The Midwest Open is an annual exhibition at WMG that highlights the achievements of women and nonbinary artists living in the American Midwest. According to the United States Census Bureau, the 12 states in the Midwest include Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota.

For the Midwest Open, a showcase for the vibrancy and diverse views these artists represent, all media and subject matter will be considered. WMG is looking for work unique to the vision of each artist, work that needs the world to complete it, or work that sings a song from the heart(land).

What new series or experiment or story have you ready to share with WMG? Do you have drawings or drafts or proofs with a soul and a power all their own? Open to all media, including works that might be unfinished, but are exceptionally well-crafted, tended to, and bring together the hands and heart.

Cash prizes are awarded to three artists in the exhibition, as designated by the juror.   

Awards: 1st place: $300 | 2nd place: $200 | 3rd place: $100 | 4th place: Honorable Mention 

Exhibition Dates: August 31–September 28, 2024

The exhibition will be held from August 31 to September 29, 2024, at Woman Made Gallery, 1332 S. Halsted St., Chicago, IL 60607. Entry fee allows submission of up to three works in any medium.

First Entry Due Date: June 22, 2024, 11:59 PM CST (entry fee: $30) | Final Entry Due Date (fee increases to $35): June 29 2024, 11:59 PM

About the Juror: Pamela Callahan is an artist and poet who lives and works in Wisconsin. Supporter of Woman Made Gallery since 1993, she has juried exhibitions, curated literary programs and advised and advocated for WMG throughout the years. She is the co-creator of Otter Creek Arts, a full-time studio located in the Driftless region. Hand in hand with creating artwork is its stewardship of the surrounding woods and wetlands. Pamela has exhibited her work throughout the Midwest and parts beyond. Her studio is part of the annual Fall Art Tour, which happens each 3rd weekend in October, together with 50 other artist studios from Baraboo to Spring Green, Dodgeville to Mineral Point. 

For more information about Pamela and her art visit https://www.pamelacallahan.com/

Calendar 

Exhibition Dates: August 31–September 28, 2024 

First Entry Due Date: June 22, 2024, 11:59 PM CST 

Extended Due Date: June 29, 2024, 11:59 PM CST 

Notification: July 11, 2024

Opening Reception: Saturday, August 31 from 4 to 7 PM CST 

Artist Walkthrough: Saturday, September 28 from 2 to 4 PM CST 

Entry Fee 

*The entry fee is $30 until the first deadline. The entry fee will then increase to $35 per entry. Each entry requires a minimum of one artwork, though up to three artworks may be considered per submission. Entry fees are non-refundable. 

Members at the Enhanced Artist Level ($100) and above receive one free entry annually. Please email general@womanmade.org to receive your one-time code for free entry redemption. 

WMG offers up to 30 fee waivers per exhibition. To acknowledge the historic inequities of wealth distribution, they are mainly reserved for ALAANA/BIPOC and/or LGBTQIA+. If you require a fee waiver simply email us explaining your need and we will assist you. Please email WMG at general@womanmade.org to request a fee-waiver. 

Eligibility Woman Made Gallery is a space for women and nonbinary artists, including trans women and femme/feminine-identifying genderqueer artists. We welcome art from women and non-binary artists from our local community, regionally based, and around the world. 

Due to wall size restrictions, artworks must be no larger than 6’ horizontally and under 75 pounds in weight, unless delivered to and picked up from our gallery by the artist. Artists may be additionally responsible for the installation of oversized works. 

New media artworks are eligible. To be considered, artists must submit a sample .mp4 or URL under 10 mins for purposes of consideration. For exhibition, WMG requires a digital transfer (Google Drive, Vimeo downloads, WeTransfer) as well as a USB formatted in .mp4 file format delivered to the gallery. WMG can provide a limited number of screens and projectors with basic speakers. All other new media needs are the responsibility of the artist. 

Art Sales Accepted work may be listed for sale or be not for sale (NFS). WMG will retain a 40% commission on sold works. Work remains the property of the artist until sold. Sold artworks shall remain in the exhibition until the end of the exhibition. Artists will be paid no later than 30 days after the close of the exhibit. Artists may donate any portion of their commission to WMG. 

Terms of Exhibition An artist contract with full terms of the exhibition will be administered at the time of acceptance notification. Artists need to retrieve their work by the date noted in the artist contract or make alternate arrangements. WMG is unable to store work beyond the pick-up date. Artists may donate their art to WMG's fundraising efforts if unable to pick it up. WMG is happy to talk through preparations, offer advice, and recommend resources as requested.