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CALL FOR ENTRY

The Purse As A Portal

The Chicano Humanities and Art Council (CHAC) and the Women's Caucus for Art Colorado (WCACO) celebrate International Women’s Month, March 2026, with a joint exhibition on what women carry to reveal the invisible: the emotional, societal and ancestral treasures she carries every day.  

  • The theme is a metaphor for artists to reveal something personal about themselves. 

    • Artists may decide to represent an actual image of a purse they carry - what does it represent about their personality, culture, or background?

    • Artists may decide to represent the items they carry in their purses. What are the stories behind those items? 

    • Artists may decide to represent the memories or feelings they have experienced from their own purses or purses of their ancestors.

  • The theme invites 2-D and 3-D artists to create art that has dimension to it. Paper mache, assemblage, etc. Artists need to be sure their work meets the size requirements of 20” x 20” maximum size and be able to be hung on a wire system. Three pedestals are available for sculptures. 

 

The exhibition will be hosted at CHAC Gallery @ Santa Fe, 834 Santa Fe Drive, Denver, CO 80204, in March. Exact dates TBD. 

Curators:  Veronica Herrera (WCACO) and Gayedine Bujanda (CHAC) 

 

REQUIREMENTS

  • Artists must be a CHAC or WCACO member. 

  • A total of thirty member artists from WCACO and CHAC will be accepted as long as the art meets the requirements. 

  • Art must fit the theme.

  • Artists may submit up to two entries. The number of entries accepted will be based on space and exhibit considerations. 

  • The art can be abstract or representational. There is no restriction on materials. 

  • The maximum size for 2-D or 3-D works is 20” x 20” or smaller; and able to hang from a wire gallery system. Three stands are available for sculptures.

  • There is a hanging fee of $15 paid to CHAC per accepted artwork at drop off. You may request a scholarship to Brenda@chacgallery.org Eligible for women artists who have not received a scholarship from Reflections of Culture. Scholarships are limited and applying for a scholarship is not guaranteed.

  • There is a requirement for showing artists to sit a shift, help with install or takedown, or have the option to pay $25 to CHAC in lieu of gallery sitting. Therefore, $40 total would include hanging and stipend for gallery sitting. Gallery sitting will be scheduled at drop off. 

  • CHAC charges 30% commission on sales. All art must remain in the gallery through the duration of the show. 

 

IMPORTANT DATES

  • Submission deadline: Sunday, February 15, 2026 at midnight 

    • Send the following for submission to Purse as a Portal Entry Form

    • Artists to be notified by February 23, 2026

    • Art Drop off: Saturday, February 28, 2026 12-3 pm

  • Exhibition dates: March 5 is the opening. The closing date TBD. . CHAC hours W-Sa 12-4.

  • Soft opening:  March 5, 2026 6-8:30 pm to meet fellow show artists and learn about their work  

  • First Friday Opening Reception. March 6, 2026 5-9 pm

  • Art pick up and artist talk: TBD 

 

ADDED EXPERIENCES FOR ARTISTS at CHAC Gallery 40 West (7060 16th Ave. Lakewood) 

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“We Contain Worlds” - The Purse As a Portal Creativity Workshop - Sunday, November 16 from 2-4 - Artists explore the call concept in a session that combines art making activities with meditation, discussion and community building on what we carry.  The workshop aims to encourage introspection and playful creativity as part of the art making process.

Lead by Laura Earle, artist and independent curator and member of Women’s Caucus for Art.  Free but register ahead of time.  Registration coming shortly.  

The Purse as a Portal Assemblage Workshop - Saturday, January 17 from 1-4 - If you want to use assemblage for your piece, this is the workshop for you.  Artists bring their concepts, art and materials and learn assemblage techniques to add dimension, texture and framing to their base art concept.  A list of suggested materials will be provided.  Tools, hardware and safety equipment will be supplied  The workshop will be taught by Pam Farris, conceptual and historic mosaic artist and member of the WCACO.  Fee is $10.  Registration coming shortly.

 

For more information about the call, contact:  Lynne.muth@gmail.com 

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