Organizer Information:

Woman Made Gallery (WMG). A tax-exempt, not-for-profit organization founded in 1992 to cultivate, promote, and support the work of women and non-binary artists through exhibitions and professional development.

Title & Description:

Applications are open for the Pro/Fuse Exhibition.

Juried by Kathleen Waterloo, this exhibition highlights works that explore the luminosity, texture, translucency, and sculptural possibilities of hot wax. Artists must incorporate encaustic methods—traditionally made of beeswax, damar resin, and pigment—which involve heating and fusing layers with tools such as torches or heat.

Category:

Encaustic & Mixed Media (Includes 2D and 3D works: painting, sculpture, assemblage, and experimental forms).

Eligibility:

  • Who: Open strictly to women and non-binary artists (including trans women, femme/feminine-identifying, and genderqueer artists).
  • Medium: Works MUST feature encaustic materials or techniques (hot wax methods), either wholly or in part.
  • AI Ban: Submitted work must be originally created by the artist. Submissions consisting of AI-generated images, text, or objects with minimal human intervention will NOT be accepted.
  • Size & Weight Limits: Works may not exceed 6 feet in horizontal dimension or weigh more than 75 pounds, unless the artist personally handles both delivery and pickup.
  • Previous Works: Artwork previously exhibited at Woman Made Gallery is not eligible for resubmission.

Program Benefits & Awards:

  • Exhibition: A physical gallery exhibition in Chicago, Illinois (July 11 – August 15, 2026).
  • Sales: Works may be offered for sale. (Note: WMG retains a 40% commission on any sold works).

Application Fee & Program Costs:

  • Application Fee: $30 USD per entry.
  • Fee Waivers: WMG offers fee waivers on a rolling basis for those demonstrating financial need, including ALAANA/BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, low-income, and student applicants. (To request a waiver, email general@womanmade.org).
  • Shipping: Artists are responsible for hand-delivering or shipping artworks to the gallery "ready to exhibit."

Application Requirements:

  • Submission Limits: Artists may submit a maximum of 2 entries. Each entry can include 1 to 3 artworks/images.
  • File Formatting: JPG or PNG only. Maximum file size is 3MB per image.
  • Required Documents: A brief artist statement addressing how the work connects to the exhibition theme is required.

How to Apply?

Submit your images, artist statement, and entry fee via the official Woman Made Gallery application portal.

Key Dates:

  • Application Deadline: May 21, 2026.
  • Notification of Results: May 30, 2026.
  • Exhibition Dates: July 11 – August 15, 2026.

Location:

Woman Made Gallery, Chicago, Illinois, USA.

Contact Information:

Inquiries & Fee Waivers Email: general@womanmade.org

Website: https://womanmade.org/