Application Closed
Entry Fee (Entry Fee): $25.00
Media Fee(Media Fee): $5.00
Images | Minimum:Min. 1, Maximum:Max. 4
Total Samples | Minimum:Min. 1, Maximum:Max. 4
Eligibility: National
State: Kansas
“Portrait painters exploit clothing to enhance and emphasize the character of the sitter. This ‘language of clothing’ is complex and subtle.” Vivienne Westwood, Fashion in Art by Marie Simon
Mark Arts in Wichita, Kansas, invites submissions for an innovative exhibition that explores and celebrates fashion in fine art. Clothing, accessories, jewelry, and hairstyles have long been the narrative tools that artists use to position their subjects in place and time and communicate personality, status, beliefs, and lifestyle. From John Singer Sargeant’s shocking Madame X in 1884 to Amy Sherald’s 2018 official portrait of Michelle Obama in a couture dress (by Michelle Smith for Milly), artists have used fashion in their work to disrupt orthodoxy and examine new ideas. À la Mode: The Language of Fashion in Art will examine the way that artists utilize and manipulate fashion within their own art practice.
The exhibition juror is Shana Levenson, who will also be conducting an artist talk and Artisan Academy Workshop at Mark Arts in Wichita, Kansas, during the run of the exhibition.
AWARDS
Mark Arts is proud to offer enticing cash awards to attract leading artists from across the country. $3,000 in cash awards will be awarded, including $1,500 for first place.
JUROR | SHANA LEVENSON
Shana Levenson is an accomplished representational painter based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Her artistic journey began with a BA in Fashion Design from The University of Texas, Austin. After the birth of her children in 2009 and 2010, she pursued and completed an MFA in Fine Art Painting from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. Her work primarily focuses on portraiture and the figure, often capturing people who are significant in her life. Levenson aims to tell each person’s story in an authentic and meaningful way, drawing inspiration from her own experiences.
JUDGING
All entries will be judged from digital images submitted through CaFÉ Entry. 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.
CALENDAR
Sunday, November 10: Online registration closes at 11:59 p.m. Mountain Time
Friday, November 15: Juror selection notification email sent
Friday, December 13: Deadline for receipt of artwork
Friday, January 10: Opening Reception from 5:30-7:30 p.m. with remarks and award announcements
Saturday, March 15: Exhibition concludes
Tuesday, March 18-Friday, March 21: Hand-delivered artwork picked up
Friday, March 28: Shipped artwork returned
Application Requirements
MEDIA LIMITATIONS
Media may include painting, drawing, printmaking, mixed media, enameling, photography, jewelry-making, and sculpture. The art may be representational or abstract, portrait or still life, pop art or traditional, photography or three-dimensional, but its common denominator will be its use of fashion as its subject. All artworks must be display-ready with display hardware included. All artwork must be able to be reasonably handled by Mark Arts staff.
Each artist may enter up to four pieces. Artwork should promote an environment conducive to welcoming all audiences to Mark Arts, including school tours and community outreach programs. Video and new media work will not be accepted, nor will artwork that must hang from the ceiling due to gallery limitations.
Eligibility Criteria
Mark Arts encourages artists of diverse backgrounds and perspectives to submit work for consideration. The exhibition is open to all artists living and working in the United States, both amateur and professional. Work must be ready to exhibit, created in the past two years (2023-2024), and not previously exhibited in Wichita, KS. All artworks must be for sale.