15th Biennial National Art Exhibition

The Visual Arts Center proudly presents the 15th Biennial National Art Exhibition (NAE), a juried art competition of 2-dimensional artwork from across the country that has graced the walls of the Visual Arts Center since 1996. On this highly anticipated 30th year, they are offering their highest awards to date, with over $13,000 in cash prizes including a 1st place award of $5,000. The NAE is one of the nation's most prestigious juried exhibitions of two-dimensional media, hosted by the Visual Arts Center in the heart of Punta Gorda along beautiful Charlotte Harbor in Southwest Florida.

Teresa Kirk serves as juror for this exhibition. She is an award-winning artist who holds signature membership with International Society of Experimental Artists, Florida Watercolor, Kansas Watercolor, and Southern Watercolor Societies, plus Platinum signature member in Gold Coast Watercolor Society. She teaches at the Boca Raton Museum of Art school and numerous workshops throughout the country. Artists may enter up to three pieces, however only one entry may be accepted by the juror. The exhibition is limited to two-dimensional paintings and drawings in oil, watercolor, pastel, acrylic, charcoal, colored pencil, graphite, alcohol ink, scratchboard and mixed media completed in the last five years. No dimension can exceed six feet and work must not weigh more than 60 pounds.

The entry fee is $50 for the first submission and $20 for each second and third submission. Applications must be completed online through Cafe-Call for Entry by midnight MST on December 1, 2025. The exhibition opens February 13, 2026, with an Opening Night Gala on February 12 and Awards Reception on February 19. Artists must be at least 18 years of age and artwork from any state or country is eligible for entry.