About the Exhibition
The “Annual" is a benefit of Signature Membership.
All submissions are accepted, up to 200 in-person artworks, first come first served. Flatscreen is available as an option in lieu of in-person.
Any submissions for in-person received after 200 entries will be allowed on the Flatscreen only.
ALL entries will be in the online exhibit and for sale through the website.
ALL entries will be in the online exhibit and for sale through the website.
In-Person & Online* Exhibit
Leonovich Gallery
520 W 24th St
New York, NY 10011
New York, NY 10011
Gallery Hours
Tuesday–Sunday, 12–6pm
closed Mondays
Tuesday–Sunday, 12–6pm
closed Mondays
*Option: Online & flatscreen rotation only
In Person Events
Open Reception
Friday, June 12, 5-8pm
Friday, June 12, 5-8pm
Eligibility
This NAWA juried exhibit is open to Signature NAWA members only.
Awards
Over $13,000 in awards available.
Judges of Awards
Sales
Art purchases may be made in person or directly from the website.
Entry fee
NAWA Signature members only
$65; every juried-in NAWA Signature Member is entitled to submit one (1) artwork (2 views allowed for sculpture).
$65; every juried-in NAWA Signature Member is entitled to submit one (1) artwork (2 views allowed for sculpture).
Please READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS VERY CAREFULLY and keep a copy of this prospectus.
This Prospectus Contains
- PART I: To Apply
- PART II: Important Dates and Times (Exhibit and Panel Discussion Details)
- PART III: Entry Guidelines- Eligibility, Size Limits & Image Labeling & Sizing
- PART IV: General Rules and Specification- Entry Quality
- PART V: Sales
- PART VI: Shipping and Delivery
- PART VII: Promotion
- PART VIII: NAWA Annual Exhibition Catalog- Options for Catalog Gallery and Advertising
- PART IX: Artwork Categories, NAWA Medium Guidelines
- PART X: Artwork Labels
- PART XI: Volunteering-options for tri-state area or visiting NAWA members Volunteer Sign Up Link
- PART XII: Waiver
I. To Apply
- Application is through this entry platform ShowSubmit. Please read ALL instructions.
- Exhibition entry fee: $65 (see below for optional Catalog fees)
- Submissions open Monday, March 9, 2026. Deadline for entry: Monday, April 27, 2026
- Entry form submission signifies agreement to all WAIVER requirements.
- Artwork purchased through this exhibit must remain available exclusively for NAWA-shared sales benefits during the exhibit dates and times, whether the artwork is in person or online. NAWA trusts its members to respect this.
II. Important Dates and Times
- Monday, April 27, 2026: Submission deadline. All applications must be received no later than Monday, April 27, 2026.
- May 28 - May 31, 2026, 12 – 6 pm: hand or shipped delivery of artwork to venue must be received. Receiving/”Check-in” volunteers may deliver June 1 (11am - 6pm), but all work must be received and checked in by June 1. (See below for shipping & delivery details).
- Exhibition opens Friday, June 5, 2026; Gallery Hours Tuesday - Sunday, 12-6 pm
- Wednesday, June 10, 7:30 pm
Online Zoom Awards Ceremony - Thursday, June 11, Annual Members Meeting and Luncheon, 12–3pm
Luncheon Registration Link - Friday, June 12, In-person Reception; 5-8 pm
- Artist Panel Talk, Thursday, June 18 Click here to register for the event 6-7:30 pm
- Saturday, June 27, 2026: Exhibit closes at 4pm, 4-6 pm hand pickup of artworks. Please do not plan to take artwork away before the closing time.
- Sunday, June 28, 2026: 11- 4 hand pickup and pack up of artworks.
- Artworks will ship out Monday, June 29 or as soon as possible.
III. Entry Guidelines
- Exhibition open to current NAWA Signature Members (Associate and free 1-year Graduating Student Members NOT eligible)
- Exhibition entry fee $65; every juried-in NAWA Signature Member is entitled to submit one (1) artwork.
- All entries are accepted up to 200 pieces in person. After 200 entries will be flatscreen only (works are not juried for entry – but are juried for awards).
- In Person Size Limits: 2D Work and Wall Hanging Sculpture: maximum size: 24” high x 24” wide x 5” deep Including the frame.
Note: Any works submitted over 24"x24" will be automatically included in the Flatscreen presentation - Flatscreen designated entries have no size limit.
- In-person 3D Sculpture: Maximum size: 3’ high x 12” wide x 12” deep for pedestal art. You must reserve a pedestal on the application if you need one. Free-standing sculpture maximum size: 3’h x 15”w x 15”d. Sculptures that are inherently unstable and might fall over if not attached to its base will not be accepted. Weight limitation for all sculpture: 30 lbs.
- NOTE: Size limits for in-gallery entries will be strictly enforced. Smaller works are encouraged.
- NOTE: Please price reasonably. Most sales made at the NAWA Annual are smaller works and/or under $5000
- To enter large works, or save on shipping, please use the “online only option” which includes gallery flat screen rotating presentation. NEW: Awards in each category will be allotted to this group
- Sculptors: Indicate on Entry Form whether you need a pedestal or not.
- Entry form must be filled out in its entirety.
- 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. You do not need 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.
IV General Rules Specifications:
- No ceiling hung artwork
- No reproductions of original artworks, by gicleé or otherwise will be allowed- all artwork represented must be original
- AI assisted, as a minor component, (not entirely AI generated or underpainted) and Digital media is 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.
- Artwork must be wired for hanging. Please TEST the weight bearing of your hanging wire. Metal or wood frames are preferred. Unframed work is allowed, if finished on all sides. Plexiglass ONLY- exception: glass is permitted for pastel artworks.
- Jpeg images are presented in the NAWA online gallery, so must meet professional web standards. Blurry, poorly lit or watermarked images will be disqualified.
- Do not include any frame or extraneous background in your photo. Please crop to the precise image, unless it is circular or of an irregular shape—then, shoot image against a plain solid black or white background.
- Sculptures should be photographed against a plain solid white or black background.
- For sculpture or 3-D mixed media, 2 images, each showing a different view of the work, are allowed.
- Your signature can be on the artwork (block or crop if possible), but no annotated lettering or watermark should be on the image. Using a write-on watermark may disqualify you from exhibition and/or winning an award.
- NO CHANGES may be made on price, title, or any information after submission.
V. Sales
- All submitted artwork MUST be for sale. Please encourage sales and share with your followers!
- Commission is: 70% to the artist, 30% to NAWA. All work in the exhibit must remain available for sale for the duration of the entire exhibition.
- Any work submitted and sold previous to the exhibition will be withdrawn from the Annual, without substitution.
- The process is complex and different work will not be accepted after submission.
VI. Shipping/Delivery
- Do NOT SHIP artwork to the NAWA office.
Ship or hand deliver artwork to:
Leonovich Gallery, Street Level
520 W 24th St
New York, NY 10011
ATTN: NAWA 137th Annual - Shipped work must arrive May 28- May 31. Send by UPS or FedEx only;
SPECIFY 12-6pm for receiving shipped deliveries; include a prepaid, bar-coded return shipping label. - NAWA recommends using Airfloat Systems’ Strongbox for optimal packaging. Phone: 800-445-2580 airfloatsys.com/strongbox
- DO NOT ship via US Postal Service.
- NO PACKING PEANUTS. Tell this to your shipper (illegal in NY state). You will be called and your artwork returned without unpacking.
- In the event of a sale the artist is obliged to ship her work to the buyer, and responsible for calculating and charging the buyer any shipping fees. These will be paid separately and directly to the artist.
- HAND DELIVERY: If you are hand delivering, you must take all packing material with you after delivery.
- Phone reference (if needed, for shipping only): (212) 204-7150
- All other questions call the NAWA office: 646-461-0068
VII. Promotion
Advertising for the exhibition will be done by the NAWA PR Committee and Leonovich Gallery. You are welcome, and encouraged to promote it on your own website, and social media. You may share the posts, where the logo is embedded, but may not create new ads with NAWA branding or logo.
VIII. NAWA Annual Exhibition Catalog
Two optional choices
- Participating in the Print NAWA Catalog Gallery ($60) Deadline June 6, 2026.
- Purchasing a Print ad in the advertising Section of the Catalog (various prices) Deadline October 15, 2026
Gallery
- Choosing to feature your artwork from the NAWA 137th Anniversary Annual Exhibition in the NAWA Catalog Gallery is optional for all participants in that exhibit.
- The fee to display the image of that artwork printed in the 137th Annual NAWA Exhibition Catalog Gallery Section is $60, to be paid separately, using this link to the appropriate form: https://thenawa.org/2025-nawa-catalog-gallery-payment/
- NOTE: Only the 137th exhibit’s participating artists’ images are eligible for this section of the catalog.
- For print resolution: RESIZE your jpeg to 300 dpi, 1100 pixels on the longest side:
- Use the same labelling on this newly sized image, as you did for the exhibit entry:
- LastName_FirstName_Titleofwork_medium_size_price.
- Submit this image to [email protected]
- Deadline for Gallery Section submissions: June 6, 2026
Advertisements
NAWA welcomes advertisements from all supporters! This includes any outside entity that would like to reach NAWA’s wide audience. Members are encouraged to solicit an ad from their art supply vendors, bank, lawyer, local businesses etc. The NAWA Catalog reaches a circulation of over 1500 members, galleries, curators, universities, museums, and numerous archives. Ads should be submitted through the form on this link, which shows all the size and price options: Ad Submission for NAWA Annual Catalog
NAWA welcomes advertisements from all supporters! This includes any outside entity that would like to reach NAWA’s wide audience. Members are encouraged to solicit an ad from their art supply vendors, bank, lawyer, local businesses etc. The NAWA Catalog reaches a circulation of over 1500 members, galleries, curators, universities, museums, and numerous archives. Ads should be submitted through the form on this link, which shows all the size and price options: Ad Submission for NAWA Annual Catalog
Time sensitive ads should not be included as it takes time to compose the catalog and we cannot guarantee a delivery date.
Deadline for advertisement submissions: June 6, 2026.
This catalog will be available by Spring 2027
IX. Artwork Categories (use only one in your entry)
Please follow this link to clarify how to indicate category and details of the medium(s) used in your artwork: Artwork Categories
NOTE: Flatscreen Presentation- This option is for artists who would like to submit works larger than the limit of 24” on any side, OR artists who prefer not to ship their artwork to the in-person gallery.
Artwork in all media are welcome to choose this option, which will have awards in 7 categories: separate from the category-related awards for in-person exhibition. All non-flatscreen awards will be juried in person for individual categories.
**NAWA and/or the Annual Exhibition jurors reserve the right to classify or reclassify media information of work submitted to its exhibitions according to NAWA's definitions.
X. Artwork Labels
Labels may be found here: Artwork Labels
XI. Volunteering
For members in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, or visiting the area during the exhibit, You can sign up for Volunteer Receiving, Installation, Sitting, & De-Installation/Pack up. Volunteer Sign Up Link
XII. Waiver
Entry agreement
The entry application 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.
I, the applying artist, hereby declare my intention to exhibit my artwork as described in my entry form, in the National Association of Women Artists, Inc., 137th Annual Members’ Exhibition at Leonovich Gallery, Street Level, 520 W 24th St, New York, NY 10011, and to be published on the NAWA website, www.thenawa.org, and if gallery flatscreen option chosen, on that medium; to hold said artwork available for sale, through NAWA from artist's entry date until the specified end date of the exhibit as listed on the prospectus.
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: blurry photography in entry jpeg, bad cropping (crop to just inside art edge) inclusion of type over the image, improper hanging apparatus or unprofessional framing. Shipping with packing “peanuts” is difficult for volunteers and staff, and illegal in NY State; items packed this way will be returned after calling the artist.
I accept full responsibility for any, and all damages, loss, theft, and/or any other casualty of any kind in shipping artwork to the gallery, and to a buyer, if the work sells. I hereby waive any and all claims against the National Association of Women Artist, 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 ($1.00) Dollar, in the event of any loss or damage to the piece of artwork.
NAWA retains the right of discretion to decide if artworks do or do not meet the requirements of NAWA show standards, or contain any inflammatory or offensive materials.
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 (3.49%) 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 date of entry and opening of the exhibit (May 28 - June 5) through the end of the exhibit (4 pm) on Saturday, June 27, 2026.
Labels: NAWA, a not-for-profit art organization, will list the name of the artists, the title of the work, 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. The letters NAWA may be used by regular juried members (i.e., not Associate or Student members), after their names, on all artworks, signifying their membership.
I accept full responsibility for any, and all damages, loss, theft, and/or any other casualty of any kind in shipping artwork to the gallery, and to a buyer, if the work sells. I hereby waive any and all claims against the National Association of Women Artist, 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 ($1.00) Dollar, in the event of any loss or damage to the piece of artwork.
The entry application 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.
I, the applying artist, hereby declare my intention to exhibit my artwork as described in my entry form, in the National Association of Women Artists, Inc., 137th Annual Members’ Exhibition at Leonovich Gallery, Street Level, 520 W 24th St, New York, NY 10011, and to be published on the NAWA website, www.thenawa.org, and if gallery flatscreen option chosen, on that medium; to hold said artwork available for sale, through NAWA from artist's entry date until the specified end date of the exhibit as listed on the prospectus.
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: blurry photography in entry jpeg, bad cropping (crop to just inside art edge) inclusion of type over the image, improper hanging apparatus or unprofessional framing. Shipping with packing “peanuts” is difficult for volunteers and staff, and illegal in NY State; items packed this way will be returned after calling the artist.
I accept full responsibility for any, and all damages, loss, theft, and/or any other casualty of any kind in shipping artwork to the gallery, and to a buyer, if the work sells. I hereby waive any and all claims against the National Association of Women Artist, 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 ($1.00) Dollar, in the event of any loss or damage to the piece of artwork.
NAWA retains the right of discretion to decide if artworks do or do not meet the requirements of NAWA show standards, or contain any inflammatory or offensive materials.
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 (3.49%) 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 date of entry and opening of the exhibit (May 28 - June 5) through the end of the exhibit (4 pm) on Saturday, June 27, 2026.
Labels: NAWA, a not-for-profit art organization, will list the name of the artists, the title of the work, 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. The letters NAWA may be used by regular juried members (i.e., not Associate or Student members), after their names, on all artworks, signifying their membership.
I accept full responsibility for any, and all damages, loss, theft, and/or any other casualty of any kind in shipping artwork to the gallery, and to a buyer, if the work sells. I hereby waive any and all claims against the National Association of Women Artist, 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 ($1.00) Dollar, in the event of any loss or damage to the piece of artwork.
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.
Additional Notification Information
Notifications will be emailed and posted in your ShowSubmit account by the end of the day on April 28, 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 substitute your image up until the entry deadline (April 27, 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.