This Is Us
A Members-Only Exhibition Celebrating the People of ECAA

Exhibition: January 6–30, 2027
Reception: January 15, 2027, 5–7pm
Location: East County Art Association Gallery, 124 East Main Street, El Cajon

Exhibition Description

The East County Art Association invites its members to celebrate the people who make ECAA what it is. Art of Us honors each member’s individuality while bringing together the stories, experiences, and creative perspectives that shape our association.

ECAA proudly serves the community, fine artists, and anyone seeking guidance, mentorship, and opportunities to learn through art education. Our members make this mission possible through their creativity, generosity, curiosity, and willingness to connect.

For this exhibition, we invite you to share a self-portrait or an artwork that best expresses who you are. Your piece may capture your likeness, explore your identity through abstraction, or tell your story through meaningful objects, colors, and materials. Think beyond appearances: What inspires you? What experiences have shaped you? What feels unmistakably yours?

Together, these works will create a collective portrait of ECAA, celebrating each member and the membership as a whole.

Submission Guidelines

Who may participate
This exhibition is open exclusively to ECAA members with renewed, active 2027 memberships.
Each member is invited to submit one artwork. There are no submission fees. Read below how to submit.

What to submit
Submit a self-portrait or a work that visually represents you, your identity, or your personal story. Approaches may include:

• Paintings, drawings, or mixed-media self-portraits.
• Abstract compositions expressing your personality, emotions, or experiences.
• Paper cutouts or collages exploring meaningful imagery.
• Upcycled assemblages incorporating personal memorabilia or objects that belong to you.
• Three-dimensional work that tells a story about your life.

Artwork size
To create a cohesive exhibition, artwork must measure 11 × 14 inches or 16 × 20 inches. For three-dimensional submissions, use one of these sizes as the overall front-facing format and include the depth in your email.

Member write-up
Include a short write-up of approximately 250 words about yourself, which we will print for display with your artwork. This can be a biography, a personal reflection, or a creative introduction. It does not need to be formal or focus on artistic accomplishments.

You might share what inspires your life and art, colors you love, meaningful memories, your connection to the community, or the story behind your submitted piece. Let visitors get to know the person behind the artwork.

How to submit
Email your submission by December 28, 2026, to ecaa@eastcountyart.org with the subject line:

This Is Us Submission: (Your Name)

Please include:

• Your name as you would like it displayed.
• One clear photograph of your artwork.
• Artwork title, medium, dimensions, and price. Include depth for three-dimensional work.
• Your short member write-up for printing and display.
• Your preferred contact information.

Artwork drop-off
All participating members are asked to deliver their artwork to the gallery on either of the following days:

• Monday, January 4, 2027, 11am–3pm
• Tuesday, January 5, 2027, 11am–3pm

Drop-off location: East County Art Association Gallery, 124 East Main Street, El Cajon.
*All participating members will be asked for active 2027 memberships at the time of drop- off.

Questions or assistance
As always, we are happy to help if you need assistance with your artwork, preparing your submission, or have any questions. Contact us at ecaa@eastcountyart.org, visit us during Creative Wednesdays from 3–7pm, or arrange an appointment Thursday through Saturday.