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CALL FOR ENTRIES

Submission Deadline: April 17, 2026, 11:59 p.m. EST

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the final Davidson National Print and Drawing Competition—an event that once brought some of the most compelling contemporary works on paper to Davidson College—the Galleries invite submissions from contemporary artists who incorporate different forms of printmaking and drawing into their work of any media.This exhibition honors the legacy of the competition, organized by Herb Jackson ’67, which relied on important contemporary art world figures as jurors, such as Marcia Tucker and Clement Greenberg. Through the competition, the college acquired more than 50 works for the Permanent Art Collection.

We are seeking work by artists who push the boundaries of traditional print and drawing practices. Submissions are open to professional and emerging artists working in any print media or drawing, including but not limited to intaglio, lithography, screenprint, relief, monotype, digital print, graphite, ink, charcoal, mixed media, and experimental forms.

Process and Exhibition Details

• Artists will submit sample artworks that properly demonstrate their work.
• Panelists will review all submissions and collectively select up to eight artists for exhibition:
  • Caitlin Haskell,  Gary C. and Frances Comer Senior Curator in Modern and Contemporary Art and Director of Ray Johnson Collections and Research at the Art Institute of Chicago. Haskell is an alum of Davidson College.
  • Maria Elena Ortiz, Curator, The Modern, Fort Worth, Texas
  • TK Smith,  Curator, Writer, Cultural Historian, Atlanta, Ga.
• After panelists select finalists, Gallery Director/Curator Lia Newman will then work with each artist to determine what they will exhibit. Artists will have roughly the same space allocations, but the number of works will vary with media, scale, etc.

Award Info

Exhibit a thematic body of work in a small group exhibition. Panelists will select up to eight artists total for this opportunity. Each selected artist will be given a small stipend (TBD). Roundtrip shipping costs and insurance will be covered by the Galleries. Honoring the legacy of the exhibition, there will be some purchases made for the college's collection.

Eligibility Criteria

Submissions are open to professional and emerging artists working in any print media or drawing, including but not limited to intaglio, lithography, screenprint, relief, monotype, digital print, graphite, ink, charcoal, mixed media, and experimental forms.

Those currently enrolled in educational programs are not eligible for this competition.

Application Requirements

• Up to eight artworks created in the last three years that properly demonstrate your work
• Artist Statement
• Biography
• CV

Schedule:

• Deadline for submissions: April 17, 2026
• Notification of acceptance: June 3, 2026
• Work with Gallery Director on finalizing works for exhibition: June-August
• Shipping of work to Galleries: Early August 2026
• Exhibition on View: August 24 - September 30, 2026
• Reception: September 17, 2026
• Artwork returned: early October 2026

About the Van Every/Smith Galleries at Davidson College

The Van Every/Smith Galleries at Davidson College are a dynamic crossroads for inquiry, creativity, and exchange. Through exhibitions of nationally and internationally recognized contemporary artists, collaborations across disciplines, and the integration of works from our collection into teaching and campus life, the Galleries foster exploration of shared humanity and amplify diverse voices and untold stories. By engaging students, faculty, staff, and the wider community through internships, artist residencies, lectures, workshops, and other public programs, we spark intellectual and compassionate curiosity, stimulate dialogue, and nurture ethical leadership. In alignment with Davidson College’s commitment to the public good, the Galleries serve as an incubator where the visual arts spark critical reflection, social responsibility, and a more just, equitable, and connected world.

The college maintains a permanent collection of art that offers students and members of the community an opportunity to interact with and research more than 4,000 works of art spanning more than five centuries. Works from the permanent art collection are displayed in academic buildings on campus and are also loaned to other regional, national, and international art institutions for inclusion in thematic exhibitions and/or individual retrospectives.

To learn more visit our website.