Call Description

Alaska Photographic Center invites you to participate in Rarefied Light 2026, Alaska’s largest juried photography exhibition.

Eligibility for Rarefied Light 2026

The competition is open to all artists residing in Alaska.  All work submitted must be original work created and owned by the submitting photographer.

This call is open to all forms and categories of photography with the exception of AI-generated work. Only original works not previously exhibited or scheduled for exhibition in a statewide juried exhibition in Alaska are eligible for submission. Recent work preferred.

Long Description

Alaska Photographic Center invites you to participate in Rarefied Light 2026, Alaska’s largest juried photography exhibition. The juror for 2026, Nevada Wier, is a photographer specializing in documenting the remote corners and cultures of the world, based in Santa Fe. She is recognized for her creative and intimate approach to people, as well as her intriguing Infrared images.

Nevada Wier has been published in numerous national and international publications, including National Geographic Magazine, National Geographic Traveler & Adventure, GEO, Outside and Smithsonian. Her fine-art prints are featured in public and private collections, she is represented by the Obscura Gallery in Santa Fe, NM. Nevada is a well-known keynote speaker, workshop, and seminar instructor. Photo District News named Nevada one of America's best photography workshop teachers. Nevada's books include The Land of Nine Dragons - Vietnam Today (Abbeville Press), winner of the Lowell Thomas Best Travel Book of 1992 award, and Adventure Travel Photography (Amphoto). She is currently working on two new books, A Nomadic Vision (publication TBA) and Invisible World: Infrared Photography (publication TBA). Nevada has been featured in television productions such as: National Geographic Explorer, National Geographic Through the Lens, and Canon Photo Safaris. She has been a speaker on the nation-wide tour LIVE …from National Geographic. She is a Fellow of The Explorer’s Club and a member of the Women’s Geographic Society.

 Eligibility for Rarefied Light 2026

The competition is open to all artists residing in Alaska.  All work submitted must be original work created and owned by the submitting photographer.

This call is open to all forms and categories of photography with the exception of AI-generated work. Only original works not previously exhibited or scheduled for exhibition in a statewide juried exhibition in Alaska are eligible for submission. Recent work preferred.

Digital Submissions & Judging
Rarefied Light 2026 judging will be completely done online using the submitted digital images. Participants will be notified of acceptance in the show in July, after Nevada has made the final selections. Final exhibition ready artwork will be collected in September, prior to the opening show in Anchorage at the International Gallery of Contemporary Art (IGCA) in October.

$25 for one-year membership
$15 for students or senior citizens (65 and older) use code: MEMBERDISC at submission.

Fees
APC Members: first entry $15, $5 per each additional entry.
Non-Members: first entry $30, $10 each additional entry.
There is a limit of 20 entries that may be submitted.

APC Members who have active memberships or renew using CallForEntry, are eligible to use coupon code: APCMEMBER to receive the discount on submission rates.

NOTE: You must apply the coupon to EACH image submitted for the discount to be applied fully (click on Coupon and type APCMEMBER) 
 

There are no refunds given after submission.

After you finalize submission, you cannot add additional images.

Awards
There will be a Best of Show selection with a $300 Award provided by APC. Additionally, the juror will select Honorable Mention Awards of $100.

Final Show - Exhibition-ready artwork = Gallery Quality Framing
Artwork that is selected from the digital submissions for the final show in Anchorage must be exhibition-ready by a TBD date in September 2026.

Exhibition ready requires: 

• No watermarks or logos on the printed images.
• Two-dimensional art should be framed in a simple, black, white, or silver colored metal or wood frame, no wider or deeper than 1.5 inch.
• No brown wood frames please.
• With a goal of a more uniform show, we cannot accept ornately carved or colored frames.
• If matted, please use white or natural museum board; no colored mats.
• No saw-toothed hangers; use framing wire.
• Metal and Canvas prints must be framed for protection.
• Plexiglass must be used for framed artwork larger than 20 inches on the longest side
• Frame size is limited to 24 inches on the longest side (due to shipping container constraints)
• 3-Dimensional artwork must be packaged properly and approved by the board for shipping. It may not be able to travel with the show due to the fragile nature of the piece and gallery display limitations.

APC reserves the right to exclude submitted artwork that does not meet the above criteria or is ineligible for public display in any specific gallery space.

Exhibition
Rarefied Light 2026 has exhibitions planned in Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau, and Cordova. Selected art is currently scheduled to be returned to the artist in the fall of 2027 and cannot be withdrawn prior to the end of the tour. Exhibit venues may be added and extend the duration of the traveling exhibit.

Any pieces with fragile components may not be eligible for traveling with the show.                                                                                                                                                                                                         
Liability
APC will not be liable for artwork that is damaged during shipping/display. Metal and Canvas works should be packaged in individual sturdy, reusable boxes suitable for shipping. This includes acceptable packing materials to protect the surface of the work. (No packing peanuts or loose fill materials)

Conditions and Sales
Sales will be encouraged. Each venue takes their standard gallery commission. Images may be used by APC for purposes of documentation, promotion, in publicity, APC publications and exhibitions.

All copyrights remain with the photographers.

Eligibility Criteria

The competition is open to all artists residing in Alaska. All work submitted must be original work created and owned by the submitting photographer.

Rules and Terms to Apply

Submitting an entry to this exhibition constitutes an understanding and acceptance of the conditions set forth in the prospectus and agreed to Rarefied Light 2026 terms and conditions. Submitted works may be used for promotional purposes for APC.

Application Requirements

Applicants will follow the instructions on the callforentry website.

Eligibility Criteria

The competition is open to all artists residing in Alaska. All work submitted must be original work created and owned by the submitting photographer.