Compete Opposites
Opportunity Description
U.S. National Deadline: May 31, 2026 – 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:
BY THEME: 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.
BY TECHNIQUE: You can also explore Opposites by contrasting artistic techniques and styles. Abstract vs representational, black-and-white vs color, simple vs complex, sharp vs diffused, full view vs detail, painting vs photography, real vs surreal, structured vs fragmented.
You can submit images of these contrary states in a single image, pairs, series or grouping. Any medium is welcome, including collage and assemblage.
Exhibition Dates: September 5 – September 30, 2026.
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.
No reproductions or derivatives of original art (or copyrighted images) of other people’s work will be accepted. The artist should be the sole owner of all rights.
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 by email On or about August 6, 2026 (Midnight). Notification by email.
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
Apply for this Opportunity
Follow Us…
