EXHIBITION AND TOUR 
Small Works on Paper (SWOP) is an annual, juried art exhibition sponsored by the Arkansas Arts Council featuring the artwork of Arkansas Artist Registry members. Each year, the SWOP exhibition tours the state and can be viewed at nine locations in Arkansas. The exhibition will open in January 2025 at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and make stops in Russellville, Fayetteville, Mena, Pine Bluff, Helena, Magnolia, Monticello and Searcy. 
 
ELIGIBILITY  
SWOP is open to current members of the Arkansas Artist Registry. (Non-members can join online for free at the link below.) Current Arkansas Arts Council advisory board members, staff of the Arkansas Department of Heritage, Parks and Tourism (ADHPT) or members of their immediate families are not eligible.
  

ARKANSAS ARTIST REGISTRY 
The Arkansas Artist Registry is free and open to all visual artists who are 18 years or older and Arkansas residents. The Registry is designed to promote and market Arkansas artists. To view the Registry and obtain an application form, visit https://www.arkansasheritage.com/arkansas-art-council/registry-rosters/art-registry
 
JUROR                                                                                            
The 2025 juror is Mario A. Robinson, a full-time professional artist based in Long Branch, New Jersey. Originally from Oklahoma, Robinson attended the Pratt Institute in New York. He is a figurative painter who works in pastel, watercolor and oils. He is the author of "Lessons in Realistic Watercolor," a comprehensive guide of watercolor techniques. His work has been featured several times in The Artist's Magazine, The Pastel Journal, Watercolor Magic, American Art Collector, Fine Art Connoisseur and on the cover of American Artist magazine. Robinson's work is widely collected by private and public collectors.   

PURCHASE AWARDS 
Up to $2,000 will be available for juror selected awards. Artwork selected as a purchase award will be purchased at the price listed by the artist at time of entry. The artwork will become part of the SWOP permanent collection.  

SPECIFICATIONS 

• Eligible mediums include painting, photography, drawing, printmaking, mixed media and collage.
• Only original artwork, not work copied or reproduced from another artist's creation, will be accepted. Do not submit AI generated artwork. (See "Rules and Terms to Apply.")
• All artwork must be created on paper. Artwork created on canvas is not eligible.
• Dimensions of actual work can be any size, but accepted work must be matted or mounted to fit a frame that is one of the following sizes: 18" x 18" or 18" x 24" (H x W or W x H).

 ACCEPTED WORK  

• A maximum of 40 works will be selected by the juror.
• Accepted work is due in the Arkansas Arts Council office by Nov. 8, 2024. Artwork may be hand-delivered or shipped.
• Artwork may be refused if the digital image is not an accurate representation of work.
• Accepted work must fit in a standard low-profile frame measuring 18" x 18" or 18" x 24" (H x W or W X H).
• Frames will be provided by the Arkansas Arts Council.
• Artists must provide a hinged window mat and rigid backboard for their artwork. Mounted artwork, plus a backing board is acceptable.
• All mats should be of conservation quality mat board.
• The entire thickness of artwork, mat, and backing board should not exceed 1/2" thickness to fit the Arkansas Arts Council's frames.

SALES 
Please indicate the sale price for each work submitted. If the work is not for sale, please list a monetary value. Commissions are not taken on sales. All proceeds go to the artists.  
 
ARTIST NOTIFICATION 
All artists will be notified regarding acceptance of work in September 2024.  
 
ENTRY FEES AND DEADLINE 
Entry fees are $15 to submit one digital image, $20 for two digital images or $25 for three digital images.  
 
INFORMATION 
Contact Cheri Leffew with questions about entry procedures or the exhibition at (501) 324-9767 or cheri.leffew@arkansas.gov.   
 

Application Requirements

All artwork must be original, on paper and completed within the last two years. Non-original art (copied from another artist's creation, whether painting, drawing or photography is not eligible). AI generated artwork is not eligible. 

Eligibility Criteria

SWOP is open to artists who are members of the Arkansas Artist Registry. New members can join at the link above. The Arkansas Artist Registry is free and open to all visual artists who are 18 years or older and Arkansas residents.

(NOTE: Do not enter if you do not reside in Arkansas.) 

Arkansas Arts Council advisory board members, staff of the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism (ADPHT) or members of their immediate families are not eligible.