Introduction
The Schwa Show is a national juried competition recognizing excellence in fine arts and crafts.

In the English language, schwa is the most common vowel sound. For Emerge Gallery & Art Center, the schwa symbol is our logo.

Juror Katya Hutchinson 
Katya Hutchinson earned her BA from the University of Hawai’i at Hilo in 2019. After relocating to North Carolina, she obtained her MFA from East Carolina University in 2022, with a concentration in Printmaking. Her artistic work is inspired by traditional techniques, blended with a modern and eclectic mix of conceptual ideas. Heavily influenced by history, literature, and lore, Katya’s artwork incorporates layers of symbolism woven into classic compositions. Her technical etchings have been exhibited across the United States, as well as in Croatia and Canada. 

As an educator, Katya has developed a specialty in teaching foundational art courses. Currently, she serves as the First Year Coordinator for the School of Art and Design at East Carolina University, where she enjoys the opportunity to introduce students to the alchemy and methodology of studio arts.

Eligibility 
This exhibition is open to artists in any media and subject matter. Artists must be age 18 and up. All work must have been completed in the past 3 years and never previously exhibited at Emerge Gallery. All pieces must fit through our exterior door (36” x 80”). Work must be available for entire exhibition. Video entries are accepted, but special equipment must be provided. Work must be ready to hang or will not be eligible.

Entries and Fees 

All entries are to be submitted digitally through www.callforentry.org (CaFÉ). Please retain a copy of the information you provide on the entry form. 

If you have not registered previously with CaFÉ, setting up your portfolio is free. CaFÉ requires that all images conform to a specific format. Before you begin the entry process, review CaFÉ’s instructions and tutorials. For technical assistance with your entry, please see https://www.callforentry.org/cafehelp.phtml, or contact cafe@westaf.org.

Each artist may submit up to 5 entries. Artists are required to submit 3 entries for a fee of $20, with the option to submit 2 additional entries at $5 each. There is a limit of 5 entries per artist. Ideally, this would be 3 to 5 individual artworks. Each entry allows for only 1 photo, so if the same artwork is submitted multiple times, please note that if the artwork is chosen, only 1 submission will be notified of acceptance.

Each entry will receive the jury’s decision in a separate email, via CaFÉ, no later than July 31, 2025. It is the artist’s responsibility to monitor his/her CaFÉ account where all submissions will be listed and marked either invited or not under “My CaFÉ Entries.”

It is the sole responsibility of the applicant to note each artwork's application number, as this identifier will be used to announce the accepted works. Please retain a copy of the information you provide on the entry form. 

Entries will be active on the CaFÉ website beginning May 1, 2025 and must be completed by 11:59PM MST on July 15, 2025.

Delivery of Artwork 

Accepted work sent via shipping must be received by end of day on Wednesday, August 27. Hand delivered work must be received on Thursday, August 28 or Friday, August 29 between 10:00am – 8:00pm, unless other arrangements have been made.  

Accepted work must be picked up on either Sunday, September 28 between 1:00pm – 4:00pm or Tuesday, September 30 between 10:00am - 8:00pm or must have a prepaid mailing label for return shipping. Prepaid labels are required. Work left after the pick-up date will become property of Emerge Gallery unless other arrangements are made.

Exhibition Dates 
September 5-27, 2025

The opening reception will be held on Friday, September 5, from 5:00pm-8:00pm.

Awards
There will be the following cash awards: Best of Show: $1000, Best of 2D: $500, Best of 3D: $500, Honorable Mention: $100 (3)

Questions
E-mail sarah@emergegallery.com or call (252) 551-6947

Current Hours of Operation: Monday: Closed, Tuesday - Friday: 10:00am – 9:00pm, Saturday: 10:00am – 4:00pm, Sunday: 1:00pm – 4:00pm.

Summer Hours of Operation (June – August): Monday and Friday: 9:00am – 4:00pm, Tuesday – Thursday: 9:00am – 9:00p, Saturday: 10:00am – 4:00pm, Sunday: Closed

Commission
It is assumed that all work is for sale unless noted with an insurance value. Emerge will retain a 30% commission if work is sold. If work is not for sale, an insurance value must be given and NFS stated, or work will not be insured. Payment will be mailed within 45 days of the end of the exhibition.

Insurance and Liability
Emerge Gallery will provide insurance for accepted work during the exhibition dates only. Work will not be insured after Tuesday, September 30, 2025. Work will be insured only for the artist’s portion of the sales price, 70 percent of the sales price and a maximum of $5,000. Insurance value must be a realistic value and may be questioned. Proof of similar sales will be requested, if necessary.

Consent to reproduce for publicity, catalog, or entry constitutes agreement to all conditions. 

About Emerge Gallery & Art Center 
A non-profit arts organization, Home of the Pitt County Arts Council, dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in Pitt County by promoting artists and arts organizations, educating through the arts, and making the arts accessible to the entire community. Emerge Gallery & Art Center also offers a variety of workshops and classes for youth and adults in pottery, metal design/jewelry, painting, drawing, and much more. The facility has two galleries with rotating exhibitions and a sales gallery featuring local art. Two Outreach Programs are offered, one of which is the Youth Public Arts Project benefitting youth and one of which is Art is Good Medicine benefiting individuals living with a health disability or disease, their family, and/or caregivers.

Application Requirements

All entries are to be submitted digitally through www.callforentry.org (CaFÉ). Please retain a copy of the information you provide on the entry form. 

Entries will be active on the CaFÉ website beginning May 1, 2025 and must be completed by 11:59PM MST on July 15, 2025.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility
This exhibition is open to artists in any media and subject matter. Artists must be age 18 and up. All work must have been completed in the past 3 years and never previously exhibited at Emerge Gallery. All pieces must fit through our exterior door (36” x 80”). Work must be available for entire exhibition. Video entries are accepted, but special equipment must be provided. Work must be ready to hang or will not be eligible.