Head Up: Current Approaches to Portraiture

Artlink invites artists to submit work for an exhibition exploring current approaches to portraiture. Throughout history, the desire to capture a person's likeness has been a constant pursuit of artists. Whether the purpose is to document the stern visage of a conquering emperor or reveal a person's psychological state of mind, the portrayal of the human face/head often reveals much more than a simple depiction of likeness. Beyond conveying what someone looks like, a portrait can tell us just as much about what is inside or outside a person's experience. Artists are encouraged to interpret the definition of portraiture broadly: from the traditional to the contemporary; from the academic to the expressive and experimental.

Works may be no larger than 52 inches in any dimension and are open to any media. Entry fee is $12 per entry, with up to 10 entries accepted. Eligibility is open to United States residents 18 years of age and older. The entry deadline is March 23, 2025 at 11:59pm MT. Jury notifications will be sent after March 31, 2025. If accepted, artwork must be delivered by April 27, 2025, with the exhibition running May 8 - June 8, 2025.

All works must be professionally presented and ready for installation upon delivery. Works do not need to be framed but must come with required hardware (magnets, clips, etc.). Traditional framed artwork must be ready to hang with wire and no saw-tooth hangers. Identification labels with artist name and title should be attached to the back of the work. Hand-delivered artwork is accepted during gallery hours: Thursday 10am-8pm, Friday/Saturday 10am-6pm, and Sunday 12-5pm. Shipped artwork must be sent via UPS, FedEx, or USPS with a return shipping label and must arrive by April 27, 2025. Shipped work must be framed with plexiglass, not glass. All artwork sales are subject to a 35% sales fee, with artists receiving payment following the close of the exhibition. Artwork will be insured during exhibition at Artlink. Artlink is not liable for damage or loss in transit. For special installation instructions, contact [email protected] prior to the submission deadline.