CAL International 2027

Artists, aged 18 or over, both national and international, are invited to enter original 2D and 3D artwork in this juried competition and $5,500 will be awarded to the winners. The juror is Taft McWhorter (https://www.taftmcwhorterart.com/). Mr. McWhorter will select from entered artworks those eligible to exhibit in The Madeley Fine Art Gallery in March 2027 and to be eligible for awards.

About the Conroe Art League (CAL) and The Madeley Fine Art Gallery

CAL is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt corporation and its mission is to promote the enrichment of our community through the arts. The Madeley Fine Art Gallery is in the historic Madeley Building at 127 Simonton Street, Conroe, TX, and its use by the art league is provided by the City of Conroe. For further information about CAL and The Madeley Fine Art Gallery, please visit www.conroeartleague.com and email showsandexhibits@conroeartleague.com for additional information about this show.

Conroe has a thriving arts community with over a dozen arts organizations, including CAL, in the Greater Conroe Arts Alliance (GCAA). The Texas Commission on the Arts has recently designated downtown Conroe as the Downtown Conroe Cultural District. 

The juror is: Taft McWhorter https://www.taftmcwhorterart.com/

Taft McWhorter is a Houston-based artist and internationally award-winning author who has spent more than 20 years building a career in the visual arts. His work has been featured in more than 100 exhibitions and is held by more than 900 collectors, as well as hotels, restaurants, businesses and private collections throughout the region. Taft has co-authored three books, including two volumes of 50 Artists Houston, highlighting the work of artists across the Houston art community. He is also a longtime supporter of local nonprofits, having helped raise more than $1 million for charitable causes through live painting and donated artwork. Taft maintains his studio at Winter Street Studios in Houston’s Sawyer Yards. 

Awards

1st Place: $2,500

2nd Place: $1,250

3rd Place: $1,000

4th Place: $750

The juror’s selections will be based solely on the artistic merits of the artwork entered.

Important Dates

Entry closes  on Monday, December 7, 2026, at midnight (Mountain Time Zone). 

CAL will attempt to notify finalists of eligible artworks no later than January 8, 2027.

Eligible artworks—to exhibit in the show and compete for the show’s awards—are to arrive at CAL no later than February 22, 2027.

Eligible works will exhibit from March 2 to April 3, 2027.

Artists’ reception and announcement of awards: 6 PM to 8 PM, Saturday, March 20, 2027.

Show closes: April 3, 2027

Guidelines and Specifications

Submission of media image: minimum = one; maximum = six

Entry fee is $35.00 for the first media image and $15.00 for each additional media image.

By submitting artwork for consideration, the artist agrees that eligible artwork will be available for display during the entire exhibition (unless the artwork is purchased through CAL). An alternate artwork may not be substituted for an eligible artwork.

Two-dimensional artwork should be labeled on the back of the artwork with the artist's name, contact information and medium. Three-dimensional artwork should be labeled on the base of the artwork or other appropriate location. Do not include artist’s name in any of the file titles. Use the artwork title to name the files. For technical questions or assistance with image files, visit https://www.callforentry.org/image_prep.phtml. Subject matter is to adhere to community standards: no nudity or graphic nudity, obscenity, or violence.

The maximum size for 2D artwork is 48”W X 72"H, these dimensions include the frame. The 2D artwork is not to exceed 30lbs. An artwork that is gallery-wrapped must be at least one and a quarter inches thick, and the sides must be painted. Non-gallery-wrapped 2D artwork must be framed and be within the maximum size noted above. 2D artwork must be ready to hang with gallery wire on the back, that is no sawtooth hangers, O rings, or other arrangements. 

The maximum size for 3D artwork is 30”W X 30”D X 48”H, and weight is not to exceed 40lbs. Large scale 3D works should be attached to a base for floor display.  Please contact showsandexhibits@conroeartleague.com with any questions.

No art that requires ceiling installation is eligible. 

Exhibiting, selling your art, and CAL’s rights to reproduction and use of media images.

A finalist may choose to sell an eligible artwork exhibited during the show, however, a portion to CAL equal to 20% of the stated price will be retained once the piece sells and the buyer pays. CAL will not pay shipping costs. Sales tax is applied. Proceeds of a sale will be mailed to the artist within 30 days of the close of the exhibit. CAL will keep digital images of submitted artworks and reserves the right to reproduce them for publicity purposes. 

Delivery, return shipping, and pickup at the gallery

Invited artists may either deliver eligible artwork in person or ship it. It is suggested that the artist call CAL prior to visiting. (936.756.9572). If either delivering or picking up in person, please note the days and hours of operation as posted on CAL’s Website (http://www.conroeartleague.com/).

The address for both artwork to be shipped and artwork to be delivered is 127 Simonton Street, Conroe, TX 77301. The artist is responsible for shipping in a sturdy, reusable box. No popcorn packing. Return shipping must be prepaid and the shipping paperwork enclosed with the eligible artwork. Return shipping instructions must include a physical address. CAL will not return artwork to a P.O. Box. CAL will not be responsible for damage that occurs in transit either to CAL or in return to the artist or when packing and unpacking, or when exhibiting in the gallery. 

Return shipping begins April 5, 2027. Eligible artwork that is to be picked up, rather than shipped back to the artist, is to be picked up by April 3, 2027. After April 3, 2027 a storage fee will be charged for eligible artwork that does not have pre-paid return shipping arrangements or prior storage arrangements made with CAL. Incurred storage fees must be paid in full prior to release.

International artists, please review the country-of-origin shipping and customs regulations and the best way for US customs to receive work. Regulations and rules change frequently and can cause artwork to be delayed in customs or returned to the artist. Often a commercial invoice is required for return shipping.

Artwork submitted must be original and solely the creation of the artist, no collaboration with another artist, no use of artificial intelligence (AI) software or program in the creation of or assisting in the creation of the artwork. Artwork must be the original, not a print. Work containing nudity, graphic nudity, obscenity or violence is not allowed. Work must be less than five years old. CAL will remove from consideration an artwork outside any part of these guidelines and specifications prior to the judge’s online review with no refund of either application or additional image fee. 

Entered artwork does not have to be for sale, but if it is priced for sale, there cannot be a price change, title change or change to not-for-sale status. A specific artwork is juried into the show and no other work may be substituted. If an artwork is sold by the artist outside of the show, the sale must be processed through CAL according to the language in this call.