27th International Open

Woman Made Gallery seeks entries in all media by women and non-binary artists worldwide for its 27th International Open, on view from February 28–March 28, 2026.

Juried by artist and educator, Nirmal Raja, this open theme encourages entries that explore or challenge conceptual and material boundaries. The exhibition will be held at Woman Made Gallery, located at 1332 S. Halsted St., Chicago, IL 60607.

Prizes Awarded: 1st Place $500 / 2nd Place $250 / 3rd Place $100 | 4th Place Honorable Mention

About the Juror:  Nirmal Rajais an interdisciplinary artist who recently relocated to Cambridge, MA after living and working in Milwaukee for over 24 years. Before immigrating to the United States in 1995, she lived in India, South Korea, and Hong Kong.

She holds a BA in English Literature from St. Francis College in Hyderabad, India, a BFA from the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design, and an MFA from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. In recognition of her accomplishments, she was named “Graduate of the Decade” by UW–Milwaukee. Other honors include the 2020 Mary L. Nohl Fellowship for Individual Artists and the 2022 Mildred L. Harpole Artists of the Year Award from the Milwaukee Arts Board.

Raja has exhibited her work in solo and group exhibitions regionally, nationally, and internationally. She has participated in residencies at MASS MoCA, the Vermont Studio Center, and the Arts/Industry Residency at Kohler, among others. A collaborator by nature, she often works with other artists and curates exhibitions that bring together people from diverse cultures and backgrounds.

At the core of her practice is a compelling refusal to be defined by others. She is committed to letting curiosity and experimentation guide her path. Her work revolves around understanding the impact of migration on women, the weight of cultural responsibilities placed on women while traversing geographic boundaries, and material culture as a witness and testament to these memories.

Raja is a member of the Boston Sculptors Gallery and is represented in Milwaukee by the Portrait Society Gallery.