CONTEMPORARY DRAWING EXHIBITION

Drawing Closer to Ourselves with Precision & Expression

CALL FOR ARTISTS

JURIED ART EXHIBITION

Submissions Due By:

July 18, 2026

Scheduled Art Drop Off July 24th-26th

Opening Reception : August 1, 2026, 4-7pm

Closing Reception: August 20th

Presented by SWAG Works DC

Location: 701 E Street SE DC, Washington DC

Artist that are selected to participate, thank you in advance for your interest and entrusting us with your artworks at SWAG STUDIO GALLERY.

Exhibition Theme

Drawing is one of the oldest and most intimate forms of artistic expression. Before color, before sculpture, before digital media, there was the mark—the simple line capable of capturing thought, memory, identity, emotion, and imagination.

Drawing Closer to Ourselves with Precision and Expression celebrates the power of drawing as both a technical discipline and a deeply personal language. This exhibition invites artists to explore the human experience through observation, storytelling, symbolism, and emotion while demonstrating mastery of line, texture, composition, and form.

This exhibition encourages artists to examine themes including, but not limited to Identity, Memory, Human Connection, Reflection, Community,

Transformation, Joy, Vulnerability, Nature, Culture, Spirituality, Everyday Life, Imagination, and Resilience.

We welcome highly detailed realism, expressive abstraction, conceptual drawing, figurative work, portraiture, landscape, architectural drawing, botanical illustration, narrative works, and experimental contemporary drawing practices.

This exhibition honors drawing as a complete and powerful art form deserving of its own spotlight.

Application Fee

$35.00 (Non-Refundable)

Application fees support exhibition planning, gallery operations, marketing, installation, and promotional materials.

ELIGIBILITY

Artists must be 21 years or older.

Open to emerging, mid-career, and established artists.

Original artwork only. 

Artwork must be framed and wired

Accepted drawing media include:

• Graphite

• Charcoal

• Ink

• Colored Pencil

• Pastel

• Chalk

• Conte Crayon

• Silverpoint

• Mixed Drawing Media

• Experimental Drawing Techniques

Artwork Submission

2-3 art works

Sizes Minium 8x10 to Maximum 24x36 (exceptions must be reviewed)

Art Label for each artwork must include:

Artist Name

Title

Year Created

Medium

Dimensions (Height × Width × Depth)

Sale Price

Description of artwork

How does this work relate to the exhibition theme?

Drop off Art Work and Labels with proper Roman Font, 12 inch type

Image Upload

Please submit:

• Up to 5 high-resolution JPEG images

• Minimum 300 dpi

• Images should accurately represent the artwork.

Exhibition Participation

If accepted:

□ I will hand-deliver artwork.

Art Work Drop Off July 19th 10-6pm

Artist Agreement

By submitting this application, I certify that:

______________________________________________________

□ I am the creator and rightful owner of all submitted artwork.

□ All information provided is accurate.

□ Submitted artwork is original and does not infringe upon any copyright or intellectual property rights.

□ I understand that submission does not guarantee acceptance into the exhibition.

□ I understand the $35 application fee is non-refundable.

□ If selected, I agree to meet all delivery, installation, and pickup deadlines established by SWAG Works DC.

□ I agree that my artwork may be photographed or reproduced for exhibition publicity, educational materials, marketing, social media, website promotion, press releases, printed catalogs, and future promotional purposes with proper artist credit.

□ I understand that artwork should remain on display for the duration of the exhibition unless otherwise approved.

□ I understand that I am responsible for insuring my artwork while in transit.

Privacy & Confidentiality Statement

SWAG Works DC values and respects the privacy of every artist.

All personal information submitted through this application—including contact information, biographies, pricing, sales information, and uploaded artwork—is collected solely for the purpose of administering the exhibition.

Your personal information will remain confidential and will never be sold, shared, or distributed to third parties for marketing purposes.

Information may only be accessed by authorized SWAG Works DC staff, exhibition coordinators, and jurors directly involved in the review and administration of the exhibition.

Artwork images and artist biographies may be used publicly only for exhibition-related marketing, educational, promotional, and archival purposes unless otherwise requested by the artist.

SWAG Works DC implements reasonable administrative and digital safeguards to protect submitted information.

By submitting this application, you acknowledge and consent to the collection and use of your information solely for exhibition administration in accordance with this privacy statement.

Signature (sign at the bottom of Artist Call Application)

Submission Checklist

□ Completed application

□ Artist biography

□ Artwork information

□ High-resolution images

□ Signed Artist Agreement

□ Signed Privacy Acknowledgement

□ $35 Non-Refundable Application Fee Submitted

Thank you for your interest in participating in the Contemporary Drawing Exhibition: Drawing Closer to Ourselves with Precision and Expression.

We look forward to experiencing your vision, craftsmanship, and creative expression through the timeless language of drawing.

Artist Call Application