13th Annual Expressions Portrait Competition

Call for Art

Deadline February 8th, 2024

Arts Herndon is happy to announce that the call for art for the 13th annual Expressions Portrait Competition has now reopened and is scheduled to close February 8th, 2024. Artists 18 years or older residing in Maryland, Virginia, the District of Columbia, and West Virginia, are invited to submit original 2D or 3D portrait art. Preference will be given to works adhering to the traditional definition of portraiture: “…a painting, sculpture, or other artistic representation, in which the face and its expression is predominant with the intent to display the likeness, personality, and even the mood of the person.” Finalists will be featured in the Expressions Portrait Exhibit at Arts Herndon, February 28th through March 28th Winners of the competition will be announced during the awards reception on Saturday, March 16th, 2024, 4 - 6pm.

Steps 1 & 2

Step 3

Terms and Conditions

Eligibility: Artists 18 years or above living in Virginia, including West Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia. Preference will be given to works adhering to the traditional definition of portraiture: “a painting, sculpture, or other artistic representation of a person, in which the face and its expression is predominant. The intent is to display the likeness, personality, and even the mood of the person.” (Wikipedia)

  • Artwork entered must be original 2-D or 3-D portraiture. No photography, electronic or computer generated/assisted art, or reproductions.

  • Artwork juried into previous Arts Herndon Portrait Competitions or exhibited at Arts Herndon is ineligible.

  • No copyrighted source material is permitted.

  • No work that is sexually explicit or graphically violent - content at the discretion of Arts Herndon.

Arts Herndon can refuse to exhibit artwork it deems unacceptable or that fails to resemble the images submitted.

Awards and Prizes: Cash rewards to be awarded in prizes and honorable mentions at judge’s discretion.

Exhibition: Up to 30 finalists will be selected to exhibit their work at Arts Herndon.

Entry Fee: $40 (non-refundable) for up to 2 entries.

2023 Competition Timeline

February 8th: Submission Deadline 5pm

(TBD): Jury Selection & Notification

(TBD): Artwork drop off at Arts Herndon

February 28th: Show Opens

March 16th: Show Reception & Awards 4 – 6pm

March 28th: Show Closes - and pick up

Registration, Payment & Submission of Art

There is a three-step process for submitting an entry.

Step 1. Registration (completed during entry-fee checkout):

Entrants are asked to supply the following information prior to submitting the entry fee during the checkout process:

  • Name and initials (e.g. Pablo Ruiz Picasso, PRP)

  • Name to appear in print (e.g. Pablo Picasso)

  • Address, phone and email

  • Submission Information (title, medium, year, printing format, unframed dimensions)

Step 2. Entry Fee:

  • Pay the entry fee after filling out the online form

Step 3. Submission of Art:

  • All images must be sent via email.

  • Do not send a CD or photographs.

  • Submit up to two pieces of art for consideration by emailing a jpeg file for each piece.

  • Send only one image per work.

  • Jpeg files cannot exceed 5 MB. Label each file with your initials, title of the work, medium, framed size: Example: jd_portraitofsusan_oil_20x30.

  • Email images to info@artsherndon.org The subject line of the email must read: “13th Annual Portrait Competition Submission”.

Entry Form, payment & jpeg submissions must be received by 5:00 pm ET, Thursday, February 8th, 2024

Check list:

  • Entry form – on-line (during checkout)

  • Payment – on-line

  • Images – send by email only please

Finalist Notification: Artists will be notified of jurors’ decision by email no later than (TBD).

Framing: All finalist artwork must be ready for hanging (no clips or saw-tooth hangers please). Works on paper should be matted, framed, and glazed. Artwork should not exceed 48” in any direction and must weigh less than 20 pounds framed. Gallery wrap permitted as long as the edges are finished and staples are on the back of the stretcher bars.

Artwork Delivery: Finalist artwork should be delivered to and picked up from Arts Herndon in-person during the scheduled dates and times. Artwork not picked up by April 28, 2024 become the property of Arts Herndon.

Shipping: Please contact Joanna Ormesher : P (703)-956-6590 or E:jormesher@artsherndon.org

Sales: Artwork need not be for sale, must be available for display the entire exhibit. Arts Herndon charges a 30% commission on works sold. Arts Herndon collects and pays sales tax. Exhibiting artists must complete an IRS W-9 form prior to being issued a check for artwork sold. Finalists will be sent additional instructions.

Rights: Artists grant Arts Herndon the right to photograph and use images of artwork featured in the exhibit for educational and promotional purposes.

Liability: Artwork displayed in ArtsHerndon is exhibited at the artist’s own risk. Artists should insure their artwork. Arts Herndon employees and volunteers are not liable for theft or damage to artwork in transit, on display or otherwise, or for theft of or damage to proceeds from sales.

Agreement: By entering the competition, artists agree to abide by all contest rules and to hold Arts Herndon and their employees and volunteers harmless. Failure to comply with these rules constitutes withdrawal from the competition.

For more information contact Joanna Ormesher at (703)956-6590 , info@artsherndon.org or visit ArtHerndon.org

750 Center Street, Herndon, VA 20170