Southwest Georgia Students’ Art Will Be Displayed at the Albany Museum of Art
Artwork Can Be Entered Between Oct 13 and Oct 27; High School Students Can Win Cash Awards
Southwest Georgia Students, grab your paintbrushes, pencils, pastels, clay, and cameras! Not only do you have the opportunity to see your artwork displayed in an Albany Museum of Art gallery this fall, but high school students can win cash awards for their work.
The 3rd annual juried Student Art Exhibition will open on Friday, Oct 30, in the AMA’s West Gallery. Though the Tuesday, Oct 27, deadline to submit artwork for the competition and exhibition might seem far away, Director of Education and Public Programming Annie Van Oteghem said that middle and high school students should not wait until the last minute to begin working on their submissions.
“It may seem like there’s plenty of time, but deadlines have a way of sneaking up on you, especially in the fall when so many sports and school events are going on,” Van Oteghem said. “I would hate for any student to miss out on this opportunity to have their artwork seen in a gallery of an accredited museum. We hope that students, their teachers, parents, and school groups will spread the word about the exhibition and contest.”
Middle and high school students who attend Southwest Georgia public schools, private schools, and homeschools are eligible to participate. There is no cost to enter. Submitted pieces must have been created no earlier than Nov 1, 2025.
Each division has three two-dimensional categories—abstract work, realistic technical work, and enhanced photograph and digital art—and one three-dimensional category—sculpture and 3D art.
A student can submit up to two pieces. The second submission must be entered in a different category than the student’s first submitted artwork. The maximum size, including frame or mat, for two-dimensional works is 24 by 36 inches. The maximum size for three-dimensional works is 24 by 24 by 36 inches, with a maximum weight of 40 pounds.
Judges will name two top winners and honorable mentions in four categories in both the middle school and high school divisions. All winners will receive certificates, and the first- and second-place high school winners in each category will receive cash awards.
“We will announce the winners on Saturday, Nov 7, at The Heart of Albany Festival,” Van Oteghem said. “From the opening of the exhibition on Oct 30 until the festival day, visitors to the AMA will be able to vote for their favorite artworks. The student whose work gets the most votes will win the People’s Choice award, which also comes with a cash prize for the student artist.”
Entry forms can be filled out, and artwork dropped off at the front desk in the AMA lobby beginning on Oct 13. Students and their parents and teachers can find detailed descriptions of each of the submission categories HERE.
“This contest and exhibition really grew last year, and we hope it will attract even more students this year,” Van Oteghem said. “It gives people a chance to see that we have some of the most talented student artists in the country right here in Albany and Southwest Georgia. The Student Art Exhibition will be open through Jan 2, and we are proud that we can share their artistic creativity with all of our visitors.”
Questions about the contest can be emailed to Van Oteghem at [email protected].
