Call Description

The Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art is pleased to announce the 2026 juried fine art competition, A Sense of Place. Now in its 44th year, the competition is open to participants from throughout the United States and seeks to recognize the outstanding quality and diversity of work being generated by contemporary American artists. 

Founded in 1937 and housed in the historic Nicholas Ware mansion (c. 1818), the Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art (GHIA) is Augusta's only independent nonprofit visual arts school and gallery. The Institute serves as a showcase for local, regional, and national artists, offering rotating exhibitions of outstanding contemporary artwork year-round. In addition, professionally taught studio art classes in a wide variety of media are provided to students of all ages and experience levels. 

Juror: TBA

Non-Refundable Entry Fee: $37 entry fee for up to 3 entries/images. Each image counts as an entry. If you are submitting 3D work and you need to send additional images of your work, you may email them to hwilliams@ghia.org.

Awards

Three cash prizes will be given, including a $750 Best of Show Award and two $500 Juror’s Awards. At the juror’s discretion, additional noncash Merit awards may also be presented. Award recipients will be announced on Friday, September 4, 2026, at the opening reception.

Application Requirements

Artwork and Presentation

1.       Each accepted entry must be installation-ready, framed or encased, with appropriate hanging hardware and installation instructions.

2.       2D works must have a hanging device, either d-rings or screw eyes with braided picture wire securely wrapped. Lightweight works under 14” in any and all directions may use saw tooth hangers.

3.       2D work must not exceed three feet in width or seven feet in height (framed). Works on paper should be framed and under Plexiglas (no glass, please). Test your framing/presentation before sending it. The presentation of your work is as important as the object and deserves extra care and consideration including clean mats and frames. Please no flimsy plastic frames or poster frames. Works on canvas do not have to be framed but must be ready to hang.

Commercial digital reproductions of your art (including Giclee, canvas prints, photographs printed through a 3rd party onto glass or canvas) will not be accepted. Photography and prints should be limited editions. Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art (GHIA) retains the right to reject works from the exhibition at any time, at their discretion. Please call GHIA if you need clarification on what is accepted.

4.       3D artworks must not exceed 4’ (four feet) in any direction or weigh more than 70 pounds. Installations must conform to the space guidelines for three-dimensional artwork.  We are unable to accept work that requires suspension from the ceiling. Sculptures will be placed on pedestals or wall shelves (or floor if appropriate).

Shipping Your Artwork

DO NOT use packing peanuts for shipping. They are the bane of our existence. Please pack your work carefully and in sturdy boxes, not ones that have been excessively reused. If using paper to stuff around your artwork, remember it will compress with weight and movement and may not protect your work adequately.

Accepted work may not be withdrawn before the close of the exhibition on Friday, October 9, 2026. If your art is accepted, it must be available for the entire exhibition. No substitutions may be made once work is juried into the show. We recommend work submitted should be considered for general viewing audiences of all ages.

Return of Artwork

Artwork must be picked up by October 23, 2026. Work with prepaid return shipping labels may take 2 weeks for us to process due the volume of artwork to be shipped. GHIA assumes no responsibility for artwork left beyond December 31, 2026, nor for work with insufficient return shipping. Any artwork left beyond December 31, 2026, will become the property of the Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art. GHIA is not responsible for artwork once it leaves the building so please make sure it is properly insured with your shipping carrier.

**Return Shipping MUST BE PREPAID through a shipping company such as FedEx or UPS with a prepaid label enclosed with your artwork. GHIA will not accept postage stamps for shipping, credit card numbers, or shipping accounts for return of artwork, nor will GHIA staff take artwork to the post office or anywhere else to be weighed, measured, or pay for shipping.

Sales and Insurance

The artist assumes responsibility for insuring their artwork and will not hold GHIA responsible for any damage incurred while in transit to and from the Institute. GHIA will provide insurance coverage for artwork while on its premises for exhibition purposes within reason and proof or value/sales may be requested. All sales will be handled through GHIA. A 35% commission will be charged. GHIA will mail checks to the artist for the sale of their work, less any shipping and sale related fees, at the end of the exhibition once payment has been received. Any sales over $600 will require a W9 form to be submitted to GHIA (downloadable from IRS.gov.) before checks can be issued.

Fees and Photography

GHIA does not offer submission refunds for any reasons. The entry fee for A Sense of Place is $37 for up to 3 entries. GHIA may photograph artwork for reproduction in the catalogue and newsletter and use images of submitted artwork to publicize and promote the exhibition and any future exhibitions, catalogues, newsletters and calls for entry.

By entering this competition, you are agreeing to the above terms as stated by the Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art (GHIA).

Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art
506 Telfair St.
Augusta, GA 30901

706.722.5495, www.ghia.org

For more information, visit GHIA.org or CallForEntry.org. Any additional questions may be directed to Heather Williams, Executive Director at hwilliams@ghia.org.

Calendar of Events

April 2 – June 30 – Open for entries

June 30 – Entry deadline 

July 31 – Notification letters sent to artists

On or before August 21 – Delivery deadline for accepted works 

September 4 – October 9 – Exhibition on view  

September 4, 2026, from 5-7 PM – Awards presentation and reception (awards at 6PM)

October 23 – Deadline for artwork to be picked up.

Return shipment - can take up to 2 weeks after the closing date of show to be shipped due to the volume of artwork.

Eligibility Criteria

The 2026 juried fine art competition is open to all US artists age 18 and older. All works must be original, not previously exhibited at the Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art, and completed on or after January 1, 2023. Work that predates this cut-off date will not be considered and omitted from the jurying process.

Entries in the following media will be accepted: painting, drawing, mixed media, printmaking, ceramics, sculpture, fabric art and photography. Film and video pieces are ineligible due to our gallery limitations. Entries are not judged in media categories.