PROSPECTUS/ Call for entries – 2025 CWA Annual National Open Juried Show
2025 National Open Juried Show
May 27 – July 27, 2025
Opening Reception & Awards Ceremony
Friday, May 30, 2025, 5-7 pm with awards announced at 6 pm
The William Benton Museum of Art
The University of Connecticut
245 Glenbrook Road
Storrs, CT 06269-3140
Juror of Selection & Awards
Deanna Fitzgerald
Dean of The School of Fine Arts
The University of Connecticut
ELIGIBILITY – PLEASE READ CAREFULLY
· This show is open to all women aged 18 & up living in the USA.
· Work does NOT need to be for sale.
· We accept shipped work for the show. Shipping info is listed further in this prospectus.
· Work must be original and recent – created in the last three (3) years and must not have been shown in any previous CWA juried shows.
· Up to three (3) pieces may be submitted online on OnlineJuriedShows.
· Size Guidelines – 2D work (minimum size 18” x24” or LARGER) including the frame with a max weight of 35lbs. PLEASE NOTE THERE IS NO UPPER SIZE RESTRICTION FOR HAND DELIVERED WORK.
Please see the size guidelines for shipped work – they are different.
· Multiple panel work (diptych, triptych) counts as one work and must fit within the total size limit. All 2D work must be framed or gallery wrapped ONLY. Securely wire your work PRIOR to delivery with D-rings and wire and secure in the frame – no saw tooths, clip frames, pins, magnetic hanging systems or wet paint
· All 3D work max weight of 35lbs. NO SPECIAL ASSEMBLY
· We will not accept work not following these guidelines.
· We cannot accept any special hanging requests (ceiling hung, unframed) nor can we set up pieces needing extensive assembly. For work of this nature if accepted into the show, you must hand deliver, set up and remove in person.
· Eligible Media: painting, mixed media, drawing, printmaking, photography, sculpture, fiber, collage.
· Not Eligible – film, video, installation art, performance art, non-artist artificially generated art (AI). Photomechanical reproductions or copies (giclee) unless part of mixed media collage.
ENTRY & FEES:
Enter online at Online Juried Shows (OJS). Log in on this page and click Enter This Show to begin your submissions.
CWA Members: First entry is $35, second/third entry $12 each, $59 for three (2025 dues must be current).
CWA Non-Members: First entry is $45, second/third entry $15 each, $75 for three.
Technical assistance is available through OnlineJuriedShows. For help with your submissions, contact onlinejuriedshows@gmail.com or 888-666-1351.
Office hrs. Mon 10am-2pm, Tues-Friday 9am-5pm pacific time.
Images must be jpg, under 4 mb, and in sRGB colorspace. For best results, images should be at least 1920 pixels on the longest side @ 72 dpi.
SCHEDULE & KEY DATES:
Exhibit: May 27 – July 27, 2025
Submission Date: February 26, 2025 – April 1, 2025 on OnlineJuriedShows
Submission Deadline: April 1, 2025 on OnlineJuriedShows
Notification: April 18, 2025. Artists will be emailed once the results are available in your OnlineJuriedShows artist profile.
Please go to your OJS artist profile to check the status of your entries. Check each entry by the number below to find out if it has been invited or not. Each entry has its own separate response.
Hand Delivery or Shipping:
Drop Off: Saturday, May 17, 2025, 10-3 pm
Shipping Deadline: All shipped work MUST arrive at the shipping location by Tuesday, May 13, 2025. DO NOT SHIP TO THE BENTON MUSEUM. Shipping address will be provided in the acceptance letter.
Opening Reception & Awards Ceremony: Friday, May 30, 2025, 5-7pm Awards announced at 6pm.
Pick Up – Tuesday July 29, 2025, 10am-3pm. No Storage is available: pick up work on the designated day or arrange for someone else to get it for you.
AWARDS: – $ 2000.00 in awards will be granted in cash prizes.
SALES: CWA and The Benton Museum does not sell work or take a commission. All sales will be directed to Janet Leombruni President, CWA., cwapres2023@gmail.com
Artist’s contact info will be given to potential buyers.
SHIPPING INSTRUCTIONS for invited work (that is not hand delivered)
DO NOT SHIP TO THE BENTON MUSEUM
· Shipped work must NOT exceed 40”x50”in dimensions and cannot be over 35 lbs.
· The shipping address and specific guidelines will be included in the acceptance letter on online juried shows.
· There is a $25 handling fee for shipped work.
· Include the following inside the package
- Signed contract agreement
- 2 copies of completed labels, one attached to artwork
- A prepaid return shipping label
- $25 check for handling fee made out to Connecticut Women Artist, Inc.
- Info sheet that includes art title, contact information with mobile phone number and return address for shipped work.
The WILLIAM BENTON MUSEUM OF ART is not responsible for this exhibition. Work shipped there will be refused and returned. Fees will not be refunded if your work misses the show schedule or is shipped to the wrong address.
· Use UPS or FedEx only - No COD Shipments
· Shipping expenses in both directions is the responsibility of the artist.
· Insurance covering the work during transit is the responsibility of the artist.
· Artwork must arrive installation ready.
· YOU MUST INCLUDE the contract and exhibition labels with your contact info. (Including mobile phone number) in the package.
· CWA and The William Benton Museum of Art are not responsible for any work that is lost or damaged.
· All work shipped must be shipped securely and safely in reusable packaging, so it is easily packed and returned to you. We recommend using an Airfloat Strongbox https://airfloatsystems.com/strongbox . Damaged work will not be hung.
· No packing peanuts
· Please time your work to arrive BETWEEN (April 24 – May 13, 2025). Late deliveries or damaged work will not be hung.
ABOUT Connecticut Women Artists
CWA was founded in 1929 when 20 women artists planned exhibition opportunities for women artists at a time when there were none. They first exhibited in Hartford, CT. at our nation’s first art museum founded in 1842: The Wadsworth Atheneum. CWA is one of the oldest continuing women’s art organizations and is still going strong and growing toward its upcoming centenary. Because CWA does not own a gallery, each of their three annual exhibitions are held in different noteworthy Connecticut art venues. This year’s National Show will be at the spectacular William Benton Museum of Art on the campus of the University of CT.
NOTE: There are two paths to CWA membership for women artists living in CT. An artist is eligible with two CWA National Open Juried Show acceptances. And there is an annual portfolio review process each August. For info visit: https://www.ctwomenartists.org/
LEGAL
By entering this show, you agree to all stated conditions. Your entry does not guarantee acceptance into the exhibit. CWA, Inc., its officers or agents, and the venue assume no responsibility for loss or damage of any kind during transit, drop off, storage, exhibition, or pick up. Submission of all artworks, framing, and other materials is at the sole risk of the artist. CWA reserves the right to photograph work or use submitted images for publicity. The show committee reserves the right to reject work.
CONTACT
For information or questions NOT covered by this prospectus, contact Co-Chairs: Janette Maxey and Pat Carrigan at cwanationalopen@gmail.com