AWARE '26 "Love Our Earth"
This amazing planet we call earth is approximately 4.54 billion years old, with an incredible small margin of error of about 50 million years. This amazing celestial body has endured many changes and is continually in flux with ever changing environments. Modern humans have inhabited the earth for about 300.000 years with other human lineage stretching to about 6 million years. With evolution perfecting our species we are the custodians of this planet. It is upon us to love it and take care of it for future generations to come. We challenge you to create art that will enlighten the community and teach us how to ensure we are taking care of the planet. This year we have partnered with Lynnhaven River Now (LRNow) to aid us in disseminating the AWARE'26 message,
​"Love Our Earth".
Our community project this year is a Tree of Life that everyone can contribute so we can create this project. Visit the following link to see how you can get involved: Aware '26 Community Art Project

 Exhibition Dates:  10-3 - 11-1, 2026

9/10              Application deadline Thursday by                               11:59pm.                 
9/18              Notifications of accepted art posted                           on this page. 
9/26              Early Drop Off: 10;30am - 3pm
9/29              Drop Off, Tuesday 10:30 am - 4:30                               pm only.  
10/1               Open for Visitors, Thursday 10 am
10/2               Reception Friday 6-8 pm 
                       Award Presentation, 7 pm 
11/3               Pick Up, Tuesday 10:30 am - 4:30 pm                     

Judge: Spencer Tinkham - Instagram 
(Click on Spencer's name to be directed to his website and Instagram.)
Is an American multidisciplinary artist whose paintings, sculptures, and installations explore perception, ecological change, and natural history. Drawing from research in natural history museums and scientific collections, he studies preserved specimens, migratory species, and biological structures as records of environmental transformation and cultural memory.

Working across carved wood, painting, and installation, Tinkham creates forms that move between realism and abstraction. Through scale, repetition, and material tension, his work transforms patterns found in nature into physical encounters that connect biological form with human emotion. Rather than depicting the natural world directly, the work shifts familiar forms into psychologically charged states, inviting viewers to reconsider how they perceive and relate to the living world.
 
Most recently, Spencer was awarded the Marilyn Newmark Memorial Grant by the National Sculpture Society and voted an Elected Member. He was selected as a David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation Wildlife Artist of the Year finalist. “Colaptes auratus auratus” was juried into the prestigious Leigh Yawkey Woodson “Birds in Art” museum exhibition and acquired for the museum collection. He has work in the Dollar Tree, Inc. corporate art collection, and his work is collected and exhibited internationally.
Click on Spencer's name to be directed to his website.

Awards: 

• 1st Place $250
• 2nd Place $200
• 3rd Place $100
• 6 Honorable Mentions 

Interpretation of Theme:
Celebrate our planet by creating artworks that highlight its beauty as well as what we need to do keep it viable for generations to come. Raise awareness about environmental issues that must be addressed immediately and how communities can get involved with organizations that focus on topics that are urgent. Education is the key and if we all do small things to protect the planet collectively, we can make positive changes. Artwork can be interactive and educational, consider the use of recycled materials. Here are a few ideas that will get your imagination going.

• The Environment
• Inhabitants of the planet, past and present.
• The Oceans
• Flora and Fauna, past and present.
• Global warming and its impact on the planet.
• Fossil fuel vs solar energy.
• Technology and its effect on the planet.
• Organizations that focus on keeping the planet green.
• Create living art.

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Special Rules:    

• Expressive and energetic art comes from the heart and minds of artist that take that spark of imagination and translate it into all types of creations. 
• Take the time to read all the instructions included in this form. All your questions are most likely answered below. If you are still unsure send an email to Art Curator, Jorge A. Saenz at [email protected] before you submit to this exhibit. Contact us prior to the exhibit submission date closing. Once the exhibit has closed, we will not be able to help you. Check your spam folders for emails from us.   

Diverse types of art can be submitted to the exhibition. Broad interpretation of theme is encouraged and not limited to just representational art. Abstract, collages, photography, jewelry, and all other types of art are welcomed to submit, as long as they are tied into the theme of the exhibit and never been exhibited in any of the center's art shows. We highly recommend that artwork submitted to our exhibits should be recently created or refined. Artwork must be original and created by the artist submitting.

If you are unsure of how to approach this theme, please reach out to Art Curator, Jorge A. Saenz via email at [email protected].


Eligibility: 

• Open to Local/Regional Artists aged 18 or older (must be able to drop off work in person) You may enter our exhibits if you live out of town and if accepted into the exhibit you may have your art delivered via UPS or FEDEX only and your work must have a return label. (No Exceptions)

Entry Fee: 

• $30 for up to three pieces for non-supporters and $25 for annual supporters. Additional $5 for each additional entry for a max of 5 entries per artist. Ensure you are paying before exiting the site. This applies to supporters and non-supporters of the center.
• If you are submitting just one 3D piece and wish for the judge to see it from different angles you may use the 2nd and 3rd entry boxes, however if you are submitting 3 pieces you will have to pay the extra fee if you use the 4th and 5th entry boxes. This option is only for 3D artworks.
• There is a jury process, and selected pieces will be accepted into the exhibition. Read and follow all instructions in the prospectus to ensure your artworks meet all the criteria's explained in this document.
• Entry fee is non-refundable.
• Once the submission deadline has closed there will be no amendments to pricing or statements. Double check before hitting submit that all your information is correct.

To Submit: 

• Review the General Rules below to ensure that your art fulfills the requirements.
• Fill out the entry form on this page by midnight of the submission deadline. We do not accept late submission.
• Prior to uploading your photos rename them on the device you are using (PC, Mac Book, iPhone or another phone brand) in the following format: last_first_title.jpeg. Photos must be in a jpeg format, check your phones to make sure they are set to this format, especially iPhone's that have a default HEIC setting. Do not add special characters as this will keep your submission from uploading to our site. Photos that do not meet this requirement are not presented to the judge
• Renaming your photos in the art call upload file box does not change your file name. This must be done prior to uploading. Google has great videos on how to rename your photos on your computer and phones.​
• Photos need to be cropped to the edge of the painting not showing frames, easels, gardens, pets or anything else. Photograph your artwork in good lighting and in a professional straightforward fashion and not at an angle. Google has several great articles on how to do this. Type into your search bar "Photographing your Artwork". Photos that do not meet this requirement are not presented to the judge.
• Submit a short statement about each piece, to be displayed with the work.  Statement should be ​30 words, basically 2 lines in a standard Word document.  The exhibition team will edit statements for clarity, length or typos. Look up on google how to write short succinct statements.
•  Be sure to enter your website and social media handles so we can tag you in our posts!
• Once you submit you will be directed to the payment page which means your submission has been added to our website.
• Pay entry fee using button on the payment page. You must pay to be considered for the exhibition.
•  It is the artist's responsibility to check back on this page for notification of acceptance to the show.
• ​Once the submission deadline has closed there will be no amendments to pricing or statements. Double check before hitting submit that all your information is correct.

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Drop Off and Pick Up of Art:

• Drop off is Tuesday, 9-29, 10:30 am to 4:30 pm.
• Early drop off: Saturday, 9-26: 10:30am - 3pm.
• No works will be accepted after Tuesday at 4:30 pm. Early delivery dates will be announced once notice of acceptance is sent out to artists.
• Ensure artwork is labeled on the back and under 3D with your name and title of work.
• Art will be checked during drop off and ensure all requirements have been met. Art can still be refused for the show if there are issues with presentation, hanging wire, craftsmanship, etc. or if the artwork differs from the art juried into the exhibit.
• Exhibition postcards/handouts will be available at drop off.
• Pick up is Tuesday, November 1, 10:30 am-4:30 pm.  

ATTENTION:  Read ALL GENERAL RULES at the bottom of this page, but be aware of these common oversights:

• Original works that have never been exhibited in any of the center's art shows only.  No reproductions.  Digital works (photography, digital art, hand-pulled prints) must be in limited editions (25 or less), signed and numbered. Please include if AI was used to create the artwork. Should your photography/digital print sell you may not replace with another of the same artwork juried in. 
• Presentation must be professional and not detract from the artwork.  
• Gallery wrapped canvases that are 1" or wider must be painted on the sides with either the painting wrapping around or with a complimentary color. No visible staples on the sides of the canvas. NO EXCEPTIONS!
•  Paintings created on canvas, cradle board or any substrate that is less than 1" wide on its edge must have a frame. There are no exceptions for this requirement.
• Photographers that use metal or aluminum sheets are fine with their presentations and do not need frames.
• Hanging wires must be tight across, and 1/4 down from the top of the frame. Absolutely no SAWTOOTH HANGERS or EYEHOOKS.  Artwork is checked at drop off and you will be required to rectify if directions have not been followed.
• Only photographer's using metal or aluminum sheets may have the built in sawtooth hangers.
• Artwork must be for sale and on view for entire exhibition.
• PLEASE READ ALL GENERAL RULES at very bottom.

​Commission:   

• 30% of sales retained by the VB-AC for Invitational Artists
• 25% of sales retained by the VB-AC for resident and exhibiting artists of the center.​

 

• VOLUNTEERS FOR RECEPTIONS:
•  We value the participation of volunteers at our first Friday events and invite you to sign up at: Volunteer (artcentervb.org)
  Click on the above link and choose Reception or if you wish to volunteer in another capacity, please click on what interest best suits you.​

Questions/Contacts:
Virginia Beach Art Center
532 Virginia Beach Blvd. Suite A
Virginia Beach, VA 23451
[email protected]
www.artcentervb.org
​

GENERAL RULES​

• No Reproductions all art must be original and created by the artist submitting. (Photography and Digital Art must be limited in edition to no more than 25 and signed and numbered.) Should your photography/digital print sell you may not replace with another of the same artwork juried in.
• All work must be visibly signed by the artist (2D on front or back, 3D on bottom) and include edition numbers (e.g., 1/25, 2/25) for hand-pulled prints, photography or digital art.
• Virginia Beach Art Center is a community gallery.  All artworks should be suitable for viewers of all ages.
• All works must be free of copyright infringement.  It is the individual artist's responsibility to ensure that they are adhering to copyright requirements.  The Virginia Beach Art Center and The Artists Gallery are not liable for any copyright infringement issues that may arise. ​
• Size and weight limitations:  Width of 2D works is limited to 60 inches (including frame) and 40 pounds or less.  The base of 3D works may not be more than 20" square.  Any 3D works over 40 lb. must be installed and moved by the artist. Size and weight restrictions may be waived by contacting the art curator directly prior to submission. If you have any questions about your artwork, please email Art Curator, Jorge A. Saenz at [email protected].
• Works requiring special installation must be cleared in advance by the art curator. Please email [email protected] before submitting art that has special requirements.
• All works must be priced for sale and remain at the gallery throughout the duration of the exhibition.
• Pricing should be consistent with the artist's other works. In other words, do not over price because you do not want to sell it. We check websites and social media platforms to confirm the pricing is comparable to other works you have for sale.
• Artist will be notified of a sale.​
• Sales checks are ready for pick up by the 10th of the month that follows the close of the exhibition.  
• While staff and volunteers take great care with the artworks, the Virginia Beach Art Center and The Artists Gallery are not responsible and cannot be held liable for any damages to artworks before, during or after this exhibition.
• ​Submitting your images is an indication that you give the Virginia Beach Art Center permission to use images of your art for promotional purposes.