Art Competitions & Exhibitions, Festivals, Art Fairs

The City of Ocala seeks entries for the 8th Biennial Ocala Outdoor Sculpture Competition. Selected artists will receive a $4,000 honorarium and will have their work displayed January 21, 2026 – January 31, 2028 (2 years) at Tuscawilla Park and Art Park. Work must be fully completed or guaranteed to be completed three months prior to installation date. Work must be structurally sound, safe, and able to withstand Ocala’s subtropical climate maintenance free in an unsupervised, high foot traffic, public family park area. Work must have been completed in the last five years (no earlier than 2020). Work must be delivered and retrieved in person by artist or artist representative. Work must be firmly secured to provided concrete pads with either 5/8″ anchor bolts or another City approved anchoring system. No entry fee. Deadline: August 25, 2025. More info. Contact: email or call 352-629-8447.

Arkansas Art Shows, LLC announces a call to artists for the Bentonville Fine Art Festival, held November 8-9, 2025 at Orchards Park in Bentonville, Arkansas. Juror: Cole Jones. Eligible media: Fine Art, Fine Craft, clay, glass, jewelry, mixed media, paintings, photography, sculpture, metal, wood, fiber. $350 for a 10′ X 10′ space. Deadline: August 29, 2025. More info. Contact: email or call 479-215-7978.

Space Untitled Art Gallery in Wilton Manors, FL is excited to announce an open call for “In an Instant”, a group exhibition dedicated to the raw, nostalgic, and often magical qualities of Polaroid photography. Opening in September 2025, this show will explore the beauty of immediacy and the stories captured in just one click – a flash of light, a frozen second, a memory made tangible. Whether you’re using original Polaroid photographs, lifting emulsions, performing transfers, manipulating surfaces, or integrating Polaroids into mixed media or sculptural work – we want to see how you transform the instant into the unforgettable. All artwork must be framed and ready to hang. $27 entry fee. Deadline: August 31, 2025. More info. Contact: email or call 646-678-1654.

Clarkesville Main Street invites artists to apply for the annual Soque River Fine Arts Festival, held on October 18, 2025 at the Downtown Square in Clarkesville, Georgia. Set against the backdrop of the scenic Soque River, and the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains; this fine arts festival will feature a variety of artistic wonders. This is a juried fine arts festival. Categories: Mixed Media, Drawing/Graphics, Clay, Fiber/Leather, Glass, Jewelry, Metal, Painting, Photography, Sculpture, Wood, Other (specify). $25 application fee. Deadline: September 1, 2025. More info. Contact: email or call 762-230-1962.

Click! Photography Festival seeks entries for an outdoor exhibition, October 1-30, 2025 at Moore Square in Raleigh, NC. Juror: Chole Coleman. The theme is: Open. We are looking for striking and engaging photographic work for a diverse public audience in an open-air setting. Open to all photographic processes: alternative, film or digital. $45 entry fee. Deadline: September 3, 2025. More info. Contact: email

The Naples Art Institute announces a call to artists for the Naples New Year’s Art Fair, January 3-4, 2026 at Cambier Park in Naples, FL. Awards. Submissions accepted across all fine art disciplines. $39 application fee. Deadline: September 5, 2025. More info. Contact: email or call 239-262-6517.

Art Center Sarasota announces a call to artists for a juried art exhibition, October 9 – November 15, 2025 in Sarasota, FL. 1st Place: $500, 2nd Place: $300, 3rd Place: 200, (2) Merit Awards and (4) Honorable Mentions. Juror: Samo Davis. Submissions are welcome in all media including painting, drawing, photography, printmaking, mixed media, digital arts, sculpture and video. The maximum size for 2D artwork is 15″ x 15″ after framing. The maximum size for 3D artwork is 15″ x 15″ x 15″. Entry fees vary. Deadline: September 7, 2025 11:59pm. More info. Contact: email or call 941-365-2032.

Riverviews Artspace in Lynchburg, VA seeks entries for a juried art exhibition, November 7, 2025 – January 11, 2026. First Place ($1,000) Second Place ($500); Third Place ($250); People’s Choice ($100). Juror: Alpha Massaquoi Jr. Artists based in the United States, ages 18 and over, may submit up to three entries in any medium, concerning any subject matter. No AI-generated artwork. Artwork must not have been shown previously in the region or city. Artwork must be original, created within the last three years, and must be for sale. 2D work must arrive dry and ready to hang with appropriate hardware (no sawtooth hangers). 3D work must come with display instructions. Artists are responsible for delivery and pickup of work and any associated costs. RVAS reserves the right to refuse artworks that do not meet installation requirements or are otherwise judged unsuitable. $35 for up to three artworks. Deadline: September 12, 2025 at 11:59 pm EST. More info. Contact: email or call 434-329-8232.

Applications to participate in Last Fridays Makers Markets in Hillsborough, NC, are now open! Last Fridays Makers Markets occur on the last Friday of each month, May through October 2025, 5:30-8:30 PM, on the Old Orange County Courthouse Lawn during Hillsborough’s Last Fridays & the Art Walk. These community art fairs are dedicated to showcasing local artists/makers, offering original, handmade work. This is an excellent market for both emerging and established artists! There will also be a limited number of local organizations, community groups, and/or nonprofits offering good works, activities, and services to the public. And the Hillsborough Arts Council will offer special arts programming & entertainment, family activities/crafts, and community collaborations! Application Fee: $20. Spot Reservation: $35 per market month. Deadline: Rolling application open through September 15, 2025. More info. Contact: email or call (919) 643-2500.

The Denison Arts Council seeks entries for a juried art exhibition, September 3 – November 14, 2025 at 517 Gallery in Denison, TX. Juror: Jordan Roth. All styles and mediums accepted; wall pieces preferred. We want to see your best work! There is no preference or restriction on themes or subject matter of the artwork. $50 entry fee (waived for Denison Arts Council Artist Members). Deadline: September 17, 2025. More info. Contact: email or call 903-744-8300.

Florida artists are invited to apply for the Armory Art Center’s Art + Craft + Design Creative Market, held November 8th and 9th, 2025 at the Armory Art Center in West Palm Beach, Florida. Cash Awards. Categories: basketry, ceramics, decorative fiber, furniture, glass, jewelry, metal, mixed media, paper, wearable art, wood, leather, sculpture, painting, printmaking, and more. $50 application fee. Deadline: September 19, 2025. More info. Contact: email or call 561-832-1776.

The District Gallery in Knoxville, TN announces a call to artists for a juried art exhibition, November 14, 2025 – January 3, 2026. First, second, and third place cash awards, as well as (1) six-month gallery contract. Open to artists 18 or older. Work must be 12×12 or smaller (including frame), original in concept, and completed within the last 12 months. Entries may not have been exhibited in any previous show in Knoxville or its surrounding counties. All submitted works must be for sale. All works must be 2D (no free-standing sculptural works; wall-mounted works must be no larger than 12″ in any direction). Framed and unframed works accepted (see prospectus for requirements). Submit up to 4 works with a $30 nonrefundable application fee. Deadline: September 27, 2025. More info. Contact: email or call 865-200-4452.

The Naples Art Institute announces a call to artists for the Naples National Art Fair, February 20-22, 2026 at Cambier Park in Naples, FL. Awards. Submissions accepted across all fine art disciplines. $39 application fee. Deadline: October 1, 2025. More info. Contact: email or call 239-262-6517.

The Gilbert Center in Ruston, LA invites artists 18 years or older residing in the United States to submit entries for a juried art exhibition, November 17, 2025 – January 9, 2026. $1,250 in Cash Prizes. Juror: Sarah Nguyen, Colombia, MO. There is no specific theme for this showcase – any original work created since 2020 is welcome. All media will be considered: Painting, Sculpture, Photography, Mixed Media, Textile, Digital Art, Ceramics, 3D Works, Video (5 min max), etc. No artwork generated by artificial intelligence (AI). $12 per entry. Max 3 entries per artist. Deadline: October 6, 2025. More info. Contact: email

Jag Gallery announces a call to artists for their 19th Annual Small Works exhibit, November 29, 2025 – January 4, 2026. Work will be installed at Jag’s Gallery in Key West, FL and available online. Juror’s Choice, People’s Choice, 4 Honorable Mentions. Award winners will be invited to participate in a group exhibition during the 2026 calendar year. Seeking 2 and 3D current and original work; painting, photography, sculpture/pottery, assemblage, drawing/illustration and textiles. No AI. Artwork should not exceed 10 inches, in either direction including frame if applicable. Artists must be 18 years of age to apply. $18 entry fee. Maximum of 5 entries. Deadline: October 13, 2025. More info. Contact: email or call 305.407.6202.

Join us in the heart of Cajun Country for the 12th Annual Teche Plein Air Competition, a juried event celebrating the beauty, culture, and spirit of the Bayou Teche region. Paintings will be on display March 13 and 14 at Sliman Theatre in New Iberia, Louisiana. Over $12,000 in awards. Juror: Charlie Hunter. This competition invites talented plein air artists from across the world to capture the charm of Acadiana, with its vibrant southern landscapes. Open to professional and emerging plein air artists, 18 years and older. All media must be completed on-site and within the event boundaries. $45 entry fee. Deadline: November 1, 2025. More info. Contact: email or call (337)369-2300.

Artists are invited to submit entries for the Baytown Sculpture Trail, on display April 12, 2026 to March 21, 2027 outdoors in the historic downtown arts district of Baytown, TX. $1500 honorarium per accepted piece, $1500 Best of Show, $1500 People’s Choice. Seeking sculpture of any genre suited for the outdoors for a period of one year. Must be a minimum of 42 inches in either height or length. $25 for first two entries/ $18 thereafter. Deadline: November 2, 2025. More info. Contact: email

Artists worldwide are invited to apply for the Palm Beach Fine Craft Show, held February 13-15, 2026 at the Palm Beach County Convention Center in West Palm Beach, FL. Awards: Best in Show, Best New Artist & Artist Choice. Eligible media: Basketry, ceramics, decorative fiber, furniture, glass, jewelry, leather, metal, mixed media, paper, wearable art, and wood. $35 application fee. Deadline: November 3, 2025. More info. Contact: email or call 561-822-5440.

The Naples Art Institute announces a call to artists for the Naples Downtown Art Fair, March 21-22, 2026 at Cambier Park in Naples, FL. Awards. Submissions accepted across all fine art disciplines. $39 application fee. Deadline: November 3, 2025. More info. Contact: email or call 239-262-6517.

Artists are invited to apply for the Ballyhoo Festival, held March 7 and 8, 2026 at 20110 State Park Rd in Gulf Shores, Alabama. $6000 in awards. Original fine art and crafts. 75% of booth must be original art. 25% can be prints. Oil, watercolor, acrylic, encaustic, pastel, mixed media, folk art and other forms of 2D art. Sculpture, pottery, glass sculpture, wood sculpture, metal sculpture, jewelry and other forms of 3D art. $25 application fee. Deadline: November 15, 2025. More info. Contact: email or call 318-218-7673.

The Cedar Key Arts Center announces a call to artists for the annual Spring Arts Festival in Cedar Key, a juried Fine Arts and Crafts Event, held April 11-12, 2026 at Historic 2nd St. $14,000 in awards. The venue welcomes only 100 fine artists and craftsmen to keep the focus on art and allow plenty of room for artists and art enthusiasts to interact. Cedar Key, which has been named one of the top Arts Small Town Fairs in America, is nestled in the center of Florida’s Nature Coast, 60 miles SW of Gainesville. Proceeds benefit the Cedar Key Arts Center and local non-profit organizations that serve homemade goodies and local seafood in beachfront City Park, Saturday, 10am-5pm, and Sunday, 10am-4pm. $225 booth fee. Deadline: November 15, 2025. More info. Contact: email or call 352-543-5400.

Taking place March 20-22, 2026 at Station No.2 in Wilmington, NC, this national juried exhibition invites artists and audiences to explore how art can be a catalyst for change. Presented by ARTnNCevents, M.A.D. showcases powerful works that confront, question, and inspire. The theme challenges artists to interpret what it means to make a difference in their own lives, in their communities, and in the world. Whether it’s choosing self-care, advocating for justice, protecting the environment, or fostering connection, this show celebrates the many ways we can take meaningful action. M.A.D. will feature artists across a range of mediums – from painting and sculpture to photography and mixed media – each telling stories of resilience, activism, growth, and vision. Proceeds from art sales will support both the artists and future community-based exhibitions. $45 entry fee. Deadline: February 1, 2026. More info. Contact: email or call 910-508-7630.