Gallary

Open Call: "Return to Source · Cultivating Love"

"Return to Source · Cultivating Love" Global Healing Arts Contest and Exhibition

General Curator: Ananda Zhao
General Consultant: Zongde Deng
Curator:Livin Liu

Judging Panel

Dmytro Tytula（Ukrain）、Lily Baylon Escritora（ Spain）、 Lidia Chiarelli（Italy）、 Rika Inami (Japan)、Pозалия Александрова（Bulgaria）、 Sabrina De Canio（taIly）、Tobias Burghardt（ Germany）、Fahredin Shehu（Kosovo）、Xiao Suhong（ China）

Sponsor
International Arts Education & Therapy Development Academic Association（IAETDAA）

Preview

When all things return to source, love gestates new life in the depths.

Winter is the season when all things return to their origin and turn inward. The earth freezes, vegetation withers, animals hibernate — nature draws all energy back into its roots and core, completing its deepest accumulation in the simplest of forms.

"Return to Source" is not only the rhythm of nature, but an active life choice: to return inward, to store energy, to come back to one's true essence.

This is a practice of "returning" — withdrawing the gaze that chases outward, returning to neglected inner needs, and coming back to the true self obscured by noise. Returning to source is not escape, but a way to exist more clearly; not stagnation, but a deeper accumulation.

"Cultivating Love" points to winter's deepest proposition — when external light and heat fade, what do we rely on to keep growing?

The answer is: the capacity to cultivate love.

This love begins with love for oneself — accepting one's imperfections, allowing one's vulnerability, and gently tending to inner lack and longing. It is also love for the world — embracing past regrets, understanding the differences of others, and holding life's complexity and impermanence with an open heart.

"Cultivating" means this is not an innate perfection, but a capacity that requires active cultivation and patient nurturing. Just as seeds must endure a long wait in frozen soil, the capacity for love must also be quietly gestated in the return to source.

Return to Source is drawing inward, returning energy to the original heart.

Cultivating Love is nourishing in stillness, letting love become the inner force that carries us through winter.

Part I: Theme Interpretation—What Does "Return to Source · Cultivating Love" Mean?

Winter is the season when all things return to their origin and turn inward.

❄️ What is "Return to Source"?

Return to Source is a rhythm of nature.

Plants draw their energy back into their roots. Animals enter a quiet state of rest. The earth completes a cycle of accumulation in stillness. This is life's own wisdom — knowing when to expand outward, and knowing when to draw inward.

Winter does not have only one face. Some feel the cold; some see the tranquility of falling snow. Some find rest in solitude; some hear themselves in the silence. Different people experience the same season with different states of mind.

The purpose of art is this: when going outward is not possible, we still choose to root inward.

🌱 What is "Cultivating Love"?

When external light and heat fade, we choose love as our nourishment.

Seeds wait quietly in frozen soil, entrusting their deepest energy to the self not yet sprouted.

"Cultivating Love" is a gentle ritual of turning inward:

· From self-criticism to self-acceptance: Ceasing to judge oneself, allowing vulnerability and imperfection to exist

· From defensive closure to open embrace: Releasing resistance, holding difference and impermanence with an open heart

· From waiting to be loved to actively cultivating love: No longer seeking outward, but awakening the capacity for love that already exists within

"Return to Source · Cultivating Love" is not a lament about coldness.

It is a mirror that reflects one's true essence — and a profound power of nourishment.

Return to authenticity in the return to source. Arrive at wholeness in the cultivation of love.

We look forward to your work becoming the warmest beam of light this winter.

Part II: Submission Guidelines

1. Eligibility

Open to artists, creators, and collectives worldwide. There are no restrictions based on age, nationality, or professional background.

2. Theme & Accepted Formats

Original artworks closely aligned with the theme "Return to Source · Cultivating Love" . All media and forms of expression are welcome, with a special encouragement for diverse formats, including but not limited to:

· Visual Arts: Painting, sculpture, photography, installation, digital art, etc.

· Time-Based Arts: Video, animation, documentation of performance art, etc.

· Performing & Auditory Arts: Theater, dance, music (instrumental, vocal, sound installation, etc.).

· Literary Arts: Poetry, short stories, creative texts, and other written works.

· Interdisciplinary & Social Practice: Socially engaged projects, bio-art, textile art, etc.

3. Submission Requirements

Please compile all materials into a ZIP/RAR folder named [Your Name + Submission for ‘Return to Source · Cultivating Love’] and send it to the official email: iaetdaa@gmail.com.

The folder must contain:

· Work Files (Choose as applicable):

· Static/Visual Works: Provide high-resolution images (1-5 images, each ≥2MB). Naming format: Your Name《Work Title》Material Dimensions Year.jpg (e.g., Feizi《Rebirth》Oil on Canvas 60×80cm 2026.jpg).

· Video/Performance Documentation: Provide MP4 video (≤5 mins, ≤500MB). Use the same naming format.

· Music Works: Provide audio file (WAV or MP3). Naming format: Your Name《Work Title》Year.mp3.

· Theater/Dance Works: Provide MP4 video of full performance or excerpt (≤15 mins, ≤1GB). Use the same naming format.

· Literary Works: Provide PDF or Word document. Naming format: Your Name《Work Title》Year.pdf/.docx.

· Other Formats: Provide images, videos, or documents that clearly document the work's essence and core concept.

· Text Materials (Compiled into a single Word document):

1. Artist Bio: Include name, gender, contact details (phone, WeChat, email), and a personal portrait photo (landscape 16:9 ratio).

2. Work Information Table: List each work's title, type, material/format, duration/word count, and year of creation.

3. Artist Statement (300-500 words): Explain the work's connection to the theme and its healing philosophy.

4. Fee Structure

We firmly believe every healing creation deserves serious consideration. To ensure professional organization, rigorous evaluation by an international jury, global platform presentation, and comprehensive post-exhibition support for selected artists, an entry and processing fee of $56 will be required for final shortlisted works.

This fee is dedicated to:

· Professional Jury: Compensating international jury experts to ensure a fair and professional selection process.

· Global Exhibition Platform: Supporting the construction and maintenance of the online virtual exhibition hall.

· Artist Empowerment: Covering costs for certificates, media promotion, and systematic support for future project recommendations for award-winning and shortlisted artists.

We commit to full transparency in all financial matters. While art's value is beyond monetary measure, we aim through this professional investment to ensure your work receives the respect, presentation, and opportunities it merits.

5. Key Dates

· Submissions Open: Oct 19th 2026

· Submission Deadline: Nov 30, 2026, 24:00

· Judging & Results Announcement: Dec 1 – Dec 10,2026

· Exhibition Launch: Dec 15, 2026

Part III: Awards, Judging & Benefits

1. Awards

The competition will confer Gold, Silver, and Bronze Awards, along with Outstanding Shortlist Awards. All awardees and shortlisted artists will receive an official IAETDAA digital participation certificate.

2. Judging Criteria

An international jury will conduct anonymous evaluation based on:

· Thematic Depth & Conceptual Innovation (30%)

· Artistic Expression & Media Exploration (25%)

· Healing Potential & Emotional Resonance (30%)

· Work Completion & Statement Clarity (15%)

3. Artist Benefits

Shortlisted and award-winning artists will be eligible for:

· Global Platform: Their work will be featured in the official IAETDAA online virtual exhibition hall.

· Path to the Premier Award: Outstanding creators will be directly shortlisted for the final review of the association’s highest annual honor—the “Gold Nurture Award.”

· Academic & Career Promotion: Opportunity for inclusion in the IAETDAA Excellent Healing Artists Talent Pool, with access to global project recommendations, personal interviews, academic forums, and media exposure.

· Ongoing Support: Potential invitations to participate in subsequent IAETDAA offline exhibitions, domestic and international workshops, large-scale public projects, and thematic research.

Part IV: Declaration & Authorization

1. Submitters guarantee the originality of their work. Plagiarism is strictly prohibited. Submitters bear full responsibility for any copyright disputes; the organizer assumes no liability.

2. The organizer reserves the right to use submitted materials for non-commercial purposes related to the promotion, publication, and research of this competition and exhibition.

3. The International Arts Education & Therapy Development Academic Association (IAETDAA) holds final interpretation rights for this event.

Winter teaches us one thing:

The deepest return to source is for the most abundant gestation.

The coldest season is precisely the best time to cultivate love.

Do not fear dormancy. Do not betray accumulation.