MEDIA LIMITATIONS
Artists should submit two-dimensional, or three-dimensional abstract, nonobjective, or nonrepresentational works in media including watercolor, oil, gouache, sculpture, photographs, acrylics, inks, printmaking, graphite, charcoal, ceramics, pastel, collage, ready-made assemblage, mixed media, and others. Artwork must be able to be reasonably handled by Mark Arts staff, displayed via gallery wall or pedestal and cannot hang from the ceiling. No video work is permitted. 

JUROR | PAMELA CAUGHEY 
Mark Arts is delighted to work with Pamela Caughey as the juror of awards for the Abstract National Exhibition. Pamela Caughey grew up in Wisconsin, where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry from UW-Madison in 1983. After moving with her family to Hamilton, Montana in 1986, she began her serious study of art, and in 2010 received her Masters of Fine Art in painting and drawing from the University of Montana School of Art. Since then, she has taught at the college level, started a global online art school (www.ArtandSuccess.com) and traveled the world teaching workshops in color and design. She is an abstract expressionist artist working in acrylic, mixed media, encaustic, encaustic monotype, and oils.

Caughey’s work is represented in the permanent collections of several museums and public buildings nationally and internationally and also appears in the published book by Rebecca Crowell and Jerry McLaughlin, “Cold Wax Medium: Techniques, Concepts, Conversations”. Her encaustic work has been featured in the Encaustic Art Institute Encaustic Arts Magazine (Winter 2018 and Spring 2021 issue).

AWARDS
$3,000 in Cash Awards and many Patron Purchase Awards are anticipated.

ABSTRACT NATIONAL EXHIBITION CALENDAR

September 15 Online registration opens

November 12 Online registration closes

December 1 Result notification emails

December 16 Deadline for receipt of shipped artwork

January 5 Opening reception at Mark Arts from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

January 5-6 Artisan Academy: Exploring Methods of Abstraction with Juror Pamela Caughey (optional two-day workshop at Mark Arts)

March 23 Exhibition closes

March 25-26 Hand-delivered artwork picked up

March 29 Shipped artwork returned

Application Requirements

ENTRY FEE
Each artist may enter up to 4 artworks. There is a basic entry fee of $20, with up to 4 artworks at $5/media fee. The entry fee and media fee are nonrefundable. You may pay online with a credit card via CaFÉ Entry. Mark Arts is not responsible for the loss or damage to any submitted materials. Mark Arts will retain submitted images as part of its exhibition records.

PRICES AND SALES
All artworks must be available for sale. A 40% commission is charged on all sales and patron purchase awards from this exhibition. The artist is responsible for including this commission in the price stated on the entry form. Sales tax will be added to the price of the work when it is sold. All work may also be for sale online at Mark Arts Online Sales Gallery.

JUDGING
All entries will be judged from digital images (JPG format). If upon delivery, an accepted artwork is found to have been misrepresented it may be disqualified. Award winners will be selected by the juror and all decisions are final. Patron Purchase Awards are selected by the individual patrons or their representatives.

CATALOG
Mark Arts publishes an illustrated catalog with all accepted entries. A complimentary copy will be mailed to each entrant.

DELIVERY AND RETURN OF ARTWORK
Selected artworks for exhibition may be shipped or hand-delivered to Mark Arts at 1307 N. Rock Rd. Wichita, KS, 67206. All selected works must be received no later than December 16, 2023. The artist is responsible for all shipping costs and in-transit insurance to and from Mark Arts. Shipped artwork must be sent prepaid in substantial, reusable containers. Instructions and payment for return shipping and a self-addressed shipping label should accompany the delivered artwork. (Prepaid UPS or FedEx label for return shipping is required.) Hand delivered artwork may be brought directly to Mark Arts, Tuesday-Saturday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Call 316.932.1784 for questions or appointments.

RESPONSIBILITY
While every care will be exercised in the handling of all works submitted, Mark Arts cannot assume liability for any loss of or damage to artwork in transportation or otherwise.

Eligibility Criteria

The exhibition is open to all artists living and working in North America, both amateur and professional. Work must be ready to exhibit, created in the past two years, and not previously exhibited in the Wichita, Kansas metro area. Each entry must be wholly designed and executed by the artist. All artworks must be display ready with installation hardware included. While wrapped canvases are appropriate, When appropriate, work should be framed and preferably glazed with Plexiglas. Each artist may enter up to four pieces. All entries must be for sale.