52nd Annual High School Art Competition 

Calling all High School artists! The Art Center will host it’s 52nd Annual High School Student Art Competition from January 31 – February 28, 2026! This exhibition is designed to educate high school artists on how to professionally enter and display artwork for a juried competition. Along with works from our area high schoolers, the Art Center will also be displaying works from the student’s art teachers in their 9th Annual High School Art Teacher Exhibit.

Open to high schoolers, grades 9th – 12th, in counties that fall in a 50 mile radius around Quincy. Students may enter up to 3 works. There is a $15 non refundable entry fee. Artworks must be original and not exceed 4 feet in any direction. All mediums accepted. Artworks must be ready for exhibition. Note, this is a juried competition, not all entered artworks will be selected for display. An accepted list will be emailed to all students who entered, and their art teachers, no later than Tuesday, January 20, 2026 at 5pm.

Entry Drop-off:
Tuesday – Friday; December 16 – 19, 2025; 11am – 5pm
Tuesday – Saturday; January 6 – 10, 2026, 11am – 5pm
Tuesday – Friday; January 13 – 16, 2026, 11am – 5pm

Non-Accepted Pick-Up:
Wednesday – Saturday; January 21 – 24, 2026; 11am – 5pm

Accepted Pick-Up:
Tuesday – Saturday; Mar 3 – 7, 2026; 11am – 5pm

Artworks that arrive after the judging process will not be eligible for this year’s competition.

Judge: Pattie Chalmers, Head of Graduate Studies and Professor in the School of Art & Design at Southern Illinois University Carbondale

Opening Reception: Saturday, January 31, 2 – 4pm, with competition awards announced at 2:30pm and an artist talk from the exhibiting judge, Pattie Chalmers, at 3:30pm. Join us at 4pm in The Art Center’s newly renovated studio for a ceramic demonstration from Pattie Chalmers. Area university art & design departments will have information booths set up from 1 – 2pm before the exhibit opening. Select universities will award additional scholarships and prizes.

NOTE: We do not accept artificial intelligence-generated art (AI-ART) for the competition. Our competition is dedicated to showcasing and celebrating human creativity and artistic expression. We encourage artists to submit their original artworks that reflect their individual perspectives and creative journeys.