AZPA Call for Entry: Seen/Unseen

Overview

Seen/Unseen invites all methods, imagination, and styles used to communicate ideas through photography—from the tangible world we perceive to the hidden meanings and emotional states we sense. This broad portfolio-based call is open to all AZPA members. Selected applicants will exhibit 3–5 works chosen by juror Emilia Mickevicius, Norton Family Assistant Curator of Photography at Phoenix Art Museum and Center for Creative Photography. All selected work will be represented in both a live exhibition and an online exhibition.

Key Dates

• Submission: August 1–23, 2026
• Jury: August 24–September 5, 2026
• Notifications: September 8, 2026
• Shipped artwork due: September 28, 2026, 5:00pm
• In-person artwork due: September 29, 2026, 4:00–7:00pm
• Exhibition: October 5–22, 2026
• Opening Reception: October 5, 2026
• Artwork pickup: October 22, 2026, 4:00–7:00pm
• Late pickup: October 23, 2026, 10:00am–1:00pm

Eligibility

All current AZPA members at any level are eligible. Non-members are welcome to join AZPA at any time and do not need to be Arizona residents. To enter, you must become a member prior to submission. All entries will be reviewed and membership confirmed.

Media & Submission Requirements

Submit a cohesive portfolio of at least 5 images (maximum 8 images). In addition, submit a PDF document containing an artist statement and CV/resume. Installation images may be included in the PDF document.

Exhibition Requirements

If selected, work must be exhibition-ready and professional in presentation for gallery display. Work with unique installation methods must include clear instructions with delivery. If offering work for sale, the gallery retains a 30% commission on all artwork sold during the exhibition. All sales and financial transactions must be processed exclusively through the gallery and authorized personnel.

Shipping Instructions

All shipped, exhibition-ready artwork must arrive by September 28, 2026, 5:00pm, securely packed, insured, and shipped to: Arizona Photography Alliance (Attention Julie Rodriguez), 7650 S. McClintock Dr. Ste 103-151, Tempe, AZ 85284. All shipped artwork must include a prepaid return label and printout of Café entry. AZPA is not responsible for storing, shipping, damages, or theft during transit. Artists must insure their own work.

In-Person Drop-Off

Exhibition-ready artwork may be dropped off on September 29, 2026, 4:00–7:00pm, at Eric Fischl Gallery, Phoenix College, 1202 W Thomas Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85013. Work must be securely wrapped and labeled "Seen/Unseen," with a printout of the submission form included. Condition will be inspected and verified at drop-off.

About the Juror

Emilia Mickevicius is an art historian and curator specializing in 20th century and contemporary U.S. photography. She joined Phoenix Art Museum and Center for Creative Photography in 2023 after serving in SFMOMA's photography department, where she organized exhibitions including Sightlines: Photographs from the Collection (2022), Kinship: Photography and Connection (2023), and Sea Change: Photographs from the Collection (2023).

Contact

For questions about exhibition-ready presentation or special installation needs, contact AZPA board member Bob Galloway for mentorship and guidance. General inquiries: [email protected].