"BIG  CITY  vs  SMALL  TOWN''  EXHIBIT  AT  MVA  GALLERY  --  MODERN  VISUAL  ARTS

THEMES   AND  TECHNIQUES     

 The MVA Gallery (Modern Visual Arts) invites artists and photographers of all levels (emerging to established) to submit original 2D artwork to this exhibition. 

National Call For Entries:          Which is preferable -- living in a big city or a small town? The dispute continues and intensifies. A dual vision emerges with advocates on each side extolling the advantages and proclaiming the disadvantages. Can you create a visual narrative from these strongly-held beliefs -- or images of city and town life in general? It can be a pictorial commentary, a recollection, a testimonial, a neutral impression, or a fantasy. Any style is welcome. This exhibition is especially appropriate for street photographers and for painters of urban scenes.

Show us art that captures the essential attributes of big cities and small towns and how mankind responds.  Reveal the culture and values of an area, or how people act and react to random events, or the pageantry of the streets, or the variety of neighborhoods, or people at  work or at play, or glimpses of affluence and poverty, or activities of children and the elderly, or quiet moments of loneliness and sadness, or joyful celebrations of holidays, festivals, and special events. Incorporating signs, mechanical / electronic devices, and architectural structures (from established communities to new construction to decaying buildings) can highlight the evolving environment. Vistas of cityscapes and landscapes are impressive, but so are intimate moments of honest emotion.  

 Let us see your personal interpretations and visions. You can skim the surface as you portray reality or take us beneath the surface to find a place in people's hearts.    

Mediums:       The MVA Gallery accepts  painting, watercolor, printmaking, mixed media, digital, drawing, and photography.

THE  GALLERY

The MVA Gallery (Modern Visual Arts) is located in historic Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Bethlehem, along with its neighboring cities Allentown and Easton, comprise the third largest metropolitan area in Pennsylvania (after Philadelphia and Pittsburgh). Bethlehem has a vibrant arts and cultural life -- numerous active art galleries and nationally acclaimed festivals that attract tens of thousands of visitors each year. Located one hour from New York City, Bethlehem has become an art destination for informed collectors and prominent art professionals. Website is https://www.mvaartgallery.com.  


ENTRIES  AND  FEES

 Submission is exclusively through the website of CAFE-CallForEntry.org.  Entry fee is $35.00 for 3 images. You may add additional files for $5.00 each up to a total of 9 maximum. The fee will not be refunded, in part or in whole, for any reason. In addition, the application and fee do not guarantee acceptance into the exhibit or event. Payment is by credit card or Pay Pal only. No checks accepted.


ENTRY  FORMAT   

 Please see the detailed instructions on the CAFE website. All images must be JPG. Under 5 MB with a minimum of 1200 pixels on the longest side. In addition, you should enter the following information: title, medium, size, price and year of completion. The MVA Gallery has no cutoff date or time restriction for the artwork creation year.


ARTWORK  SPECIFICATIONS 

--  Artists should not submit any images of art previously included in an exhibit of the MVA Gallery. Previous acceptance into one of our shows does not constitute acceptance into future shows.
--  Only 2D artwork will be included in the exhibit. No reproductions  or derivatives of original artwork (or copyrighted images) will be accepted. The artist should be the sole owner of all rights.
--  All artwork must be professionally finished and be ready for secure installation. Framed pieces must be equipped with stretched wire. Sawtooth hangers and unframed work will not be accepted. Artwork without a wire will not be displayed.  The one framing exception is that the Gallery will consider paintings with gallery wrapped (finished) edges.
--  Shipped artwork using standard glass poses a risk and is not advisable. Plexiglass is preferred. Artwork with glass that arrives in cracked / shattered condition will be pulled from the exhibit
--  Pieces should not be larger than 45" (framed) on the longest side and no more than 40 lbs in weight.  
--  Photographs should be framed if you wish a traditional presentation. Mats, when used, should be white or off-white only. Black or white frames are preferred for photographs. Other types of mounting will be considered. 

PLEASE NOTE:   All art (even if sold) must remain in the Gallery for the full duration of the exhibition. Please do not commit your selected pieces to another gallery or institution during or near our exhibition dates.


JURYING PROCESS

Jurors and Curators will be selected from a group of exceptional artists, gallerists, art reviewers and academics. To be announced. (Some Jurors prefer to remain anonymous.)  All decisions are final. (No phone calls, please.)  Artists can  check the CAFE website (first page, "My Cafe Entries") to see the application's status. This is the fastest way to receive information about the jurying process although all artists will receive an email message about acceptance or non-acceptance. Applications that do not meet the submission requirements may be removed from consideration.  

AWARDS 

These "Art of Distinction" Awards will be granted at most exhibitions.
FIRST PRIZE  $300;   SECOND PRIZE  $150..
ANNUAL GRAND PRIZE --  One New York City Exhibit
One artist or photographer will be selected from all the individuals who were accepted and displayed in an MVA Gallery exhibit during the past calendar year. This artist will be offered an exhibition opportunity in New York City and will be notified in December.  

IMPORTANT  DATES 

Entry Deadline:  October 9, 2021
Notification To Artists:  No later than  October 12, 2021.  Notification by email. 
Shipping Deadline:  All accepted artwork must arrive at the Gallery no later than October 26, 2021. No hand - delivered work will be processed for this exhibit. 
Exhibition Dates :   October 29, 2021 through November 21, 2021.
Artwork Returned:  The Gallery will start to return unsold art to the participating artists November 30 - December 6, 2021.  We will use the prepaid return shipping label that is provided by artists and enclosed with the art.  


SHIPPING  

--   Detailed shipping instructions will be sent with  Notification of Acceptance in an email message. All art must be shipped since no hand - delivered work will be accepted for this exhibit. 
--  Artists are responsible for all shipping costs (and insurance) both to and from the Gallery.
--  Important:    ARTISTS MUST PROVIDE A PREPAID RETURN SHIPPING LABEL FROM UPS OR FEDEX  ENCLOSED IN THE BOX. We will not accept credit cards or checks for return shipping. Do not provide a link.  Artwork without an enclosed label will be considered abandoned and will NOT be returned. (It will be donated to a school or hospital.) 
--  Artwork must be shipped in a sturdy reusable carton (no wood). No styrofoam packing peanuts should be included. 
--  Ship your art by UPS or FedEx only. Please do not use the United States Postal Service (USPS).  


INSURANCE   

The MVA Gallery will exercise reasonable care in handling and protecting all artwork, but the Gallery will not assume any liability for loss of or damage to art while in the Gallery's custody or during round-trip shipping. Artists are responsible to independently insure their own work. In addition, artists are strongly encouraged to obtain an additional insurance rider if their art is of high retail value.  


COMMISSION  ON  SALES 

Artists can determine whether they wish to sell their artwork.  For sales, the artist must list a specific price and not indicate "Upon Request."
Commission Fees:
70% of the final sale price to the Artist.
30% of the final sale price to the Gallery.  
Artwork must remain in the Gallery for the full duration of the exhibition or event.  


COPYRIGHT  

Artists and photographers retain all rights to submitted images and artwork.  Artists accepted into the exhibition or event will grant the MVA Gallery rights to use selected images as well as data (such as the artist's name) for publicity / marketing (print and electronic) and for archival purposes, including use on the Gallery's website.   
 













 

Application Requirements

It is important to follow carefully all Guidelines above, especially those described in the "ARTWORK SPECIFICATIONS" and the "SHIPPING"  sections. Thank you.

Eligibility Criteria

This is a National Call for Entries inviting artists and photographers from all regions and states. Artists must be 18 years of age or older and residents of the United States.