ENTRY DEADLINE
September 3, 2025 at 5:00 PM
SHOW DATES
October 3 - November 7, 2025
Annual Open Exhibit & Art Show is a curated and judged art show for artists in McMinn and surrounding counties.
Opening Reception & Awards Ceremony Friday, October 24 at 5:00 PM
Cost to enter $10/entry for Open Division | High School and College FREE
Prizes awarded at the Opening Reception and Awards Ceremony.
The form, all information on this page, hanging instructions, link to pay and email are all linked under “Quick Links.”
QUICK LINKS
Timeline
September 3 Registration Deadline (all registration forms, photos, and fees due)
September 4 Notification of Acceptance Date
September 22, 23, 25, & 26, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Delivery of pieces to The Arts Center
***Please note that we are NOT open on Wednesday 9/24***
October 3 - November 7 Exhibit Open
Friday, October 24, 5:00 PM, at The Arts Center Opening Reception
November 10, 11, 13, 14, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Pick-up pieces at The Arts Center
***Please note that we are NOT open on Wednesday 11/12***
DIVISIONS
HIGH SCHOOL any student grades 9 - 12
COLLEGE any undergraduate and graduate student enrolled in or recently graduated from any higher learning institute
OPEN all others ($10 entry fee)
PRIZES to be announced
THIS YEAR’S JUDGE: to be announced
CRITERIA
There is no theme for the 2025/2026 exhibit.
All media and subject matter acceptable, but be aware — this show will be open to all ages at all times.
Two- and three-dimensional works are acceptable.
Completed entries must fit through a standard door, be soundly constructed, and weigh no more than 60lbs.
Free standing pieces may not exceed 24” x 24” of floor space.
Hanging pieces must be ready to hang, and not project more than 12” from the wall. Sculpture must include a stable base able to fit on a 12" pedestal. Click here or email artsed@athensartscouncil.org for detailed instructions to make sure your piece is ready to exhibit.
The Visual Arts Committee of AACA will review each piece to determine it meets all requirements and represents appropriate level of craftsmanship, as well as meets our mission statement.
All pieces must have been created within the past two years.
All media welcome! Wearables, jewelry, furnishings, sculpture, wall hangings. Let the creative spirit take you on an artistic journey!
THE FOLLOWING ARE REQUIRED WITH ENTRY FORM TO COMPLETE REGISTRATION
Photos of your entries for juried acceptance process (all photos must be submitted with filename following the
format of ARTIST_TITLE OF PIECE). Email artsed@athensartscouncil.org to send images.
Open only: Payment of fees (open division must pay $10 per entry) Click here to pay online.
DELIVERY
Accepted works may be hand delivered to The Arts Center Monday September 22, Tuesday September 23, Thursday September 25, OR Friday September 26, 2025 during regular business hours: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM. ***Please note that we are NOT open on Wednesday 9/24***
Click here to make sure your work is ready for exhibition!
PICK UP
Exhibited works must be picked up from The Arts Center Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, or Friday November 10 - 14, 2025 during regular business hours 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM. ***Please note that we are NOT open on Wednesday 10/12***
AACA is not responsible for artwork left after November 14, 2025.
PLEASE NOTE
For Open Division, entry is not complete without payment of $10 entry fee per piece. You may make payment online here.
Registration is not complete without photo(s) of your piece(s) for jurying process. Please email photos of your piece(s)
to artsed@athensartscouncil.org by September 3, 2025.All hanging pieces MUST meet our hanging requirements. Click here to make sure your work is ready for exhibition!
Entry forms and fees must be received by Wednesday September 3, 2025.