--- title: PORTRAITS description: National juried portraiture exhibition at MVA Gallery in Bethlehem, PA, open to any style or medium, with awards including a New York City exhibition opportunity. url: https://www.artsume.com/programs/5789a49d-5d66-41ec-b8c5-2289bb4f03f4 type: program status: closed createdAt: "2026-09-03" updatedAt: "2026-09-13" programType: Exhibition organization: MVA Gallery -- Modern Visual Arts organizationUrl: https://www.artsume.com/o/mva-gallery-modern-visual-arts deadline: "2026-09-12" entryFee: 35 USD location: MVA Gallery -- Modern Visual Arts, Bethlehem, PA, United States isOnline: false compensationRange: |- - Director's Choice Award of $200 (optional, at the discretion of the Executive Director) - "Art of Distinction" Award (featured special exhibit at MVA Gallery) - Annual Grand Prize of a New York City exhibition opportunity - Honorable Mention receives free submission to a future MVA Gallery exhibition. disciplines: - painting - watercolor - printmaking - mixed media - digital - pastel - encaustic - sculpture - fiber - drawing - photography careerStages: - Emerging artist - Mid-career - Established --- # PORTRAITS **Hosted by:** MVA Gallery -- Modern Visual Arts **Type:** Exhibition | **Location:** MVA Gallery -- Modern Visual Arts, Bethlehem, PA, United States | **Deadline:** September 12, 2026 | **Entry fee:** $35 ## About This Program > "Portraits — traditional and non-traditional portraiture, environmental portraits, distorted and surreal portraits, and self-portraits, raising questions about identity and perception" The MVA Gallery (Modern Visual Arts) invites artists, photographers and sculptors of all levels (emerging to established) to submit original artwork to this exhibition. National Call For Entries: Portraits: Artists may submit traditional or non-traditional imagery of a single individual, couple or group. Artwork may show a close-up of a face or the physical attributes of a person in half-length or full-body pose. The artistic intention may be to present an idealized, neutral, psychological, satirical, celebratory or cultural impression while capturing the behavioral characteristics of personality or the inner life of emotions. The Gallery also welcomes "environmental portraits" showing individuals in their surroundings that provide insight into their character and life, thereby creating a personal pictorial narrative. These portraits may also reveal a personal or alter ego. Distorted and surreal portraits are also fascinating. And, of course, please submit self-portraits whether formal or informal. The selfie is ubiquitous and can reveal fluidity of self-identity in a chaotic contemporary world. Through the diverse approaches of portraiture, artists can raise provocative questions about identity and perception. Styles And Mediums: Artists, photographers and sculptors are encouraged to submit artwork in any style or technique. No restrictions. We are excited to see your interpretations. Please join us! The MVA Gallery accepts painting, watercolor, printmaking, mixed media, digital, pastel, encaustic, sculpture, fiber, drawing and photography. ## Eligibility & Requirements - **Career Stage:** Emerging artist, Mid-career, Established - **Geographic Eligibility:** National - **Disciplines:** painting, watercolor, printmaking, mixed media, digital, pastel, encaustic, sculpture, fiber, drawing, photography - **Age Requirements:** 18+ years old - **Note:** Submission Limit: 1 General Information -- Artists should not submit any images of art previously included in an exhibit of the MVA Gallery. Previous acceptance into one of our shows does not constitute acceptance into future shows. -- No reproductions, modifications 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. Eligibility Criteria 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. ### Additional Requirements Submit 3 to 9 images (minimum 3, maximum 9). All images must be JPEG, under 5 MB with a minimum of 1200 pixels on the longest side. Enter the following information for each work: title, medium, size, price and year of completion. Entry fee is $35.00 for 3 different images; additional files are $5.00 each up to a total of 9 maximum. Submission is exclusively through CaFE -- CallForEntry. Submission limit: 1. ## Compensation & Benefits - Director's Choice Award of $200 (optional, at the discretion of the Executive Director) - "Art of Distinction" Award (featured special exhibit at MVA Gallery) - Annual Grand Prize of a New York City exhibition opportunity - Honorable Mention receives free submission to a future MVA Gallery exhibition. **Includes:** Prize An "ART OF DISTINCTION" AWARD will be granted at most exhibitions. One artist, photographer or sculptor will be selected by the Jurors and featured in a special exhibit at the MVA Gallery, Exhibition Room Two, to be scheduled at a future date. ANNUAL GRAND PRIZE -- One New York City Exhibition Opportunity: 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 -- one optional award may be granted at the discretion of the Executive Director of the MVA Gallery. HONORABLE MENTION -- artists in this category will be offered free submission to a future MVA Gallery exhibition. Jurors and/or curators reserve the right not to award any or all prizes. ## Timeline - **Opens:** August 10, 2026 - **Deadline:** September 12, 2026 - **Program Start:** January 24, 2027 - **Program End:** February 21, 2027 ## Contact **Email:** support@mvaartgallery.com **Phone:** 610-936-0737 ## How to Apply Apply at: https://artist.callforentry.org/festivals_unique_info.php?ID=18013