"THE POWER OF PORTRAITS  --  HUMAN AND ANIMAL''  EXHIBIT  AT  MVA  GALLERY  --  MODERN  VISUAL  ARTS

THEMES   AND  TECHNIQUES  

National Call For Entries:   

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

HUMAN  PORTRAITS  --          Artists and photographers may submit traditional or non-traditional styles of a single individual, a couple or a group. Images may show a close-up of a face or the physical attributes of a person in a half-length or full-body pose. The artistic intention may be to present an idealized, neutral, psychological, satirical, celebratory or cultural impression while capturing the behavioral characteristics of personality or the inner life of emotions.  The Gallery also welcomes "environmental portraits" showing individuals in their surroundings that provide insight into their character and life, thereby creating a personal pictorial narrative. These portraits may also reveal a persona or alter ego. And, of course, submit self-portraits whether formal or informal. The selfie is ubiquitous and can reveal the fluidity of self-identity in a chaotic contemporary world. Through the  diverse approaches of portraiture, artists can raise provocative questions about identity and perception.    

ANIMAL  PORTRAITS  --         The MVA Gallery also invites portraits of animals, domesticated or wild. Capture images of pets in their preferred environment -- at home or on the farm, at rest or at play -- that reveal their unique personalities. (A person  may be included to explore human-animal interaction.)  Or wildlife photographers and artists can show us extraordinary creatures in their natural habitat. Surprise us with dramatic imagery of animals in the jungle, forest, sky, garden or ocean who exhibit aggressive, docile, quirky or humorous behavior. Artists may also call attention to social issues, if appropriate, as they present the beauty and fragility of Nature.  

STYLE  --              Artists and photographers are encouraged to submit their most powerful representational or non-representational art in any style -- realistic, abstract, surreal, cubist, expressionist, or a synthesis of styles.  

Mediums:       The MVA Gallery accepts  painting, watercolor, printmaking, mixed media, digital, fiber, 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 hundreds 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. Gallery website is https://www.mvaartgallery.com. 

SUBMISSIONS  AND  FEES 

Submission is exclusively through CAFE  -- CallForEntry. The website is https://www.callforentry.org. Then select "Find Calls" -- or do it at the top of this page. Finally, enter MVA Gallery into the search field to apply to a Call. OR SIMPLY CLICK THE ''APPLY NOW'' BOX ABOVE.  Artists new to CAFE can also click "Artist Sign Up" (free and easy) at the top of this page to begin the submission process.   

 Entry fee is $35.00 for 3 different images. You may include 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 are accepted.

ENTRY  FORMAT   

 Please see the detailed instructions on the CAFE website. All images must be JPEG. 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 (accepted) 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 look 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 48" (framed) on the longest side and no more than 45 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. All photographic processes are welcome.

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  $400;  SECOND PRIZE  $200.
ANNUAL GRAND PRIZE --  One New York City Exhibition Opportunity   
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:  January 22, 2022.
Notification To Artists:  No later than January 25, 2022.  Notification by email. Artists will receive separate email messages for "Invited" and "Not Invited" artwork entries.
Shipping Deadline:  All accepted artwork must arrive at the Gallery no later than February 8, 2022. No hand - delivered work will be processed for this exhibit. 
Exhibition Dates :   February 11 through March 5, 2022.
Artwork Returned:  The Gallery will start to return unsold art to the participating artists March 10 - 15, 2022.  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 UPS or FedEx shipping label 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.  By applying to this Call For Entry and by shipping or delivering artwork to the MVA Gallery, the Artist / Photographer -- and any third party -- fully agree that the MVA Gallery (and its agents and employees) will not be liable, and not culpable in any way, for loss or damage to the art.   

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 in the "ARTWORK SPECIFICATIONS" and the "SHIPPING"  sections. Thank you. By applying to this exhibition / event, you fully agree to all the terms and conditions described in this Call Prospectus and in the Legal Agreement.  

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.