Seen + Heard (formerly Women of Appalachia)
A call for art exploring the power and complexity of the feminine
Seen + Heard is a regional exhibition that brings together women and people with diverse experiences of femininity to share their stories through visual art and traditional craft. Representing a wide range of backgrounds, ages, cultures, identities, and life experiences, participating artists challenge stereotypes, confront marginalization, and celebrate the richness and complexity of women’s lives, feminine identities, and gendered experiences in Appalachia. Through collective artistic expression, Seen + Heard creates a space where the power of the feminine is recognized through a depth of experiences, creativity, and humanity.
Entry Fee: sliding scale from $15 – $65
Works may be listed as “Not for Sale”. If offered for sale, the artist receives 65%.
Please reach out to Erin McKenna (exhibitions@dairybarn.org) with any questions about submitting work to this exhibition.
KEY DATES
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: August 3 – October 11, 2026
NOTIFICATION OF ACCEPTED WORK: November 6, 2026
EXHIBITION AGREEMENT DUE: November 13, 2026
ARTWORK DELIVERY: January 4-10, 2027
ON VIEW: January 23 – March 21, 2027
OPENING RECEPTION: Friday, January 22, 2027, 5pm-7pm
ARTWORK RETURNED BY: April 9, 2027
SUBMISSION AND EXHIBITION AGREEMENT TERMS
ELIGIBILITY
This call for entry is open to artists and makers whose work explores the power and complexity of womanhood, femininity, and gendered experience in Appalachia.
MEDIA
Mediums and materials may include collage, digital / new media, drawing, fiber arts, film / video, installation, mixed-media, painting, performance, photography, pottery, printmaking, sculpture, and traditional craft.
DATE RESTRICTIONS
Artwork must be completed no earlier than January 1, 2024
JURORS
Jurors will select artworks that reflect the breadth, complexity, and evolving experiences of women and people with diverse experiences of femininity in Appalachia. In addition to originality, design, technique, and craftsmanship, consideration will be given to works that engage themes of identity, belonging, resilience, visibility, and social perception. Submissions may draw from personal narrative, cultural heritage, community experience, or broader explorations of gender and place. Priority will be given to works that challenge stereotypes, amplify underrepresented perspectives, and contribute to a more nuanced understanding of Appalachian life. Through a wide range of artistic approaches and media, the exhibition seeks to create space for voices, stories, and experiences that have too often been overlooked, misunderstood, or excluded. Acceptance will be granted based on digitally submitted images. The jury panel is composed of three individuals:
AWARDS
The Dairy Barn Arts Center is awarding $800 in prize money. The following awards will be chosen by the jurors:
Award for Outstanding Contribution to Seen and Heard — $200
Presented to the work that most powerfully embodies the exhibition’s mission by illuminating the complexity, resilience, and diversity of women’s and feminine experiences in Appalachia.
Voice and Visibility Award — $150
Recognizing a work that amplifies stories, perspectives, or experiences that have been overlooked, marginalized, or underrepresented, fostering greater understanding and recognition through artistic expression.
Juror’s Awards for Storytelling, Impact, and Innovation — $150 each
Selected for distinction in narrative strength, emotional or social resonance, and creative approaches that challenge assumptions and expand conversations about gender, identity, and Appalachian life.
AUTHORSHIP
Works eligible for consideration must be the result of independent effort unless all collaborators are acknowledged at the time of submission. Artwork cannot be created for or as the result of an instructional setting in which another artist or teacher has provided guidance. The artwork must be an original design, not a copy or a variation of the original design of another artist working in any medium.
SUBMITTING WORK
SUBMISSION FEE
The submission fee for this exhibition is offered on a sliding scale of $15 – $65 for the submission of up to 3 works. A sliding scale allows applicants to choose the fee that best reflects their current financial situation. No explanation or documentation is required.
Please select the amount that feels appropriate for you:
- $15 — This rate is intended for artists who are currently experiencing financial hardship or for whom paying a higher fee would be a barrier to applying.
- $30–$40 — This rate is appropriate if you can meet basic expenses but need to budget carefully.
- $50–$65 — This rate is for artists whose basic needs are comfortably met and who are able to contribute more to help offset administrative and exhibition costs.
All fees directly support the cost of jurying, exhibition production, and artist services. Choosing a higher rate helps make it possible for others to apply at a reduced fee. Thank you for helping us keep this exhibition accessible to a broad range of artists.
ENTRY IMAGES
You may upload up to three images per entry. The first image must clearly show the entire artwork, including all edges. The second and third images should be detail shots or different angles (for 3D work). All images must be in focus, well-lit, and taken against a clean, uncluttered background, representing the artwork exactly as you would wish it to appear in reproduction. Only images of completed artwork will be accepted—do not submit work-in-progress images. These images are the primary materials the jury uses to make their selections, so high-quality, accurate documentation is essential.
DIGITAL IMAGE FILE SPECIFICATIONS FILE TYPE
Be sure each file is a .jpg and carries the extension “.jpg.” The acceptable resolution is 72 dpi. Images should be sized no larger than 2000 pixels on the longest side. If you have issues submitting your images, please contact exhibitions@dairybarn.org.
If you are submitting a video or audio work, please edit the piece down to a 3-minute short that is less than 60 MB. These may be .MOV, .MPG, .MP4 for video and .MP3 or .WAV for audio. We also accept links to YouTube and Vimeo videos.Please indicate the full length of the piece in the description section of the application. This includes documentation for submissions for performance work. Online links for video submissions (such as links to the video on YouTube) may be provided in the entries and will be screened for names for the blind jury.
FILE NAMING
“Title.jpg” for the overall image; if providing a detailed photo, please use “Title_detail_1.jpg”, “Title_detail_2.jpg”, etc. Please do not include your name in the file.
SALES & INSURANCE
Artists will be asked for both retail and insurance value for each piece of accepted work. The insurance value is 65% of its fair market value. In the event of loss or damage, it will be the artist’s responsibility to provide documentation concerning the value of the work and the extent of the claim. The Dairy Barn Arts Center will insure the artwork while it is in our gallery for the duration of the exhibition, but the artist is responsible for their own insurance during shipping to and from The Dairy Barn Arts Center.
A work identified as For Sale (e.g. with an established retail price in U.S. Dollars) must maintain that status for as long as it is part of the active exhibition. Artists whose work is not for sale (NFS) must write NFS and must list a valid insurance value in U.S. Dollars. Insurance values for artworks that are not for sale are calculated by 65% of the fair market value.
In the event of a sale, the artist will be paid 65% of the retail price listed. The Dairy Barn will retain a 35% commission on work sold during the exhibition at The Dairy Barn or any sale that results from mediation by Dairy Barn Staff.
NOTIFICATION AND ACCEPTANCE
All artists will be notified via email, following the jury process. The Dairy Barn Arts Center reserves the right to refuse work that is drastically different from what was photographically represented in the submission. A link to the Exhibition Agreement will be emailed, and must be completed and submitted by the date listed above. Selected works will be on display at The Dairy Barn Arts Center in the Sauber Gallery.
AGREEMENT
Submission of a work of art to this exhibition and the completion of the online entry process shall be understood to constitute an agreement on the part of the artist to all the conditions set forth. This will also grant The Dairy Barn Arts Center the rights to reproduce and distribute the images through print and electronic media for promotion of the exhibition and its entrants. Artists will retain all copyrights to their work.
DELIVERY AND RETURN OF WORK
Artists are responsible for the shipping of their work to and from The Dairy Barn Arts Center. Selected pieces MUST be shipped to arrive or be hand-delivered by dates listed above.
The Dairy Barn Arts Center
8000 Dairy Lane
Athens, Ohio, 45701
All artwork must be ready to hang or install. All 2D work must be framed with either D-rings, cleat, picture hanging wire or quilt sleeve. Muliti-piece installations must have instructions and all hardware included.
The artwork will be returned in the same container in which it was shipped. Please make sure that your shipping container is sufficient. The Dairy Barn Arts Center is not responsible for artworks damaged from insufficient packaging or handling during delivery.
Please send a prepaid, self-addressed return shipping label with the artwork. Do not send cash or personal checks with an estimated amount for postage, or stamps.
REV. 7.2.2026