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3rd International Juried Exhibition

Open Call for Artists – Contemporary Realism Art Exhibition
$3500 in cash awards

This open call for artists invites submissions for CaRt26 | Contemporary Art in Realism, an international exhibition celebrating the evolving language of realism in contemporary art.

Today’s artists approach realism with a refined attention to detail and innovative techniques—from photorealistic precision to subtle, narrative-driven compositions. Through themes such as identity, environment, and urban life, or through careful observation of everyday beauty, artists working in realism continue to create work that resonates across cultures and perspectives.

CaRt26 welcomes artworks that demonstrate technical skill and contemporary relevance, including figurative realism, photorealism, and modern interpretations of real-world subjects. Artists are encouraged to present fresh perspectives, whether through storytelling, unique viewpoints, or thoughtful engagement with contemporary life.

This international exhibition offers an opportunity to showcase work that reflects both the enduring legacy and dynamic present of realism, connecting artists with a global audience.

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In the mid-20th century, Abstract Expressionism dominated, prioritizing abstraction, emotion, and gesture over literal representation. Yet in the 1960s, Contemporary Realism emerged as a powerful counterpoint, reclaiming the observable world with clarity and technical sophistication.

Artists like Philip Pearlstein, Alex Katz, Neil Welliver, William Bailey, and Lois Dodd—often transitioning from abstract influences—revitalized traditional genres: portraits, landscapes, interiors, still lifes. They infused everyday subjects with a modern, objective sensibility, drawing from the intimacy of masters like Pierre Bonnard and Édouard Vuillard while rooting their work firmly in the everyday.

From the 1960s onward, Contemporary Realism has endured as a vital movement, marrying rigorous skill with cultural relevance and proving the genre's ongoing evolution.

Today, realism is surging anew—a testament to its timeless appeal and universal resonance. In an age of digital abstraction, AI-generated imagery, and fleeting virtual experiences, there's a renewed hunger for the unmistakably human: the artist's deliberate hand, eye, and craft that create tangible, authentic connection. Realism offers grounding in shared reality, emotional depth, and the simple yet profound challenge of bringing an image to life through mastery of the medium.

Let's bridge past traditions, present innovations, and future possibilities.

Juried by four contemporary masters of realism:

• Kazuhiro Yamada
• Kumiko S. McKee
• Ricki Klages
• Rubén Fernández Pereira

For more information about this opportunity for artists,  please visit the Event Website.