CALL FOR ART

Presented by the Texas Chapter of the Women’s Caucus for Art

With support from the Houston Arts Alliance

 

Entry Deadline: April 1, 2026

 

Location:                               

Silos at Sawyer Yards, Gallery 200

1502 Sawyer St, Houston, Texas

 

Show Dates:

June 6, 2026 - July 11,  5pm

 

Art drop off date:

May 30, 4-6 pm, or May 31, 1-2 pm,

or by arrangement with Chair Rona Lesser

​Location: Studio 123, Silos building at Sawyer Yards 

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Installation date:

May 31, 2pm, Silos gallery 200   

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Artwork pick-up date:

July 11, 5pm, at end of show,

or July 14 - 17 by arrangement with Chair Rona Lesser 

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Shipping window:

May 25 - 30, 2026

 

Ship to: Rona Lesser

5702 Rutherglenn, Houston TX, 77096

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Opening Reception:

June 13, 2026, 5-7pm

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Exhibition Chair:

Rona Lesser

ronalesser@gmail.com

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Guest Juror: Heidi Vaughan

​Heidi Vaughan is the owner of the highly respected Heidi Vaughan Fine Art Gallery in Houston, Texas, as well as an art advisor and art appraiser. Her gallery represents museum-level Texas artists. Heidi has a master’s degree in art history from the University of Houston. She has worked in a professional capacity with art museums in Texas, including the Museum of Fine Arts Houston, and the Blaffer Museum at the University of Houston. She has consulted on thousands of works of art and fine art objects from corporate, institutional, and private clients. She is an accredited member of the International Society of Appraisers in Fine Art. 

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THEME 

Throughout history in the Western world, women have struggled to have their viewpoints acknowledged and respected. Women artists have struggled to be seen in what is predominantly a men’s field, even today. After many generations women were beginning to have their viewpoints recognized in all areas of life. We are again at a difficult place, as it seems we are fighting for recognition and rights again. 

 

Do women see things differently from men? How do we interpret what we see in the world? What do we want to be seen? What do we most want to show the world? This theme is intentionally open to encourage every woman artist to put in her best work.

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SIGNIFICANCE OF VENUE AND JUROR

Sawyer Yards has become one of the most prestigious sites for contemporary art in Texas, known for shaping serious artistic careers rather than simply displaying work. Located in Houston’s historic First Ward, its industrial warehouses have been transformed into a nationally recognized arts district where rigor, experimentation, and visibility intersect. For Texas artists, exhibiting at Sawyer Yards signals entry into a lineage of artists who engage critically with material, history, and place while working within one of the most dynamic art ecosystems in the South. 

 

Being juried by Heidi Vaughn further elevates the exhibition’s significance. Vaughn is widely respected for her discerning eye, deep curatorial rigor, and commitment to artists whose work demonstrates conceptual clarity and technical strength. Her selections are trusted because they reflect sustained engagement with contemporary practice rather than trend or spectacle, making inclusion in a Vaughn-juried exhibition a meaningful professional endorsement within the Texas and national art community.

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MEDIA

Painting, photography, mixed media, sculpture, fiber art 

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ELIGIBILITY

Entry to this show is open to all members of the Women’s Caucus for Art, provided dues are up to date, including members from chapters other than the Texas chapter. Non-members are invited to join by going to www.nationalwca.org and choosing Texas as your chapter.  

Yearly membership is $70. A subsidized membership is available for students or those with financial hardship for $55 by request. Membership in WCA-Texas always includes your national WCA membership. This membership entitles members to participate in online monthly workshops, a book club, and various special interest groups, as well as apply for national WCA exhibits, in addition to all Texas chapter activities and exhibits.

 

 

ENTRY FEE

Exhibition entry is $5 for WCA members to enter up to 3 submissions. Pay and enter at www.texwca.org. Entry fee does not guarantee participation in the exhibit, as entries are being blind juried. The juror will not see the artist’s names.  

 

ARTWORK REQUIREMENTS

Artists may enter up to 3 works. Works must be original. Works must not exceed 40” in any dimension, including the frame. Wall artwork must be ready to hang, preferably with wire. The frame must be securely and professionally presented. Mats and frames must be professional quality and in good, clean condition. Works on paper must be under glass or plexiglass. Artists submitting 3D work must provide their own pedestals in good condition. The work will be in a public space, open during the week, and not insured against damage. 

 

For questions email the exhibit chair, Rona Lesser, at ronalesser@gmail.com.

 

DELIVERY OF ARTWORK

Location:

Silos studios at Sawyer Yards

1502 Sawyer St., studio #123  

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Hand-deliver dates:

Saturday, May 30, 4-6pm, and Sunday, May 31

1-2pm

or by arrangement with exhibit chair                  

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Shipping delivery:

May 25-30, 2026  

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Ship to:

Rona Lesser

5702 Rutherglenn Dr.

Houston, Texas, 77096       

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Installation date:

Sunday, May 31, 2pm

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No late work will be accepted. Artwork packed in shipping peanuts will not be accepted. Shipped artwork must arrive with a prepaid return shipping label. Without labels, the work will not be accepted. Returning artwork will be shipped via FEDEX or UPS. A member, members, and/or volunteers of the Women’s Caucus for Art-Texas Chapter will prepare and return ship the artwork. 

 

LABELING ARTWORK

Complete and affix identifying labels to each work. See end of this document for label template.

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SALES​

This venue does not take a cut! Artists receive 100% of purchase price. Sales will be handled directly by the artist.

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INSURANCE AND LIABILITY  ​

Each artist is responsible for the insurance and safety of their own artwork throughout the duration of the exhibition, including transportation, installation, display, and removal. While every effort will be made to handle all works with care, the organizers, venue, and staff are not liable for any loss, theft, or damage to the artworks. Artists are encouraged to obtain their own insurance coverage if desired.

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PICK UP OR RETURN SHIPMENT OF ARTWORK  ​

Pick up date: Saturday, July 11, 2026, 5pm

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Artwork must be picked up by July 11, 2026. All artwork not picked up will be either return-shipped by the Chair, Rona Lesser, or as pre-arranged by the artist with the Exhibition Chair.

 

ENTRY PROCESS​

Please read the full prospectus and follow the instructions. Complete labels as shown below. 

 

1. Include good quality photography JPGs with sharp focus, under 2MB. Do not include frame.

2. Label each file with the name of the artist and title of artwork like this:
   “LastName_Title.JPG” Entries improperly labeled will not be accepted.

3. Pay for entry via our website https://www.texwca.org/current-call. Entries will not be considered without payment being received.

 

 

LEGAL AGREEMENT

Please read the agreement below. Entry into this exhibition constitutes agreement to the terms.

 

Agreement:

 

With the submission of artwork to the WCA, Texas chapter and Our Lady Of the Lake University, the artist agrees to all terms set forth in the prospectus. If the artwork does not meet the specifics of the entry and/or theme requirements, the artwork will not be accepted. The artist understands that the work will be shown to the public during the venue’s open timeframes. 

 

General:

• I hereby certify that my art submission contains my original artwork and is not a reproduction of any published artwork, photographs, magazines, or any other creative materials protected by copyright laws. 

• I will provide shipping information or remove my artwork in the time frame indicated in this form.

• I understand that both the Women’s Caucus for Art Texas and Our Lady Of The Lake University  are not responsible for any theft, loss, or damage to my artwork. 

• I grant exclusive rights to both the Women’s Caucus for Art Texas and  Our Lady Of The Lake University  to photograph my artwork for promotional purposes and to display my art without compensation to me. 

• I understand that the Women’s Caucus for Art - Texas Chapter has the right to refuse any artwork.

 

Artwork:

• My artwork will be delivered and collected as indicated above on the scheduled drop-off and strike dates.

• My artwork will hang for the entire show and will not be removed prior to the strike date. 

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