Theme: The Suffolk Art Gallery and Suffolk Art League are teaming up for a spring exhibition inspired by the first all-women’s exhibition in the United States, 31 Women, organized by Peggy Guggenheim in 1943. Although it has been over 80 years since Guggenheim’s seminal show, less than 15% of exhibitions at major U.S. museums in the last decade were of work by women artists. 

This juried art exhibition will feature 31 female artists and their most current pieces,  juried by Richmond artist Blythe King, with Best in Show, Second Place, Third Place, Honorable Mention, and People's Choice awards. Suffolk’s version of 31 Women aims to feature work by 31 of the most innovative women creating art in the Mid-Atlantic today. We welcome artists working in a diverse range of media who are breaking new ground in their approach to form, content, and ideas. This exhibition will highlight the rich breadth of talent by women artists.

31 Women will also pay tribute to Suffolk’s visionary artist Judith Godwin, known for her Abstract Expressionist paintings and involvement in the New York art scene of the 1950s and 60s. Godwin’s painting Red Support No. 15, acquired by the City of Suffolk in 1988, will be on view for a limited time during the exhibition.

More about the juror: 

Blythe King leads a diversified life in the arts. She works as an educator, mentor, collaborator, program director, and practicing artist. Blythe’s work is exceptional for its moving revelations in image transfer, collage, and the ancient art of gold leafing as she deconstructs images of women through the lens of Zen Buddhist practice. Her work has been exhibited regularly throughout Virginia and beyond. In 2021, Blythe launched Open Space Education in response to the growing need for equitable access to nature, art education, and alternative modes of learning for Richmond youth. Blythe’s academic background combines an MA in Buddhism and Art from the University of Colorado with undergraduate studies in Japanese religion and art at the University of Richmond. She currently serves as President on the board of Richmond Zen.

Application Requirements

Fees: Artists may submit up to three (3) entries for a one-time, non-refundable $35 entry fee. Fees can be paid through Café.

Entry Procedures: Each artist may submit up to three (3) works. Digital images will be used to determine acceptance into the exhibit, and all entries must be submitted online. No physical pieces will be accepted at the gallery for jurying. visit Suffolk Art League for more information. Artists may submit up to three (3) images for each work of art (2-D or 3-D).  Images must be no larger than 5MB each.

Accepted artworks must be labeled (with title and artist name on back), framed if required, and ready to display at the time of delivery. A hanging wire must be attached to each 2-D artwork at delivery. No clip-type or sawtooth hangers will be accepted. Suffolk Art Gallery reserves the right to not display any selected work that fails to correspond with the required presentation format and quality, including artwork that differs from the submitted digital image.

Please contact the gallery BEFORE entering a large sculpture (more than 50 pounds). 3-D works must be stable or have mounting hardware and installation instructions. Pedestals will be provided as needed.

Contact information: Suffolk Art League, Hillarey Breedlove suffolkartleague76@gmail.com 

Suffolk Art Gallery, Jennifer Lucy, jlucy@suffolkva.us

Location: Suffolk Art Gallery

118 Bosley Avenue, Suffolk, Va. 23434

Timeline: 

Application deadline- April 4, 2025

Notice of Acceptance: April 25, 2025

Artwork Drop-off: May 6 - May 11 

Exhibit Opening: May 17, 5 - 7 pm

Artwork Pickup: June 14, 10 - 3 pm

June 17, 1 - 4 pm

Eligibility Criteria

Open to all female artists in the Mid-Atlantic ages 18 and older.

Submitted works must be originals completed within the last two years.

Works must not have been previously displayed at the Suffolk Art Gallery. 

All styles and mediums are welcome. No installation art, video, or audio enhancements will be accepted because of gallery limitations.

Works generated by artificial intelligence (AI) will not be accepted.