National Association of Women Artists, Inc.
Exhibition artwork

National Association of Women Artists, Inc.

Summer Small Works

Open Online Juried Exhibition

Online: thenawa.org

July 1 – 31, 2026

Deadline is May 11th.
Find Open Calls

Opens for entry Apr 13th.

About the Exhibition

An open ONLINE juried exhibition for NAWA members AND non-members.

Size holds no monopoly on value; it is the essence and intricacy within a creation that truly determine its worth. In art, a meticulously crafted piece—regardless of its dimensions—can resonate deeply, capturing the imagination with its thoughtfulness and creativity.

This summer 2026 open call is for an online exhibition celebrating small-scale works by women fine artists. NAWA welcomes submissions from both its Signature Members and from non-members working in various mediums, as long as the final piece measures 15 inches or smaller in any direction. Due to the online platform, framed and unframed artwork are both accepted- please specify.

This is an online exhibition, held twice a year at thenawa.org, in the winter and summer seasons, not as a thematic focus, but as a recurring showcase of exceptional small-format artwork.

Eligibility

This NAWA juried exhibit is open to ALL NAWA MEMBERS and non-member Women Artists ages 18 and up, US citizens or permanent residents.

Awards

  • NAWA First Place Award
  • NAWA Second Place Award
  • NAWA Third Place Award
  • 2 Honorable Mentions

Entry fee

Signature Members: $35 for 2 entries (2 views allowed for sculpture) and $40 for 3 entries.

Associate Members: $40 for 2 entries (2 views allowed for sculpture) and $45 for 3 entries.

Non-Members: $45 for 2 entries (2 views allowed for sculpture) and $50 for 3 entries.

Maximum 3 entries per artist. Entry fees are non-refundable.

Entry Guidelines and Specifications

  • Open to Women Artists ages 18 and up, US Citizens or Permanent Residents.
  • Maximum size for 2-D wall works INCLUDING frame and wall sculpture: 15” x 15” x 5” (no exceptions).
  • Maximum size for Freestanding sculpture is limited to a 15” x 15” x 15” (no exceptions).
  • 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.
  • Digital work must include “digital” in the medium and description.
  • Any use of AI assistance must include the words “AI assisted” attached to medium.

    NAWA does not encourage use of AI in original artworks but will accept in some cases.
  • Do not photograph your work in frames!
  • Graphic violence and/or lewd sexual content prohibited. Nudes are acceptable at the discretion of the committee
  • Artist Statement (250 word limit): Tell us what inspired you to create and/or your creative process for the art you submitted.

    Please do not include your name in the statement, as this is included in blind jurying.

Technical Guidelines

  • Entry form must be filled out in its entirety. List sizes up to the nearest inch
  • Crop the photos to include only the artwork, photograph against a plain background, focus only on the piece, try to eliminate shadows if possible. Be sure your images are right-side-up.
  • Files will be automatically resized to the correct specifications (at least 1500px on the longest edge).
  • 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.

NAWA Entry Help

Sales

  • NAWA receives 30% commission on all sales. Artist will receive 70%
  • Price of entered work, title and medium cannot be changed once submitted.
  • In the event of a sale, works purchased on thenawa.org will have PayPal’s ( 1.99% + $0.49) fee deducted from the gross price (split between artist and NAWA).
Work must be for sale; NFS is not allowed.

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.

Waiver

My application for entry into the NAWA juried exhibition entitled, Summer Small Works 2026, appearing online binds me to the agreement as stated below, and I am to hold the artwork available from the submission date on or around April 13, 2026 until the specified ending date stated in the prospectus of July 31, 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 said work.

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 by NAWA, Monroe Township Cultural Arts Commission, and the Monroe Township Public Library, 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 18, 2026 and the close of exhibition July 31, 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.

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.

The letters NAWA may be used by regular juried members, now known as Signature Members, (i.e., not Associate or Student members).

Entry to this exhibition denotes my agreement to the policies of this Waiver.

Additional Notification Information

Notifications will be emailed and posted in your ShowSubmit account by the end of the day on May 22, 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 11, 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, 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.