The life I touch for good or ill will touch another life, and that in turn another, until who knows where the trembling stops or in what far place my touch will be felt. ~ Frederick Buechner

Perhaps our eyes need to be washed by our tears once in a while, so that we can see life with a clearer view again. ~ Alex Tan

Description:
More than a theme for an exhibition, Lasting Impressions are a testament to our lives, memories and extraordinary moments. They are impactful changes that our words and actions have on others, our communities and environments. This show is also a tribute to Melissa M. Lackman, who served in multiple roles as an IEA Board Member for more than a decade and gave her heart and soul to the encaustic community. Her kindness, humility, intelligence and wit built friendships and created long-term contributions that have touched hundreds of artists.

The IEA encourages artists to reflect on the many ways in which they experience lasting impressions—physical, emotional, spiritual, literal or metaphorical. Lasting impressions are visceral, they linger over time even while other memories may fade. Those impressions, whether joyous or traumatic, may originate through human interactions, solitary experiences in nature, thoughts, imaginings, or dreams. In an attempt to make sense of her environment, Melissa described her impression of universal inspiration as "... a desire to explore, conquer chaos and beautify our surroundings."

We look forward to seeing your own unique interpretations of Lasting Impressions.

Art & Location:
Artists may submit up to three 2D or 3D works that include wax media such as encaustics or cold wax. All artwork will be installed at the Cooperstown Art Association Galleries (CAA) in Cooperstown, New York, and a virtual exhibit will be available through the IEA website.

Entry Fees:
IEA members working with encaustic, encaustic mixed media and/or cold wax may enter up to three 2D or 3D submissions for $15. (The fee for non-member artists is $30.) 

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International Encaustic Artists (IEA) supports the growth and advancement of encaustic and wax artists at all stages of their careers and provides opportunities and resources within a global community. The IEA is dedicated to building community and shared knowledge among artists throughout the world who work with encaustics and other wax media

Juror:
Lyn Belisle is a multidisciplinary artist who embraces encaustic painting, earthenware, digital imagery, sculpture, textiles and found objects. She educated at-risk teenagers for 35 years while exhibiting large-scale origami kimonos and acrylic paintings nationwide. After leaving public education, Lyn taught Information Technology at Trinity University for twelve years. In 2013, she established Lyn Belisle Studio in San Antonio where she designed and taught encaustic and mixed media workshops.

Lyn is the Vice President of the Board of the International Encaustics Artists, and has taught encaustic mixed-media workshops nationwide. She is the author of five popular eBooks and has written articles for Cloth Paper Scissors Magazine. Her work is represented by Mockingbird Handprints Gallery in San Antonio, TX and can be found in the Museum of Encaustic Art in Santa Fe and in the San Antonio Art League & Museum. Lyn is an active member of the: San Antonio Art League, Fiber Artists of San Antonio, San Antonio Potters’ Guild, Encaustic Art Institute, and American Craft Council.

www.lynbelisle.com      www.instagram.com/lynbelislestudio

KEY DATES:

Call for Entries: Monday, June 9, 2025

Deadline for Entries: Wednesday, August 6, 2025, midnight Pacific Time

Results Sent: by Monday, August 25, 2025

Shipped Artwork to Arrive by: Wednesday, September 24, 2025

Hand Delivery on: Saturday, September 27, 2025 from 11 - 4 pm

Online & Gallery Exhibition Dates: October 3 - 31, 2025

Opening Reception & Preview Party: Friday, October 2, 2025, from 5-7 pm

Awards & Publications: In addition to the cash awards, an exhibition catalog will be available digitally, at no cost, following the exhibition. Printed copies will be available for purchase.

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

HOW TO ENTER
ALL submissions will be online uploads of images of your artwork via artCall.org at https://www.lastingimpressionsieajuriedexhibition2025.artcall.org

Directions for Submitting:

• 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.jpg
• Photograph or crop the image, so that it does not include frame or background.

Include in your User Profile:

1) Headshot photograph - this image will represent you online
2) Address, city, state, country, zipcode
3) Email
4) Website
5) Social media handles

Include with your Applications (submission):

• Brief statement describing each artwork and its relationship to the theme. Please include this in the “Description” section of the application (max. 150 words)
• Artwork title
• Medium
• Size (H x W x D)
• Price (CAA 30% commission on sold artwork)

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 logging in if you already have one) 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. (Note that for each new artwork you want to add, you will click on the red "Add New Application +" button.)

 - Add the requested information and upload an image for each artwork application. Please upload one image per application, 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 and information gathered 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, receipt of artwork at the venue, and sales will be updated there.

SPECIFICATIONS:

1. All entries must follow the timelines provided.

2. Image submission via artCall.org must follow the guidelines in the IEA/CAA prospectus.

3. To be juried, entries must:

• Be original

• Have NOT been exhibited in previous IEA or CAA juried exhibitions

• Have NOT been completed under instruction or in direct association with a class or workshop

4. Once accepted, artwork must:

• Be ready for display – dried, physically stable and wired for hanging. D-rings strongly recommended on 2D work)

• 2D work or wall-mounted 3D must not exceed 20 lbs. 
  3D work that is not wall-mounted must not exceed 200 lbs. or 72” in dimension

• Have a completed ID tag attached to the back, upper right-hand corner of the artwork for 2D work or the bottom of 3D work. You will be able to print this ID tag through artCall.org.

• Be part of the exhibit until the closing date and NOT picked up early by the artist or purchaser

** Shipped artwork must include a pre-paid return shipping label. Artwork that arrives without a prepaid return label may not be exhibited.

SALES:

All artwork exhibited MUST BE PRICED and available for sale. The Cooperstown Art Association commission is 30%.

LIABILITY:

1. All unsold artwork that was hand-delivered must be picked up by scheduled dates. 

2. CAA & IEA will not be responsible for loss or damage to any work of art submitted, and all works submitted and received are subject to this condition. All possible care will be used in handling entries.

DELIVERY OF ACCEPTED WORK:

Artwork must have a prepaid return label and an ID tag attached to the back, upper right-hand corner of the artwork for 2D work, or on the bottom of 3D work. You will be able to print this ID tag through artCall.org. ALL hanging hardware must be attached. (NOTE: D-rings strongly recommended on 2-D art.)

SHIPPED ARTWORK:

Accepted Artwork is to arrive at CAA no later than Wednesday, September 24, 2025. Artwork, along with any necessary hardware for installation and ID tag should be shipped with a pre-paid return label included to:

Cooperstown Art Association, 22 Main Street, Cooperstown, NY 13326

Artists are responsible for all shipping and insurance charges to and from the exhibition site. Return prepaid shipping document must be included with submission. 

HAND-DELIVERED ARTWORK:
Accepted artwork may be hand delivered on Saturday, September 27th from 11 am - 4 pm to Cooperstown Art Association, 22 Main Street, Cooperstown, NY 13326

JURY PROCESS:
Monetary awards and honorary recognitions will be based on accepted physical artwork delivered to CAA. The juror and CAA reserve the right to reconsider delivered artwork if it differs from the submitted image. These works may or may not be included in the exhibition at the discretion of the committee.

For more information about International Encaustic Artists, or to become a member, click here!