Call Description

Northwest Expressions is Northwind Art's annual juried exhibit of work by artists 16 years of age or older from Washington and Oregon. The specific theme for this year's Northwest Expressions show is Potluck Banquet and the show will be organized around the idea of "everything you would bring to a delicious, abundant meal, created with your friends portrayed in your paintings, photography, and sculpture!"

What’s included? Food! A feast for the eyes, if not the stomach! Scrumptious salad, vegetables, and fruits; soups and sauces; main dishes including pasta, roasts, seafood, and fine vegan fare; dazzling desserts; every kind of beverage; all the dishes and glassware and silverware you might need; a picnic basket for carrying… Dream into the idea of your favorite community coming together to share a meal. Create a whole scene or just one important element. 

Potluck Banquet is open to all media. Entries must be original, entirely the work of the entrant, and executed within the last three years. Work in both two- and three-dimensions, including jewelry and photography, is eligible. Cash prizes will be presented. Artwork will be juried online and then selected work will be exhibited at Northwind Art's Jeanette Best Gallery in downtown Port Townsend.

NOTE: This is an exhibit for residents of Washington and Oregon only. Artwork will be juried online and exhibited at Northwind Art's Jeanette Best Gallery in Port Townsend, WA. Artwork must be hand delivered and picked up (if not sold); no shipped work will be accepted.

A maximum of three (3) entries may be submitted per artist. Submitted digital images should represent the quality and nature of the work. Work that is considerably different than the submitted images may not be accepted. Artists must submit an image showing the artwork in its entirety. Only one image per artwork may be submitted.

Awards
One $500 Juror’s Choice Award
Three $300 Juror’s Merit Awards
One $150 People’s Choice Award

Fees
$35 for up to 3 entries
All fees are non-refundable

Entry fees go toward awards and exhibit operating costs.

Selection Process
Artwork will be chosen by jurors Suzanne Lamon and Frank Samuelson. They will be judging the quality and creative voice of the work. Our final artwork selections will reflect a variety of media, techniques, and styles. No "not-for-sale" entries will be accepted. Artists must submit an image showing the artwork in its entirety. Only one image per artwork may be submitted.

About the Jurors
Suzanne Lamon is a Port Townsend artist known for her brilliant narrative watercolor work. She was a graduate student at Washington State University in the 1970s, was a founding faculty member of Port Townsend School of the Arts, and has exhibited extensively in the Pacific Northwest.

Port Townsend-based artist Frank Samuelson creates colorful and imaginative paintings and murals for pubilc spaces. The natural world is an important theme and inspiration for Samuelson. He received a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees from Central Washington University in Ellensburg and a Master of Fine Arts degree from Washington State University in Pullman, Eastern Washington, in 1976.

About Northwind Art
Built on a strong foundation of community, Northwind Art was founded in January 2021 when two established art organizations, Port Townsend School of the Arts and Northwind Arts Center, joined together—we are now known simply as NORTHWIND ART.

Northwind Art is a non-profit organization that puts artists at the heart of all we do. Three main pillars, EDUCATION, EXHIBITS, and ARTIST RESOURCES are the focus of our work and mission. Our incredible community of donors, partners, and grant organizations makes it all possible.

Calendar
April 25: Call for entries opens.

July 13, 10:59pm PDT: Application deadline.

July 14 - July 27: Jurying period.     

August 4: Notification to artists of accepted artwork. Artists will be notified by email. 

August 22 - 25, 12pm-5pm PDT: Artists drop off artwork at Jeanette Best Gallery.

August 28, 12pm: Exhibition opens to the public, awards announced.

September 6, 5pm-8pm PDT: Saturday Art Walk public reception.

October 13, 5pm: Exhibition closes.

October 16 - 20, 12pm-5pm PDT: Artists pick up unsold artwork.

NOTE: Every piece of artwork must have a label affixed to the back with the following information:
Artist Name
Artwork Title
Retail Price

Drop-off and Pick-up Location
Northwind Art
701 Water Street
Port Townsend, WA 98368

Drop-off and Pick-up Times
August 22 - 25, 12pm-5pm PDT: Artists drop off artwork at Jeanette Best Gallery.

October 16 - 20, 12pm-5pm PDT: Artists pick up unsold artwork.

Rules & Terms

Sales and Recognition: Should your work(s) sell, Northwind Art will pay you a wholesale price equal to 50% of the retail selling price. Should your work sell, you agree to complete a W9 upon request. Northwind Art reserves the right to use art images for the purpose of promotion and marketing. Price is set at the time of submission. For this exhibit only, purchased art can be picked up anytime after the exhibit ends at 5pm, Sunday, October 13, 2025.

Conditions of Delivery: All artwork must be delivered in person for exhibition. All hanging artwork should be suitably framed or wrapped canvas and ready to hang, preferably with wire. Sawtooth hangers may be used on small works only. If art is not suitably hanging- or display-ready, we will ask you to do so at time of delivery. Northwind Art is not liable for damage to works on paper that do not have surface protection. 

Agreement and Liability: Submission of the artwork shall constitute an agreement on the part of the artist to comply with the conditions set forth in this prospectus, including the following: I hereby release and discharge the officers, employees, and volunteers of Northwind Art from any and all claims occasioned by damage or loss of said artwork while in possession of Northwind Art. No work accepted for this exhibition may be withdrawn prior to the close of the exhibition unless agreed to by the Executive Director. Permission to reproduce the artwork for publicity purposes and for educational purposes is granted.

Application Requirements

Submitting on CaFE
A maximum of three (3) entries may be submitted per artist. Information provided during the CaFE submission must match the artwork submitted for the online jurying.

Jurying Process
Artwork will be chosen by jurors Suzanne Lamon and Frank Samuelson. They will be judging the quality and creative voice of the work. Final artwork selections will reflect a variety of media, techniques, and styles. No "not-for-sale" entries will be accepted. Artists must submit an image showing the artwork in its entirety. Only one image per artwork may be submitted.

Eligibility Criteria

This is an exhibit for residents of Washington and Oregon only. Artists must be 16 years of age or older. Artwork will be juried online and exhibited at Northwind Art's Jeanette Best Gallery in Port Townsend, WA. Artwork must be hand delivered and picked up (if not sold); no shipped work will be accepted.