2026 Information for Artists

Dates to Remember

• Application Deadline - Monday, March 30th

• Drop-Off Day - Saturday April 18th - 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM 

• Exhibition Day #1 - Thursday April 23 - 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM

• Exhibition Day #2  - Friday April 24th - 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM 

• Exhibition Day #3  - Saturday April 25th - 3:00 PM to 10:00 PM 

• Artist Only Meet and Greet - 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM

• Live Poetry Reading  - 7:00 PM

• Exhibition Day #3  - Sunday April 26th - 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM

• Pick - Up Sunday  - April 26th - 3:15 PM

Entry Information

This exhibition is open to all professional, amateur and student photographers, artists, and poets submitting their original works. 

Photography Categories
  Spotlight - Sparkle

Architecture, Macro, Nature/Landscape, People,Photographic Art, Still Life, Wildlife/Animals

Art Categories

Spotlight - Sparkle

Acrylic, Digital, Drawing, Mixed Media, Oils, Pastels, Watrecolor, Scupture, and Other.

Only One (1) Spotlight Entry Allowed.

We will once again have a St Francis of Assisi award for the piece if art, photography,
poetry/creative writing that exemplifies his spirit of love and care of animals and the
environment.

Entry Preparations and Requirements

• Artist Biography - We encourage artists to submit a "brief" artist biography to be printed in our program. Please provide a brief(75 word maximum bio) in the online application by March 10, 2026.

• All hanging entries must be professionally presented and suitable for hanging, including framing and matting (photo & poetry), gallery wrapped, Plexiglas, etc. All work must be ready for hanging, complete with appropriate wire hanging support (i.e. screw eyes with wire).

• Each entry must have our identifying label (click here) - or with the paper application, filled out completely and attached to the back of the entries. All work must be ready for hanging, complete with wire hanging support (i.e. screw eyes with wire, etc.)

Note: A fee of $10.00 will be imposed to supply wiring materials at drop-off (not for metal).No Tape, No String, No Clips. NO EXCEPTIONS!

• Entries are limited to 700 pieces. Applications will be accepted until March 30, 2026, or untill 700 entries are received.I

• Entries may not be removed until the end of the exhibition.Entries may not be removed until the end of the exhibition.

• Due to pastoral guidelines, we cannot accept any entry containing inappropriate or suggestive material, We reserve the right to reject pieces that depict nudity, violence, etc.

• All entries must be picked up on Sunday April 26 between 3:15PM and 4:15PM. No exceptions. We will not be responsible for artwork left behind.

Judging

• Awards will be presented for 1st, 2nd, 3rd place and Honorable Mention in each category. Additionally, ech Judge will assign a Judge's Choice Award.

• High School and Adult Poetry will be judged separately.

• Student (K-8) entries are not judged,but each judge will assign one Judge's Choice Award for this age group. 

• Silent Auction submissions are not judged.

• Winners will receive notification via email as soon as possible after the judging. Winners are encouraged to supply a digital image (jpeg)  of thier work so we may post it on this website.

• We will once again have s St Francis of Assisi award for the piece of art, photography, poetry/creative writing that exemplifies his spirit of love and care of animals and the environment.

• The Spotlight Award (Sparkle) will be selected by our committee for the piece of art, photography and poetry that best depicts or Sparkle  theme.

Sales

A 25% minimum donation is required on all sales and any commissioned work. Artists whose works have sold will receive a check within approximately 45 days..

Liability

All submissions will be handled with reasonable care. THE Patron of the Arts Association shall not be responsible for damage, loss or theft. Submitting an entry in this exhibition shall imply agreement on the part of photographer, artist, poet, or sculptor with all of the conditions outlined in this prospectus, including poorly framed and wired pieces. Winning entries will be posted on our website in non-reproducible form.