Trauma and the Environment
Tendrils Journal is seeking submissions of visual art and short-form literature for its edition “Trauma and the Environment.” As an art & literary publication, we’re dedicated to sparking conversations around trauma and opening pathways for healing.
The second edition of Tendrils will explore the profound relationships between trauma and the natural and built environment; how processes of growth, decay, and change, mirrors and shapes our individual and collective experiences.
We invite creators to interpret this theme in their own way—whether conceptually, through abstraction, realism, or any form in between. We’re interested in thoughtful, bold, and distinctive voices that contribute fresh and meaningful perspectives to the topic.
Your work:
Art submissions can be in any medium or size.
For literature, submit short-form work (up to 1,000 words) such as poetry or short stories. We will consider excerpts if you have a long-form work that aligns with the themes.
Deadline: Nov. 30th, 2025
What kind of art can you submit?
We welcome art submissions in any medium or size that explore the themes of trauma and the environment.
For literature, we’re looking for short-form pieces (max. 1000 words) such as poetry, essays, and short stories that focus on these themes. We're open to considering an excerpt if you have a long-form work that aligns with our theme.
Criteria
Deadline: Nov. 30, 2025
Address the theme of “Trauma and the Environment.”
Only original, human-created works will be considered.
Submitter must be 18 years old or older, and live in the US and/or its territories
Artworks can be of any medium or size (if video or performance, please submit a still image AND a link to view the video)
Artist Statement about how the work addresses the theme (between 100 and approximately 300 words)
For art submissions: upload jpg (jpeg) files. The longest side should be no greater than 2000 pixels. Each file must be saved as “FirstnameLastname_Title”
For literature submissions: upload pdf files. Each file must be saved as “FirstnameLastname_Title”
Literature must be short-form (poetry, essay, short story, etc.), OR an excerpt from a long-form text. (max. 1000 words)
Max 2 submissions will be reviewed.
Where will the selected work be shown/presented?
Selected art and literature will be published in a full-color printed edition. A small number of these works will also be showcased in an online edition on our website. The print edition of Tendrils will be available for purchase, while the condensed online version will be available for free.
Who will be selecting the art and literature?
Tendrils is curated/edited by Rebecca Perez and Fabiola R. Delgado. Read more about them here.
There is no fee for submission.
We value and respect artists and their work and believe artists should be paid.
Each selected artist and writer will be paid a predetermined flat fee of $20.