Many cultures gather across various means for different reasons, sharing ideas, values, and traditions. In Vietnamese culture, rice and fish sauce (inspirations for the collective's name) are products of skilled labor and enjoyed by family and friends to break bread. These are two of the many symbols for sharing a connection across generations and the diaspora.
The vi com vi mam collective is honoring the practice of gathering in its own ways, including creative forms like art. vcvm's first exhibition brings together Vietnamese diasporic artists in Houston to showcase their work and explore the means of gathering.
Standard Art Submission: $100 award to each accepted artist
The vi com vi mam collective invites up to ten (10) Vietnamese diasporic artists in the Greater Houston area to showcase existing work. Preferred art work includes wall or sculpture-based pieces. All of these artworks should be already completed at the time of application. Artists can submit multiple existing pieces.
Experiential Art Submission: $500 commission to the artist
The exhibition will include an experiential piece related to the theme of gathering where guests can interact with it. Artists are invited to submit a proposal for one piece, which can be film, audio, wall, or sculpture-based. One selected artist will be commissioned to co-create the piece.
*Artists can submit works for either or both of the standard art submission and experiential piece.
Submission deadline: April 26, 2026 @ 11:59pm CST
Notification: Artists notified by April 29, 2026
Art drop-off at Friends Gallery: May 19-20, 2026. Artwork not delivered by May 20th will not be included in the exhibition.
Show dates: May 22-31, 2026
Receptions & Events: Opening May 22, pending middle event, closing May 31
Pick up: Artists must pick up their pieces from Friends Gallery either June 1 or 2, 2026. Any remaining art pieces will be donated to the vi com vi mam collective.