Finding My Way | Call for Students in Illinois

This Call is open to undergraduate and graduate students currently enrolled in a university in Illinois, as well as students who have graduated in Spring 2025.

Woman Made Gallery invites artists to submit work for Finding My Way, an exhibition exploring the profound transformations that shape our lives—particularly the journey from childhood to adulthood. Through this theme, we seek artwork that captures the physical, emotional, and psychological changes that define these formative years.

How do we navigate the path of growing up? What moments of loss, growth, and self-discovery shape who we become? We encourage submissions that reflect on personal or collective experiences of transition, whether through memory, identity, relationships, or the challenges of finding one’s place in the world.

All mediums are welcome. We look forward to seeing how you interpret Finding My Way.

About the Jurors: 

Corinne Pompéy (b. 2000) is a fine art photographer based in Chicago, IL. She holds a Bachelor of Art in Photography from Columbia College Chicago. Her work explores themes of identity, feminist issues, and body image, with a particular focus on the intersectionality of womanhood and the Black experience. Through her photography and self-portraiture, Pompéy explores the complexity of social, cultural, and personal narratives, using visual storytelling to engage with broader societal issues. Pompéy’s work has been exhibited at EXPO Chicago (11th Edition), the Black Creativity Juried Art Exhibition in the Museum of Science and Industry, Bridgeport Art Center, and Woman Made Gallery. She is currently the Program Coordinator at Woman Made Gallery.

Diana Vallera is a faculty member in the Photography Department of Columbia College Chicago. her subjects are wide ranging including the exploration of body and form and work on the construction of ideal gender roles. Vallera's exhibition, "Women, Work, and Gender Roles", explores the history of these roles and how women have challenged the confines. She is an active supporter of labor and human rights.

Calendar 

• First Entry Due Date: August 8, 2025, 11:59 PM
• Extended Due Date: August 15, 11:59 PM
• Exhibition Dates: October 11–November 8, 2025
• Opening Reception: Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025 | 4–7 PM
• Artist Walkthrough: Saturday, November 8, 2025 | 2–4 PM
• Notification: August 29, 2025

The entry fee is $20. Each entry requires a minimum of one artwork, though up to three artworks may be considered per submission. Entry fees are non-refundable. 

Woman Made Gallery Members at the Enhanced Artist Level ($100) and above receive one free entry annually. Please email general@womanmade.org to receive your one-time code for free entry redemption. 

Eligibility: This open call is open to undergraduate and graduate students currently enrolled in a university in Illinois, as well as students whose graduation date is in Spring 2025.

Woman Made Gallery is a space for women and nonbinary artists, including trans women and femme/feminine-identifying genderqueer artists. We welcome art from women and non-binary artists from our local community, regionally based, and around the world. 

Art Sales :Accepted work may be listed for sale or be not for sale (NFS). WMG will retain a 40% commission on sold works. Work remains the property of the artist until sold. Sold artworks shall remain in the exhibition until the end of the exhibition. Artists will be paid no later than 30 days after the close of the exhibit. Artists may donate any portion of their commission to WMG. 

Terms of Exhibition: An artist contract with full terms of the exhibition will be administered at the time of acceptance notification. Artists need to retrieve their work by the date noted in the artist contract or make alternate arrangements. WMG is unable to store work beyond the pick-up date. Artists may donate their art to WMG's fundraising efforts if unable to pick it up. WMG is happy to talk through preparations, offer advice, and recommend resources as requested.