The Human Condition: Exploring the Body as Subject

The Human Condition is a visual exploration of the human condition, asking artists to capture what makes a person. From the classic nude to abstract and impressionist treatments to pieces touching on the basic concept of humanity, a wide variety of interpretations will be included. Artists are asked to consider how a person's personality, emotions, challenges, preferences, prejudices, and experiences can be visually represented.

Works will be selected based on key themes including the body/portraiture, representation of character and personality traits and experience, narrative, and surprising and thought-provoking elements. Works may be sketches, studies, or fully developed pieces, but everything must be finished and able to hang from the wall with a wire and picture hooks. Nudes are acceptable, but graphic sexual or violent work will not be included due to children's events held in the gallery. This show is open exclusively to artists who live or work in the Washington DC metro area, Virginia, and Maryland.

Entry fee is $40. Submit 1-3 images of your work. All visual media is welcome, but every work must be wall-mounted and arrive wired and ready to hang with picture hooks. Work must be less than 6 inches deep. Sculpture must be less than 6 inches deep and lighter than 20 pounds. Works requiring electricity will not be accepted. Work must be available from February 9 - March 22, 2020. Delivery to Athenaeum Gallery is Sunday, February 9, 2020 between 10 am and 3 pm. Accepted artists will be notified by Monday, January 23, 2020 via email. The show runs February 13 - March 22, 2020, with an opening reception on Sunday, February 16, from 4 to 6 pm. Unsold works must be removed on Sunday, March 22, between 4 and 5:30 pm. The Athenaeum Gallery retains a 40% commission on works sold and issues a check for 60% of the sales price to the artist no longer than thirty days after the show closes. All works will be insured by the Athenaeum Gallery for 100% of the retail price or stated value during the exhibition.