International Open Call for Women Artists: Theme Birds: Live Now

The Women in Arts Network has once again brought you an amazing opportunity to share your creativity and your story with the world, this time through the theme of “Birds.” Birds have always fascinated us across centuries, cultures, and traditions, they have appeared in myths, legends, art, and poetry. They are at once familiar and mysterious, both fragile and resilient. Birds carry so much symbolism: freedom, fragility, migration, song, silence, journeys, and destinations. They live in the in-between, moving between earth and sky, often reminding us of the delicate balance between what is grounded and what longs to soar. When you see a bird in flight, do you think of liberation? When you hear one sing, does it spark joy, nostalgia, or longing? When you find a single feather, do you see it as a token of beauty, or perhaps as a memory carried on the wind? This exhibition is an invitation to reflect on these questions and to bring your answers into form through art.

Reflect on the spaces, feelings, and memories you call home, and turn them into art that inspires conversation and connection around the world. Whether you’re learning, growing, or already established, this platform is yours.

Why Birds?

Birds are not just subjects to be painted, photographed, or sculpted; they are carriers of meaning and memory. In many cultures, they have been messengers of gods, omens of change, or companions on spiritual journeys. In everyday life, they might be the sparrow that wakes you in the morning, the crow watching from the rooftop, or the migratory flock that fills the sky in autumn. Each of these moments can hold something profound if we pause to look closely. For artists, birds can be a lens through which to explore freedom, fragility, belonging, or transformation. They can be metaphors for life itself fleeting, beautiful, and constantly in motion.

This open call is about more than simply depicting a bird in form. It is about asking yourself: What do birds mean in my own story? Do they symbolize resilience, echoing your own survival and strength? Do they represent fragility, reminding you of life’s delicate and transient nature? Do they hold cultural or personal significance, appearing in rituals, songs, or traditions that shaped who you are? Or do they exist as abstractions, inspiring shapes, patterns, and movements that speak in ways words cannot? Your vision can be as literal as a detailed wing or as abstract as a rhythm of colors, yet both hold the power to spark reflection in those who encounter your conversations.

Who Can Submit to This International Art Call?

• Women-identifying and non-binary artists
• 18+ years old
• Open worldwide, artists from every culture and background are welcome
• All mediums accepted: painting, drawing, photography, digital, textile, sculpture, mixed media, and more

This opportunity is for every artist, from those just starting their creative journey to those already established.

What Will You Get?

If your work is selected, it will be showcased in our Virtual Exhibition, If your work is selected, it will be showcased in our Virtual Exhibition. You’ll also have the optional opportunity to be featured in an exclusive Artist Interview, where you can share the story behind your work, your inspirations, and your creative journey. These interviews will be published on our website and amplified through our social media channels.

This is a great opportunity to have your work seen, grow your reach, and connect with curators, collectors, and art lovers from around the world.

How to Apply?

Even the most creative journeys can pause at paperwork, and we know that applications sometimes feel like a hurdle. That’s why we’re here to make each step straightforward and stress-free.

To submit your application:

1. Go to the submission form on the Women in Arts Network website.
2. Provide your basic details (name, email, etc.).
3. Include a short artist bio or statement to introduce yourself.
4. Upload a clear headshot (no selfies, please).
5. Submit 1–3 artworks, along with details like title, medium, size, and year.
6. Decide if you’d like to be considered for the optional Artist Interview in addition to the exhibition
   

If you need help with your artist statement or formatting your images, our team is here to guide you through every step of the process.

Participation Fees

• Virtual Exhibition: $3 (1$ Per Image)
• Artist Interview Add-On: $12 (optional)

We are transparent about this fee; it’s non-refundable and only applies if you select the interview option. There is no payment required to just enter the virtual exhibition.

Things To Remember

The submission deadline for this open call is October 9, 2025. All artists will be notified of the jury’s decision within three weeks of the closing date, ensuring a timely and transparent process. Following the announcement of selected participants, the virtual exhibition will officially launch one month later, bringing together the chosen works in a global digital showcase.

Where Do Your Wings Belong?

Every work of art is a journey, and every journey begins with a spark. Birds remind us of both the fleeting and the eternal a shadow passing overhead, a song that lingers, or a migration that stretches across oceans and generations. They are not only creatures of the sky but also metaphors for longing, resilience, hope, and transformation. Perhaps, for you, a bird is the memory of freedom, a reminder of fragility, or the silent companion that has followed you through life’s passages.

This exhibition is your chance to ask yourself: Where do your wings belong? Maybe they return you to the nest of childhood, maybe they guide you through the vastness of change, or maybe they lift you into a dream of possibilities not yet lived. Through your art, you can give voice to these metaphors and let others see the world as you experience it fragile yet fierce, fleeting yet infinite.

Submit your work today and let your vision take flight in this global exhibition because your story, like the bird in motion, carries meaning that deserves to be seen, remembered, and felt.