2026 Small Works on Paper

Small Works on Paper (SWOP) is an annual, juried art exhibition sponsored by the Arkansas Arts Council. The exhibition showcases artwork from both emerging and established Arkansas artists in a year-long traveling exhibition that tours the state, with stops at up to ten locations including Pine Bluff, Russellville, Fort Smith, Bentonville, Batesville, North Little Rock, Stuttgart, Helena, West Memphis, and Forrest City. The exhibition opens in January 2026 at the Arts and Science Center in Pine Bluff.

SWOP is open to all visual artists who are residents of Arkansas, aged 18 years or older. Current Arkansas Arts Council advisory board members, staff of the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism, or members of their immediate families are not eligible. Eligible mediums include painting, photography, drawing, printmaking, mixed media, and collage. All artwork must be original, created on paper, and completed within the last two years. AI-generated artwork and work copied from another artist's creation are not eligible. Artwork must be matted or mounted to fit a frame measuring either 18" x 18" or 18" x 24" (H x W or W x H). A maximum of 40 works will be selected by the juror. Up to $2,000 will be available for juror-selected purchase awards, with artwork purchased at the price listed by the artist at time of entry.

Entry fees are $15 for one digital image, $20 for two digital images, or $25 for three digital images. The entry deadline is July 25, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. MDT. Accepted work is due in the Arkansas Arts Council office by November 7, 2025. Artists will be notified regarding acceptance in September 2025. Artists chosen by the juror will be added to the Juried Artist Directory. The 2026 juror is Kelli Scott Kelley, a Professor of Art at Louisiana State University. For questions, contact Cheri Leffew at (501) 324-9767 or [email protected].