The Women in Arts Network is thrilled to announce an open call for submissions under the theme, “Portraits.”
Portraits have long been one of the most powerful forms of artistic expression. More than a representation of appearance, a portrait can reveal personality, emotion, identity, memory, culture, and human connection. It can tell a story, capture a moment, preserve a presence, or offer a glimpse into the inner world of its subject.
This theme invites women artists from around the world to explore portraiture through their own unique perspective.
Whether your work focuses on self-portraiture, loved ones, strangers, communities, historical figures, or imagined subjects, Portraits offers an opportunity to examine the many ways we see and represent ourselves and others. Your interpretation may be rooted in realism, abstraction, symbolism, storytelling, or experimentation. It may focus on physical likeness, emotional depth, personal identity, or the relationships that connect us.
A portrait does not need to be traditional. It may capture a face, a figure, a gesture, a presence, or even an absence. It may explore themes of identity, culture, memory, belonging, resilience, transformation, or the complexities of the human experience. Some portraits reveal what is visible, while others seek to express what lies beneath the surface.
This open call encourages artists to consider how portraiture can communicate stories, emotions, and perspectives that words often cannot. Who do you choose to portray? What draws you to your subject? What aspects of humanity, connection, or selfhood does your work seek to explore?
Through painting, drawing, photography, sculpture, digital art, collage, textile art, mixed media, or any visual medium, we invite you to share work that reflects your vision of portraiture.
Whether intimate or bold, contemporary or traditional, personal or universal, your interpretation is welcome.
We look forward to discovering the faces, stories, identities, and perspectives you choose to share through Portraits.
Important Note
Please note that all submitted artwork will undergo a juried selection process, and inclusion is not guaranteed.
Portraits invites artists to explore the many ways we represent, interpret, and understand the human presence through art.
Portraiture is one of the oldest and most enduring artistic traditions, yet it continues to evolve with every generation. While often associated with depicting a person’s likeness, portraits can reveal far more than physical appearance. They can communicate identity, emotion, memory, character, culture, relationships, and the stories that shape who we are.
This theme is intentionally broad, allowing artists to approach portraiture in ways that resonate with their individual practice. A portrait may focus on a specific person, a community, a relationship, or even the artist themselves. It may be realistic, abstract, symbolic, conceptual, or experimental. It may seek to document, celebrate, question, or reimagine its subject.
For some artists, portraiture is about capturing personality and presence. For others, it is an exploration of identity, belonging, heritage, gender, memory, or the human experience. Some works may focus on faces and figures, while others may suggest a portrait through gesture, objects, symbolism, or atmosphere.
Portraits can be intimate or monumental, direct or interpretive. They can reveal what is visible on the surface or explore what lies beneath. They can tell personal stories, reflect collective experiences, or invite viewers to see familiar subjects in new ways.
You may explore:
Self-portraiture and personal identity
Family, friends, and loved ones
Community and cultural representation
Emotional and psychological portraits
Figurative and contemporary portraiture
Symbolic and conceptual interpretations
Portraits that challenge traditional conventions
Abstract explorations of human presence and identity
Artists working across all visual mediums—including painting, drawing, photography, sculpture, printmaking, digital art, collage, mixed media, textile art, and experimental practices—are encouraged to submit work that reflects their interpretation of the theme.
At its core, Portraits is about people, presence, and perspective. It is an invitation to explore how we see ourselves, how we see others, and how art can capture the many layers of human experience.
We look forward to discovering the faces, stories, identities, and interpretations you choose to share.
The Women in Arts Network is proud to present Portraits, an international virtual exhibition created to showcase the diverse ways artists explore identity, expression, and the human experience through portraiture.
This opportunity has been designed to provide artists with a professional platform to share their work with a global audience while becoming part of a curated exhibition dedicated to one of art’s most enduring and compelling subjects.
Selected artists will be featured in an international virtual exhibition hosted by Women in Arts Network. Presented through an online gallery format, the exhibition will be accessible to viewers worldwide, allowing participating artists to share their work beyond geographical boundaries and connect with a broad audience of artists, collectors, curators, and art enthusiasts.
The exhibition will bring together a range of contemporary approaches to portraiture, highlighting different perspectives, techniques, and interpretations of the theme.
Artists may also choose to add a Personalized Artist Interview Feature to their application.
If selected, the artist will be featured in a dedicated interview published on the Women in Arts Network platform. The interview provides an opportunity to share insights into artistic practice, creative influences, inspiration, and the ideas behind the submitted work.
These interviews help audiences engage more deeply with the artist’s work by offering context and personal perspective beyond the exhibition itself.
Featured interviews are also promoted through Women in Arts Network’s digital channels, providing additional visibility and extending engagement beyond the exhibition period.
Participation offers artists the opportunity to:
Exhibit work in an international virtual exhibition
Share artwork with a global audience
Receive professional online presentation of selected work
Build exhibition history and strengthen professional portfolios
Connect with a wider community of artists and art supporters
Gain additional visibility through optional editorial features and promotion
Submit up to 3 artworks for consideration.
All submissions will be reviewed through a juried selection process.
Selected artists will be included in the virtual exhibition.
Artists may choose to apply for the Virtual Exhibition only or add the Optional Artist Interview Feature.
Interview features are available only to selected artists.
Please note that all applications are subject to a juried review process. Submission of an application and payment of the application fee does not guarantee selection for the exhibition or interview feature.
We look forward to discovering the many ways artists interpret and reimagine Portraits through their work.
Applications are open to women artists and non-binary artists aged 18 and above from anywhere in the world.
We welcome submissions from artists at all stages of their careers, from emerging practitioners to established professionals. Whether you are building your exhibition history or have years of experience, we encourage you to share your interpretation of Portraits.
Artists working across all visual art mediums are invited to apply, including:
Painting
Drawing
Photography
Sculpture
Printmaking
Illustration
Digital Art
Mixed Media
Textile Art
Collage
Contemporary and Experimental Practices
We welcome a wide range of artistic styles and approaches, from traditional portraiture and figurative work to contemporary, conceptual, and abstract interpretations of the theme.
No matter your medium, technique, or artistic background, we invite you to submit work that reflects your unique perspective on portraiture and the human experience.
Step 1: Complete the application form and provide your contact information, artist details, and artwork submissions.
Step 2: Upload up to 3 artworks that align with the theme Portraits.
Step 3: If you would like additional exposure, you may choose to add the Optional Artist Interview Feature during the application process.
Step 4: Submit your application and complete the application fee payment.
Step 5: All submissions will be reviewed through a juried selection process. The selection panel will evaluate entries based on artistic quality, originality, relevance to the theme, and overall presentation.
Selected artists will be notified via email following the review period and will receive further information regarding the exhibition launch, promotional opportunities, and participation details.
Artists may apply for the Virtual Exhibition only or the Virtual Exhibition with the Optional Artist Interview Feature.
Submission of an application does not guarantee selection.
All decisions made by the selection panel are final.
Only selected artists will be contacted regarding participation.
We look forward to reviewing your work and discovering your interpretation of Portraits.
Ready to submit your work for Portraits? Here are the application options:
Virtual Exhibition: $12 USD
Submit up to 3 artworks for consideration
Inclusion in the juried selection process
Opportunity to be featured in the international virtual exhibition if selected
Digital certificate of participation for selected artists
Artist Interview Add-On: $19 USD
Artists who choose this option and are selected will receive:
A dedicated artist interview published on the Women in Arts Network website
An opportunity to share their creative process, inspirations, and artistic journey
Additional visibility through promotion across our digital platforms
A permanent online feature that can be included in portfolios, websites, CVs, and professional profiles
You may choose one of the following:
Option 1: Virtual Exhibition Only — $12 USD
Option 2: Virtual Exhibition + Artist Interview Feature — $31 USD
Whether you choose the exhibition alone or combine it with the interview feature, your work will be considered for inclusion in Portraits, an international virtual exhibition celebrating the many forms and interpretations of portraiture.
Please Note: Application fees are non-refundable and help support the administration, review, curation, and promotion of the exhibition.
Your submission should thoughtfully connect with the theme “Portraits.” We encourage artists to explore portraiture through their own perspective, style, and creative approach.
Portraits can take many forms. They may depict individuals, groups, self-portraits, or imagined subjects. They may focus on identity, emotion, memory, culture, relationships, or the human experience. Your work may be realistic or abstract, traditional or contemporary, symbolic or conceptual.
We welcome a wide range of interpretations. Whether your work captures physical likeness, emotional depth, personal narratives, or explores portraiture in unexpected ways, we encourage submissions that demonstrate originality, artistic vision, and a meaningful connection to the theme.
Originality, authenticity, and creative expression are highly valued throughout the selection process.
All visual art forms are welcome, including:
Painting
Drawing
Illustration
Photography
Sculpture
Printmaking
Digital Art
Mixed Media
Textile Art
Collage
Contemporary and Experimental Practices
Both traditional and innovative approaches to portraiture are encouraged, provided the work can be presented effectively in a digital exhibition format.
Please submit high-quality digital files that accurately represent your artwork.
Accepted formats: JPEG, PNG, or PDF
Resolution: 300 DPI
Maximum file size: 3 MB per artwork
Artists may submit up to 3 artworks
For physical artworks, please ensure that photographs or scans are:
Sharp and in focus
Properly cropped
Well-lit with accurate color representation
Free from watermarks, frames, or distracting backgrounds
Representative of the original artwork
Artists are responsible for ensuring that submitted files accurately reflect the quality, appearance, and details of the original work.
All submitted artwork must be original and created by the applicant.
Artists must hold the rights to all submitted images.
AI-generated artwork is not eligible unless explicitly disclosed and approved within the artwork description.
Artwork that does not meet the submission requirements may not be considered during the review process.
We look forward to seeing your unique interpretation of Portraits.
Submission Deadline: July 7, 2026
Applications must be submitted before the deadline to be considered for review. We encourage artists to apply early to avoid any last-minute issues with uploads or submissions.
Selection Notification: Within three weeks of the submission deadline.
All applicants will be notified of the outcome of their submission via email once the jury process has been completed.
Virtual Exhibition Launch: Approximately one month after selected artists are announced.
The exhibition will be presented online through the Women in Arts Network platform and will be accessible to audiences worldwide.
Please note that all dates are subject to change if necessary. Any updates will be communicated directly to applicants.
FAQ For “Virtual Exbition + Artist Interview”
Open call is a global call for art initiated by the Women in Arts Network. It is an opportunity for women-identifying and non-binary creators to showcase their work in an online exhibition and an optional artist interview. This initiative celebrates creativity, amplifies voices, and connects creators with a global audience.
This is brought to you by the Women in Arts Network, an organization dedicated to empowering women and non-binary creators and providing platforms to celebrate their work.
The application fee is 15USD, and there is also an additional fee if you choose to purchase the artist interview add-on.
This is open to women-identifying and non-binary creators aged 18 years or older from anywhere in the world.
No, you don’t need to be a professional artist. Whether you’re a seasoned creator or someone who’s just beginning your artistic journey, you’re welcome to apply.
We accept submissions across various creative mediums, such as painting, drawing, sculpture, photography, textile arts, digital art, mixed media, and more. Your work should meaningfully represent your creative vision and ideas.
Yes, you can submit multiple pieces as part of your application. Each piece will be considered individually during the jury review process.
The application process is simple:
You’ll need to provide basic personal details, information about your work (title, medium, dimensions), and a brief description of the story or inspiration behind your submission.
Once you apply, your submission will be reviewed by a professional jury. If your work is selected for the online exhibition or artist catalog (or both), you’ll be notified with further details.
All submissions are carefully reviewed by a jury of professionals with expertise in the arts. They will evaluate each piece based on creativity, originality, and the story it represents.
The jury will focus on work that tells a story, showcases originality, and reflects the creator’s unique perspective and voice. Submissions that demonstrate thoughtfulness and passion will stand out.
After the jury has completed their review, selected artists will be notified via email. Make sure to check your email regularly after the application deadline!
The online exhibition is a digital showcase of selected works, allowing creators to share their pieces with a global audience. Think of it as a virtual gallery where art is accessible and celebrated worldwide.
No, not all submissions will be featured in the exhibition. The final selection will be made by the jury.
The exhibition will be hosted on a dedicated platform, allowing visitors to view the artworks along with descriptions and the artists’ stories. Further details will be shared with selected participants.
The artist interview is a tailored feature showcasing selected works and sharing the unique stories of the artists behind them.
No, participation in the interview is optional. During the application process, you’ll have the opportunity to opt in or out of being considered for the interview.
If you opt into the artist interview and your work is selected by the jury, you will receive a separate notification with the details.
Absolutely! This is open to creators of all experience levels. You don’t need to have prior exhibition or publication experience to participate.
Applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered. Be sure to check the timeline and submit before the cutoff!
No, once your application is submitted, it cannot be edited. Make sure all of your information is accurate before you finalize your submission.
Yes, recent graduates from degree-granting programs are eligible to apply as long as they meet the other eligibility criteria.
If you have any questions or need assistance, feel free to reach out to our team at [info@womeninartsnetwork.com]. We’re here to help!
For any additional questions or inquiries, please visit the Arts to Hearts Project website or contact their team directly at info@womeninartsnetwork.com
