Call Description

Identity is rarely fixed.  HE, SHE, THEY, THEM explores the complexity of human identity and the fluidity of gender expression through work that embraces nuance, acceptance, and connection.

This exhibition is inspired by the idea of interconnected human presence. Forms that exist between categories. Individuals shaped by community. Works that blur traditional gender roles and invite viewers to reconsider assumptions about identity and belonging.  The emphasis is on openness, empathy, and the freedom to exist without rigid definition.

We are especially interested in work that reflects:

• Fluidity and overlap in identity
• Interconnectedness and chosen community
• Acceptance, love, and recovery
• Visibility and affirmation

The tone of the exhibition is celebratory and welcoming. Work may be playful, intimate, bold, or quiet. It may reflect personal journeys or collective experiences. The goal is to create an environment where viewers encounter diversity not as difference to be explained, but as something natural and shared.

This call is limited to analog, materially driven practices, such as painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, fiber, textile, collage, assemblage, ceramics, other hands-on processes, film-based and darkroom photography are encouraged. Digital work, digital manipulation, and AI generated work will not be considered

Submit via CaFÉ 
Presented by ShadowBoxX Gallery in collaboration with Waukegan Friends 

Application Requirements

• Provide high-resolution images (JPEG/PNG)
• Brief artist statement regarding each work (150 words)
• All accepted works must be ready to install or hang.
• Artists are responsible for shipping/delivery. However, this gallery is committed to keeping artist costs to display down as much as possible. Call or email me, the gallerist. In other words, I enjoy stretching canvas for large rolled works which would otherwise be unshippable.

Eligibility Criteria

Open to professional and emerging artists.  Eligible works include painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, collage, assemblage, textile, ceramics, photography (film-based or darkroom), and other physically produced processes. Digital artwork, digital manipulation, and AI-generated work will not be considered.