Zoom In: Who Are We?

Video conferencing software has fundamentally changed how we work and socialize. The technology connects us to new ideas and empowers us to create across boundaries. However, it also exposes us as isolated individuals and forces us to acknowledge the limitations of our humanity. Though experiences and opinions regarding virtual communication vary, it is undoubtedly an integral part of modern culture that will continue to shape our lives and how we relate to one another.

As we face rapid technological change, it can be easy to forget that modern challenges can be met with non-technical solutions. Technology’s lens masks the full spectrum of human possibility, much like a background filter masks the depth of a person’s environment. How does a technical lens limit our understanding? What happens when we interrogate the 16:9 boxes we have created? If we could contact the past, using our favorite videoconferencing software, what could our forebears tell us about the path ahead? What can we learn from zooming in on their surroundings?

Members of the Women’s Caucus for Art are invited to answer these questions in a special initiative to educate the public about prominent figures within our organization. Select artists will create “Zoom style” 16:9 portraits that reflect the personalities and accomplishments of Lifetime Achievement Award honorees. Each member will be assigned a name at random and provided with WCA resources to develop a research-based portrait of their historical figure. Collected portraits will be displayed as if the subjects are participating in a video conference, prompting viewers to reflect on how technology shapes our perceptions of time, place, and each other.

Portraits will be housed in a custom portfolio and exhibited nationwide at universities and galleries, with special emphasis on institutions that house technology programs. Our initial exhibition will take place in the Salmon Library Gallery at The University of Alabama in Huntsville, the highest-ranked research university in the state and a close collaborator with NASA, the NSF, NOAA, and more. Join us in showcasing the spectrum of talent among WCA artists and in honoring who we are: a community of women with a vision for the future, centered on art, education, and advocacy.

Eligibility
All women-identified artists in the United States. Join now at www.nationalwca.org

Selection Process
Up to 125 artists will be selected to create portraits by registering through this link.

Registration questions include

● Name
● Email address
● Medium
● Individual artist statement
● Work sample (.jpg format)
● Project-specific agreements

The project team will review all submissions and notify artists of their status in the first week of April 2026.

Project Requirements
Please follow all instructions carefully to ensure a high-quality exhibition. Failure to comply with the project requirements will result in exclusion from the collection. Artist Statement (250 words maximum) All selected artists will provide a brief statement regarding their portrait and its relevance to the project theme. Research findings, relevant connections between the subject and the present moment, or other compelling information that highlights the subject’s contribution to the arts are welcome topics. A submission link will be provided upon selection.

Dimensions
All work must measure 10.5” x 6” with a thickness of no more than 0.25”. Due to the nature of the project, work that does not meet these criteria will be rejected. Please note that individual work will be mounted to museum-quality matboard before presentation. Any information on the back of the work (i.e., title, year, signature) will be obscured.

Medium
All media that meet the criteria for artwork dimensions will be accepted. It is highly recommended to affix flexible work to mixed media or other heavyweight paper before mailing.

Entry Fee
There is no entry fee for this project. Please consider supporting us with a donation to help cover administrative expenses.

Scholarships
Blick Art Materials has generously offered to sponsor a portion of the project’s costs, which allows us to purchase supplies for members in need. If you want to participate, but purchasing materials is not possible for you, please reach out to amanda.banks@nationalwca.org for more information. Your information will remain confidential.

Deadline
All completed work must arrive in Huntsville, AL by July 31st, 2026. Shipping information will be given to all participants after selections are finalized.

About the Gallery
Salmon Library
The University of Alabama in Huntsville
4700 Holmes Ave NW
Huntsville, AL 35805
https://www.uah.edu/ahs/facilities/salmon-library-gallery

The Salmon Library Gallery is a cheerful, open-plan space on the Library’s first floor. From group shows by local artists to the BFA Exit Show, its central location and variety of offerings make it a popular destination for art lovers across campus and the community.

The University of Alabama in Huntsville is one of the nation’s premier research universities, offering a rigorous curriculum that prepares graduates to become tomorrow’s leaders. The university’s nearly 500-acre campus, which includes 17 high-tech research centers and labs, serves as the anchor tenant for the nation’s second-largest research park. It also maintains strong partnerships with federal agencies and commercial organizations, including the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, the DIA Missile and Space Intelligence Center, and more.