The Lexington Art League is seeking artists to create new 2D and 3D works inspired by the life and art of Carleton Wing. This exhibition will take place alongside a retrospective of Wing’s work, including pieces on loan from private collections and his estate.

Carleton Wing was a self taught collage and assemblage artist whose practice was grounded in imagination and storytelling. He began making found image paper collages in 1981, building surreal scenes that combined humor, social commentary, and unexpected visual pairings. In 2006 he expanded into digital collage, drawn to the greater flexibility it offered in composition, color, and texture. By 2009 he began working in three dimensional assemblage, arranging everyday objects into new contexts that shifted their meaning while continuing the narrative thread that ran through his two dimensional work.

After retiring from IBM Lexmark as a technical writer, Wing purchased and renovated an abandoned commercial building in Lexington and founded Wingspan Gallery. There he presented new bodies of his own work each year while also exhibiting local, regional, and national artists, along with faculty and graduating students from area universities. In 2012 he underwent a bone marrow transplant during treatment for leukemia and later returned to the studio, continuing to produce work with renewed focus. He remained active in his practice until his passing in 2020, just weeks before a scheduled exhibition with the Lexington Art League.

This exhibition honors Wing’s enduring presence in Lexington and celebrates the imagination, wit, and material curiosity that shaped his art. Through new works created in response to his practice, participating artists will join in recognizing a life devoted to making, exhibiting, and sharing art with his community.

Artists creating 3D work will have access to a selection of materials from Wing’s personal collection of objects, which may be used to produce new assemblages for the exhibition. For those wishing to create physical 2D works, there is a very small collection of paper materials that can be used. Artists will have at least three months to complete their work and may submit up to two finished pieces. Any unused materials must be returned to the collection.

Eligibility

• Open to Kentucky residents only.
• Individually produced works and collaboratively produced works are acceptable.
• Any media is eligible.

Submissions

• • Artists must submit a portfolio of 5 to 10 images for review.
  • Each image file must be under 5 MB.
  • Audio and video files must be submitted as .html links.
  • Applications must be received by April 10, 2026.

• Submission does not guarantee entry into the exhibition.

• All materials must be submitted through the designated online form.

• Submissions sent by email will not be accepted.

Selection and Participation

• Artists will be selected by a five person jury consisting of three guest jurors, Lexington Art League Assistant Director Faville Donahue, and artist and curator Michael Satterly.
• An artist agreement will be sent upon acceptance and must be completed and returned before work can be included in the exhibition.
• Artists may create up to two finished works for inclusion.
• Artists will be selected for participation by application and invitation.

Collection Material Use and Build Period

• Artists wishing to use materials from Carleton Wing’s collection may select several items, depending on available inventory.
• Unused items must be returned to the collection.
• Accepted artists will receive emailed instructions with designated pickup days and times for materials.
• Artists will have a little over three months to complete their work.
• Materials must be picked up within the first three weeks of the build period. 
• Completed artworks will remain the property of the artist who created them.

Delivery

• Artwork must be delivered to the Lexington Art League, 209 Castlewood Drive, Lexington, KY 40505, on July 22 or July 23 between 12 and 6 pm.
• Early drop off may be arranged on a case by case basis.

Pickup

• In person pickup of artwork will take place on September 26 between 12 and 5 pm.
• Any artwork not collected within thirty calendar days of the exhibition’s close becomes the property of the Lexington Art League.

Shipping

• Artists are responsible for all shipping costs to and from the gallery.
• Shipped work must include a prepaid return shipping label.
• Return shipments will be mailed no later than October 30.

Installation and Presentation

• All accepted work must be ready to hang or display upon arrival.
• Presentation must be carefully considered. Poor framing or incomplete displays may be declined.
• Poster frames are not accepted.
• Artists must include instructions for any artwork requiring special handling or installation.

Sales

• • Artists may choose to make their work available for sale. This is not required.
  • All sales will be managed by the Lexington Art League.

The Lexington Art League retains a 30 percent commission on all sales.

• Works marked Not For Sale must be indicated as NFS on the artist agreement and must still include a stated value for condition and insurance purposes.
• Pre-sold artworks may only be included if marked NFS or “From the collection of…” with the lender’s name
• No sold stickers may be placed on presold work.