Call Description

VISUAL NARRATIVES; Photographic Center Northwest's (PCNW) 27th Juried Exhibition

DEADLINE SUBMISSION EXTENSION!! September 14, 2025

While the theme for PCNW’s call for photographs is open, we encourage artists to submit images that are part of a cohesive body of work. A series of images can tell a story, explore a concept, and evoke certain emotion beyond what a singular image can, ultimately providing deeper insights into the artist's vision and style. Consider how your images converse; intentionality in the order you choose can really shape how the series is experienced. 

The juror will be looking for sequences of images that come together to convey a strong, artistic narrative.

Those that are selected will have their work exhibited in the PCNW gallery from November 3 - December 14, 2025. (Artists will be responsible for shipping of their framed work to/from the gallery.)

If your work is selected, there will be the following frame size restrictions: 
Because the juror will be selecting multiple images, all selected work must be sent to PCNW framed and ready to hang, with the following size guidelines:

Individual frames must be no larger than 11 x 14 inches.

You may either submit multiple images in separate frames (each 11 x 14 inches, or smaller), or group multiple images within a single frame.

If you choose the latter, the overall frame size may be larger to accommodate the grouping.

We understand this format may differ from how you typically present your work, but please keep in mind that the juror will be evaluating the visual flow and relationship between images as part of a cohesive photographic project. 

Juror bio: MARY VIRGINIA SWANSON

Mary Virginia Swanson is a celebrated author, educator and mentor who has spent her career helping artists find the strengths in their work, identify appropriate audiences, and present their projects in a professionally informed manner.  Her broad background in imaging industries offer photographers a broad range of perspectives on both the making and marketing of art. 

For the past 20 years Swanson has been writing about and teaching workshops the process of bringing a body of work to publication, whether your book be hand-made, self-published or brought to print through a traditional press.  First released in 2011, Swanson coauthored with Darius Himes “Publish Your Photography Book”, now in its third edition released by Radius Books (2023) which combines essays by the two authors alongside conversations with over 60 publishing industry contributors. Building on the strong foundation of earlier editions, this 10-year update expands on the prominence of self-publishing, limited editions, and artist-made books, and informs readers on the path to placing books in private, public, academic and curatorial libraries. 

Swanson holds an MFA in photography from Arizona State University. Selected awards she has received include the Lifetime Achievement Award, Griffin Museum of Photography (2013); Susan Carr Award for Education, ASMP (2014), and the Society for Photographic Education Honored Educator (2015). Swanson is based in Tucson, Arizona.

DEADLINE SUBMISSION EXTENSION!! All entries must be submitted September 14, 2025, 10:59pm (Pacific Daylight Time)

FEE: $50 for 5 image files (minimum); add additional files for $5 each, up to 10 total (maximum). Payment must be in U.S. Dollars. Entry fees are non-refundable. 

If finances are a barrier, please contact Erin Spencer at espencer@pcnw.org to receive a 50% discount code off entry fees.

Your entry fee helps to support our non-profit educational institution dedicated to photography. Money raised through this call will go towards supporting PCNW's scholarship fund, 20-25 annual free public programs, and continued free public gallery access to all.  

NOTIFICATION:
A list of accepted artists will be notified via email the week of September 22nd. Framed work will need to arrive to PCNW in Seattle no later than October 22, 2025. Artists will be responsible for shipping their framed work to and from the gallery.

COMMISSION:
In our ongoing commitment to supporting artists, PCNW will give 90% to artists for all works sold during this juried exhibition (this a 40% increase from our normal 50/50 gallery commission policy). PCNW regularly highlights exhibitions and artists through newsletters, press releases, social media, and the web.

Application Requirements

$50 for 5 image files (minimum); you may add additional files for $5 each, up to 10 total (maximum).

Eligibility Criteria

Professional, mid-career, and emerging artists from all communities are encouraged to submit to this opportunity; all levels of experience and backgrounds are welcome and considered.