Open Call for Visual Artists
About the Visual Artist Residency
The SESH x Classically Black Visual Artist Residency supports Black visual artists with year-long access to a creative home base inside SESH Coworking in Houston. If you are looking for an artist residency as a Black visual artist, this opportunity offers consistent studio access, community, visibility, and opportunities to share and sell your work.
Residency Benefits (Included Coworking Membership)
Each resident receives:
- Complimentary All Access Membership to SESH
- 24/7 access to SESH Coworking space
- Library
- Locker rooms
- Member discounts for day passes, events, conference rooms, event space & other local businesses.
- Mailing address at SESH
- Dedicated space to paint and store work
- Artist talk/events hosted at SESH Coworking
- Gallery/Wall space to display and sell artwork
- Featured space on the Classically Black Arts Shop online
- Complimentary All Access membership to Sesh which includes 24/7 access to our open coworking space, library, locker rooms and member discounts for day passes, events, conference rooms, event space and other local businesses.
Who Should Apply:
We welcome applications from Black visual artists who are excited to create, share work publicly, and engage community throughout the year.
Eligibility
Applicants must:
- Identify as Black / African diaspora
- Be a visual artist (painting-based or visual art practice)
- Be able to participate in Houston-area programming during the residency term (March 2026–March 2027)
- Be 18+
Resident Expectations
Selected artists will:
- Use the studio/work space respectfully and follow SESH Coworking policies
- Participate in at least one artist talk or public event at SESH during the residency year
- Install work on designated wall/gallery space
- Provide basic assets and information for the Classically Black Arts Shop feature (images, bio, pricing, etc.)
- Selection Criteria
Applications will be reviewed based on:
- Strength and clarity of artistic work
- Artistic vision and proposed goals for the year
- Readiness to benefit from and contribute to a shared creative community
- Alignment with the residency’s public-facing components (talks, display, sales)
Important Notes
- Artists retain full ownership of their work.
- Sales displayed at SESH and/or online may be subject to standard commission/processing fees.
- Space is limited; residents will be notified of any size/storage restrictions.
TIMELINE:
Residency Term: March 2026 – March 2027
Location: SESH Coworking, Houston, Texas
Residencies Awarded: 5
Deadline: Feb 15th, 2026
Who is Sesh?
Sesh Coworking’s mission is to provide women, communities of color, the LGBTQ+ community and creative, mission-driven brands with an inclusive workspace that nurtures professional growth and work/life balance and fosters community through collaboration, learning and advocacy.
Sesh Coworking is certified woman-owned (WBE) and is the single largest female-centered, LGBTQIA+ affirming coworking space in Texas.