Contemporary Art Room Gallery is proud to announce their 8th “Nature” Online Art Competition for the month of August 2026. This is an international competition and artists from around the world are welcome to submit their work. The Nature theme may include everything that is nature related, (landscapes, seascapes, skies, world of flora and fauna, etc). A variety of interpretations of nature theme can be submitted (representative, abstract, conceptional).

All visual art mediums are acceptable (painting, drawing, photography, sculpture, digital, prints, fiber art, collage or installation art) except sound and video art. Winning artwork (First place) will be on the poster of the show. Depending on the number and quality of all submissions received, Merit awards and Honorable Mention awards may also be presented. 

Fees or awards
Entry fees vary by number of images submitted, starting at $20.

The Schwa Show is Emerge Gallery & Art Center's iconic show. The gallery's logo is a schwa, which is part of the phonetic spelling of emerge. This juried exhibition has grown to a national presence and includes artwork of all mediums and subject matter.

Location
Greenville, NC

Fees or awards
$20 entry fee; up to $1,000 in awards

The Blu Sky Artist Award: August 2026 Edition is an international art award hosted by Ten Moir Gallery, created for artists seeking meaningful visibility, professional recognition, and real promotional value. Two artists will each receive a $500 cash award, one in traditional or mixed media and one in photography or digital, with additional finalists selected for feature opportunities. The award package includes artist interviews, press releases, collector-focused catalogue inclusion, certificates, and permanent feature in our archive of past winners and finalists.

Fees or awards
$28 entry fee; $1,000 in awards

Kolaj Institute’s Art Writing Workshop is a four-week virtual program for collage artists who want to strengthen how they write about their work. Through presentations, discussions, readings, and writing exercises, participants develop artist statements, bios, proposals, and object descriptions while building practical strategies for integrating art writing into their practice.

The next Art Writing Workshop: Sundays, September 6 - 27, 2026, 1-3PM EDT

Fees or awards
The cost of the workshop is $600 per artist.

The Hillsborough Gallery of Arts is seeking a new artist member who works in a 3D medium (i.e. work that goes on a pedestal, the floor, jewelry, or stained glass). For more information on our artist-run gallery and to apply, visit https://www.hillsboroughgallery.com/how-to-join.

Members must live in the Triangle area, as they are required to work 3-4 gallery shifts per week. Artists keep 88% of their sales!

Location
Hillsborough, NC

Fees or awards
$35 application fee

Grey Cube Gallery proudly presents the sixth Floral online art contest for the month of August 2026. Contest is open to all artists worldwide over 18 years of age. The gallery invites artists and photographers to share their artistic vision using any work with interpretation of botanical and floral art (flowers, herbs, fruit, leaves, plants and related floral subjects). All visual art mediums (except video and sound) are allowed. 

Winning artwork (Best of Show) will be on the poster of the show. All winning artists will receive a digital award certificate.

Fees or awards
Entry fees start at $20 and vary by number of images submitted.

Get ready for an art-filled adventure at this year’s International Folk Festival! If you’re a creator, maker, or artist of any kind, this is your invitation to join the largest celebration of arts and culture in the area. Apply to be a vendor in our Arts Market and share your work with tens of thousands of festival-goers who are ready to discover something new, meaningful, and uniquely yours.

Your approved application secures one (1) 10x10 booth space at our 48th Annual International Folk Festival. As the Arts Vendor, YOU are responsible for tents, tables, chairs, merchandise, Wi-Fi access, and other equipment needed to sell your art/wares during the event.

Arts Market Vendor Load-in:
Friday, September 25th: 2 pm-7 pm

Arts Market Hours:
Saturday, September 26th, 12 pm-7 pm

Location
Fayetteville, NC

Fees or awards
$75 booth fee. Vendors will be charged the full amount of the application if/when the application is approved. The festival is a rain or shine festival and no refunds or exchanges will be allowed after submission. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to admin@theartscouncil.com or 910-323-1776.

Blue Koi Gallery invites artists worldwide to submit to the Echoes of Abstract Art Competition. Explore the power of abstraction through color, form, texture, and emotion. Whether your work is abstract, semi-abstract, representational, or experimental, we welcome all artistic approaches that challenge perception and express a unique creative vision. All visual art mediums, including photography and digital art, are accepted.

Fees or awards
Entry fee is $20. $150 cash award for first place. Exhibition feature, social media promotion, and certificate offered to finalists.

The Caldwell Arts Council invites you to participate in the 40th Annual Sculpture Celebration on September 12, 2026. Join emerging and established sculptors to compete for a total of $11,000 in cash awards. Sculptors can enter up to three works.

Registration includes free admission to the Friday Night Welcome Dinner and a continental breakfast on Saturday morning. Sales of competition entries and commissions are encouraged, with 100% of proceeds going to the sculptors. All mediums are accepted, including metals, glass, stone, wood, paper, plastic, fiber, found objects, natural and recycled materials, etc.

Event details
September 12, 2026
Broyhill Walking Park
Lenoir, NC 28645

Fees or awards
Registration fees vary. $35 for students and $50 for non-students if registered by June 30, 2026. $11,000 in total cash awards.

Ten Moir Gallery invites artists and photographers worldwide to submit work to our monthly online art challenges. Each theme offers artists a chance to share meaningful work, receive recognition, and be featured in a curated online showcase. The first entry is free during the early entry period.

Fees or awards
First entry is free during the listed early entry/free entry period. Additional entries may be added for a fee within the same application.