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The submission form is open from August 25th through September 18th, 2026.
Call for Art - Fat Over Lean
Call for Art - Fat Over Lean
The submission form is open August 1st through September 12th, 2026.
Event & Workshop Proposal Information
Fat Over Lean (FOL) is a project that aims to lower barriers to the arts for fat, queer, and disabled people by supporting fat artists and creating opportunities to share their work with the fat community in the greater Portland, Oregon area. Are you a fat artist, creator, performer, educator, or organizer who wants to host an event or workshop? We are hoping to host four to six events during the month of October, 2026.
Submission Guidelines:
Submission form is open August 25th through September 18th, 2026.
It is free to submit a proposal.
Submitter(s) must reside in Oregon or Southern Washington.
Proposals are open to people who identify as fat.
Please submit one proposal per person or collaboration.
Submitters will be notified of selection by September 22nd, 2026.
Events/workshops will be held at FansOnly Studio.
Online-only events are accepted
What We're Looking for:
Events that celebrate, explore, or thoughtfully engage with experiences of being fat are welcome.
Events that promote fat-phobia, are derogatory toward fat people, that fetishize, or objectify fat bodies are not welcome.
Events that promote creativity, skill-building, engage with community building, and benefit and uplift fat and disabled people.
Sexual health, sex work, and kink-related educational events are welcome, provided there are no live sex acts.
Types of Events and Workshops Fat Over Lean welcomes:
Salon-style conversation: Fat liberation/fat acceptance, diet culture in the workplace, disability, accessibility, sex ed, or other relevant topics.
Workshop: Art / craft / zine / figure drawing
Clothing Swap
Dance Party
Karaoke Night
Performances (dance, comedy, poetry, etc.)
Selection Process:
Alignment with the goals/themes of Fat Over Lean
Accessibility and feasibility within the space
Variety of events and workshops across the month
Community benefit
A clear and feasible plan for facilitating the proposed event
Because space and dates are limited, not all proposals may be selected
Description of FansOnly Studio:
FansOnly Studio is located at 1010 SW 11th Ave., Portland, OR 97205.
FansOnly Studio Floorplan
It is home to studios for local artists nested within a multi-room gallery space, and is headed by Taravat Talepasand, an artist and educator at Portland State University.
It is a shared space with multiple artists having access to the space at all times.
It is mobility-friendly and offers double door openings, ramps and has no stairs to gallery spaces.
It has three nonbinary restrooms, all of which are accessible, with one being most accessible (non-weighted door, lower sink, lower paper towel dispenser).
Located close to public transit with metered street and paid lot parking available.
Please note, Wi-Fi access is limited.
Main activity space: Approximately 12 x 24 feet with various seating options.
Seating options: Several loveseats, chairs with and without armrests, and stools.
Can accommodate attendance of 30 people or fewer for sit-down events.
Kitchenette: mini fridge, small convection oven, dishwasher, cups, plates, silverware.
Access to city trash/recycling containers.
A FansOnly Studio representative will be available and present at all events.
No alcohol is permitted at events/workshops.
Smoking/vaping allowed outdoors, at least 15 feet from the front entrance.
October Date Options:
Wednesday: 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th
Thursday: 8th, 15th, 22nd, and 29th
Friday: 9th, 16th, 23rd, and 30th
Saturday: 10th, 17th, 24th, and 31st
Event/Workshop Honorarium:
Selected hosts will receive an honorarium of up to $150 per event. This amount is intended to recognize the labor involved in planning, preparing, and facilitating the event and includes any materials the host chooses to provide. Because of the project's limited budget, hosts are encouraged to design events requiring minimal supplies or ask participants to bring their own materials when appropriate. Some supplies may already be on-hand at FansOnly Studio.
Hosts will be paid via Venmo or PayPal or by other arrangement if needed.
Please be sure to note if funds are needed for supplies ahead of the event or workshop in your proposal.
Donation & Artist Contribution Information:
Please see Donation Details
Application Guidelines:
This call is open August 1st through September 12th, 2026.
It is free to apply!
Artist(s) must reside in Oregon or Southern Washington.
Open to fat* artists only.
Up to ten artworks may be submitted per artist or artist collaboration. A multi-piece artwork with two or more separate pieces that are intended to be displayed together is considered one artwork (updated 8/13/26).
Maximum upload size per file is 10 MB.
Artists will be notified of selection by September 16th, 2026.
Art must be dropped off between September 17th and 28th, 2026 at FO Gallery. Time/days TBA.
Artist statements are encouraged, but not required.
Artist bios are encouraged, but not required.
All levels of experience are welcome.
*If you identify as a person who is fat, you are welcome to apply (updated 8/13/26).
Acceptable Media:
Artwork that celebrates, explores, or thoughtfully engages with experiences of being fat is welcome.
Work that is fat-phobic, derogatory toward fat people, fetishizing, or that reduces fat bodies to objects is not accepted.
To respect the dignity and autonomy of those represented, artists submitting work depicting individuals other than themselves must obtain written permission from the subject to exhibit the artwork. This requirement does not apply to: images that are in the public domain, images published available under Creative Commons or similar licenses, images otherwise legally licensed for artistic use, or clippings from published magazines/newspapers. Documentation may be requested during the selection process.
What art media are accepted? Original ceramics, digital art, drawings, fiber art, glasswork, installation work/video work, performance art, jewelry, metalwork, mixed media, painting, photography, and printmaking.
What size art is accepted? We hope to accommodate all art sizes!
Is AI art accepted? Only original artwork created by the artist will be accepted. Artificial intelligence may be used to assist artists in creative processes, but AI-generated artwork is not eligible for submission.
Does 2D art need to be framed? No.
What kind of hanging hardware is accepted? D-ring, wire, sawtooth, magnetic pins, and more.
What if I don't have hanging hardware? That's okay! We will figure it out.
Can art be hung from the ceiling? It depends on the size and weight of the art. Please include information about this in your application.
Is nude art accepted? Yes
Is sexual, sex work, or kink-related art accepted? Yes, barring live sex acts.
Selection Process:
This is a non-juried art show. The goal is to accept as much art as possible!
Art that does not follow submission guidelines for acceptable media may not be selected.
Submissions will be reviewed by Michelle Jackson and Taravat Talepasand.
Sale of Art:
Can I sell my art? Yes, but it's not mandatory.
How will sales be taken? Via Square or cash by event staff or volunteers
How much will the artist retain of sales? Artists should expect to receive appx 95-97% of their sales, with appx 2.6% to 3.5% going to cover transaction fee costs. Artists are welcome to donate a portion of their sales to FOL. For artist collaborations, choose one artist to receive payment.
What will the donations be used for? See Donation Information
Can I offer a sliding scale? Absolutely, be sure to note this with your submission.
Can customers take art with them once sold? No, customers will be contacted to pick up their art after the show is complete and uninstalled.
Can I offer prints, stickers, or pins of my artwork? Yes, there will be a section dedicated to prints, stickers, etc. These purchases can be taken home at the time of sale. You do not need to submit images of these items at the time of application.
When do I get paid? The week after the show closes - between November 2nd and 9th, 2026.
How will I get paid? Via Zelle, Venmo, or PayPal. We will collect your payment method information upon art drop-off.
Can I create stipulations or a contract if my art sells? Yes, please be sure to note this on your application.
When can I pick up my artwork? Between November 2nd and 16th, 2026. Time & day to be arranged.
Description of Gallery:
FansOnly Studio (FO) is located in downtown Portland close to the Portland Art Museum.
It is home to studios for local artists nested within a multi-room gallery space, and is headed by Taravat Talepasand, an artist and educator at Portland State University.
FO is mobility-friendly and offers double front door openings, ramps, and has no stairs to gallery spaces.
FO has three non-binary restrooms, all of which are accessible, with one being most accessible (non-weighted door, lower sink, lower paper towel dispenser).
Located close to public transit, paid street and lot parking is available.
Some AV equipment is available: 10 CRT TVs, 2 projectors
There are also a few pedestals that can be requested.
Please note, WIFI access is limited
Installation of the exhibit welcomes input from the artists, but final placement is determined by gallery specialists.
A gallery walk-through will be available via video before the show begins, or artists are welcome to tour the space when dropping off their artwork.
An opening reception will be held on October 3rd, 2026, 3 pm to 8 pm, with a soft opening on First Thursday, October 1st, 2026, 5 pm to 8 pm.
More free events and workshops will take place throughout October.
Publicity:
Artist(s) will receive social media post images and stories along with posting suggestions.
Artist(s) will receive a JPEG of the promotional poster and are encouraged to print and hang them in community spaces.
Event will be advertised through local online event websites, social media, printed posters, and at the Body Positive Block Party.
Postcards for the event will be printed and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis upon art drop-off.
Artist(s) may opt out of their work being used for promotional social media posts
Fat Over Lean is a collaborative art show with free creative events for fat people, by fat people.
The event runs October 1st through 31st, 2026, and will be held at FansOnly Studio, 1010 SW 11th Ave. Portland, OR 97205.
This project was created by Michelle Jackson, a fat artist who creates uplifting artworks about people who are fat and queer.
For more information, email fatoverleanproject@gmail.com
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