Compete Opposites – Themes & Variations
Opportunity Description
U.S. National Deadline: July 31, 2025 – The MVA Gallery (Modern Visual Arts) invites artists, photographers and sculptors of all levels (emerging to established) to submit original artwork to this exhibition.
Opposites — opposing forces in nature and in life. You are invited to submit your artwork that explores these concepts. Possibilities include:
Young and old, happy and sad, empty and full, love and hate, city and rural, earth and sky, innocent and guilty, health and illness, real and fantasy, circle and square, dry and wet, dark and light, child and adult, life and death, interior and exterior, cheap and expensive, tragedy and comedy, awake and asleep, male and female, cold and hot, skyscraper and hut, imagination and logic, motion and stillness, calmness and agitation, beautiful and ugly, kind and cruel, land and sea, strong and weak, arid and fertile, natural and artificial, war and peace.
Exhibition Dates: November 20 – December 31, 2025.
ELIGIBILITY
This is a National Call for Entries inviting artists, photographers and sculptors from all regions and states. Artists must be 18 years of age or older and current residents of the United States.
Consider this range of possible alternatives to visually demonstrate Opposites.
- All variations of representational or abstract, traditional or experimental, art are welcome.
- Scenes with people and room settings can be modified in the second image by changing clothing, furniture, lighting and other details.
- Show an image in black-and-white and also in color.
- Present one realistic image and the second depiction with distortion or fragmentation.
- Reveal a full view image and a second one with a partial view or close-up.
- Create a companion piece with words or text added.
- Blur the boundaries between reality and dreams.
You have limitless artistic freedom. We are excited to see your personal interpretations. Please join us!
The MVA Gallery accepts painting, watercolor, printmaking, mixed media, digital, pastel, encaustic, sculpture, fiber, drawing and photography.
AWARDS
Art of Distinction Award will be granted at most exhibitions. One artist, photographer or sculptor will be selected and featured in a special exhibit at the MVA Gallery, Exhibition Room 2, to be scheduled at a future date.
One New York City Exhibition: One artist, photographer or sculptor 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.
Director’s Choice Award – $200 optional award may be granted at the discretion of the Executive Director of the MVA Gallery.
ENTRY FEE
Entry fee is $35.00 for 3 images. You may include additional files for $5.00 each up to a total of 9 maximum.
APPLY ONLINE
Visit us for complete details and easy online application.
Notification to Artists: On or about October 14, 2025 (Midnight). Artists will receive separate email messages for “Invited” and “Not Invited” artwork entries.
All accepted artwork must arrive at the Gallery no later than November 14, 2025.
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.
About:
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.
MVA Gallery
35 E. Elizabeth Avenue, Suite 35
Bethlehem, PA 18018
ph: 610-936-0737
