UPWARD gallery: Portrait exhibition open call 2026

About the Open Call

We are excited to introduce the Portrait juried art exhibition. All artists 18 and older are encouraged to submit their work in any medium, style, and genre. Acceptable mediums include all traditional art media (e.g., oil, watercolor, acrylic, pastel, mixed media, gouache, egg tempera, pen and ink; drawing media such as graphite, charcoal, colored pencils, scratch board, markers, metal point), digital painting, arts and crafts (beadwork, pottery, embroidery, floristry, batik, stained glass, two-dimensional collage and fabric art as well, etc.). No profanity or political artwork. Each participant of the exhibition receives the personal page on the UPWARD gallery. This page displays works that the artist submitted for participation in exhibitions, short biography text and artist statement, links to the artist's website, as well as links to social media accounts, interview with the artist.

What is Offered

Winners receive interviews for publication in UPWARD’s Quarterly; all entrants receive digital certificates; selected works receive social media promotion and inclusion in the site's curated galleries; all participants get a personal artist page.

Requirements

Artists must be 18 years or older. Works in any medium are accepted, provided they do not contain profanity or political content.

How to Apply

Register and sign in to the UPWARD gallery website to submit entries through the exhibition's application portal.