UNCP 45th Annual Juried High School Art Exhibition

The A.D. Gallery at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke invites current regional North Carolina and South Carolina high school students to participate in the 45th annual juried exhibition. This professionally organized gallery exhibition is designed to celebrate artistically accomplished high school students, recognize student talent, and honor art teachers for their encouragement and effective teaching skills. The competition is open to students selected by their art instructors to represent their school.

The exhibition runs March 19-28, 2026, with a reception and awards ceremony on Saturday, March 28, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Art instructors may submit up to 12 works per school. There is no entry fee. Juror John Rhodes-Pruitt is an artist based in eastern North Carolina whose work combines printmaking techniques, alternative-process photography, origami, and drawing. He holds an MFA in Drawing and Painting from East Carolina University (2023) and teaches at UNCP and Methodist University. Awards will be given for First, Second, and Third place winners.

Art instructors must deliver accepted artwork to the gallery by Monday, March 2, 2026. Jury notification will be sent by Tuesday, February 17, 2026. Accepted work may be delivered in person or shipped via UPS or FedEx with prepaid return postage. All 2-D work must be framed under plexiglass or glass (except canvas works) and wired with hanging devices. 3-D work will be displayed on provided pedestals. Wall-mounted work may not exceed 5 feet in height or width and 60 pounds. All works must be original, and permission to photograph artwork for exhibition publicity is considered granted unless otherwise stated. Work will be insured from receipt through return shipment and must remain on view through the close of the exhibition.