suggested size for wall pieces is 20” x 24”.
• All pieces must be delivered ready to install: works on paper must be framed; frames and canvas pieces must be wired to hang on our gallery Stas hooks. No frames with saw hooks or empty frame backs. If artwork is framed, we require the use of plexiglass or acrylic glazing instead of real glass to ensure safety in the event of accidental falls or drops. Products must include any necessary display items.
• Additional questions: please email [email protected].

Lotus Art Show Timeline

Submission deadline: Midnight on June 20th
Acceptance Notifications: June 22nd
Artwork Drop-off Date: June 30th
*Please note that artwork can not be dropped off after June 30th to participate in the group show. If you are unable to drop off your artwork on June 30th, you will need to arrange an alternative drop-off time the week before (June 22nd – June 26th) with Haley Reda ([email protected]).

Art must be picked up and dropped off in person — no shipping through third parties.

Exhibit Runtime: July 3–August 22
Pick-Up of Work: August 25th
*Please note if you are unable to pick up your artwork on August 25th , you will need to arrange an alternative pick-up time with us.

Consignment Details: Consignment is 50/50. All artists must review and sign a consignment agreement outlining the terms.

Artist Submission Form

The submission deadline has passed.

← Back

Thank you for submitting your proposal to the 2026 Floral Design Showcase!

We will be in touch with you Friday, September 25, regardless of acceptance status. If you would like to submit a second proposal, please click the “Back” link above (just under the “Floral Design Application” header – it’s tiny!).

Tell Us About Yourself

Full Name

Business or Studio Name (if applicable)

Phone Number

Mailing Address

Website

Additional links (e.g. Instagram, Facebook, TikTok)

What training have you received? What is your floral experience? What are your main goals for entering?

Tell Us About Your Design

Name or working title of your design

Upload Image or Sketch

Drag and drop or click to select a file.

Upload Image or Sketch

Drag and drop or click to select a file.

What will the final overall dimensions of your design be?

Length

Width

Height

Please list flowers and foliage planned for your design.

What is the inspiration for your design?

Why should your design be considered for exhibition?

Choose Your Preferred Display Type/Space

Please review the options for indoor and outdoor spaces in the dropdown text below, then scroll down to rank your first, second, and third choice of display type/location. We will do our best to accommodate designer display preferences, however, space is limited. Final placement will be determined by the jury at the time of selection.

Click to expand content:

Indoor Spaces

The following is a list of furniture that can be used for indoor floral displays. Exact measurements of the furniture are listed below. If you wish, an outdoor space can be used instead. Please see this PDF for outdoor spaces (opens in new tab).

The designs may be of any design style or form. Each design will potentially be viewed on all sides. Designs do not have to fill the entire dimensions listed. However, the designs must meet the scale of the assigned exhibit space to be considered for entry.

Pedestal (13.5” L x 13.5” W x 47.5” H)
Small Square Table A (20” L x 17.5” W x 24” H)
Small Square Table B (21.5” L x 21.5” W x 19.5” H)
Large Square Table (38” L x 38” W x 33” H)
Medium Square Table (30.5” L x 30.5” W x 30” H)
Family Display Table (37” L x 24” W x 32” H)
Long Narrow Table (50” L x 16” W x 32” H)
Half Moon Table (17.5” L x 35.5” W x 31” H)
Large Altar Table (81” L x 17.5” W x 43.5” H)

Outdoor Spaces

Floral art can hang (Numbers 1-5), be placed in picture windows (6-8) on bench (9) or on ground (10-11). Pieces that hang must be no heavier than 20 lbs. Outdoor spaces will be exposed to the elements unless noted they have cover. Please keep this in consideration with your design submission.

Download a PDF of Outdoor Spaces

Rank Your Top Choices

What is your FIRST choice display?

What is your SECOND choice display?

What is your THIRD choice display?

Review Legal Notices & Terms

Pacific Northwest Florist Association and Lan Su Chinese Garden employees, staff, and volunteers will not be responsible for any loss or damage to any juried design. Designers are discouraged from including rare, valuable, fragile and irreplaceable materials in their designs.

Lan Su Chinese Garden reserves the right to photograph all designs and to use the photographs, as well as entry form sketches, descriptions, and entry materials for promotional, commercial, and other purposes without royalties, but with appropriate credits given to the designers when used.

General Release and Acceptance of Exhibition Terms, Rules, and Requirements

I, the undersigned, hereby voluntarily release from liability and agree to hold harmless Pacific Northwest Florist Association and Lan Su Chinese Garden and it’s owners, their agents, employees, representatives, successors and assigns, from and against any and all claims and liabilities of any type whatsoever, including attorney fees, which in any way may arise out of, or are related to, either my participation in this exhibition or my use of the Association’s facilities, tools, equipment, and supplies.

I fully understand this to be a voluntary exercise, and I understand that it poses inherent risks to my health and safety. Having been so apprised, I elect to and do assume all risk for claims heretofore or hereafter arising, known and unknown, arising from the subject of this release and I knowingly and voluntarily expressly release the above stated parties liability for claims arising out of such a matter. The release shall be binding upon my heirs, successors, personal representatives and assigns.

I have read completely and understand fully the terms, rules, and requirements of this exhibition and accept them without reservation. I agree that submission of this form will represent my digital signature and agreement to these terms, rules, and requirements.