Call Description

PrintHouston is pleased to announce PressForward, a contemporary student printmaking exhibition to be held in Houston, TX in the fall of 2025. We are looking for exceptional works from current student printmakers that explore the wide range of traditional and innovative printmaking processes. Original works in all printmaking media are eligible, including  lithographs, screenprints, relief prints, intaglio, monoprints, and letterpress. Digital and mixed media works are accepted which incorporate a traditional printmaking medium as a main component. No photography or digital reproductions of original works will be accepted. Works must be completed within the last two years.This exhibition is open to current students in high school or students currently enrolled in a degree or certificate program.

CATALOG 

PrintHouston will produce a show catalog to give to the artists juried into PressForward 2025 exhibition.

Past Catalog: https://www.blurb.com/bookstore/invited/10064107/997cc3d03e83d551bd6780eba95664df011f1760

ORGANIZER 

PrintHouston is a Houston-based Non-Profit 501(c)(3) arts organization. Our mission is to promote traditional and non-traditional printmaking, encourage print collecting, and facilitate the professional growth of our members. 

JUROR 

We are pleased to announce that J. Leigh Garcia, an artist and Associate Professor in Printmaking at the University of Tennessee School of Art will be our juror. 
https://www.instagram.com/j.leighgarcia/

https://www.jleighgarcia.com/

Garcia (she/her) is an artist born and raised in Dallas, Texas. Garcia received her MFA and MA from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and BFA from the University of North Texas. She has received numerous awards for her work. Following the roots of her own ancestry, Garcia uses printmaking, papermaking, and sculpture to explore themes of racial and generational privilege/oppression within Mexican-American populations in Texas.

In order to ensure the quality of the exhibition, the juror reserves the right to reject any work that was not accurately represented in the digital file. The juror’s decision is final.
 

VENUE 

BOX13 is an artist-run nonprofit committed to supporting the creation and advancement of experimental contemporary arts in Houston. BOX13 holds affordable work spaces for emerging and established artists, four exhibition spaces, and an outdoor mural wall. In addition to providing space to create, BOX13 promotes and encourages dialogue on current trends in the arts. 
 

AWARDS 

First Place - $450

Second Place - $300

Third Place - $150

ELIGIBILITY 

Open to current students in high school or students currently enrolled in a degree or certificate program, residing in the United States of America. Works must be original, not to exceed 48 inches in any direction, completed in the last two years, and not previously shown in Houston. Collaborative work should be entered under only one of the artist's names. No reproductions of original works or photography. Please direct any questions to president@printmattershouston.org.
 

FEES 

$25 for up to 3 entries, payable during the online entry process. 
 

ENTRY GUIDELINES 

Selection will be based on juror review of jpeg images that have been prepared and submitted following CaFÉ entry media specifications. You may submit up to three images. If you wish to submit a detailed shot, it will count as an entry. All accepted works must be available for the duration of the exhibition. Be prepared to submit your artist statement (limit of 2000 characters) during the submission process. 

The entry deadline is 11:59 p.m. Central Standard Time, August 3, 2025.
 

PRESENTATION OF ARTWORK 

All work will be presented professionally in the gallery. Work must be shipped ready to hang: framed (matted with white or off-white mats, if applicable), with wire hangers or d-rings (no sawtooth hangers), and Plexiglass. Exceptions: oversized works, installations, 3-D, video, and artist’s books. Please contact president@printmattershouston.org for questions relating to hanging and installation requirements. 

Special display and handling instructions must be included in the package when shipped. PrintHouston reserves the right to exclude any entry that presents complex hanging/exhibition problems or is not framed professionally.

SHIPPING AND INSURANCE 

Shipped works are due at PrintHouston between October 8-15th. You may hand-deliver your work during install day to BOX13, Saturday, October 18th, 12:00 – 2:00 p.m. No exceptions.
 

Shipped work must be packaged appropriately in a reusable carton, box, or crate and include paid return shipping. Absolutely no packing peanuts. All works will be insured upon arrival in BOX13. Neither BOX 13 nor PrintHouston is responsible for any damage or loss during transit.
 

Ship to: 
Address to be shared with selected artists.
 

Hand-delivered work must be picked up Sunday, November 23rd, 12:00 – 5:00 p.m. at BOX13. Return shipping will begin December 15th.
 

**IMPORTANT: Artists are responsible for the cost of shipping. You MUST include an easily located prepaid return shipping label. If you do not, your work will not be hung.
 

SALES & COPYRIGHTS Prints may or may not be for sale depending on the choice of the artist. The exhibition sale commission for PrintHouston is 40% of the selling price and artist commission is 60% of the selling price. PrintHouston reserves the right to offer reasonable shared discounts up to 10%. Your entry grants PrintHouston and BOX13 permission to include your image(s) in marketing and advertising and any catalogs created for PressForward and BOX13.
 

QUESTIONS If you have any questions, e-mail us at president@printmattershouston.org. 
 

IMPORTANT DATES 
August 3: 11:59:00 p.m. (CST) Submissions Deadline

May 3: Call Opens
August 3: 11:59:00 p.m. (CST) Submissions Deadline
August 4 - 10: Jury Process
August 12: Email notifications
October 8 - October 15: Shipped artwork due to arrive at PrintHouston (Address to be shared with selected artists.)
Saturday, October 18: 12-2 p.m. Hand-delivered drop-off at BOX13
Saturday, October 18 - Thursday, October 23  
October 24: 6 - 9 p.m. Opening reception BOX 13
October 24: 7:30 p.m. Juror’s talk and awards
November 22: End day of exhibition(Saturday)
November 23: Hand-delivered pick-up, exhibition de-install (Sunday)
November 24: Return shipping begins

Application Requirements

Total Media - Minimum: 1, Maximum: 3

Selection will be based on juror review of jpeg images that have been prepared and submitted following CaFÉ entry media specifications. You may submit up to three images. If you wish to submit a detailed shot, it will count as an entry. All accepted works must be available for the duration of the exhibition. Be prepared to submit your artist statement (limit of 2000 characters) during the submission process.

Eligibility Criteria

Open to current students in high school or students currently enrolled in a degree or certificate program, residing in the United States of America. Works must be original, not to exceed 48 inches in any direction, completed in the last two years, and not previously shown in Houston. Collaborative work should be entered under only one of the artist's names. No reproductions of original works or photography.