National Small Works Exhibition

The 2013 Call for Entries

NSW 2012 juror Brian Garner, holding a print for artist Bill Frick

About NSW – The National Small Works is an annual juried exhbition that has been hosted by Washington Printmakers Gallery every August since 1997. Featuring contemporary artist-pulled prints, NSW exhibits an impressive array of technique as well as subject matter by limiting the size of print entries (maximum size of 170 square inches). Each year a curator from an area institution acts as juror. Past jurors have included Robert K. Newman (owner and director of the Old Print Shop in New York, NY); Eric Denker (Senior Lecturer National Gallery of Art); Linda C. Simmons (Curator Emeritus, The Corcoran Gallery of Art); Katherine L. Blood (Curator of Fine Prints, Library of Congress); and Helen Frederick (Founder and longtime director of Pyramic Atlantic); to name a few. We are excited to announce this year’s juror is Philippa Hughes, founder and Chief Creative Contrarian of the Pinkline Project, as well as DC Commissioner for the Arts and Humanities.

Awards

Grand Prize Solo Show at Washington Printmakers in August 2014
Graphic Chemical Company Purchase Award $200 Purchase Prize
Utrecht Art Supplies Award $150 Merchandise Award
Renaissance Graphics Supplies Award $150 Merchandise Award

Eligibility

This exhibition is open to any artist 18 years of age or older residing in the United States of America. Submitted works must be the following:

• Original hand-pulled prints completed within the past two years.
• Digital prints and photographs are not eligible.
• Submissions must be no larger than 170 square inches (H x W).

Conditions for Accepted Works

• All accepted artworks must be for sale. WPG retains a 50% commission.
• Frames must be wooden or gray or black metal, no wider than 18 inches.
• Accepted works must be archivally framed under plexiglas. Glass is only acceptable for work that is picked up or delivered by hand.
• Mats must be white or off-white rag or acid-free mat board.
• Hanging wire on the back is required.
• Accepted works must be shipped PREPAID via UPS or FEDEX (not USPS or other carriers) in sturdy, re-usable containers and packing materials, with repacking instructions included. Works packed in Styrofoam peanuts will be returned to the sender! Artists are responsible for all shipping costs.
• Work that arrives damaged, or that does not meet the conditions for exhibition, or that differs markedly from the entry image submitted, will be disqualified.

Submission Instructions

Online Submissions

• Go to Smarter Entry and sign up for an account. This part of the process is FREE. NOTICE: This is a NEW system from last year, all artists who have not applied to a show at WPG since 07/15/2012 MUST create a new account. Artists who have applied to WPG shows on or after 07/15/2012 using Smarter Entry can use the same login information as before.
• Click “Register for Shows” and select “National Small Works 2013.”
• Pay for your images, then upload them. Be sure to include the TITLE, DATE, MEDIA, and SIZE of your print in the “info” box to the left. PRINTS WITHOUT THIS INFORMATION WILL BE DISQUALIFIED.

CD Submissions

Please call or email the gallery to receive a CD submission form.

Still have questions? See our FAQ from last year for clarifications or contact the gallery.