THE REVEAL: The Sublime Uncertainty of Almost Knowing

THE REVEAL: The Sublime Uncertainty of Almost Knowing is the inaugural International Print Biennial presented by ShadowBoxX Gallery and co-sponsored by the Waukegan Printmakers Association.

Printmakers worldwide are invited to submit original work created through traditional analog printmaking processes including intaglio, mezzotint, relief, lithography, monotype, collagraph, screenprint, cyanotype and related processes.

THE REVEAL celebrates that extraordinary moment familiar to every printmaker: the work is done, the outcome has been imagined, and yet the final result remains just beyond certainty.

Selected works will be exhibited at ShadowBoxX Gallery in Waukegan, Illinois, USA for approximately three months, from November 2026 through February 2027.

International participation is strongly encouraged.

Entry Fee: $20 USD
Submit: 1 to 20 works,  with a $5 charge which applies to image 2 thru 20.
Size Limit: None
Deadline: October 24, 2026
Analog printmaking only

THE REVEAL: The Sublime Uncertainty of Almost Knowing

2026 Inaugural International Print Biennial

Presented by ShadowBoxX Gallery
Co-sponsored by the Waukegan Printmakers Association
Waukegan, Illinois, USA

There is a particular moment every printmaker knows.

You have done the work. You have made the decisions. You know the image. You have imagined the outcome.

And still, for one brief moment, you almost know.

Was the ink right? Was the paper right? Did the chemistry cooperate? Did every small decision accumulate into the image you imagined?

That is THE REVEAL: The Sublime Uncertainty of Almost Knowing.

The inaugural biennial will open in conjunction with November ArtWauk in downtown Waukegan, Illinois, and remain on exhibition for approximately three months, from November 2026 through February 2027.

This extended exhibition period gives selected artists substantial public exposure throughout the holiday season and into the new year.

THE REVEAL is conceived as a recurring international exhibition presented every other year. Following the inaugural 2026 exhibition, THE REVEAL will return in 2028.

ABOUT SHADOWBOXX GALLERY

ShadowBoxX Gallery is a contemporary gallery located in downtown Waukegan, Illinois, USA, presenting juried exhibitions, regional and international artists, experimental programming and work across a broad range of analog media.

ABOUT WAUKEGAN PRINTMAKERS ASSOCIATION

The Waukegan Printmakers Association is a working print studio and printmaking community dedicated to keeping traditional print processes active, accessible and evolving.

Through studio access, instruction, workshops, exhibitions and community programming, WPA supports experienced printmakers, emerging artists and artists discovering printmaking for the first time.

WPA co-sponsors THE REVEAL as part of its commitment to fostering printmaking locally while building connections with the international printmaking community

Artists may submit a minimum of 1 and a maximum of 20 works for jury consideration.

Submit one clear, jury-quality image for each artwork entered. Images should accurately represent the actual work without unnecessary background or visual distraction.

For each submitted work, complete the applicable CaFÉ portfolio information, including title, medium/process, dimensions, year completed, price/value and description.

Clearly identify the printmaking technique used for each work.

There is no artwork size limitation.

Editioned prints, variable editions, monoprints, monotypes and other unique impressions produced through eligible processes may be submitted.

Accepted artwork must be professionally presented and ready for safe gallery installation upon arrival.

Entry fee: $20 USD for 1 peice, submit up to 20 pieces at $5 per each additional image

One $20 entry fee permits submission of 1 work with up to 20 works, we prefer for the artist to submit their single best thematically relevant piece. A $5 charge applies to image 2 thru 20.

Entry fees are non-refundable.

THE REVEAL is open to artists worldwide.

International participation is a central purpose of the biennial. Artists representing different countries, cultures and printmaking traditions are strongly encouraged to apply.

Eligible work must be original artwork created by the submitting artist and must substantially utilize an analog printmaking process.

Eligible processes include, but are not limited to:

• Etching
• Engraving
• Drypoint
• Aquatint
• Mezzotint
• Other intaglio processes
• Linocut
• Woodcut
• Wood engraving
• Stone lithography
• Plate lithography
• Monotype
• Monoprint
• Collagraph
• Traditional screenprinting
• Cyanotype
• Related historic, alternative and experimental analog printmaking processes

Mixed-media and hybrid works are eligible when an analog printmaking process is a substantial and identifiable component of the finished artwork.

Digital technology used incidentally during the development of an artwork does not automatically disqualify the work. However, digital printing may not be the primary means by which the finished image is produced.

Giclée prints, inkjet reproductions, commercial digital reproductions, photographic reproductions of paintings or drawings, primarily digitally generated prints and AI-generated imagery reproduced as prints are not eligible.

All application materials should be submitted in English.