SUMMER 2026 OPEN CALL: STUDENT ARTS COMMISSION

Are you an undergrad or recently graduated artist? Please submit an application to be considered as a featured artist in the exhibition, Between Two Rivers: 250 Years on Pharmacy in Philadelphia, at the Marvin Samson Museum for the History of Pharmacy (MSMHP) at Saint Joseph's University. Applications close at midnight on July 5, 2026. 

The project: As part of the exhibition Between Two Rivers: 250 Years on Pharmacy in Philadelphia, MSMHP is creating a map and directory of independent pharmacies operating in Philadelphia today. The map will be printed as a full color folding pamphlet and be freely distributed in the museum and at participating pharmacies throughout the city. The map will include illustrations of twenty-four featured pharmacies created by undergraduate or recently graduated artists. The originals of the illustrations commissioned for the map will be placed on display in the museum exhibition.

Who's eligible: Undergraduate students currently enrolled in or within one year of graduation from Philadelphia Higher Education Network for Neighborhood Development (PHENND)-affiliated universities. PHENND is a consortium of over 30 colleges and universities in the greater Philadelphia area. Click here for a full list of participating universities.

What's required: Selected artists will create illustrations of eight Philadelphia pharmacies. Artists will receive their pharmacies assignments upon their acceptance of the commission. Illustrations must be no smaller than 5x7 in. and no larger than 12x16 in. All eight original illustrations must be received by the museum no later than Sept 18, 2026. 

What's awarded: Artists will receive a $500 cash prize upon project completion. Original artwork will be displayed in the Marvin Samson Museum for the History of Pharmacy, located at 600 S. 43rd Street in Philadelphia. 

Selection process: Three artists will be selected by a committee of Saint Joseph's University faculty and staff and MSMHP's 2024/2025 Artist-in-Residence Teresa Cervantes. Selected artists will be notified by July 17, 2026.