Chelsie Nicole Contemporary invites artists to submit work for the upcoming exhibition, "Unwavering Resolve."

Inspired by the notion that quiet understanding gives birth to fierce determination, this exhibition seeks to explore the themes of strength and commitment through art that encourages introspection and solidarity.

We invite submissions that embody endurance in the face of challenges, bravery in unity, and the courage to either press forward or stand still amidst uncertainty. 

We aim to showcase works that not only stand for personal expression but also resonate with a collective purpose, inviting viewers to engage with the powerful narrative of unwavering resolve.

Awards: First Place: $1,000, Second Place: $600, Third Place: $400

Additional awards including a People’s Choice and possible Purchase Award to be announced.

About Chelsie Nicole Contemporary:

Chelsie Nicole Contemporary is an Art Gallery and Atelier in Ozark, Missouri, founded by graphite and pastel portrait artist Chelsie Nicole Murfee. The gallery is devoted to promoting & advancing contemporary figurative art. We recognize the significance of these realistic artworks and the potential impact they offer to the future. We value the living artists working to create these new masterpieces. Our commitment goes beyond promoting figurative artwork - we also aim to connect contemporary artists with collectors. Furthermore, we strive to advance the future of figurative work by offering skill-based studio education rooted in excellence and tradition. Visit our website to learn more about our available work, ongoing atelier classes and workshops.

Jurors:

Chelsie Nicole is honored to partner with esteemed painters David Kassan & Shana Levenson for this exhibition. Juror selection for finalists will be completed digitally solely through Café Call. Award winners will be selected from the exhibition finalists.

David Jon Kassan is an internationally recognized contemporary American painter, filmmaker, and philanthropist best known for his life-size representational paintings, which combine figurative subjects with abstract backgrounds or “tromp l’oeil texture studies, ”Of this dual representation strategy” Kassan notes, “my effort to constantly learn to document reality with a naturalistic, representational painting technique allows for pieces to be inherent contradictions; paintings that are both real and abstract.”

Kassan is a much sought after drawing and painting instructor because of his steadfast commitment to the age old discipline of working from life and creating compelling expressions of the human condition. He has given painting/drawing seminars and lectures at various institutions, and universities around the world. In 2013, he founded the Kassan Foundation in hopes of giving grants directly to underprivileged talent in both the visual and musical arts. Kassan works can be seen in many public and private collections worldwide. 

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.

Levenson is known for her hyper-realistic style, where she emphasizes delicate and feminine details in her subjects, like body shape, lace, and jewelry. Her background in fashion has notably influenced her latest series of paintings featuring lace. Additionally, she incorporates surrealistic elements in her current work, highlighting the strength and beauty of women.

Beyond her painting career, Levenson is deeply involved in education. She teaches workshops out of her studio, mentors students, and conducts workshops worldwide. These teaching experiences have shaped her patience and approach as an artist, allowing her to tailor her guidance to each artist’s individual journey. Shana Levenson’s commitment to her art and her community, both as an artist and an educator, makes her a notable figure in contemporary realism.

Exhibition Dates:

Accepted works will be exhibited from September 19th to November 10th, 2025.

Opening reception and artists’ announcement of awards: Saturday, September 20th, 2025, 5-8 PM Artist Awards at 6:30 PM

Exhibition closes: November 10th, 2025

Important Dates:

Entry Deadline – July 18th, 2025

Finalist Announcement Day: August 15th, 2025

Artwork Deliveries accepted August 25th - September 5th, 2025

Finalist Artwork due on location by Friday, September 5th, 2025

Application Requirements

Entries & Fees: Artists may submit up to three works for consideration. Entry fee for the first work is $25. Two additional entries may be added for an additional fee of $10 per entry. 

Submit artwork in accordance with CAFE call's portfolio requirements. Please limit submissions to images of artwork only. Submission imagery should not include framing or backgrounds.

(High-resolution artwork files will be requested as needed from finalists.)

Sales: All entries must be for sale. The title and sale prices on entries cannot change upon acceptance or during the exhibition. Chelsie Nicole Contemporary retains a 30 % commission on all works sold from during the exhibition period. Artists receive 70% of all processed sales. All sales during the exhibition dates must be processed through Chelsie Nicole Contemporary.

Marketing: Digital entries will be used for publication of marketing materials, advertising, catalogues and social media marketing for promotion of the exhibition. All applicants grant Chelsie Nicole Contemporary the right to share, post, and reproduce submission imagery within the context of the exhibition.

Shipping: All accepted finalists will ship their work to Chelsie Nicole Contemporary for awards and exhibition. Artwork deliveries are accepted in person or by UPS or FedEx between August 25th - September 5th. All finalist artwork is due on location by Friday, September 5th, 2025. Shipments arriving after this date will be disqualified and are not eligible for awards.

Artwork should be shipped or delivered to:

Chelsie Nicole Contemporary

101 East Church Street

Ozark, MO 65721

All work must be shipped in sturdy, reusable packaging. A prepaid return UPS or FedEx return shipping label must be enclosed with accepted artwork. Return label must include a physical address and not a PO Box. Chelsie Nicole Contemporary is not responsible for damage to artwork that occurs in shipping to or from the exhibition, or in handling while packing, unpacking, or hanging artwork, or during the exhibition. All reasonable care will be taken in the handling of entries. Artists are encouraged to insure their work privately.

Return shipping begins November 11th, 2025. Artwork delivered directly to the gallery must be picked up no later than November 14th at 4PM. Artwork left after November 14th without prior arrangements is subject to additional storage fees.

Eligibility Criteria

Entries are open to 2D artwork in any traditional drawing or painting medium including but not limited to charcoal, graphite, pastel, mixed media, watercolor, acrylic & oil.

The maximum size for 2D artwork is 24 x 36 in. Entries must weigh less than 30lbs. Accepted artwork must be gallery ready, framed and/or wired for hanging. All works on paper must be framed behind acrylic. (Works framed behind glass will be disqualified.)

Artwork must be original, created from references taken by the artist, or with written permission from the photographer. No computer-generated artwork or painting over photographs will be accepted.

All entries must be available for display during the entire exhibition, unless purchased or sold through Chelsie Nicole Contemporary. Artwork may NOT be substituted for an alternate work. All entries must be for sale and deemed appropriate for a community setting. 

Chelsie Nicole Contemporary has the right to disqualify any work not accurately represented in submitted images.