CoPA Exhibition | Connected Frames 2027

CoPA Exhibition + Whitewater Arts Alliance | Connected Frames

Cultural Arts Center | 402 West Main Street, Whitewater, WI, 53190

January 7 – January 31, 2027 | Thursdays through Sundays, 12P to 4P

Opening Reception | Saturday, January 9, 12P to 4P

Comments and Awards | 2P

A series of photographs can tell a story, whether a literal story, or simply connecting images through commonalities. It is important that we, as artists, explore and develop the themes in our work to tell our stories. Too often photographers are seen as simple opportunists, taking photos of the things they happen to come across. But as artists, we value cohesiveness and use the series to showcase not only our style, but the common themes of our work; our vision.

CoPA is inviting members to submit a series – seven to ten pieces in a cohesive body of work. Each series will be judged as a whole, and individual pieces will be juried into the exhibition based on their ability to convey the idea of the series. Artists whose work is chosen by the juror will have three to five pieces accepted into the exhibition.

There are various ways to show a connection between images. It could be a series of photos of the same subject over time, or of similar subjects. It could show a narrative – a story, progression, or a before-and-after arc. There could be a theme, an idea or concept shared by varied subjects. Or the images could be bound by a visual form, a consistent composition, color, or repeated pattern.

The name of the series is required. In addition, we are asking that artists submit an artist statement with the work. These statements will not be published, but will be shared with the juror, to allow them to better understand the concept and intent of the artist and the series. The following resources can help compose a statement.

1: Artdex
2: Stephanie Scott

Prizes

CoPA is pleased to announce prizes of $250 for first place, $125 for second place, and $75 for third place.

Juror

Kevin J. Miyzaki is an artist and photographer based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. His artwork focuses on issues of ethnicity, migration and, place, often addressing family history and the incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War ll. Miyazaki’s photographs and artwork have been exhibited at venues including the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art, Haggerty Museum of Art, Griffin Museum of Photography, Museum of Wisconsin Art, The Center for Photography at Woodstock and, the Hyde Park Art Center.

Venue | Whitewater Arts Alliance

The Whitewater Arts Alliance (WAA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2005 to support and celebrate the arts in Whitewater, Wisconsin. It operates the Cultural Arts Center at 402 W. Main Street. WAA’s mission is “Celebrating the Arts and Creating Community!” which reflects its dual focus on artistic excellence and civic engagement.

ENTRY OPEN | Thursday, October 15 | 8A

ENTRY CLOSE | Sunday, November 15 | 11P

NOTIFICATIONS | Sunday, November 29

Artists will be notified by Sunday, November 29, via the email provided on the entry form, and will be listed on the event post. These are the only forms of notification that will be issued for selections juried into the exhibition.

SUBMISSION CRITERIA

By submitting to this exhibition/competition, you agree to meet the exhibition criteria as explained below and to be responsible for the delivery and collection of your work to and from the venue within the appointed dates and times.

Artwork that is overtly sexual, racist, violent, libelous, slanderous, or discriminatory in nature will not be accepted. WAA will make all curatorial decisions and reserves the right to refrain from displaying, or to display separately, images it deems inappropriate for its websites or public gallery spaces. WAA reserves the right to remove any work of art from public exhibition at any time for any reason.

By submitting work, you agree to allow the use of your submitted images for promotional purposes.

SUBMISSION SPECIFICATIONS AND RULES

Final Selections must be “Gallery Ready” for exhibition and sale as follows:

You must be a CoPA member to participate in this exhibition.
The cost to enter is $25
CoPA Members may submit up to ten (10) entries, with a minimum of seven (7) required to demonstrate the series.
Read the submission form as you go. Follow the instructions on the submission Form – each entry space denotes what information is needed.
- Example: Title = Title of the image as it will appear on the gallery tag.
- Image = the image file being attached, and the file having been saved and named according to the required naming convention.
Image File Uploads: you MUST include the Exhibition tag (WWAACR) in the file name of the image being uploaded. Any submission not meeting this requirement will be disqualified from the competition and all fees forfeited.
- Read How to Submit to CoPA Juried Exhibition for instructions. (Example: JSmith_WWAACF_Intrigue)
- Limit your image size to 1200px on the longest side; images larger than this may not be accepted by the form.
- 32MB Max File Size
- JPEG / JPG files only, please. No other file type will be accepted.

DELIVERY DATES | January 5 and 6, 2027

Tuesday January 5th, and Wednesday January 6th, from 4P to 6P

DELIVERY OF ARTWORK

Please label your work; include your name, the title of the work, and the number/place of the image in the series. Work will be inspected at the time of installation. Artists are responsible for delivery of the artwork to the gallery, and for collecting their artwork from the gallery, either in person or by proxy. Please notify the gallery ahead of time if you are sending someone to pick up for you. [email protected].

While all reasonable and possible care will be taken, Whitewater Arts Alliance does not assume responsibility for physical damage to or loss of work. Artwork displayed in WAA’s Cultural Arts Center is exhibited at the artist’s own risk. The WAA recommends that each artist arrange for insurance coverage of the artist’s own work at the artist’s own expense.

Images submitted must be entirely the work of the artist, and no part of an entry can infringe on the copyright of another person.

Whitewater Arts Alliance Cultural Arts Center | 402 West Main Street, Whitewater, WI, 53190 | Parking lot is at 384 W. North Street

SALES

Artists are encouraged but not required to offer their work for sale. Whitewater Arts Alliance retains a 40% commission on sales, or 30% for WAA members. WAA collects and submits sales taxes. Payments to artists are made within 30 days following the close of the exhibit.

FRAMING GUIDELINES FOR ARTWORK EXHIBITED

All artwork submitted for exhibition shall adhere to the following framing guidelines. Failure to do so may impact participation in the exhibition.

Glass or Plexiglas is preferable if the artwork is framed. The product should be of sufficient thickness to prevent visible warping or waving.
All framed works shall be securely fitted within their frames.
No plastic poster frames.
All framed works are to be wired for hanging. No saw-tooth hangers, unwired D-Rings, clips, or fishing line.
Hanging wires are to be no closer than 2” to the top of the frame when pulled taut. WAA utilizes a hanging system.
Wires are not to be attached to the clips holding the back of the frame together, but should have their own support attached to the frame, and not the picture backing.
- Taping or gluing the wire to the frame or board is insufficient.
- Be advised that cleats may not be suitable for this exhibition.
- Send any inquiries regarding hanging alternatives other than wire to: [email protected]
CoPA and Whitewater Arts Alliance are not responsible for pieces that are damaged due to improper hanging hardware or poor craftsmanship.
If framed, images must be framed in clean, plain white or black frames. If matted, mats must be clean white.
You may print professionally on other surfaces, such as aluminum, canvas, linens, and wood. Email [email protected] if your work does not come under these guidelines.
Maximum width: 36″, maximum height: 36″

PICK-UP DATES | January 31 and February 1

Pick-up dates: Sunday, January 31, and Monday, February 1, 2027 | 4P – 6P

If you cannot retrieve your work at this time, please make arrangements to have your work picked up by someone else. Work left 30 days past the pickup deadline becomes the property of WAA. Please notify the gallery ahead of time if you are sending someone to pick up for you. [email protected].