The National Unusual Frida Art Show returns for its 6th edition—bigger, bolder, and now open to artists across the United States. Hosted at CityArts in the heart of downtown Orlando, the show celebrates Frida Kahlo’s enduring influence through imaginative, emotionally rich, and unconventional interpretations.

Location: CityArts, Downtown Orlando
Exhibit Dates: February 19 – March 15, 2026
Submission Fee: $30
Entry Limit: One artwork per artist
Entry Deadline: January 10, 2026, at 11:59 PM

Important Dates

  • Open Call Closes: January 10, 2026

  • Notifications Sent: January 17, 2026

  • Shipping Deadline: January 31, 2026

  • Drop-off (Orlando): February 10, 2026, 11AM–3PM

  • Opening Reception: February 19, 2026

  • Exhibit Closes / Pickup: March 15, 2026, 11AM–3Pm

Theme

We invite artists to explore Frida beyond the familiar—beyond the flower crown and self-portrait. Show us the Frida who grieved, endured, resisted, loved deeply, and turned pain into poetry.
We are looking for works that surprise us. That reimagine her. That feel deeply personal. “Unusual” means out of the ordinary, extraordinary, odd, unexpected, phenomenal, and singular. We do not want traditional Frida portraits. We want your Frida.

Selection

A curatorial team will review submissions and select 40 artworks to be part of this year’s show.
Selections are based on creativity, emotional depth, and alignment with the theme.
Please do not email or contact us regarding selection. All artists will be notified via email on January 17, 2026.

Eligibility & Requirements

  • Open to artists within the U.S. (except Hawaii and Puerto Rico)

  • Ages 12+ may apply (minors require written guardian consent)

  • Submit one original artwork never shown in a previous Unusual Frida show

  • Accepted media:

    2D: painting, drawing, collage, photography, digital art

    3D: sculpture (max: 24"H x 12"W x 12"D, 20 lbs)

  • Not accepted: jewelry, wearable art, edible art, video, or installations

  • All work must be exhibition-ready (dry, wired, framed if applicable)

  • All work must weigh under 20 lbs including frame

  • Work must measure between 18" and 36" in any direction

Content restrictions:

  • No political or violent themes.

  • Nude work is acceptable but must be in good taste (no erotic/explicit graphics).

Sales

All work must be for sale. CityArts handles all sales and retains a 30% commission.
Unusual Frida Art Show takes no commission.

Liability

Neither CityArts nor Unusual Frida representatives insure artwork. Artists assume all risks of damage, theft, or loss. We will handle all pieces with care, but insurance is the artist’s responsibility.

Shipping Policy

All selected works must be shipped directly to:

Raysa Molina
1928 Conway Rd. #4, Orlando, FL 32812

Shipping Guidelines:

  • The artist is responsible for all shipping costs, including return

  • A pre-paid return shipping label must be included (UPS or FedEx only)

  • All works must be packed securely and with reusable materials

  • No packing peanuts allowed—packages with peanuts will be returned unopened

  • All shipments must be sent signature required

  • Artists may assign someone else to handle local drop-off or pickup if needed

Damage & Handling Policy:

If a package arrives with visible external damage, it will not be opened. The artist will be contacted immediately to assess next steps.

If internal damage is discovered after unpacking, the artist will also be notified right away.

Artists are fully responsible for insuring their artwork during shipping.

We expect all pieces to arrive safely, cleanly packed, and in materials suitable for safe return. Poor or fragile packing is the responsibility of the sender.

Ready to Submit?

Fill out the form below and upload one image of your work.
Your image file must be JPG or PDF and named like this:
FirstnameLastname-Title-Size (e.g., JaneDoe-Resilience-24x36)