
Calls for Art
Drawing Resistance: The Artist’s Dilemma in Political Conflict | A Virtual Exhibition: August 16 – November 15, 2025
Woman Made Gallery invites women and non-binary artists worldwide to submit work for Drawing Resistance, a virtual exhibition exploring the complexities of creating art in politically turbulent times. Interpreting “drawing” both literally and metaphorically, the show seeks works that grapple with themes such as war, protest, censorship, and the personal cost of resistance. All mediums are welcome, and submissions should thoughtfully address the tensions between artistic expression and political conflict. All submissions must clearly relate to the exhibition theme. Selected works will be presented in an online gallery alongside artist statements to offer context and deepen audience engagement.
Entry Due Date: July 10, 2025, 11:59 PM CST | Entry Fee: $15
Finding My Way: October 11 – November 8, 2025
This Call is open to undergraduate and graduate students currently enrolled in a university in Illinois, as well as students who have graduated in Spring 2025. This exhibition explores the profound transformations that shape our lives—particularly the journey from childhood to adulthood. Through this theme, we seek artwork that captures the physical, emotional, and psychological changes that define these formative years. We encourage submissions that reflect on personal or collective experiences of transition, whether through memory, identity, relationships, or the challenges of finding one’s place in the world. Jurors: Corinne Pompéy & Diana Vallera
First Entry Due Date: September 5, 2025, 11:59 PM CST | Extended Entry Due Date: September 12, 2025, 11:59 PM | Entry Fee: $20
Small Works Members Show: November 22 – December 20, 2025
This group exhibition is open to all current WMG members, regardless of gender. WMG welcomes entries of original artwork in all mediums, with the requirement that works not exceed 20 inches on the longest side and priced at $400 or less. Each member must submit three (3) artworks for consideration, with at least one piece guaranteed inclusion. To participate, artists must be current members through December 2025. To join or renew your membership, visit: womanmade.org/join-wmg. Jurors: Program Committee
Final Entry Due Date: October 16, 2025, 11:59 PM | Membership Required
2026 Exhibitions (Calls to be listed here soon)
January 17 – February 14 | Not Normal | Juried by Karen Gutfreund
Opening Reception: Saturday, January 17, 2026 at 4–7 PM
First Entry Due Date: November 8, 2025, 11:59 PM | Extended Due Date (fee $35): * November 15, 11:59 PM
Notification: November 29, 2025
February 28–March 28 | 27th International Open | Juried by Nirmal Raja
Opening Reception: Saturday, February 28, 2026 at 4–7 PM
First Entry Due Date: December 13, 2025 | Extended Due Date (fee $35): * December 20, 2025
Notification: January 10, 2026
WMG Call for Words: My Abortion: My Choice
OPEN CALL | Ongoing
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View Open Calls for Art View Current and Past ExhibitsABOUT JURIED EXHIBITIONS
Woman Made Gallery (WMG) hosts between seven and nine exhibitions annually, five of which are juried exhibitions and open to submissions from women and nonbinary artists. These juried exhibitions explore a wide variety of themes and connect women and nonbinary artists with high-profile art industry professionals and foster dialogue within contemporary feminism and social justice.
The WMG programming committee (composed of WMG staff, board, and volunteers) identifies initial themes and potential jurors, and collaborates with each juror to develop the exhibition themes.
Our list of jurors include:
Alison Wong (Director and Curator at Wasserman Projects, Detroit), Dolores Mercado (Associate Curator at National Museum of Mexican Art), Jessica Bingham (artist, mother, and recent Curator at University Galleries of Illinois State University, Normal, IL), Juana Williams (Independent Curator, Detroit), Mia Lopez (Assistant Curator at the DePaul Art Museum in Chicago), Kathryn Markel (Director of Markel Fine Arts, New York City), Whitney LaMora (Curator at The Martin and LOCUS, Chicago), Amy Galpin (Chief Curator at Frost Art Museum of Florida International University), Sam Kirk (Multidisciplinary Artist, Chicago), Barbara Ciurej and Lindsay Lochman (collaborative photographers, Milwaukee, WI), Dorit Jordan Dotan (multi-media artist, Chicago), Indira Freitas Johnson (artist and educator, Chicago), among others.
ELIGIBILITY
Woman Made Gallery is a space for women and nonbinary artists from our local community, regional locations, and around the world. We welcome art from all women, including trans women and femme/feminine-identifying genderqueer and nonbinary artists.
No work may exceed 6 feet horizontally or be over 75 pounds in weight unless delivered and picked up by the artist. WMG will refuse receipt of art that is heavier than 75 pounds. Artworks must be hand-delivered or shipped to the gallery “ready to exhibit.” Technology and/or works requiring special instructions will be organized upon acceptance.
ENTRY FEE
Unless indicated otherwise, WMG juried exhibitions require an entry fee of $30–$35. Only one submission may be entered per artist. Each submission requires at least one and up to three artworks. Selections are made by respective jurors. A paid submission does not guarantee an exhibition opportunity. Entry fees are nonrefundable.
Members at the Enhanced Artist Level and above receive one free entry annually. Please email general@womanmade.org to receive your one-time code for a free entry redemption.
WMG offers fee waivers to those who request them. WMG offers around 30 fee waivers per juried exhibition. To acknowledge the historic inequities of wealth distribution, 15 of the 30 are exclusively reserved for ALAANA/BIPOC and/or LGBTQIA+. Factors that result in an approved application include financial instability or low-income status, student or recent graduate status, identification as ALAANA/BIPOC and/or LGBTQIA+, or another demonstrated need. WMG accepts Fee Waiver Requests on a rolling basis until all fee waivers have been distributed. The team at WMG will approve requests and send a submittal fee waived link within three days to the applicant.
Please send an email to general@womanmade.org to request a fee waiver.
TERMS OF EXHIBITION
Woman Made Gallery expects accepted artworks to arrive to the gallery as pictured and with the installation requirements submitted at the time of application. A limited number of accommodations may be made but must be approved by WMG at the time of artist contract agreements. An artist contract agreement with the full terms of exhibition will be distributed for agreement to all accepted artists upon acceptance notification. Terms of exhibition include the final exhibition schedule, shipping and delivery, installation requirements, an insurance disclaimer, art sales and commissions, right of reproduction of digital files and images, and website and publicity requirements, among others. For details on the terms of exhibition, please review the information for each call for art or email general@womanmade.org with questions.