Every face tells a story. Every gaze is a choice.
Portrait, Identity and the Image of a Human Being
Galerie Mánes is launching an open call for artists working with the themes of the face, portraiture, identity, emotion, masks, ageing or the representation of the human figure.
We invite artists of all generations, both established and emerging.
It does not matter where you studied, how many followers you have or how many exhibitions you have already participated in.
What matters is the quality of the artwork, the originality of your perspective and your ability to connect with the viewer.
We will select artists working across a wide range of media, including painting, drawing, photography, printmaking, collage, sculpture, digital art, installation and other forms of contemporary visual expression.
The selection process will be anonymous. Your name does not decide. The artwork does.
FACES offers artists the opportunity to exhibit their work in a professional gallery space in the centre of Prague, become part of a curated group exhibition and present their work to new audiences, the media and potential collectors.
The exhibition explores portraiture as a way of understanding the human being. We are interested in what a face reveals, what it conceals, how it shapes identity and how it is changing in the contemporary world and in the age of digital technology.
[APPLY HERE]
Galerie Mánes is one of the best-known exhibition venues in Prague.
It has history, a recognised name and an established audience.
Exhibiting here means that your work becomes part of a genuine gallery environment—not only something seen by friends or shared on social media, but presented to people who actively visit the gallery to experience art.
It is an experience that carries weight. And it is a step that can move your artistic practice forward.
For many artists, this is the moment when their work reaches a wider audience for the first time.
We are looking for artists working with themes such as:
portrait and self-portrait
the face as a record of life
identity, roles and masks
emotion and vulnerability
beauty, imperfection and ageing
the gaze of others
the real and constructed image of a human being
digital imagery, changing identity and technology
Artists may submit completed works created in recent years. The artwork does not have to be created specifically for this exhibition.
The artwork does not have to be available for sale.
Conditions of Participation
Please submit:
Participation fee: CZK 8,900
The fee is charged without VAT, as we are not VAT registered, and is payable only after participation has been confirmed based on the jury’s selection.
The fee includes the exhibition of the artwork in the Small Hall of Galerie Mánes, professional installation, the opening event, PR and promotion, and the organisation and operation of the exhibition.
Artwork may be offered for sale. The gallery retains a 10% commission on sales.
6 August 2026 – Open call announced
13 September 2026 – Open call closes
The participating artists will be selected by a jury.
The artwork itself will be assessed—not the artist’s CV, education or previous exhibition experience.
The aim is to support strong artistic expression and authentic creative voices, regardless of whether the artist is established or emerging.
Anonymous jury. The artwork decides.
The selection will be made by a curatorial jury and will be anonymous during the first stage.
The jury will assess primarily the artworks themselves, their quality, originality, relevance to the theme and ability to work within the exhibition as a whole.
The artist’s name, education, professional experience and number of social media followers will not influence the first stage of the selection process.
Visibility and Public Vote
Thanks to the gallery’s glass walls, the exhibition will also be visible from outside. The artworks will remain visible in the illuminated space during the evening hours.
The names and numbers of the participating artists will be displayed in the gallery windows, providing continuous visibility and promotion even outside the gallery’s opening hours.
The exhibition will also include a public vote for the artwork of the exhibition. Visitors will be able to vote both directly in the gallery and online.
Autumn 2026
Would you like to become part of the Salon Mánes exhibition FACES – The First Face at Galerie Mánes?
[APPLY HERE]
Every face tells a story. Every gaze is a choice.
