The Weight of Light - Wax Fusion Anthology, Volume I

Description

The Weight of Light - Wax Fusion Anthology, Volume I
CALL FOR ENTRY
AN INTERNATIONAL ENCAUSTIC ARTISTS ANTHOLOGY EXHIBITION 
Wax artists know the true nature of expressing themselves using light. The quality of light within an artwork is its essential power, manifesting as illumination that may be bright, glossy, radiant, ethereal, or dazzling. Light shapes how we see, who we are, and how we experience the world. 
International Encaustic Artists invites artists to explore The Weight of Light -  how it can reveal the human experience - across cultures, time and history. 
THEME:
The Weight of Light suggests that light is more than mere brightness; it possesses a profound presence that shapes both our physical navigation and understanding of the world. Scientifically speaking, light has no mass when it doesn't move, yet light never rests. Light is affected by gravity, and conversely, light itself is a form of gravity.
Light is like the heavy stillness of a noon-day heat that settles on the earth bringing new life. It exists to lift colors to our eyes, while remaining too thin to hold a shadow of its own. Artwork included in The Weight of Light Anthology should explore the use of light and its profound duality that contrasts visibility and obscurity, fragility and resilience, and the enduring significance of light and shadow.
The IEA encourages artists to speak their visual languages using light and shade, gesture and form, and the abstract and tangible. Wax is the keeper of the light that unites us in this elegant theme.
What Is an Anthology Exhibition? When juried into The Weight of Light exhibition, artists are granted the prestige of exhibiting their work in the inaugural edition of the IEA, “Wax Fusion Anthology.”  Unlike a brick-and-mortar or online exhibition, an Anthology is a permanent, international, and collectible reference that will celebrate the diverse excellence of the hot and cold wax genre.
The Weight of Light Anthology will influence the aesthetic standards for reproduction and presentation, while showcasing the creation and significance of your artwork. The importance of an anthology exhibition is its power to shape perception, preserve history and elevate art and artists within the global discourse. This striking publication will distinguish encaustic and cold wax from other media, and significantly expand IEA’s standing for excellence on a worldwide scale.
JUROR: Janise Yntema is a contemporary artist whose work explores the spaces where memory and landscape quietly coexist. Having worked specifically with encaustic beeswax for over 30 years, Yntema’s work has been exhibited throughout Europe and the United States with selected exhibitions in New York, London, Paris, Brussels, Berlin, Amsterdam, Dublin and Edinburgh. She was educated at Parsons School of Design in NYC and recently received her masters at the Paris School of Art and Culture in the History and Philosophy of Art. 

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS - Please read carefully, as instructions vary from other exhibitions.
Artistic Essay - Required for each entry (up to 1850 characters/approx. 300 words)
The Artistic Essay is an opportunity to share how viewers and readers can connect with the entire concept of light in your work. Your Artistic Essay is considered an extension of your artwork, and will be included in the Anthology if your artwork is selected. Your essay is considered an extension of your artwork and will be considered by the juror as such. Please prepare your Artistic Essay prior to filling in your application/submission. Check spelling, grammar and content.
Essay check list:
- An introduction and formal analysis that includes a description of visual elements and how they work within the piece
- Explanation of subject matter and techniques
- Reference to your context and interpretation
- Description of your relationship to the light in your work
- Contextualized details that reflect and support the work’s deeper significance or message.
- Narrative maximum 300 words.
Up to three (3) 2D or 3D works
Artwork must be created entirely or predominantly with wax media such as encaustics or cold wax, and should represent your very best work. 
Submitted artwork is not required to be available for sale. If the artwork is not available, enter $0.00 as the price.
Each application/submission allows for 2 images. The first image should always be the entire artwork. The second photograph section is optional for:
2D Work: An option to provide a detail image. This is not where you upload your second application/submission. 3D Work: An opportunity to provide a detail image, moving parts or alternative angle.
Artist Statement (maximum 600 characters/approx. 100 words)
Succinctly share the “why,” “what,” and “how” of your artwork. Include core themes and your intended audience.
Artist Bio (maximum 600 characters/approx. 100 words)
Concisely describe who you are as an artist and how it has shaped you. Be selective with what you include. Share only the significant elements that helped to shape you as an artist, like: education, specialized instruction, artistic practice, themes and inspiration, professional achievements, etc.
User Profile Picture
This image should be a professional representation of you as an artist. Recommended: headshot or photograph of yourself in the studio. Profile photographs of selected artists will be included in the Anthology.

ENTRY FEE:  Free for IEA members in good standing. $45 for non-members.

ARTISTIC ACCOLADES:
Three juror selected artists will be rewarded the following accolades:
Inclusion in The Weight of Light Anthology A featured article in the next volume of IEA’s Wax Fusion MagazineThe opportunity to present during the VIP Launch Preview - Illuminated Voices: A VIP Preview of The Weight of Light
Awarded artists are encouraged to share their themes, techniques, and the stories that define their practices and art as relating to The Weight of Light.
Illuminated Voices: A VIP Preview of The Weight of Light
International Encaustic Artists will invite VIP guests (participating and non-participating artists, patrons, encaustic and cold wax producers, art critics and other professionals) to attend this distinguished virtual event to launch The Weight of Light Anthology. This VIP event will celebrate the Anthology’s release, honor the contributors and generate buzz among our high-profiled guests.
During the session: Regina Quinn will discuss International Encaustic Artists and its impact on the professional lives of artists, Melissa Stephens will highlight the significance of the Anthology, and Janise Yntema will share her insights into her relationship with the theme and her selection process for the three award-winning artists. Following Yntema’s remarks, the three selected artists will have the opportunity to discuss their respective pieces. Several minutes will be built in for Q&A. The event will be recorded for future use and/or distribution.

IMPORTANT DATES:
Call for Entry Opens: Monday, January 5, 2026
Call for Entry Closes: Monday, February 16, 2026, 11:59 pm (PT)
Jurying Period: February 16 - March 1, 2026 
Artist Notifications Sent By: Monday, March 2, 2026
Illuminated Voices: A VIP Preview of The Weight of LightSunday, April 26, 2026, Time TBD
Anthology Published: Friday, May 1, 2026

ELIGIBILITY
• All IEA members and non-members working in wax as their primary medium
• Entrants must be 18 years or older
MEDIA
- All media are acceptable as long as wax (cold or heated) is a primary material
- All submissions will be online uploads of images of your artwork via artCall.org at  https://www.theweightoflight-waxfusionanthologyi.artcall.org
PUBLICATION RIGHTS
By submitting, artists grant permission for accepted work to be reproduced in the digital/print anthology and promotional materials, with full credit given

DIRECTIONS FOR SUBMITTING:
PLEASE NOTE: ArtCall.org uses the term "applications" for your submissions. For each new artwork you want to submit, you will click on the "Add New Application +" button. For more information, please watch the short tutorial video before applying.
Required with each application/submission:
Artistic Essay (max. 1850 characters/approx. 300 words) - This is is considered an extension of your artwork, and will be included in the Anthology if your artwork is selected. Please compose your Artistic Essays in advance, then copy and paste in the space provided for each application/submission.Artwork titleMediumSize (H x W x D)Price, unless the work is not for sale, then enter $0.00 for the price.
Each application/submission allows an OPTIONAL second photograph for:
2D Work: An option to provide a detail image. This is not where you upload your second application/submission. 3D Work: An opportunity to provide a detail image, moving parts or alternative angle.

DIRECTIONS FOR IMAGES
Please submit your images as JPG files using the following guidelines: 300 dpi images no larger than 10MB with the larger dimension between 1920 and 3600 pixels. If submitting a 3D work you may attach one additional image as a detail, per submission.Label each image as: ArtworkTitle.jpgPhotograph or crop the image, so that it does not include frame or background.
INCLUDE IN USER PROFILE:
1) Headshot photograph - this image will be included in the Anthology, please submit a professional representation of yourself
2) Address, city, state, country, zip code
3) Artist Statement (maximum100 words)
4) Artist Bio (maximum100 words)
5) Email
6) Website
7) Social media handles

If you are new to using Artcall.org, PLEASE read the following carefully, and watch the tutorial video below before entering.- To apply, register for the call at the above web address by creating an account (or log in) with artCall.org. You will receive an email confirmation of your registration with a link to complete your submission.
 - Pay the submission fee, which will allow you to submit up to 3 artworks. ArtCall.org uses the term "applications" to refer to each of the artworks you are including with your submission.
- For each new artwork you want to add, you will click on the red "Add New Application +" button.
 - Add the Artistic Essay and other requested information, and upload an image for each artwork application/submission. Please upload one image per application/submission, unless you are including a detail of a 3D artwork. If you are submitting a 3D sculpture, you can upload an additional detail image with each application.  There are instructions along the way to help you.
 - Don't worry if you make a mistake or want to change your applications; you can log into your account at any time prior to the deadline to make changes to your applications or account.
 - There is a 60 minute time limit, so it is best to have all your images, narratives and information written and ready to go before beginning the entry submission.
 - Once the call is over, you may check the status of your application by logging into your account at artCall.org. Juried status.

SPECIFICATIONS
1. All entries must include an Artistic Essay.
2. All entries must follow the timelines provided.
3. Image submission via ArtCall.org must follow the guidelines in the IEA prospectus.
4. To be juried, entries must:
• Be original
• Have NOT been exhibited in previous IEA exhibitions
• Have NOT been completed under instruction or in direct association with a class or workshop
5. Submitted artwork is not required to be available for sale. If the artwork is not available, enter $0.00 as the price.

SALES:
All communication regarding sales or shipment of sold artwork is the responsibility of the artist. IEA will not take a commission before, during or after the publication of The Weight of Light Anthology, Volume I.  Submitted artwork is not required to be available for sale. If the artwork is not available, enter $0.00 as the price.
JURY PROCESS:
Artistic Distinctions will be selected by the juror based on the following: Artwork shows exceptional technique and clearly conveys complex ideas and/or emotions. The artwork and Artistic Essay convey the most compelling connection to the theme: The Weight of Light. 
IEA MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION:
For more information about International Encaustic Artists, or to become a member, click here!

ENTRY PROCESS TUTORIAL

You can leave this video on your call site's homepage (or embed it on any page) for a quick tutorial your users can watch to help them with the submission process.