Celebrate Art Annual Juried Exhibit

Celebrate Art 2026
A Regional Juried Exhibition
Eligibility: Artists residing in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee
Entry Fee: $40 (up to three works)
Entry Deadline: September 19, 2026
Exhibition Dates: October 1–31, 2026
Opening Reception & Awards: Friday, October 2, 2026
Judge: To Be Announced
The Art League of Henderson County invites regional artists to submit work for Celebrate Art 2026, our annual juried exhibition celebrating excellence in the visual arts. The exhibition showcases outstanding contemporary artwork from across the Southeast and features $2,500 in cash awards.
The exhibition will be presented at Art Place Gallery, 730 Locust Street, Hendersonville, North Carolina.

Juror/Judge: Jane Allen Nodine
Jane Allen Nodine is a nationally recognized artist, educator, curator, and Distinguished Professor Emerita and former Gallery Director at the University of South Carolina Upstate, where she led the art program for more than 20 years. She has juried national and international exhibitions and has exhibited extensively throughout the United States and Europe.
Nodine is the recipient of numerous honors, including an NEA/SECCA Southeastern Seven Fellowship, two South Carolina Arts Commission Artist Fellowships, and the Southeastern College Art Conference Award for Outstanding Artistic Achievement. She was also named one of the 100 Most Significant Artists in South Carolina During the 20th Century by the South Carolina State Museum and South Carolina Arts Commission.
Her work is held in numerous public and private collections in the U.S. and Europe, including the South Carolina State Art Collection, Medical University of South Carolina, Equitable Life Assurance Society in New York, and Stadtsparkasse Bank in Germany.

Awards
Best in Show – $1,000
Category Awards – $250 each
• Work on Canvas or Panel
• Work on Paper
• Photography
• Two-Dimensional Mixed Media
• Three-Dimensional
• Digital / AI Art
One Honorable Mention will also be awarded in each category.
Eligibility
• Open to artists 18 years of age or older residing in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, or Tennessee.
• Artists may submit up to three original works.
• Submission of artwork does not guarantee acceptance.
• All artwork must be original and created solely by the submitting artist. Works completed in instructional classes or workshops are not eligible.
Submission Categories
1. Work on Canvas or Panel
2. Work on Paper
3. Photography
4. Two-Dimensional Mixed Media
5. Three-Dimensional
6. Digital / AI Created Artwork*
*Digital and AI-assisted works must represent the artist's original creative concept. Copyrighted source material may not be used without permission.
Before You Apply
Applications are submitted online through the Art League website.
Please have the following ready:
• Artwork title
• Medium
• Dimensions
• Price
• One JPEG image of each artwork (maximum 5 MB)
• Artist statement (maximum 200 words)
The entry fee of $40 is non-refundable and includes submission of up to three artworks.
Artwork Requirements
• Artwork must be family-friendly and appropriate for public exhibition.
• Two-dimensional artwork, including frame, may not exceed 60" × 60".
• Three-dimensional work must be freestanding, wall-mounted, or suitable for display on a pedestal (may not exceed 50 pounds).
• Artwork must be dry, wired, and ready to hang. Clip frames and sawtooth hangers will not be accepted.
• Gallery-wrapped canvases are acceptable if professionally finished.
• All accepted artwork must remain on exhibit through October 31, even if sold.
Sales
All artwork must be offered for sale.
The Art League retains a 30% commission on all sales. Artwork prices may not be changed after acceptance.
Jury and Awards
Artwork will be juried digitally from submitted images.
The exhibition judge, who will select award recipients from the installed exhibition, will be announced at the opening event.
Important Dates
September 19 – Entry deadline
September 24 (approximately) – Notification of acceptance
September 29–30 – Hand delivery of accepted artwork to Art Place Gallery
October 1–31 – Exhibition
October 2 – Opening Reception and Awards
November 2 – Artwork pickup
Artwork must be hand-delivered and picked up. Shipped artwork will not be accepted.
Terms and Conditions
By entering this exhibition, artists certify that submitted artwork is original and that they hold all rights to the work.
Artists retain copyright of their images but grant the Art League permission to reproduce submitted images for exhibition publicity, marketing, educational materials, and archival purposes.
The Art League reserves the right to reject any artwork that differs substantially from the submitted image or fails to meet exhibition requirements.
Reasonable care will be exercised while artwork is in the possession of the Art League; however, artists are responsible for obtaining their own insurance if desired. The Art League assumes no liability for loss or damage.
Submission of artwork and payment of the entry fee constitute acceptance of all rules and conditions outlined in this prospectus.
For additional information, visit www.ArtLeagueHVL.org or contact the Executive Director at [email protected].