Call Description

Announcing the call for entry for the 2026 Radford Art Show!

This annual regional exhibition is hosted by Radford University Art Museum and highlights the talent of artists living in Virginia’s New River Valley and surrounding regions.

For this exhibition, RUAM is pleased to collaborate with the City of Radford in celebration of the Mary Draper Ingles Festival, a local festival featuring participating venues that showcase our region’s art, music, history, and more.

The juror for this year’s exhibition is Marcy Criner, an award-winning equestrian portrait and abstract artist based in Virginia. The show features cash prizes and awards, including a $500 Best in Show prize.

All artists in Western and West Central Virginia, age 18 and older, are encouraged to apply.

2026 Radford Art Show

Exhibition Location:
Radford University Art Museum’s Tyler Gallery
214 Tyler Avenue
Radford, VA 24141

Timeline

• Call for Entry Opens: June 1, 2026
• Entries Due: June 21, 2026
• Exhibition Open to the Public: July 24 – August 10, 2026
• Opening Reception: Saturday, July 25, 2026, 1–4 p.m.

Entry open to all mediums.
All themes welcome.

Entry Fee: $30 for up to 3 artworks 

*Currently Enrolled Radford University Students are eligible for a fee waiver, please contact RUartmuseum@radford.edu for information. 

Application Requirements

• Artists may submit up to three artworks to be considered.
• The artwork must be the original creation of the artist and not a reproduction.
• Only high-quality images and application materials will be considered.
• Entries are open to artists working in any media and entries are not limited to any theme.

Eligibility Criteria

THIS COMPETITION IS OPEN TO ANY ARTIST AGES 18 AND UP WHO LIVE IN WESTERN AND WEST CENTRAL VIRGINIA:

Alleghany County, Bedford, Bedford County, Bland County, Botetourt County, Bristol, Buchanan County, Buena Vista, Carroll County, Covington, Craig County, Dickenson County, Floyd County, Franklin County, Galax, Giles County, Grayson County, Henry County, Lee County, Lexington, Martinsville, Montgomery County, Norton, Patrick County, Pulaski County, Radford, Roanoke, Roanoke County, Rockbridge County, Russell County, Salem, Scott County, Smyth County, Tazewell County, Washington County, Wise County, Wythe County.

ENTRY OPEN TO ALL MEDIUMS.

ALL THEMES WELCOME.