2026 Art Show

Deadline for submission: January 24, 2026, 5:00pm

Notification of acceptance: March 2026

Receiving date for accepted artwork: April 25th, 2026 by 2:30pm

Reception: June 6th, 2026

Exhibit Open to Public: June 9-July 11, 2026

Removal/Pick-up: July 14-18th, 2026

Return of shipped work: August 2026

• Open to artists 18 years or older.

• All 2D and 3D media are welcome, including sculpture.

• Framing: 2D work (excluding acrylic and oil paintings) must be framed with clear acrylic or plexiglass.

• Original Work: Submissions must be original in concept, design, and execution. Works created in a class, workshop, or under supervision are ineligible.

• Sales Requirement: All submitted works must be for sale.

• Previously accepted entries in RRVM juried exhibitions are not eligible. The exhibition committee reserves the right to reject works that do not meet exhibition standards.

• Artists may submit 1-3 entries for a non-refundable fee of $30.

• Additional entries may be submitted for $5 per artwork.

• Your submission will not be processed until the fee is received.

• Insurance: Artists are responsible for insuring their artwork. The museum is not liable for damage or loss of any work.

• Framing: All work must be professionally framed and ready for display.: Canvases must have clean, gallery-wrapped edges. No clip frames or taped edges. Works must be wired for hanging (no sawtooth hangers). Special installation needs must be discussed in advance.

• Labels: A label matching the entry form must be attached to the back of each piece.

• Sales: RRVM will handle all sales and retain a 20% commission on all sold work.

• Duration: All works must remain on display for the full duration of the exhibit. No early removals or sales will be permitted. Failure to comply will result in a 3-year exclusion from future exhibitions.

• The museum reserves the right to reject any work that arrives late, is unstable, or differs significantly from the submitted images.

Click HERE to be taken to a Google form that will allow you to fill out the Entry Form, upload photos of your artwork, and enter payment information in one easy place.

What to include:

•CD or USB with entries saved as named jpeg files

•Entry fee in the form of check, cash, or written credit card information ($30 for 1-3 entries, +$5 for each additional entry)

•Completed entry form

Mail to:

Red River Valley Museum

P.O. Box 2004, Vernon, TX 76385

Email info@rrvmuseum.org with subject line “2026 Art Show Entry: your name here”

What to include:

• Email info@rrvmuseum.org

• Subject Line: “2026 Art Show Entry: your name”

• Please include in email:

  • Your full name

  • Mailing Address

  • Phone number

  •   The title. Media, dimensions, and sale price of your artwork

  • Jpeg images of artwork

  • Payment information (card number, expiration date, security code, billing zip) or request an invoice

Once received your card will be charged $30 for 1-3 entries and $5 for each additional entry.

In-person delivery:

• Artists may deliver accepted works in person to: Red River Valley Museum, 4600 College Drive, Vernon, TX 76384

• Drop-off deadline: April 25, 2026, from 10:30 AM - 2:30 PM

Shipping:

• Shipped works must arrive by April 25, 2026. A $25 handling fee applies per box/crate.

• Return shipping must be prepaid by the artist. 

A juried art show is a competitive exhibition where artists submit their work to be evaluated by a panel of judges, known as jurors. The jurors review all submissions and select the artworks that will be included in the exhibition. ​

Participating in a juried show can enhance your artistic resume, provide valuable exposure, and offer opportunities to receive feedback from art professionals. It allows you to gauge how your work stands alongside that of other artists and can be a fulfilling experience for those seeking recognition and growth in their artistic journey.

Artists who are:

• Prepared for a competitive environment where not all entries are selected.​

• Interested in using the experience to critically assess and develop their work.​

• Eager to understand how their art represents them and how it compares to others with similar themes, subjects, or mediums.​

• Open to learning and improving based on the selection process and feedback.

A panel comprising museum stakeholders, local artists, art-minded individuals, and award sponsors reviews all submitted artworks. This group carefully evaluates each piece and selects approximately 50 works for inclusion in the exhibition.

Red River Valley Museum staff will email each artist to notify them of their acceptance status. These emails will be sent out in mid-March. If you do not receive an email by April 1st please call us at 940-553-1848 to check the status of your entry.

Please add rrvm1@yahoo.com and cooper@rrvmuseum.org to your contacts so you do not miss any emails from us!

Not being selected is a common aspect of juried exhibitions and should not be discouraging. Selection decisions can be influenced by various factors, including the overall balance of the show and the subjective opinions of the jurors. Some years may be more competitive due to a higher number of entries. Use this as an opportunity to reflect on your work and consider areas for growth.

Due to the high volume of submissions, it is not feasible to provide individual feedback for each entry. However, we encourage you to visit our Exhibition History page to view images from past shows, including many award-winning works. This can offer insight into the types of pieces that have been successful in previous exhibitions and may assist you in preparing future submissions.

The entry fee covers the jurying process itself, including the time and expertise of the jurors in reviewing and evaluating all submissions. Therefore, the fee is non-refundable, regardless of the selection outcome.

Once artwork has been accepted into the exhibition, an accredited juror with expertise across various artistic mediums evaluates all pieces in person. Drawing upon their extensive experience and knowledge, the juror selects award recipients based on criteria such as originality, technical skill, and artistic expression. Awards range from $100 to $1,000 and are generously sponsored by local businesses, art enthusiasts, and the museum itself. This process ensures that outstanding artistic achievements are recognized and celebrated within our community.

Awards will be presented during the private opening reception of the show, to which you will receive a mailed invitation. If you are unable to attend the event, your award check will be shipped back to you along with your artwork if you had sent it to us. Alternatively, we can mail your check to the address you provided on your entry form.

About the awards judge: David Band

We charge an additional $25 handling fee to artists who ship their artwork to us. This fee covers the labor and resources required for receiving, unpacking, storing, repacking, and preparing the artwork for return shipping if it does not sell. Additionally, artists are responsible for the cost of return shipping for unsold works or for sending back empty boxes or crates if the artwork is sold. This handling fee is standard for many art exhibitions across the country to ensure the safe and efficient management of shipped artworks.

The entry fee is $30 for up to three artworks. Artists may submit additional works beyond the initial three for a fee of $5 per extra piece. This non-refundable fee covers the administrative costs associated with the jurying process and the setup of the exhibition. ​

The Museum manages all sales transactions during the exhibition and retains a 20% commission on each sold artwork. Sold pieces will remain on display until the exhibition concludes. Museum staff will notify you of any sales, after which buyers will collect their purchases directly from the museum. Payments for sold artworks are processed by the museum; you can choose to receive your payment via mail or arrange for pickup at the museum.