Getting accepted into a juried show isn’t just about making great art. It’s about how that art is presented, explained, and selected.
For this article, we personally contacted seven artists across different genres (painting, photography, and mixed media) who were accepted into juried shows after applying through EntryThingy using calls listed on our platform.
Each artist shared what they submitted, why they chose those specific works, and what they believe helped their portfolio stand out during the jurying process.
How We Selected These Portfolios Accepted Into Juried Shows
Every artist featured in this article applied to juried shows through EntryThingy and was accepted.
They come from different backgrounds, work across different mediums, and are at different stages in their careers, but all used EntryThingy call listings to find and apply to the shows featured here.
To keep this piece practical and honest, we asked each artist the same three questions:
1. How did you first hear about the show, and why did it feel like a good fit to apply?
2. Why do you think your work resonated with the jury?
3. How did you decide which pieces to include in your portfolio over others?
Instead of evaluating the portfolios ourselves, we focused on the artists’ own decision-making: what they chose to include, what they intentionally left out, and how they framed their work for a jury.
The goal isn’t to present a single “right” way to build a portfolio, but to highlight real patterns that worked across different juried shows, themes, and formats.
7 Real Artist Portfolios Accepted Into Juried Shows
Below are real portfolio examples from artists who were accepted into juried shows after applying through EntryThingy.
EntryThingy has also recently launched an updated platform designed to make it easier for artists to review call details, submission requirements, and deadlines before applying. Our call for entry software helps galleries and artists connect through transparent, detailed listings. Browse open calls for artists updated daily.
1. Patricia Whittle — The Tree II
Patricia applied to this juried exhibition after discovering the call through East City Art, an online publication she regularly follows.
Having been accepted into the show before, she felt confident it was a good fit and submitted her work through EntryThingy. Here's what the artist call list looks like on EntryThingy:
She chose The Tree II as it stood apart from her other available paintings. While she often paints florals, she intentionally excluded them from her portfolio because they didn’t feel cohesive with this piece.
The scale also mattered, as many of her other works were smaller and wouldn’t have translated as well in a large exhibition space.
What likely strengthened her submission was clarity. Patricia knew exactly why she made this piece. Her artist statement clearly explained her motivation and emotional connection to the subject, focusing on her love of trees and her desire to represent nature as dynamic and alive.
That clear “why” gave the juror something to connect with beyond the image itself.
Why this portfolio worked:
- Strong cohesion (no unrelated pieces included)
- Intentional selection based on scale and venue
- Clear, emotionally grounded artist statement
2. Deborah Lash — Stretch (Self-Portrait)
Deborah heard about the open-theme group show through the East City Art newsletter, which she tracks weekly to stay connected to the DMV arts scene.
She believed the piece was a good fit even though it wasn’t part of a larger series.
The work resonated because of its vulnerability. Deborah used her own body rather than a model’s, allowing the process to carry real physical and emotional exposure.
The piece explores revealing one’s true self, something many viewers instinctively respond to.
She selected Stretch (Self-Portrait) because it was one of the few larger 2-D works she had completed in recent years. The idea took nearly a year to fully form, followed by four months of execution, making it both intentional and deeply considered.
Her artist statements balance explanation with emotion (technical clarity paired with poetic feeling), giving jurors both context and something to feel.
Why this portfolio worked:
- Emotional honesty and vulnerability
- Strong alignment between concept and execution
- Artist statement that blended process with feeling
3. Sandie Bacon — Homage to Andrea Harris
Sandie applied to Women of Courage through EntryThingy for deeply personal reasons. She had a long history of collaboration with Andrea Harris, including environmental art projects, educational programs, and installations across the U.S. Andrea was not only a collaborator but a close friend and an influential artistic voice.
The selected piece was a two-sided painting on plexiglass, nested in a custom wooden base built by sculptor John Hatlestadt. The work honored both Andrea’s bold, direct style and Sandie’s more linear, nuanced approach (a visual dialogue between two artists).
More than technical skill, the piece carried meaning. It was created as an homage and memorial, rooted in real collaboration, shared values, and lived experience.
Why this portfolio worked:
- Clear conceptual depth and emotional purpose
- Strong alignment with the show’s theme
- Thoughtful craftsmanship and collaboration
Several artists also mentioned how important it was to clearly explain their work alongside their portfolio. If you’re preparing supporting materials, these examples may help:
4. Neal — A New Orleans Snow Day
This photographer discovered the show through Instagram after following a local film shop that posted about the Snow Day exhibition. He applied using photographs taken during a rare and surreal snowstorm in New Orleans.
The images stood out because of the contrast. Familiar Southern scenes (places that “don’t really make sense covered in snow”) suddenly became visually striking and unexpected.
While the artist works in several styles, this set felt especially compelling because of the unusual conditions.
There was no over-strategizing here. The selected images were simply the ones that stood out most from the roll: honest, observational, and timely.
Why this portfolio worked:
- Strong sense of place
- Rare, time-specific subject matter
- Authentic, unforced image selection
5. Helen Kohnke — Porch View, Palm, Truck
Helen heard about the show through a friend and fellow film photographer and applied through EntryThingy as a way to reconnect with other artists around a shared moment… the unforgettable New Orleans snow day.
All three selected images were taken from her home and neighborhood in the Bywater. As both a painter and photographer, Helen constantly draws inspiration from her natural surroundings. At the time, she was working on a painting series focused on palm fronds from her own yard.
Seeing tropical palms covered in snow felt surreal, and that visual thread carried across all three photographs. Even though the images were distinct, the recurring element created cohesion.
Why this portfolio worked:
- Clear visual through-line
- Strong connection between the environment and the subject
- Consistent mood across multiple works
6. Robert Russell Dunevant — View 2026
Robert Russell Dunevant portfolio
Robert applied to a juried show held close to his home, knowing local artists were strongly preferred. He submitted his work at View 2026 through EntryThingy as part of a broader effort to engage more deeply with his local arts community.
The accepted piece stood out for its vibrant color and sense of energy. Robert approached the painting quickly and spontaneously, aiming for a final result that felt intense, vital, and radiant.
He selected this work because it was recent, fit the show’s size requirements, and aligned with the expected price range. Exhibiting newer work mattered to him. It represented the direction his practice is currently heading.
Why this portfolio worked:
- Recent, forward-looking work
- Strong visual impact at first glance
- Practical consideration of size and pricing
7. Jackie Lakely — Misty Lake Morning
For her first show at TAC Highland Park, Jackie wanted to submit a piece that clearly represented her overall body of work. She chose Misty Lake Morning because it balanced realism with dreamlike elements (a core part of her aesthetic).
The piece also worked well in digital format. Even at smaller sizes, it maintains a strong contrast between light and dark shapes, making the composition easy to read during jury review. While there are subtle details, the overall structure is immediately clear. (If you're preparing artwork images for submission, our guide on how to photograph and resize art for submissions covers best practices for digital presentation.)
That clarity made the piece effective both online and in person.
Why this portfolio worked:
- Representative of the artist’s broader practice
- High contrast and readability in digital review
- Strong composition with visual balance
Apply to Juried Shows Through EntryThingy
Every artist featured in this article applied to juried shows through EntryThingy, not because it guarantees acceptance, but because it offers a transparent way to find and evaluate calls for art.
Organizations listing on EntryThingy are required to clearly share key details upfront, including:
- Who’s organizing or jurying the show
- Where the exhibition takes place
- Entry fees (or if the call is free)
- Deadlines, requirements, and eligibility
This makes it easier for artists to understand what they’re applying for before submitting and to decide whether a call is the right fit for their work.
If you’re actively applying to juried shows, using a platform that prioritizes clear information and legitimate opportunities helps reduce guesswork and avoid misleading or incomplete listings.
If you’d like to learn more about how to spot scam art calls, we’ve also put together a guide for artists on what to look out for and what to avoid.
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