TEXAS PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY | Members Only Show 38

We are proud to announce that juror Wendi Schneider has selected 50 images for Texas Photographic Society’s 38th Annual Members Only Show. First Place was awarded to Marcia Levetown, Second Place to Kari Bishop, and Third Place to Jelisa Peterson. Heartfelt congratulations to the selected artists and warmest thanks to all of our TPS members who generously shared their work for consideration. A complete list of the exhibiting artists and the Juror's Remarks are below.

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MOS38 opens on October 23, 2025 at the Center for Contemporary Arts in Abilene, Texas and will continue through December 6, 2025. This exhibition is sponsored by Red River Paper (Dallas, TX). The closing reception will be on Saturday, December 6th, 2025 from 5pm-6pm at the Center, which will be running concurrently with Abilene's December Artwalk.

JUROR'S REMARKS

It was an honor and a pleasure to review the submissions for this year's Members Only Show. I studied each image multiple times to fully appreciate what I may have missed. Jurying an open-themed show is especially exciting because it allows for such a diverse range of expressions, ideas, and subjects.

My selections were guided by the central principle of artistic intention. I looked for work that transcended its subject, using framing, perspective, and focus to transform an ordinary or extraordinary sight into a unique statement—to present the familiar in an unfamiliar way. The images that resonated most with me were the ones that lingered in my mind long after I had first seen them. I was drawn to images that showed a singular voice, whether the subject was a striking portrait, a sensitive meditation, a complex abstraction, or a simple, sublime moment.

I was particularly impressed by the sheer variety of work submitted. It was fascinating to see everything from intimate macro shots to expansive landscapes, and from straightforward portraits to compelling experimental processes. Some images mesmerized me with their color and abstract qualities, while others used light, repetition, or reflections to create a sense of wonder. The exhibition showcases this incredible diversity, with some pieces standing alone while others complement each other beautifully. As I finalized my selections, I loved seeing how the chosen images played off one another to create a diverse, yet cohesive show.

Congratulations to the award winners—a strong collection of photographs that demonstrate clear artistic vision and skillful execution.

1st Place: Marcia Levetown’s photograph, "The Empress," is a stunning example of light and atmosphere. The golden hour lighting creates a warm, ethereal glow, highlighting the silhouette of the lion amidst a field of delicate grasses. The image captures a moment of quiet power and beauty in nature, setting it apart from more traditional wildlife interpretations.

2nd Place: Kari Bishop’s underwater portrait, "Blind Oracle," is a sensual, surreal, and captivating image. The dreamy interplay between the human subject and the octopus creates a sense of mystery and connection, evoking themes of the subconscious or the deep unknown.

3rd Place: Jelisa Peterson’s stunning black and white portrait, "Mariamo," is a powerful and evocative image. The stark composition and the direct gaze of the child create an immediate emotional connection. The textures of the background and the rawness of the scene speak volumes, offering a compelling narrative.

Honorable Mentions:

Collin Bachman: “Last Call” powerfully uses silhouette and light to capture the drama and intensity of a live performance.

Edgar Miller: This abstract image, “Kentucky Algae in the Fall,” is a masterful study in color and form. The swirling patterns and textures create a mesmerizing visual experience, inviting contemplation of natural processes.

Aimee McCrory: This portrait of a woman in a retro kitchen, “Shabbos Dinner,” is rich in detail and personality. The artist has created a vivid portrayal—a nostalgic character study with meticulous attention to costume and setting, with a commanding insouciant attitude.

Byron Rogers: “San Antonio Spanish Governor's Palace” magically invokes intoxicating dappled light and shadow to create a sense of atmosphere and stillness. The rustic tables and chairs suggest a place of now quiet gathering, steeped in history.

Paula Selzer: “Venetian Morning,” focusing on a luxurious headboard and patterned wallpaper, beautifully captures the play of a luscious light. The ornate details and the rich colors create a sense of opulence and an intimate, inviting space.

Thank you for allowing me the privilege of experiencing your visions. I regret that many deserving images could not be included, and I am grateful to every photographer who shared their work with me. This exhibition is a celebration and a testament to our vibrant artistic community.

- Wendi Schneider, September 2025

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Monday, September 8, 2025 Deadline for entry through CaFE site (11:59 p.m. Mountain Time Zone)
September 16, 2025 Exhibiting artists announced and emails sent to all entrants
October 16, 2025 Work due at the Center for Contemporary Arts, in Abilene, Texas
October 10-16th, 2025 Selected Work can be dropped off locally at Center for Contemporary Arts, in Abilene, Texas, hours Tu-Sat 11am-5pm.
October 23, 2025 Exhibition opens at the Center for Contemporary Arts

December 6th, 2025 Closing Reception from 5pm-6pm at the Center, which will be running concurrently with Abilene's December Artwalk.

AWARDS

First Place = $400 
Second Place = $250 
Third Place = $150
Up to 5 Honorable Mentions may be awarded

ENTRY FEE, ELIGIBILITY, and TPS MEMBERSHIP

All entries must be through the CaFÉ site. The entry fee for current members of Texas Photographic Society (TPS) is $35 for 5 images, plus $5 for each additional image. You may enter up to 12 images. (CaFÉ requires a minimum of five images; if you really need to, you may submit multiples of the same image to reach the minimum.) You MUST be a current member of TPS to participate and may join or renew on the CaFÉ website at the time of entry. All entry and membership fees are non-refundable.

TPS Member Benefits include member feature opportunities via our Members' Gallery, Member Spotlight, Blog, Members' News, Members' Instagram Takeover, social media accounts and E-Zine, discounted entry fees to most TPS competitions, access to special lectures and workshops, and discounts to programs and services offered through our partnerships.

If you are not sure of your TPS member status, please contact TPS at cpireland@texasphoto.org. All entry and membership fees are non-refundable.

ABOUT THE JUROR

Wendi Schneider is a Denver-based visual artist renowned for her ethereal photographs that fuse the fragile beauty of the natural world with the luminosity of precious metals. Drawing upon a rich background in painting and art history and inspired by her collection of early 20th-century photographs, Schneider crafts images that evoke a sense of transcendence and ephemeral grace.

First using photography as a reference for her paintings in the 1980s, she soon began layering oils onto her photographs, a technique that evolved into the signature digital layering and meticulous hand-applied metal leafing of her celebrated 'States of Grace’ series, begun in 2012. Her internationally exhibited work is held in several permanent collections, including the Asheville Art Museum, the Auburn University Library Special Collections, the Center for Creative Photography, the Memphis Brooks Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts Houston, and the New Orleans Museum of Art, among others. Schneider is represented by A Gallery For Fine Photography (New Orleans), Arnika Dawkins Gallery (Atlanta), Catherine Couturier Gallery (Houston), Etherton Gallery (Tucson), PhotoGraphic Gallery (San Miguel de Allende), Rick Wester Fine Art (New York), Vision Gallery (Jerusalem), and Wach Gallery (Cleveland).

See more of her work here.

IMAGE REQUIREMENTS

Please submit digital JPG files only, minimum of 1200 pixels on the longest side and 5 MB maximum. Please remove watermarks from images. For each image, you will need to provide the image title and the process (medium) used to make the image/print (Archival Digital Print, Silver Gelatin Print, Platinum/Palladium Print, Wet Plate Collodian, etc.) To clarify, you will submit a digital file of your image for the contest application; if your work is selected for the show you will print your image, frame it, and ship it to the exhibition venue.

Please note: TPS calls are conducted through CaFÉ. Applicants will need to create a free account with a portfolio of images, and then apply to each specific call with images from your portfolio. All images you intend to use for each application must be uploaded to your portfolio before you begin your application. Later additions to your application cannot be accommodated.

Need help resizing images? You can resize via a Mac or PC computer, or use a number of third-party applications, many of which offer free trials or solutions. Please go here for suggestions.

SALES

TPS encourages the sale of exhibited work and will collect a 30% commission from all prints sold during the exhibition. Please indicate the sales price of your print, including frame/finishing. If your finished piece is not for sale, simply note NFS. If your work is accepted and you do not indicate a sales price, the artwork will be listed as NFS.

IF YOUR WORK IS ACCEPTED

PLEASE NOTE: Update for this exhibition, the framed (finished piece) must not exceed the size of 20" in the longest dimension.

1. Artwork must be ready-to-hang using wire stretched between D-rings on the back. The finished piece must not exceed 30" in the longest dimension (including the frame, due to space concerns). Sawtooth hangers are NOT permitted. Please use white mats and/or white or black frames that are gallery quality and complement your work (color mats are NOT desired). Plexiglass must be used with the frame, NO GLASS ALLOWED. Photographs printed on metal are allowed, but must be framed, with the photograph safely recessed from the front of the frame, and packed appropriately. TPS reserves the right to exclude works from the exhibition that are not gallery-ready and professional in presentation.

2. Clearly label the back of your work with your full name, image title, email address, medium, and sales price or NFS.

3. A prepaid return UPS or FedEX shipping label MUST be provided with your work for prints to be returned to you when the exhibition concludes. Work WITHOUT return shipping will NOT be included in the exhibition and will NOT be returned. Please keep a copy of the prepaid return shipping label and your receipt.

4. Please ship photographs in a sturdy, flat box (do not use moving boxes) with your last name clearly written on the box (not just on the shipper's label). Packing “peanuts" are NOT permitted. Artwork will be return-shipped in the container in which they were received. If shipping and packing materials are insufficient for safe return, the artist may be charged an extra fee for packing materials provided by TPS or the venue. If additional exhibition venues are added, artists will be notified with location, dates, and other pertinent details, and work will be return-shipped from the final venue.

5. Framed prints with a prepaid return shipping label must arrive at Center for Contemporary Art no later than October 16, 2025.

6. TPS and the Center for Contemporary Art will exercise all due care in handling your artwork. However, TPS is not liable for loss, theft, damage or replacement of artwork, nor is TPS liable for damage during shipping. The Center for Contemporary Art does not insure artists' work. Please consider insuring your work.

TPS TERMS AND AGREEMENT

You retain all rights to your images. If your image is selected for the exhibition, you grant Texas Photographic Society (TPS) the right, in perpetuity, to use and display your image, image title and process, your name, city, state and country of residence for TPS publicity and promotion. Permissible use includes the display, reproduction and distribution of said information on the TPS website, in TPS exhibitions, presentations, program promotions, artist features, fundraising initiatives and publications, and on social media networks, without further contact from TPS. Please note that we may have to crop images to meet space/proportion requirements for promotional platforms.

TPS will not be held responsible for loss, theft, damage or replacement, whether caused by the negligence of its officers, members or others. TPS is not liable for damage during shipping. All entry and membership fees are non-refundable. Submission entry and payment signifies understanding and agreement to all of the above terms and conditions.

QUESTIONS?

If you have any questions, please contact Chris Ireland at cpireland@texasphoto.org.