Mermaid Tales Exhibition
2025 International Art Doll Festival
OCTOBER 3RD – OCTOBER 7TH
WARSAW, POLAND
Dom w Alejach, the Downtown Community Centre
Call for Entries
Mermaid Tales theme
Inspired by the legend of the Warsaw Mermaid. There once was a young fisherman named Wars who lived on the banks of the Vistula River. One day, when going with his nets to the river, he heard a girl’s voice singing a song:
Seven waves guard me
Seven thunders shield me.
He who has no fear
May he come and free me?
The voice was so beautiful, sweet and enticing that Wars did not hesitate. ‘I don’t fear anything!’ he called out, jumping into his boat to find the singer. But a terrible storm broke out as soon as he left the shore. ‘I will smash your oars!’ roared the thunder. ‘I’ll tear your nets to shreds!’ howled the wind. ‘We’ll sink your boat!’ threatened the waves.
But Wars rowed so fast that neither the wind, waves, or thunder could catch up with him. When he reached the middle of the river, he saw a strange figure among the waves: half fish, half girl – a mermaid. Though surprised, Wars moved the boat nearer and stretched out his hand. The mermaid handed him a shield and a sword. And then suddenly… she turned into a beautiful girl! ‘My name is Sawa,’ she said, ‘From now on, would you be the one to defend me, the river and the town!’
The brave Wars and the beautiful Sawa lived happily ever after, and the town on the banks of the Vistula river grew into Warsaw’s gallant and beautiful city. The waves flow like before, and the wind sings of the mermaid, which is now commemorated on the Warsaw city crest.
The National Institute of American Doll Artists, in its 62nd year, will host their first festival in Europe, showcasing amazing art dolls from all over the world.
In celebration, we are hosting a Mermaid-themed art show and invite artists working in various mediums to participate.
The four categories include:
- Doll Art
- 2D Artwork
- 3D Artworks
- Jewelry and Wearable Art
Category details
Doll Art – Art dolls made in any medium. OOAK works or non-commercial short production designs. Entries need to be self-standing, or if mounted, the base needs to be integral to the overall design.
2D Artwork using, but not limited to, illustrations, typography, graphic design, paintings, photography, print, lithography, etc. It can be original or digital. 2D artworks must be sent as framed or mounted works ready for exhibition.
3D Artwork – sculptures using, but not limited to, ceramics, glass, wood, and fiber art. Entries in this category need to be self-standing. If a mount is required to display the work, this needs to be provided.
Jewelry and Wearable Art – Contemporary and traditional jewelry works, and wearable art.
Timeline
The Call for Entries opens in February and runs until the end of May. Participants are advised of selection in early August. All selected artworks will be exhibited in Warsaw, Poland in October 2025.
- Call for entries open – February 15th, 2025
- Entries close – May 31st, 2025
- Entries are juried for participation – June 2025
- Artists will be advised of selection to participate – August 1st, 2025
- Items can be shipped to Warsaw. Address will be supplied – September 15th, 2025
- Hand-delivered items must be received at the venue by October 2nd, 2025
- Mermaid Tales Exhibition opening night and prize giving – October 3rd, 2025
What are the entry fees
40 (zł) per Single Entry
12 (EURO) per Single Entry
15 (USD) per Single Entry
Fees are paid through PayPal. Once you have filled out the entry form, you will be redirected to PayPal to pay your entry fee.
All entries will be juried, and five artworks will be selected from each category to participate in the exhibition in October 2025.
The best works will be awarded three cash prizes:
- the grand prize, €500 ($518.18 USD)
- the runner-up, €250 ($259.13 USD)
- the public vote award, €250 ($259.13 USD)
How to Enter
Guide to entering
- Create your artwork inspired by the Mermaid theme
- Take some great photos of your work
– Up to five (5) images of the piece submitted (different views, plus details)
– File uploads must be under 4 MB and 1000 pixels at the longest length, 150 dpi, and in RGB.
– Your files should be named to include your artist name and title as follows: artistname_title_image1
– File extensions need to be .jpg, .gif, or .png, (.jpeg files won’t work). - Fill out the entry form, including details about your artwork, website and social media links, and contact information.
- Pay your entry in PayPal.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Entries must be no larger than 1 metre (39 inches) in total dimension.
- Please ensure that all work is original and designed by the artist. We will not accept works created with AI or featuring fan art. Characters in the public domain are acceptable.
- Please send digital images of your works with your entry to be juried for participation. If successful, we will provide you with an address where you can post your work.
- Additional entries are allowed, each will require a new form submission with images and the entry fee.
- The jury comprises three international artists who will be announced shortly.
- All successful entries will be featured on the NIADA website.
- Entries can be made at any time before the May 31st, 2025 deadline.
- Entries will not be available for sale during the exhibition.
- After the closing of the exhibition, entries must be either collected in person by October 8th, 2025, or they will be returned to the artist after the exhibition at their expense.
- For further information, please contact us at mermaids@niada.org
Entries close May 31st, 2025
CLICK HERE TO ENTER NOW!
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The 2025 Warsaw Art Doll Festival team:
Conference co-chairs Marlaine Verhelst, Tanya Marriott, and Renata Golaszewska Adamczyk, plus the core team:
Juliet Pelukh, Nadia Yukhanova, Anya Anderson, Tatiana Baeva, Cindee Moyer, and Anna Przyborowska
(with behind the scenes the valuable support of Grzegorz Adamcyk and interpreter Ewa Wojcik).
