The Essence of a Woman (2025)

The MVA Gallery (Modern Visual Arts) invites artists, photographers, and sculptors of all levels to submit original artwork exploring the essence of a woman—her physical, psychological, and spiritual characteristics. Artists can create a single portrait of a woman in tranquil repose or a complex image of her actively performing personal and professional roles. Images can examine issues such as cultural influences affecting women, including societal expectations and stereotypes. Artists can submit traditional or non-traditional styles of a single person, a couple, or a group. Environmental portraits showing an individual in her surroundings are welcome, as are self-portraits whether formal or informal. The Gallery accepts painting, watercolor, printmaking, mixed media, digital, pastel, encaustic, sculpture, fiber, drawing, and photography in any style—realistic, abstract, surreal, cubist, expressionist, or a synthesis of styles.

Entry fee is $35.00 for 3 images, with additional images available for $5.00 each up to a maximum of 9 images. All images must be JPEG format, under 5 MB, with a minimum of 1200 pixels on the longest side. Artwork must be professionally finished and ready for secure installation with stretched wire attached to the back. Art should not exceed 48 inches (framed) on the longest side and should not weigh more than 50 lbs. Sculpture should not exceed 24 inches on any dimension. Submissions are exclusively through CAFE (CallForEntry) at https://www.callforentry.org.

Entry deadline is June 7, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. MDT. Artists will be notified on or about August 16, 2025. Accepted artwork must arrive at the Gallery no later than October 4, 2025. Exhibition dates are October 8 - November 5, 2025. Awards include an Art of Distinction Award featuring a special exhibition, an Annual Grand Prize offering a New York City exhibition opportunity, and a Director's Choice Award of $200. Artists are responsible for all shipping and insurance costs both to and from the Gallery and must provide a prepaid return shipping label.