Contrive: A National Exhibition of Manipulated & Reimagined Photography
Submit 3–10 manipulated or reimagined photographs (using physical or digital methods like long exposures, compositing, hand embellishing, or professional editing; no AI-rendered images) for a juried competitive exhibition.
Does this fit your work? 5 questions score every call to your medium, location and budget. Free.
Get matched →- Deadline
- 25 days left
- Entry fee
- $30
- Location
- Norfolk, Virginia
- Exhibition window
- Oct 31, 2026 → Dec 5, 2026
- Applicants notified
- Sep 28, 2026
- Size cap
- ≤ 36" max dimension
About
Overview
Contrive is a national juried exhibition of manipulated and reimagined photography. Works are created using physical or digital methods such as long or double exposures, compositing, hand embellishing, and professional editing software. AI-rendered images or components are not permitted. The exhibition takes place in The Vault, a historic bank vault within d'Art Center in Norfolk's NEON District, creating an intimate viewing experience. This is a competitive call; the space will accommodate approximately 25 works.
Key Dates
- Call Open: Friday, August 21, 2026 – Sunday, September 20, 2026
- Jury Period: Monday, September 21 – Sunday, September 27, 2026
- Notifications (by email): By 5pm, Monday, September 28, 2026
- Accepted works arrive by: 5pm, Saturday, October 24, 2026
- Exhibition: Saturday, October 31 – Saturday, December 5, 2026
- Opening Reception: Friday, November 6, 5:30–7:30pm
- Pickup available: Tuesday, December 8, 2026 onward
Eligibility
Open to artists nationally.
Media & Size
Photography that has been manipulated or reimagined. Hang/pedestal ready art (including the frame if applicable) cannot be longer/larger than 36 inches in its longest dimension. Wall hanging art must have a wire. Installation may allow size waivers if the Gallery Director approves.
Submissions
Submit 3–10 manipulated or reimagined photographs. The minimum image submission requirement is 3 images. You do not have to submit 3 different works—artists may submit the same image 3 times, submit detail images, or use the additional slots as needed. If submitting 3D work, create a tile image or use the additional image slots for detail images and label them as such.
Fees
- $30 entry fee covers 3 submissions
- Each additional submission over 3 is $5 (submit up to 10 works total)
Jury & Awards
This is a juried exhibition curated by d'Art Center's Gallery Director, Amanda Bradley. Award winners will be selected by a panel of d'Art Center's professional artists and staff members.
Delivery & Pickup
Accepted works must arrive by 5pm, Saturday, October 24, 2026. Hand deliveries are accepted through pre-arrangement only; contact [email protected] (no phone calls). The d'Art Center is open Tuesday–Saturday, 10am–5pm, and until 7pm on Thursdays. Shipped work is generally shipped back by the Wednesday following the exhibition close (December 5, 2026). Pickup is available starting Tuesday, December 8, 2026, during center hours; artists are asked to pick up work as soon as possible due to limited storage space.
Contact
For questions about whether your work qualifies or to arrange hand delivery, email [email protected] (no phone calls please).
- Entry fee
- $30 entry fee covers 3 submissions; each additional submission over 3 is $5 (up to 10 total works).
- Entries per artist
- Up to 10
- Theme
- Photography that has been manipulated, reimagined, and transformed using physical or digital methods such as long or double exposures, compositing, hand embellishing, and professional editing software (AI-rendered images not permitted).
- Eligibility
- Open to artists nationally.
- Size & format
- no longer/larger than 36 inches in its longest dimension
- Also worth noting
- no longer/larger than 36 inches in its longest dimension
- Contact
- [email protected]
Every listing links to the organizer's official page. Always confirm deadlines, fees, and entry rules there before you apply.