Compete Changing Seasons
Opportunity Description
U.S. National Deadline: July 31, 2026 – Seasonal change is powerful and transformative. This MVA Gallery exhibition offers artists an opportunity to explore multiple creative layers of expression.
Exhibition Dates: December 19, 2026 – January 16, 2027.
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. The MVA Gallery accepts painting, watercolor, printmaking, mixed media, digital, pastel, encaustic, ink, sculpture, fiber, drawing and photography.
Nature: Images can portray landscapes and seascapes — calm or agitated — during various seasons. Earth responds. The rhythmic fluctuations of animal and plant life during growth, transition and decay present fascinating visual statements.
Human Activities: Artwork can also portray popular activities associated with the recurring seasons such as swimming, skiing, picnicking, sunbathing, biking, and gardening. Artists capture individuals, couples and groups participating in lively or relaxing seasonal recreation. Or show persons struggling in inclement weather or confronting hostile terrain. Human figures can be large or small in scale. A universe of artistic possibilities exists!
Emotional Effects: Certain moods and feelings are perceived as dominant during specific seasons. Spring is associated with hope and renewal; Summer with joy and freedom; Autumn with melancholy and acceptance; Winter with isolation and sadness. Feelings are influenced by the natural cycles. Please submit art that taps into these psychological resonances.
As an artist, how do you interpret any of these themes? All the visual ideas offered by this exhibit can be developed realistically or metaphorically. You can concentrate your thematic focus on one particular season or show a range of seasons. Structures can be included in the imagery. You can submit single images or diptychs. Harmony or chaos in Nature — and in life — can be equally compelling. Images can be dynamic or static, mysterious or lucid, vast or intimate. And portraying human activity emphasizes our complex, symbiotic relationship to the land and to the seasons.
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.
Honorable Mention– Artists in this category will be granted free submission to a future exhibition at 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 by email on or about October 21, 2026 (Midnight).
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
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