Prospectus
In the mid-20th century, Abstract Expressionism dominated, prioritizing abstraction, emotion, and gesture over literal representation. Yet in the 1960s, Contemporary Realism emerged as a powerful counterpoint, reclaiming the observable world with clarity and technical sophistication.
Artists like Philip Pearlstein, Alex Katz, Neil Welliver, William Bailey, and Lois Dodd—often transitioning from abstract influences—revitalized traditional genres: portraits, landscapes, interiors, still lifes. They infused everyday subjects with a modern,
objective sensibility, drawing from the intimacy of masters like Pierre Bonnard and Édouard Vuillard while rooting their work firmly in the everyday.
From the 1960s onward, Contemporary Realism has endured as a vital movement, marrying rigorous skill with cultural relevance and proving the genre's
From the 1960s onward, Contemporary Realism has endured as a vital movement, marrying rigorous skill with cultural relevance and proving the genre's
ongoing evolution.
Today, realism is surging anew—a testament to its timeless appeal and universal resonance. In an age of digital abstraction, AI-generated imagery, and fleeting virtual experiences, there's a renewed hunger for the unmistakably human: the artist's deliberate hand, eye, and craft that create tangible, authentic connection. Realism offers grounding in shared reality, emotional depth, and the simple yet profound challenge of bringing an image to life through mastery of the medium.
Artists today approach their subjects with a keen eye for detail, employing innovative techniques—from hyper-precise rendering to narrative subtlety—to capture the essence of the world around them. Whether tackling contemporary themes like identity, environment, and urban life, or simply recreating the beauty they observe with skill and sensitivity, they speak a language that transcends boundaries, inviting viewers from all walks of life to share in the tangible world's beauty and complexity.
Today, realism is surging anew—a testament to its timeless appeal and universal resonance. In an age of digital abstraction, AI-generated imagery, and fleeting virtual experiences, there's a renewed hunger for the unmistakably human: the artist's deliberate hand, eye, and craft that create tangible, authentic connection. Realism offers grounding in shared reality, emotional depth, and the simple yet profound challenge of bringing an image to life through mastery of the medium.
Artists today approach their subjects with a keen eye for detail, employing innovative techniques—from hyper-precise rendering to narrative subtlety—to capture the essence of the world around them. Whether tackling contemporary themes like identity, environment, and urban life, or simply recreating the beauty they observe with skill and sensitivity, they speak a language that transcends boundaries, inviting viewers from all walks of life to share in the tangible world's beauty and complexity.
Join us in celebrating realism's enduring legacy and dynamic present. CaRt26 | Contemporary Art in Realism invites artists worldwide to submit works showcasing masterful realism with fresh relevance—photorealist precision, figurative storytelling, innovative everyday perspectives, or thoughtful modern narratives.
Let's bridge past traditions, present innovations, and future possibilities.
Jurors
Juried by four contemporary masters of realism:
- Kazuhiro Yamada
- Kumiko S. McKee
- Ricki Klages
- Rubén Fernández Pereira
Entry Fees
$65 for first entry plus $15 for each additional entry up to 10.
Eligibility
- Open to artists worldwide aged 18+ (at time of entry) submitting original works.
- The theme of this exhibition is contemporary realism. We seek masterful representational works that capture the essence of the observable world with fresh relevance—whether through portraits, figures, still lifes, interiors, landscapes, or other everyday subjects infused with a modern, objective sensibility.
- Accepted Media: Traditional only—Painting, Drawing, Sculpture, Printmaking (drawing-based).
- Not Accepted: Digital art, photography, AI-generated elements, or reproductions.
- Artworks must be have been created in the past 5 years; any artworks completed before April, 2021 will be disqualified.
- No size restrictions, provided the work fits through a 6ft x 7ft doorway for installation/shipping.
- All artwork must be original, independently created, and not produced under instructor direction (e.g., workshops/classes). No copies of other artists' works, paintings/drawings from others' photos, or published material. If using reference photographs, they must be taken by the artist.
- Artwork previously exhibited at 3 Square Art Gallery is ineligible.
Awards & Benefits
$3500 in cash awards.
- 3SA GOLD AWARD: $2000 + Award Certification
- 3SA SILVER AWARD: $1000 + Award Certification
- 3SA BRONZE AWARD: $500 + Award Certification
- Honorable Mentions: Certification
Selected artists for the exhibition receive the following benefits:
- Professionally Curated Exhibit at the 3 Square Art Gallery in Fort Collins, Colorado
- Posting to 3SA website and social media platforms
- Professional exhibition space and display of artwork
- Leading Art Center with presence in Northern Colorado and Miami (great addition to resume)
- Accepted artists will be listed on the 3SA website with their work and link to their website
- Press releases on exhibition sent to 3SA media outlets
Jurors
Kazuhiro Yamada
Japanese contemporary realist painter renowned for his atmospheric landscapes, still lifes, and imaginative oil works that blend precise observation with poetic light and mood.
Japanese contemporary realist painter renowned for his atmospheric landscapes, still lifes, and imaginative oil works that blend precise observation with poetic light and mood.
Kumiko S. McKee
Japanese-American contemporary realism artist specializing in portrait drawings in graphite, her work delves into quiet emotional depth, inner stillness, and the subtle layers of human identity, rendering subjects with sensitivity, restraint, and masterful realism.
Ricki Klages
Distinguished American painter and longtime educator (former Head of the Department of Art at the University of Wyoming), known for her vibrant, expressive oil paintings inspired by diverse environments, landscapes, and figurative elements.
Rubén Fernández Pereira
Spanish hyperrealist draftsman celebrated for his extraordinary technical precision in charcoal and graphite portraits, rendering intricate details of form, texture, emotion, and human presence with lifelike mastery.
Additional Notification Information
Notifications will be emailed and posted in your ShowSubmit account by the end of the day on May 6, 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 (April 13, 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 Craig McKee ([email protected]) for questions about the Prospectus, 3SA, 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.