Submission Guidelines

Artwork Eligibility

At Figureworks we strive to be as inclusive as possible and accept figurative works in many media. The show is open to all living artists working in all mediums who wish to submit recent works that represent the human form or parts thereof.

• Works should represent the human form or parts thereof.
• All media and styles are accepted; this includes but is not limited to painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, fibre art, mixed media, photography, and video.
• The jury will be looking for the best combination of skill, concept and originality.
• Works must be complete, stable and dry to the touch. Wet, sticky and unstable works will not be accepted.
• Accepted artworks must be as represented in the images submitted. Works that have been modified will be refused. Images that have been enhanced and are not an accurate reflection of the work submitted may result in the artwork being refused.
• Works must be made independently, without guidance. Artworks made during a workshop or class are not eligible.
• Works can be no older than three years and not have been entered in a previous Figureworks show.

(n.b.: We regret that the 2025 prize is in a smaller space cannot accommodate submissions of performance art or virtual reality)

Dimensions

The following are the size requirements not including framing:

*If your work is slightly over the listed maximum, please contact us to determine whether it can be accommodated.

If you have any questions, please contact submissions@figureworks.org

How to submit to Figureworks

Electronic submission and online payment are primary means of submission for Figureworks.

Image submissions must include a high quality image (up to 15 MB in size), at a minimum of 1280 pixels wide. Poor quality photos do not generally get good grades from the jury. It is worth taking your time to do it properly or having your artwork professionally photographed.

Should electronic submission not be possible, you may contact submissions@figureworks.org to request an alternative.

By submitting to Figureworks, you agree to our submission guidelines.

Deadline dates

Full list of dates

Late submissions. Submissions arriving after the deadline or without payment will not be accepted, without exception.

Late delivery. Accepted artworks dropped off or delivered late to the venue for hanging run the risk of being eliminated from the final jury review.

No substitutions; please ensure that your entries will be available during the dates of the exhibition.

Submission fees

Artists may submit a maximum of two pieces.

Terms:

• Students must have a valid Student ID.
• The submission fee is non-refundable, regardless of the jury's decision.
• Should you need to retract your artwork(s), the submission fee will not be refunded.
• Funds are used to cover jury, gallery, and promotional costs, with the remainder divided among the prize winners.
• No work will be juried if the submission fee has not been received.

Jury Process

The Figureworks competition is evaluated by a jury of peer professional artists representing a broad range of media and forms of art. The jury selection is determined by the Figureworks Jury Committee.

Our Jury performs two levels of evaluation;

Electronic review : The jury will conduct several electronic reviews. The end result will be a shortlisted of Finalists that will move onto Round 2 and be presented in the Figureworks exhibition. Artists will be notified of the jury decision by email.

In person review: The Jury will convene together to view and rank all the artworks in person for the Figureworks prizes.

The decision of the jury is final.

Ready to hang

Work must be exhibition ready in a professional manner.

If framed, the frame is clean, undamaged, and suitable to the artwork and has d-rings and a wire for hanging on the reverse. It is preferably archival and, if it is a work on paper, it is protected by glass or plexiglass. Mailed submissions may want to use conservation-grade plexiglass to avoid possible damage. All paper or embroidery works will be framed.

Overall dimensions of works including matting and frames can’t exceed the dimensions listed in the guidelines.

Works that don't require a frame, such as gallery wrapped paintings, will come with d-rings and a wire on the back. Other media that are unsuitable to framing, such as wall hangings, will come ready to hang in a manner that does not require extra hardware and that can be hung with a hammer and nails – the tools that the Figureworks hanging team have available.

Should your work require an installation that does not include hanging on the wall or sitting on a plinth, you are expected to provide the necessary materials and be available to install the piece.

Figureworks will not pin works to the wall. We do not accept rolled up paper works, embroidery, or photos unless they are properly framed.

Artworks that do not comply with our hanging standards will be refused, and the submission fee will not be returned.

Insurance

Figureworks will take all due care with all artworks received, but will not be responsible for any loss or damage to artworks whatsoever, however caused, while in its custody. Each entrant is responsible for maintaining their own insurance coverage, should they choose to, as Figureworks’ own insurance policy does not cover all situations that could affect artworks.

Sales

Works may, but do not have to, be for sale. Neither Figureworks nor Wallack Galleries charges a commission. Figureworks will reserve works for interested buyers, but all sales are to be conducted directly between artist and buyer.

Shipping

Domestic shipments to be sent to:

Figureworks
Care of: Wallack Galleries
305 Bank Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K2P 1X7
Canada

They must arrive no later than January 7th, 2025.

Please indicate that a signature upon receipt is required, to ensure that the package either be delivered at the door or picked up at the depot and to avoid that any packages be left unattended at the delivery address.

Proforma Invoice. If the shipment origin is outside Canada it must include a proforma invoice stating the name, address, phone, and e-mail of both the sender and receiver, the title of the artwork, the year it was produced, the materials used, the size of the artwork, the gross and net weight of the package. The artist should state in which country the materials were bought and in which country the work was produced.

Return Shipment. Artists must pay for the return shipment and include the necessary documents to do so. The most convenient approach is to open an account with Fedex and include the return shipment documents with your Fedex account number and return address.

Labels should state that the artwork will be returned to the artist after the show and that the work is not for sale.

Failure to arrange for return shipping within 30 days of the last day of the Figureworks exhibition may result in the artist receiving a monthly bill for artwork storage.

Important dates

Artists may submit a maximum of two pieces.

Contact information

For PR and Communications, communications@figureworks.org

For technical issues, website@figureworks.org

For all other enquiries, submissions@figureworks.org