You’re Invited

to participate in The Big Wave!

presented by The O’Connor & Hewitt Foundation

December 13, 2025 - January 18, 2026

H-E-B Gallery, Jeanie & Bill Wyatt Gallery, and The Mendez Family Gallery (Members’ Gallery)

Reception Saturday, December 13th 5-7PM

The annual all-member exhibition highlights our family of artists and provides a chance to stand out as a Merit Artist the following year. All members in good standing can submit ONE piece of original art to the Big Wave!: Annual All Members Exhibition. Work for this exhibition may be delivered Wednesday, December 3 - Sunday, December 7, 2025 at the gallery at 204 S. Austin Street. If you need to make drop-off arrangements outside of this time, please call 361.729.5519.

Requirements for artwork in Big Wave!: Annual All Members Exhibition:

1. Paintings, sculptures, photographs, etc. are all accepted; however, giclée prints of original art are not allowed.

2. All media are accepted.

3. Artwork cannot be larger than 50” x 50” and cannot be smaller than 10” x 10”.

4. Artwork cannot be priced higher than $7,000 or lower than $100. Artwork does not have to be for sale, but the value cannot exceed $7,000.

There is no theme to this exhibition

Important Dates:

• Monday, September 22, 2025, Applications to be a 2026 Merit Artist are open.

• Wednesday, December 3 - Sunday, December 7, 2025, Artwork for The Big Wave! must arrive at the RCA Galleries at 204 S. Austin Street. No late entries allowed. Must be ready to hang with hardware.

• Tuesday, December 2, 2025, Deadline to submit application to be a 2025 Merit Artist. Late applications will not be considered.

• December 13, 2025, The Big Wave! 2024 opens to the public.

• December 13, 2025, Opening Reception for The Big Wave! - Standing Out: 2025 Merit Artists Announced

• January 18, 2026 Exhibition closes.

Standing Out 2026

During The Big Wave! exhibition, a guest juror will choose three artists to be part of a special group exhibition in December 2026-January 2027. Artists MUST HAVE artwork in The Big Wave! exhibition to be considered for the Merit Artist Award.

The esteemed 2026 juror TBA. The deadline for to apply to be a Merit Artist is Tuesday, December 2, 2025.

We are also asking artists who wish to be considered for 2025 Merit Artists to submit an artist statement and (optional) 1-3 images of other work they make. This will help the juror in making their decision.

Each of the three selected Merit Artists will be awarded a studio visit by a member of the Rockport Center for the Arts Exhibition Committee. They will help guide the Merit Artist in the creation of their body of work.