À la Mode: The Language of Fashion in Art

Mark Arts in Wichita, Kansas invites submissions for an innovative exhibition exploring fashion in fine art. Clothing, accessories, jewelry, and hairstyles have long been narrative tools that artists use to position their subjects in place and time and communicate personality, status, beliefs, and lifestyle. From John Singer Sargent's Madame X in 1884 to Amy Sherald's 2018 official portrait of Michelle Obama in a couture dress, artists have used fashion to disrupt orthodoxy and examine new ideas. À la Mode will examine how artists utilize and manipulate fashion within their own art practice.

The exhibition juror is Shana Levenson, an accomplished representational painter based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, who will conduct an artist talk and Artisan Academy Workshop during the exhibition run. Mark Arts offers $3,000 in cash awards, including $1,500 for first place.

Eligibility: Open to all artists living and working in the United States (amateur and professional). Work must be created in the past two years (2023-2024), not previously exhibited in Wichita, KS, and ready to exhibit. All artworks must be for sale. Accepted media includes painting, drawing, printmaking, mixed media, enameling, photography, jewelry-making, and sculpture. Work may be representational or abstract, portrait or still life. Each artist may enter up to four pieces. All artworks must be display-ready with display hardware included and able to be reasonably handled by Mark Arts staff. Video and new media work will not be accepted, nor will artwork that must hang from the ceiling. Entry fee: $25.00. Media fee: $5.00. Submit 1-4 digital images. Entry deadline: November 10, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. MST. Juror selection notification: November 15. Artwork receipt deadline: December 13. Opening reception: January 10, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Exhibition concludes: March 15.