New Beginnings

TITLE
“New Beginnings”

ABOUT THE EXHIBITION
The Women’s Caucus for Art of Greater Washington, DC (WCADC) invites women and non-binary artists based in the Washington, DC-area to submit artwork focused on concepts of rebirth and abundance. Artwork utilizing upcycled materials or found objects to represent renewal, rejuvenation, metamorphosis, regeneration, etc. are welcome. “New Beginnings” explores the energy of creating space for growth, opportunity, reinvention, and reflection— reminding viewers of the human urge to strive for a renaissance.

Artists may submit 1, 2, or 3 pieces for consideration. Entry in this call does not guarantee inclusion in the exhibition. Submitted artwork will be evaluated by a juror to be included in the exhibition. This exhibition will take place with the Capitol Hill Arts Workshop (CHAW) Gallery in Washington, DC.

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

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. 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.

KEY DATES
SUBMISSION DEADLINE
April 11, 2026

EXHIBITION DATES
June 15 – July 10, 2026

NOTIFICATION TO ARTISTS
All artists who have submitted artwork will be notified by email on/around April 30. 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
Wednesday, June 10, 9 am – 1 pm

ARTIST RECEPTION
Saturday, June 20, 5:30 – 7 pm

UPCYCLED ART WORKSHOP
Date to be determined
The workshop will focus on making art with recycled materials, free and open to adults and children

ARTWORK PICK-UP
Saturday, July 11, 9 am – 1 pm

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, collage, and mixed media. Video and film requiring an external electrical source and installation will be accepted on a case-by-case basis.

Sculpture or artwork that requires a pedestal, mannequin, or other free-standing apparatus is not acceptable. 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 48 inches in any direction and weigh no more than 40 pounds. For example, if artwork measures 36 x 48 inches, it will be considered. If artwork measures 48 x 60 inches, it will not be considered.

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 rod and hook hanging system. Hangable art should be ready to hang with wire. Sawtooth frame hangers are unacceptable.

ABOUT THE GALLERY
Capitol Hill Arts Workshop (CHAW) Gallery
545 7th St SE
Washington, DC 20003
www.chaw.org

CHAW Gallery Hours
Monday - Thursday: 10am - 3pm
Monday - Thursday Evening Hours: 6pm - 9pm
Friday: 10am - 6pm
Saturday: 10am - 3pm
CHAW is closed on Sundays and on all Federal / DC holidays

ABOUT THE JUROR
Heather Jones (b. 1987, Richmond, VA) is an abstract artist living in Washington, DC, whose creative practice is grounded in intuitive, therapeutic play with acrylic paint and hard-edged shapes. She uses shape and color therapy to explore the expression of emotions and reduce experiences to physical abstractions, metaphorically trapping them inside self-contained environments on canvas.

Heather’s work has been exhibited in art fairs in DC, NYC, and LA, and in solo exhibitions at Cabada Contemporary, ArtHub 609, Homme Gallery, NOVA Community College, and Industrious WDC. Heather’s 2023 solo exhibition “The Opposite of Nostalgia” was profiled in Washington City Paper, and her 2024 solo exhibition “Pieces” was reviewed in The Washington Post.

Heather continues to exhibit artwork locally and nationally, with a focus on collaborations dedicated to taking space for underrepresented artists. Heather holds a bachelor’s degree from Virginia Tech and a doctorate degree from American University. She is also a litigator in private practice.

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 5MB 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, actively works with venues with low commission percentages.

SALES OF ART
Any sales are conducted strictly between the artist and the buyer. CHAW nor WCADC will take any commissions on sales, and the work will remain the sole property of the artist until sold. The work does not have to be for sale. The artist authorizes CHAW and WCADC to provide interested buyers with artist’s contact information and facilitate communication, but all invoices, taxes, and delivery are the sole responsibility of the Artist.

INSURANCE
All of the Artist’s Work will be insured by CHAW for 100% of the Retail Price set in the Inventory. Any loss or damage that occurs while the Work is in the Gallery’s possession which is not covered by insurance will be covered by the Gallery, provided that the Gallery’s liability under this paragraph is limited to the amount which would have been due the artist if the work had been sold at the Retail Price stated in the Inventory. The Retail Price shall be determined by the Artist and listed on the signed Inventory sheet and shall not be unreasonably inflated beyond fair market value. In the event the Gallery’s insurance disputes the value of the Work, the Gallery will not cover the excess value not covered by the insurance.

QUESTIONS?
Email [email protected] with any questions.