Deadline for entry: May 18, 2026
About the Exhibition
This exhibition, part of the American celebration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, invites NAWA Signature members to submit works celebrating women's contributions and determination to claim the founding ideals for themselves, their families, and for all Americans.
When the Declaration proclaimed "unalienable rights," "Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness," and "consent of the governed," women understood these principles as distant possibilities for them. Over the past 250 years, women leaders, creators, organizers, innovators, and changemakers, with practiced grit, have expanded the meaning of democracy. Their courage, creativity, innovation and perseverance continue to inspire toward a future of an inclusive, humane, and just society.
We invite artists to honor this legacy, and envision what it means to the artist, to carry forward, expand, or reimagine the founding principles as they relate to women and society?
When the Declaration proclaimed "unalienable rights," "Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness," and "consent of the governed," women understood these principles as distant possibilities for them. Over the past 250 years, women leaders, creators, organizers, innovators, and changemakers, with practiced grit, have expanded the meaning of democracy. Their courage, creativity, innovation and perseverance continue to inspire toward a future of an inclusive, humane, and just society.
We invite artists to honor this legacy, and envision what it means to the artist, to carry forward, expand, or reimagine the founding principles as they relate to women and society?
In-Person Exhibit
Monroe Township Public Library
Fine Arts Gallery
4 Municipal Plaza
Monroe Township, NJ 08831
Fine Arts Gallery
4 Municipal Plaza
Monroe Township, NJ 08831
Eligibility
This NAWA juried exhibit is open to Signature NAWA Members only.
Awards
- NAWA First Place Award
- NAWA Second Place Award
- NAWA Third Place Award
- Honorable Mentions
Entry fee
NAWA Signature Members only
$40 for 2 entries (2 views allowed for sculpture)
$5 for one additional entry
$40 for 2 entries (2 views allowed for sculpture)
$5 for one additional entry
General Rules & Specifications
- Open to NAWA Signature Members only.
- Maximum size framed work 36"H x 26"W x 2.5"D (including frame)
- Maximum size for sculpture 24” any direction. Only 5 stands are provided by the gallery which hold up to 75 lbs
- Painting, collage, pastel, watercolor, mixed media, and photography sought.
- Work must be professionally ready for hanging (wired, no saw tooth hangers).
- No exceptions.
- Please use plexiglass – glass is accepted for pastel work only.
- Accepted works cannot be substituted and must be available for the duration of the exhibition.
- ALL WORKS MUST BE FOR SALE. Price, title, dimensions of entered work cannot be changed.
- All works MUST be original - no reproductions or GICLEE PRINTS.
- Do not photograph your work in frames or show mats!
- Do not embed artist-identifying type or copyright.
- Graphic violence, nudes, and/or lewd sexual content prohibited.
- Please note that any artwork that previously won a NAWA award is ineligible for submission to the current and future NAWA juried exhibitions.
Entering your images
- Entry form must be filled out in its entirety. List sizes up to the nearest inch. Works over maximum size will be disqualified. Submitted images must not include matting or frame. Crop the photos to include only the artwork. Be sure your images are right-side-up.
- Files will be automatically resized to the correct specifications. You do not need to resize your image.
- Files will be automatically renamed using your Name, Title of work, Medium, Size and Price. You do not need to name your image files.
- Artwork must meet professional web standards. Blurry or poorly lit images will be disqualified.
Please see Image and Filename Specifications below for more information.
Commissions and Sales
Work must be for sale; NFS is not allowed. Prices may not be changed. The artist receives 70% of the stated price, NAWA’s commission is 30%. The artist pays the cost of packing and shipping or delivering the work to the purchaser, and any appropriate taxes.
In the event of a sale through the NAWA website, where paid by PayPal, the PayPal fees (1.99% + .49 per transaction) will be deducted from the price before commissions to the venue, NAWA and the artist.
Delivery/Shipping
Hand delivery to Monroe Township Public Library, 4 Municipal Plaza, Monroe Township, NJ 08831 Sunday July 5th between 11am - 4pm and Monday, July 6th between 10am - 4pm. Hand delivered artwork must arrive without packaging. Please include labels of art attached to work.
Shipping work for this exhibit is acceptable, but this option requires using an art handler. All shipped works should be received in advance of July 3rd, 2026 c/o Mike de Pompeo ([email protected]), the designated art handler, who charges a $70 handling fee. CASH OR CHECK ONLY.
Contact
For questions about NAWA or this Prospectus, contact [email protected].
For questions about the entry process or this website please see the Support section below.
For questions about the entry process or this website please see the Support section below.
Entry Agreement
The entry application & payment will serve as the entrants’ agreement to all conditions (including the waiver below) set forth in this prospectus. Entries will be disqualified for failure to follow these instructions.
NAWA Waiver
Please read carefully. Your delivery signifies agreement with NAWA.
My application for entry into the Monroe Township Cultural Arts Commission Exhibit (4 Municipal Plaza, Monroe Township, NJ 08831) binds me to the agreement outlined below. I agree to keep the submitted artwork available from the submission date of April 13, 2026, and, if accepted, through the removal date of August 24th, 2026.
I hereby declare I am the owner and creator of the original artwork being submitted by me, both as to the artwork's physical manifestation and the copyright of artwork.
I hereby declare I am the owner and creator of the original artwork being submitted by me, both as to the artwork's physical manifestation and the copyright of artwork.
Original art based upon another’s intellectual property is not eligible for entry in NAWA exhibitions, even if permission has been obtained from the source.
Artwork generated through artificial intelligence based upon a third party's intellectual property will not be accepted.
Artificial Intelligence (“AI”) assisted, as a minor component (not entirely AI generated or underpainted) and digital media are acceptable if labeled with “digital” and/or “AI assisted” somewhere in the medium label. Original digital artwork IS acceptable as a fine-quality printout.
If AI is determined by the submission and not declared, it will be disqualified. Please be honest about your chosen medium.
I understand that my work may not be included if it fails to meet professional presentation standards (as determined by the Exhibitions Committee), including but not limited to: unprofessional framing, sawtooth hangers (must be professionally wired), or delivering wrong work.
I hereby waive any and all claims against the National Association of Women Artists, Inc., as well as their employees, officers, directors and committee personnel.
Nevertheless, for the purpose of this agreement, I agree that the stated value of the artwork shall be One U.S.Dollar (1USD, $1), in the event of any loss or damage to the piece of artwork.
I agree to allow an image of my artwork to be exhibited or to be used without charge for advertising and/or promotion in the furtherance of the Exhibition, and for other purposes including, but not limited to traditional media, social media, website, as well for public relations, prior to and/or during or after the Exhibition. In the case of the latter- after the exhibit, NAWA will ask permission if use is requested. The waiver still holds you to use for publicity on traditional media and the NAWA website.
My work is to be available for sale at the price hereinbefore agreed on. I agree that if my work is sold during the exhibition, I will pay NAWA Headquarters 30%, I will retain 70% of the selling price. For payments through the NAWA website (QR codes), PayPal fees (1.99% + .49 per transaction) will be deducted from the price before commissions to the venue, NAWA, and the artist. If payment is made through NAWA database (by phone), fees may differ depending on the credit card used.
Point of release clause: the work on exhibition is considered part of the exhibition from the point of notification of acceptance on or around the week of May 25, 2026 and the close of exhibition August 23, 2026. NAWA retains the right of discretion not to exhibit artworks if they do not meet the requirements of NAWA show standards, or contain any inflammatory or offensive materials.
Labels: NAWA is a not-for-profit art organization, and as such will not list anything other than the name of the artist, the title of the work, its dimensions, medium and price on the labels.
My work is to be available for sale at the price hereinbefore agreed on. I agree that if my work is sold during the exhibition, I will pay NAWA Headquarters 30%, I will retain 70% of the selling price. For payments through the NAWA website (QR codes), PayPal fees (1.99% + .49 per transaction) will be deducted from the price before commissions to the venue, NAWA, and the artist. If payment is made through NAWA database (by phone), fees may differ depending on the credit card used.
Point of release clause: the work on exhibition is considered part of the exhibition from the point of notification of acceptance on or around the week of May 25, 2026 and the close of exhibition August 23, 2026. NAWA retains the right of discretion not to exhibit artworks if they do not meet the requirements of NAWA show standards, or contain any inflammatory or offensive materials.
Labels: NAWA is a not-for-profit art organization, and as such will not list anything other than the name of the artist, the title of the work, its dimensions, medium and price on the labels.
In the event of a dispute with regard to this Waiver Agreement, we agree that all disputes must be adjudicated in a State Court in the County, City and State of New York (i.e., Manhattan), under the Laws of the State of New York, without regard to choice of law rules.
Note: The use of the National Association of Women Artists, Inc.'s logo, without prior written permission is prohibited. The use of the registered Trademark Seal and the logo of the National Association of Women Artists, Inc. for any personal or business use on any documents, postcards, invitations, and other promotional materials and communications is a violation of law.
Entry to this exhibition denotes my agreement to the policies of this Waiver.
Monroe Township Cultural Arts Commission Waiver
By entering my submission, I agree to all the Juried Art Show guidelines as stated on the Monroe Township Cultural Arts Commission (MTCAC) website www.monroetownshiparts.com and accept full responsibility for any and all damages, loss, theft, and/or casualty of any kind while in the custody and possession of Monroe Township Public Library (MTPL). Additionally, I waive any and all claims against the MTCAC and/or MTPL, as well as their staff, directors and volunteers and understand that artwork may not be hung or displayed if it arrives damaged or differs significantly from the image submitted. I give my permission to MTCAC and/or MTPL to use photographs of accepted artwork without charge for publicity purposes not limited to traditional media, social media, website as well as public relations, prior to and/or after the Juried Art Show.
Monroe Township Cultural Arts Commission Waiver
By entering my submission, I agree to all the Juried Art Show guidelines as stated on the Monroe Township Cultural Arts Commission (MTCAC) website www.monroetownshiparts.com and accept full responsibility for any and all damages, loss, theft, and/or casualty of any kind while in the custody and possession of Monroe Township Public Library (MTPL). Additionally, I waive any and all claims against the MTCAC and/or MTPL, as well as their staff, directors and volunteers and understand that artwork may not be hung or displayed if it arrives damaged or differs significantly from the image submitted. I give my permission to MTCAC and/or MTPL to use photographs of accepted artwork without charge for publicity purposes not limited to traditional media, social media, website as well as public relations, prior to and/or after the Juried Art Show.
Additional Notification Information
Notifications will be emailed and posted in your ShowSubmit account by the end of the day on May 29, 2026.
If you do not receive your email, login and view the notification in your account. We cannot respond to inquiries regarding the status of notifications.
Image and Filename Specifications
- File Format: Submit original, high-quality JPEG image files. Other formats (e.g., PNG, TIFF) are not accepted.
- Crop Your Image: Ensure only the artwork itself is visible in the image. Do not show any visible matting, frames, or background distractions.
- Orientation: Make sure your image is oriented correctly (right side up) so that the artwork appears in its intended viewing direction.
- Image Size: You do not need to resize your image files before uploading. The system will automatically resize them. Smaller images cannot be enlarged to meet the requirements, so ensure your images are high resolution before uploading.
- File Names: You do not need to rename your files before uploading them. The system will handle any file naming requirements.
- File Size: There is a 30mb maximum file size limit. Larger image files will take longer to upload and process.
Additional Entry Information
- You will pay for your entry by credit or debit card using our secure checkout system.
- After your entry is submitted and paid for, you may log back in to review your entry, edit artist and image information, and add or substitute images up until the entry deadline (May 18, 2026.)
- Entry fees are not refundable and must be submitted and paid by the entry deadline.
- Entries cannot be accepted or changed after the deadline. Incomplete entries will be disqualified.
Support
Questions about this exhibition?
Contact ([email protected]) for questions about the Prospectus, NAWA, eligibility, artwork requirements, drop-off, pick-up, sales, etc.
Need help with ShowSubmit?
Visit our Help Center or Entry Guide for guidance on image uploads, payments, and managing your entry. If you still need help, email ShowSubmit Support ([email protected]). We respond Monday–Friday, 9am–6pm Eastern.