Bower Center for the Arts invites artists from across the country to submit works for consideration for our 14th Annual National Juried Exhibit. This is an open call for works to be on exhibit in our galleries from October 8 - November 14, 2026, with an artist's reception and awards presentation scheduled for October 23 at 5:00pm.
Works will be accepted in numerous media including, but not limited to, painting, drawing, print-making, collage, mixed media, photography, mosaics, sculpture, fabric, ceramics, wood and glass.
Early Bird Deadline is July 14, 2026 at 11:59pm.
Early Bird Entry Fee: $35 entry fee for up to 3 works of art, plus $10 for a 4th art entry.
Regular Registration Deadline is August 11, 2026 at 11:59pm.
Regular Entry Fee: $45 entry fee for up to 3 works of art, plus $10 for a 4th art entry.
Submission Details:
Be sure to download the 14th Annual National Juried Exhibit Call for Artists here for full details. (Failure to follow instructions laid out in the call for artists may result in a delay to process your entry or cause it to be rejected.)
This exhibit is open to all artists over the age of 18. All entries must be original works (no reproductions) and created by the artists within the past three years and not been in a previous open call exhibit at Bower Center. 2-Dimensional art must be in sturdy frames or gallery-wrapped and wired for hanging (no saw-tooth hangers or use of loops embedded in cardboard backing).
You may enter online by clicking the Registration button on this page or downloading the paper entry and mailing it with check made payable to Bower Center to 305 N. Bridge Street, Bedford, VA 24523.
Introducing our Judge/Juror: Whitney Brock
Whitney Brock is an American realist painter best known for her large-scale oil portraits that capture the depth, dignity, and silent stories of her subjects. While she has been an artist since childhood - winning her first art competition in the fourth grade (a ribbon she still proudly owns) - her work has evolved into a distinctive blend of precision and empathy, anchored in classical draftsmanship and human connection.
Born in Maryland in 1967, Whitney’s life has taken her across the globe - from New York and Missouri to Hawaii, New Zealand, and ultimately Virginia, where she now lives with her husband and raised their family. These diverse landscapes inspired her earlier work, particularly in natural themes like river rocks and shells, rendered with immersive realism. In recent years, Whitney has found her most powerful artistic calling in figurative and portrait painting. This shift reflects her passion for storytelling, using paint to preserve emotion, presence, and the quiet moments that define a life.
Whitney attended Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of the Arts, though she credits her self-taught foundation and daily discipline as the real force behind her success. Her work has earned numerous national awards, two features in International Artist Magazine, and acquisition into the Carilion Medical Center’s public collection. Her paintings also reside in private collections around the world. Whitney is currently represented by LinDor Arts and The Little Gallery in Roanoke, VA, and Stellers Gallery in Jacksonville, FL, and continues to maintain a full schedule of commissioned portrait work, which currently includes Tim Sands, the President of Virginia Tech.
Registration Notes:
For best results, please use Google Chrome when completing your online registration.
When completing your registration, please note that a Login is not required. If you are new user, and you do not wish to create an account for future use, enter your email address and select the "Go" button under Your Contact Information. Then enter your first name and last name under your email address and select the "Continue" button. (Do not select the Go button again, as it will not go anywhere.)
When selecting quantity, make sure you only select "1". This is good for up to 3 works of art! Also ensure that you have checked all required boxes on the form. All fields with a red line on the right-hand side must be answered in order to submit your registration. Please note that if you are entering more than one piece, the fields are not marked as required, but you need to fill out all the information for each piece you are submitting.
Early Bird Deadline: July 14, 2026. Final Entry Deadline: August 11, 2026.
Early Bird Entry: Up to 3 works for $35
Regulary Entry Fee: Up to 3 works for $45
Additional 4th work submission: $10
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