CITY SCENES (2026): THE URBAN EXPERIENCE

"CITY SCENES (2026): THE URBAN EXPERIENCE'' EXHIBIT AT MVA GALLERY 

NATIONAL CALL FOR ENTRIES:       Generations of artists, photographers and sculptors have produced pictorial records that offer interpretations of city content including buildings, streets, signs, people, objects, machines, technology as well as space, light and movement.  

Contradictory activities are explored, whether ordinary or dramatic. These contradictions are expressed in the creative execution of imagery about wealth and poverty, health and illness, youth and old age, beauty and ugliness, kindness and hostility, growth and decay, or order and chaos.  

What do you emphasize in your art as you narrate your experiences, real or imagined, of a city, town or suburb? Please show us your personal interpretations -- whether featuring architectural details or human interaction. Traditional or non-traditional. No restrictions on style or technique. A universe of possibilities! Please join us.

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''CITY SCENES (2026): THE URBAN EXPERIENCE" EXHIBIT  AT  MVA  GALLERY  --  MODERN  VISUAL  ARTS  

THEMES   AND  TECHNIQUES  

The MVA Gallery (Modern Visual Arts) invites artists, photographers and sculptors of all levels (emerging to established) to submit original artwork to this exhibition. 

National Call For Entries:                 Streets and urban scenes -- an inspiration to generations of artists who have produced extraordinary interpretations of city content including buildings, streets, signs, people, objects, machines, technology as well as space, light and movement.  

Artists, photographers and sculptors who explore public places for visual ideas frequently encounter contradictions. Daily activities are depicted, whether ordinary or dramatic. People react to the random, fleeting events of urban life with clarity or ambiguity, calm or frenzy, sadness or joy. In addition, these contradictions and opposing forces are expressed in the creative execution of imagery about wealth and poverty, health and illness, youth and old age, beauty and ugliness, kindness and hostility, growth and decay, or order and chaos.  

What do you emphasize in your art as you narrate your experiences, real or imagined, of a city, town or suburb? Do you capture the "decisive moment," assert the "significance of place," focus on storytelling and visual anecdotes, concentrate on oddities and psychic vulnerability, reflect social and economic issues, or reveal normality and joyful moments?  

What artistic techniques -- conventional or experimental --  are used that empower you to make viewers believe in the immediacy and reality of an image?   

The MVA Gallery supports all efforts and approaches of this subject matter. We invite you to show us your personal interpretations and visions -- whether featuring architectural details or human interaction. They can be traditional or non-traditional as there are no restrictions on style and technique. 

This is a great exhibition opportunity for street photography (all processes) and for urban scenes in any medium. And, of course, paintings depicting city structures, exploring human rhythms of the streets, and portraying the activities of urban life have always been popular with collectors.

A universe of possibilities! We are excited to see your art. Please join us!  

Mediums:       The MVA Gallery accepts painting, watercolor, printmaking, mixed media, digital, pastel, encaustic, sculpture, fiber, drawing and photography.   

THE  GALLERY

The MVA Gallery (Modern Visual Arts) is located in historic Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

Bethlehem, along with its neighboring cities Allentown and Easton, comprise the third largest metropolitan area in Pennsylvania (after Philadelphia and Pittsburgh). Bethlehem has a vibrant arts and cultural life -- numerous active art galleries and nationally acclaimed festivals including Musikfest and the legendary Christmas celebration Chriskindlmarkt. Bethlehem's 18th century historic district has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The city attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. Located one hour from New York City, Bethlehem has become an art destination for informed collectors and prominent art professionals. Gallery website:  https://www.mvaartgallery.com.             Instagram:     @mvaartgallery

SUBMISSIONS  AND  FEES 

Submission is exclusively through CAFE  -- CallForEntry. The website is https://www.callforentry.org. Then select "Find Calls" and enter MVA Gallery into the search field to apply to a Call. OR SIMPLY CLICK THE ''APPLY NOW'' BOX.  Artists new to CAFE can also click "Artist Sign Up" (free and easy) at that top of that page to begin the submission process.  NOTE: The CAFE format may be different if you are using a smartphone. 

 Entry fee is $35.00 for 3 different images. You may include additional files for $5.00 each up to a total of 9 maximum. The fee will not be refunded, in part or in whole, for any reason. In addition, the application and fee do not guarantee acceptance into the exhibit or event. Payment is by credit card or Pay Pal only. No checks are accepted.

ENTRY  FORMAT   

 Please see the detailed instructions on the CAFE website. All images must be JPEG. Under 5 MB with a minimum of 1200 pixels on the longest side. In addition, you should enter the following information: title, medium, size, price and year of completion. (The MVA Gallery has no cutoff date or time restriction for the artwork creation year.) These digital images are viewed by Jurors and Curators during the selection process.  

ARTWORK  SPECIFICATIONS 

--  Artists should not submit any images of art previously included in an exhibit of the MVA Gallery. Previous acceptance into one of our shows does not constitute acceptance into future shows.
--  No reproductions or derivatives of original art (or copyrighted images) of other people's work will be accepted. The artist should be the sole owner of all rights.     
--  Artwork must look professionally finished and be ready for secure installation. All art must be equipped with stretched WIRE attached to the back. (Sawtooth hangers are not acceptable.) Artwork without a wire will not be displayed. The Gallery will consider framed  PAINTINGS or paintings with gallery wrapped (finished) edges. Of course, mixed media and digital pieces are sometimes unframed (but must have an attached wire). 
--  Shipped artwork using standard glass poses a risk and is not advisable. Plexiglass is preferred. Artwork with glass that arrives in cracked / shattered condition will be pulled from the exhibit.
--  ART should not be larger than 48 inches (framed) on the longest side and not weigh more than 45 lbs. SCULPTURE should not be larger than 24 inches on any dimension. 
--  PHOTOGRAPHS should be framed if you wish a traditional presentation. Black or white frames are preferred. Mats, when used, should be white or off-white although exceptions are made. Other types of mounting (not framed) will be considered. All photographic processes are welcome

JURYING PROCESS

A small committee of rotating Jurors of exceptional artists, gallerists, art reviewers, publishers, curators, and academics will review art.  All decisions are final. (No phone calls or messages, please.) Jurors and / or curators reserve the right not to award any or all prizes.  Artists can check the CAFE website (first page, "My CAFE Entries") to see the application's status. This is the fastest way to receive information about the jurying process although all artists will receive an email message about acceptance or non-acceptance. Applications that do not meet the submission requirements may be removed from consideration. The Jurors for this exhibit have requested anonymity.    

AWARDS 

An "ART OF DISTINCTION'' AWARD will be granted at most exhibitions.                               One artist, photographer or sculptor will be selected and featured in a special exhibit at the MVA Gallery, Exhibition Room Two, to be scheduled at a future date. 

ANNUAL GRAND PRIZE --  One New York City Exhibition Opportunity   
One artist, photographer or sculptor will be selected from all the individuals who were accepted and displayed in an MVA Gallery exhibit during the past calendar year. This artist will be offered an exhibition opportunity in New York City and will be notified in December.

DIRECTOR'S CHOICE AWARD -- $200 --   One optional award may be granted at the discretion of the Executive Director of the MVA Gallery. 

IMPORTANT  DATES     

Entry Deadline:          April 12, 2026 (Midnight Denver, Colorado, time where CAFE is located.) 

Notification to Artists:    On or about May 18, 2026 (Midnight). Notification by email.

NOTE:   --  Artists will receive separate email messages for "Invited" and "Not Invited" artwork entries. Therefore, some artists may receive two Notifications.  

--  No additional communication (including no acknowledgement of submission applications) will be sent to artists before these email Notifications on May 18, 2026.

 Art Arrival Deadline:   All accepted artwork must arrive at the Gallery no later than July 24, 2026.  

Exhibition  Dates:    July 29 - August 28, 2026. 

Artwork Returned:  The Gallery will start to return unsold art to the participating artists August 29 - September 8, 2026. 

[Applicants may wish to keep a copy of these dates.] 

SHIPPING  

--   Detailed shipping instructions will be sent with Notification of Acceptance in an email message. 
--  Artists are responsible for all shipping / delivery costs (and insurance) both to and from the Gallery. 

--   Important:  Artists who ship their work must provide a prepaid return UPS or FedEx shipping label enclosed in the box if they wish their artwork returned.  We will not accept credit cards or checks for return shipping. Please do not submit to the Gallery an Airbill form -- or any other shipping form -- with a credit card number because the carrier will not process it. Send a UPS or FedEx return prepaid shipping label that also includes the appropriate informational BAR CODES. (Do not provide a link.)  Under certain circumstances, the artist might need to use the U.S. Post Office (USPS) or Pirate Ship but please be sure to include a return prepaid shipping label or equivalent.

--   Artwork must be shipped in a sturdy reusable carton. No wood crates will be accepted (except for sculpture). No styrofoam packing peanuts should be included.

COMMISSION  ON  SALES 

Artists can determine whether they wish to sell their artwork.  For sales, the artist must list a specific price and not indicate "Upon Request."
Commission Fees:
70% of the final sale price to the Artist.
30% of the final sale price to the Gallery.  
Artwork must remain in the Gallery for the full duration of the exhibition or event.  

COPYRIGHT  

Artists, photographers and sculptors retain all rights to submitted images and artwork.  Artists accepted into the exhibition or event will grant the MVA Gallery rights to use selected images as well as data (such as the artist's name) for publicity / marketing (print and electronic) and for archival purposes, including use on the Gallery's website and on social media.  

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It is important to follow carefully all Guidelines above, especially those in the "ARTWORK SPECIFICATIONS" and the "SHIPPING" sections.  Please copy and keep the information that appears in "IMPORTANT DATES." Thank you.

By applying to this exhibition / event, you fully agree to all the terms and conditions described in this Call Prospectus and in the attached  Legal Agreement ("Rules And Terms To Apply").

--  IMAGE AT TOP BY JACQUELINE CHANDA --  

This is a National Call for Entries inviting artists, photographers and sculptors from all regions and states. Artists must be 18 years of age or older and current residents of the United States.