Call Description

Whimsy in Pastel is a national juried exhibition that invites artists to explore the playful, the mysterious, and the magical through the luminous medium of soft pastel. As part of View’s Whimsy curatorial series, this exhibition continues our investigation into wonder, transformation, and storytelling—this time through powdered pigment and pure imagination.

Pastel is a versatile medium that bridges the line between drawing and painting—offering richness of color, subtle gradation, and a direct, tactile application. Its ability to convey both intricate detail and soft atmosphere makes it an ideal vehicle for a range of artistic expression, from tightly rendered realism to more expressive or gestural approaches.

This exhibition aims to highlight works that demonstrate technical mastery in soft pastel, showcasing the depth, control, and refinement possible within the medium. While a variety of styles and subjects are welcome, emphasis will be placed on whimsical compositions that pair craftsmanship with a sense of lightness, curiosity, or imaginative flair. Selected works should reflect a confident, skillful use of pastel as well as strong compositional choices that speak to the exhibition’s theme.

Eligibility & Media

• Artwork must utilize soft pastel as the primary medium

• All subject matter welcome, provided it aligns with the theme of whimsy

• Both representational and abstract approaches are encouraged

• Works must be original, completed within the past 3 years, and not previously exhibited at View

Context & Vision

This exhibition is part of a larger three-part curatorial arc titled Whimsy at View Arts Center. Other branches of the series include Curious Constructs (folk and handcrafted art) and Odd Ends & Afterthoughts (surreal and uncanny contemporary works). Whimsy in Pastel anchors the series in material specificity, offering a platform for pastel artists to shine within a broader thematic inquiry into joy, illusion, and the delightfully unexpected.

By welcoming pastelists into this imaginative space, View continues its mission to support diverse artistic voices, champion traditional media in contemporary contexts, and invite audiences into immersive, thought-provoking experiences.

Application Requirements

HOW TO APPLY

Submit your application via CaFÉ by [10/3/2025]. Please include:

• Artist Statement (250 words max)

• Descriptions of submitted works

• High-resolution images or video links

• CV or short bio (optional but encouraged)

Eligibility Criteria

Who may apply: U.S. residents, 18+ (individuals or collaborative teams; list all collaborators).

Original work only: Created by the submitting artist from their own references or with written permission. No copies, studies from workshops/classes, reproductions, or AI-generated/AI-assisted imagery.

Medium requirement: Soft pastel must be the dominant medium (≥80% of the visible surface). Acceptable forms: soft/hard sticks and pan pastels. Not accepted: oil pastel, digital pastel effects, or mixed media where pastel is secondary.

Theme fit: Works should align with the exhibition’s spirit of whimsy—playful, curious, imaginative, or lightly surreal—while remaining suitable for a public, family-friendly venue.

Presentation: Artwork must be fixed, clean, and exhibition-ready: framed under glass or acrylic (acrylic required if shipping), rigid backing, tidy mats, and wired for hanging (no sawtooth hangers). Label the back with artist name, title, medium, and price/NFS.

Condition on arrival: View reserves the right to decline any work that is misrepresented in images, arrives damaged, sheds pigment, or is not professionally presented.

Permissions: By applying, artists grant View the right to use submitted images for jurying, web/social promotion, and press for this exhibition only, with credit.

Sales & insurance: Standard gallery policies apply; full details in the prospectus upon acceptance.