Call for Entry: Paws, Claws and Companions

Pets fill our lives with comfort, chaos, humor, and devotion. They are companions, family members, muses, and sometimes mirrors of ourselves.

This call invites artists to submit work exploring relationships with animal companions—real or imagined, present or remembered. Submissions may be literal or conceptual, documentary or staged, tender or absurd. We welcome portraits, narratives, abstractions, and experimental approaches that reflect the emotional, cultural, or visual presence of pets in our lives.

All interpretations are encouraged.

🔹 Submission Deadline: Monday, February 9th
🔹 Notification of Acceptance: by Thursday, February 19th 
🔹 Submission instructions provided upon receipt of payment

***PLEASE MAKE SURE TO READ SUBMISSION GUIDELINES, FAILURE TO FOLLOW THE GUIDELINES MAY RESULT IN DISQUALIFICATION***

Opening Reception: Thursday, March 12th 5:00-7:00 p.m.

Juror: Wendy Domanski

Wendy Domanski is the professional pet photographer of WinkFace Photography that specializes in taking fun and colorful photos of dogs that brings out their unique personalities. In the last 10 years since starting her journey to pet photography- (which started at Chicago Photography Classes), Wendy’s images have been featured on many magazine covers, calendars, and various television programs including Animal Planet, The Hallmark Channel, Animal Zone and the Ellen DeGeneres show as well as on numerous news outlets.

Over the last 10 years Wendy has photographed thousands of dogs, cats, horses, pigs and many 4 legged critters, but photographing dogs has always been her passion. Wendy’s goal has always been to utilize her pet photography to help clients preserve a special feeling or moment in time with their furry companions. One of the main reasons that she became a pet photographer is to also help photograph shelter pets in a better light to help get them adopted faster and to use her photography to aid in animal welfare and raise money for numerous animal charities. For more information, Wendy or WinkFace Photography please visit www.winkfacephotos.com or FB/IG WinkFace Photography

• Entry Fee: $30 for up to 3 images, $40 for 5 images (this fee will also cover the cost of printing selected images).
• Once you pay the submission fee on the website, you will receive an email confirmation of your purchase that looks like this (please check your spam folder!!)

The instructions on how to submit your images are embedded in that email. Please check your spam folder as well, as sometimes emails might end up there.

AWARDS

Gift certificate will be awarded to (1) Juror’s Prize (2) Honorable Mention categories, are given at the jurors’ discretion.

ELIGIBILITY

This is open to artists at any age. All work must be original. iPhone photography accepted.

ACCEPTANCE

Notification of acceptance will be emailed by Thursday, February 19th.

CONDITIONS

Chicago Photography Class (CPC) reserves the right to refuse any work which differs from the submitted images. All accepted entries will be considered temporary loans to CPC.

PRESENTATION

All selected work will be printed at Chicago Photography Classes. Hi Res JPEG images must be sent via email or WeTransfer by February 25th to be included in show. CPC will print and mount all work for the show.

SALES

Works will be for sale unless noted as NFS (not for sale) on the entry form. CPC will connect you with potential buyer and will retain a 20% commission on all sales from the exhibition. Artists will be responsible for making commission payment to CPC.

RETURN OF ACCEPTED WORK

The exhibition closes June 8th.