2026 Appalachian Nature Art & Photography Competition and Exhibition - (Due Apr. 7)
2026 Appalachian Nature Art & Photography Competition and Exhibition
Deadline: April 7th, 2026
The Appalachian Nature Art & Photography Competition & Exhibition is organized by the Arcadian Gallery in Cumberland, Maryland, to celebrate the beauty of nature across the Appalachian region. Artists and photographers age 18 and older who reside in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, or Washington, DC are eligible to enter. Eligible work includes any two-dimensional artwork or photography depicting nature in Appalachia—from any Appalachian state—including landscapes, plants, wildlife, and other natural subjects.
This competition and exhibition has two jurors, Terry Miller for art and Steven David Johnson for photography. This competition is being organized by Arcadian Gallery owner and former Art Director of National Geographic, Christopher Sloan. Artwork or images accepted for exhibition will be shown in the in-person exhibition at the Arcadian Gallery in Cumberland, Maryland, a growing arts destination in the heart of the central Appalachians within easy reach of Washington, DC; Baltimore; and Pittsburgh.
Conservation donation: 10% of the gallery’s commission from sales during the exhibition will be donated to a conservation cause of the jurors’ choice.
Awards
Note: These are award designations, not categories; entrants submit without categories.
Best of Show—Art: $500
Best of Show—Photography: $500
Best Landscape—Art: $250
Best Landscape—Photography: $250
Best Living Thing—Art: $250
Best Living Thing—Photography: $250
People’s Choice (selected by exhibition visitors): $250
4. Entry fee
$15 per entry
Entry limit: 10 artworks or images per artist or photographer. Entry fees are not refundable.