Art & Noise

“Art & Noise”

Have you ever blasted music in your studio while painting? Or felt the depth of ambient stillness while sketching at a museum? Sounds and the absence of sound can induce a flow state, reduce anxiety, move our bodies, and help support a creative environment. “Art & Noise” is inspired by sound’s influence on visual artists. Whether creating portraits or composing jazz, artists seek harmony, rhythm, and attempt to communicate through non-verbal means. The Women’s Caucus for Art of Greater Washington, DC (WCADC) invites all women and non-binary artists based in DC, MD, or VA to share work inspired by how sound and silence influence our daily lives.

Artists may submit 1, 2, or 3 pieces for consideration. Entry in this call does not guarantee inclusion in the exhibition. Submissions are subject to approval by the juror. This exhibition will take place at Harmony Hall Arts Center in Fort Washington, MD.

TERMS OF SUBMISSION
Application to enter this exhibition does not guarantee inclusion in the exhibition. All entry fees are non-refundable and benefit WCADC’s Visual Arts Scholarship fund and other artist relief. Submission of work to this exhibition constitutes an agreement to the conditions stated in this prospectus and a commitment to show accepted work for the duration of the exhibition. Please refer to key dates for scheduling.

ELIGIBILITY
All women and non-binary artists based in Washington, DC, Maryland, or Virginia.

KEY DATES
SUBMISSION DEADLINE
September 30, 2026

EXHIBITION DATES
November 30, 2026 – January 9, 2027

NOTIFICATION TO ARTISTS
All artists who have submitted artwork will be notified by email on / around October 10. The email will come from [email protected] with a follow up email from the WCADC Exhibitions Committee. You will receive notification even if no artwork has been selected. If you do not receive notice, please check your email spam or trash folder and contact WCADC.

ARTWORK DELIVERY
Monday or Tuesday, November 16 and 17, 9 am to 4 pm either day

ARTIST RECEPTION
December 5, 2 – 4 pm

ARTWORK PICK-UP
Monday or Tuesday, January 11 and 12, 9 am to 4 pm either day

CATEGORIES ACCEPTED
Painting, photography, acrylic, oil, watercolor, spray paint, charcoal, pastel, collage, pencil, ink, fiber artwork, and printing techniques including screen, woodblock, or lithography, hangable assemblage, hangable sculpture, and mixed media. Sculpture or artwork that requires a pedestal, mannequin, or other free-standing apparatus is acceptable. Video and film requiring an external electrical source and installation will be accepted on a case-by-case basis.

CATEGORIES NOT ACCEPTED
This exhibition cannot accept commercially produced prints, giclées, jewelry, or performance art.

ARTWORK MAXIMUM SIZE
2-Dimensional / Hangable artwork: including its frame, artwork must be no larger than 72 inches in any direction and weigh no more than 40 pounds.

ARTWORK PRESENTATION
Artwork must arrive exhibition-ready and suitable for professional presentation, including matting and framing, as appropriate to the individual work of art. All wall-displayed artwork will be hung from a cable and hook hanging system. Hangable art should be ready to hang with wire and D-rings or screw eyes; canvas pieces should have edges finished. Sawtooth hangers are unacceptable.

ABOUT THE GALLERY
Harmony Hall Arts Center
10701 Livingston Road
Fort Washington, MD 20744

Harmony Hall Arts Center is managed by the Maryland-National Park and Planning Commission, Arts and Cultural Heritage Division, and offers exhibitions for artists, music concerts, performances for children and families, and classes in the visual and performing arts.

Gallery Hours:
Monday – Friday, 7 am to 9 pm
Saturday, 9 am to 4 pm
Sunday, closed

ABOUT THE JUROR
LaPrea Rich is an Abstract Expressionist from Prince George's County, Maryland. She is a dedicated member of the Arlington Artists Alliance, the Maryland Federation of Art, and the McLean Art Society. Since launching her professional art career in 2023, she has been selected to participate in more than 20 juried exhibitions and was recognized as a semifinalist in the 2023 Hilton Hotel Regional Abstract Art Competition. Her artwork has been featured in Bold Journey Magazine, ARLnow and two editions of the Arts to Hearts Project publications (including Women Artists on the Rise and The Studio Visit Book, Volume 4). Rich is known for creating bright and bold mixed media abstract paintings using palette knife techniques.

IMAGE SPECIFICATIONS
Each jpg or png image file must be named with the artist's first_lastname_title. Image file should not be larger than 10MB and 1400px wide. Images should be clear, good quality, and taken without frames or additional text added.

NON-REFUNDABLE ENTRY FEE
Application to enter this exhibition does not guarantee inclusion in the exhibition. Payment of $25 (twenty-five dollars) per entry. An entry consists of 1, 2, or 3 pieces of artwork submitted for consideration. Credit card payment through PayPal only. You do not need a PayPal account to pay through PayPal.

WHY IS THERE A FEE?
Entry fees for this exhibition help benefit women artists around the country in various ways. In recent years, proceeds supported artists through the devasting California wildfires in January 2025. Entry fees have also been donated to WCADC's Visual Arts Scholarship which recognizes artistic excellence among high school and college students within Washington, DC, Maryland, or Virginia. To learn more about the scholarship program, please visit https://www.wcadc.org/scholarship. WCADC is 100% operated by volunteers, does not take commission for works sold by artists, and actively works with venues with low commission percentages.

SALES OF ART
Sales of artwork will go through the Harmony Hall Arts Center. Harmony Hall Arts Center will collect 25% of all sales and 75% goes directly to the artist. Women’s Caucus for Art does not collect commission.

QUESTIONS?
Email [email protected] with any questions.