CITY’S OFFICE OF PUBLIC ART IS ACCEPTING SUBMISSIONS FOR YOUTH ARTS 2026 CITY OF CHARLESTON JURIED EXHIBITION
(Charleston, W. Va.) – The City of Charleston Office of Public Art is accepting submissions from Kanawha County students, grades K-12, for the Youth Arts 2026 City of Charleston Juried Exhibition (view webpage here). Artwork will be on display from March 30 – April 2 in the Clendenin Lobby of the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center, with a reception and awards ceremony taking place on April 2 at the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center Theater. Artists whose entries are accepted will be notified before the exhibit opening.
"The arts play a vital and powerful role in strengthening our communities, and the growth of this Juried Exhibition—from just over 75 works to nearly 300—speaks volumes about the creative energy of our local students,” said Mayor Amy Shuler Goodwin. “These young artists are finding their voice and shaping our creative future.”
The Youth Arts Juried Exhibition has grown tremendously, both in participation and in the quality of work submitted,” said Jeff Pierson, Public Art Director. “Adding Drawing Achievement and Painting Achievement Categories allows us to more intentionally recognize students who are demonstrating strong technical skill and artistic voice in these foundational art forms."
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
- Artists may submit one or more pieces of original artwork.
- Artists may use any medium or creation technique, provided that it is a 2D work that does not exceed 18”x 24.”
- 3D work will not be accepted.
- Artwork must be labeled on the back with the artist’s full name, grade, and school.
- Artwork must be submitted by March 19 at 5 p.m. – either by:
- Drop off to the Office of Public Art (1021 B Quarrier Street) between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. on one of the following dates: March 5, March 12 or March 19.
- Special arrangement, coordinated through Public Art Director Jeff Pierson, prior to the March 19 deadline.
REQUIRED FORMS
- All artwork must be accompanied by a Juried Exhibition Form.
- If a teacher submits the form, the teacher will provide the Notice of Artwork/Photography Release to the parent/guardian.
IMPORTANT DATES
| DATE | TIME | INFO |
| March 5, 2026 | 1-5 p.m. | Artwork Drop Off (2 of 4) 1021 B Quarrier Street |
| March 12, 2026 | 1-5 p.m. | Artwork Drop Off (3 of 4) 1021 B Quarrier Street |
| March 19, 2026 | 1-5 p.m. | Artwork Drop Off (4 of 4) 1021 B Quarrier Street *artwork will not be accepted after this date. |
| March 30 – April 2, 2026 | Artwork on Display Clendenin Lobby Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center | |
| April 2, 2026 | 5:30 p.m. | Reception Clendenin Lobby Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center |
| April 2, 2026 | 6:30 p.m | Awards Ceremony Theater Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center |
AWARDS
Artwork will be evaluated by a panel of professionals and evaluated based on originality, creativity, overall design, and composition. Awards will be presented for the following categories:
- Mayor’s Choice
- Best of Show
- Grades k-5: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, Honorable Mention
- Grades 6-8: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, Honorable Mention
- Grades 9-12: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, Honorable Mention
- Drawing Achievement Award (k-5/6-8/9-12)
- Painting Achievement Award (k-5/6-8/9-12)
Questions regarding submissions, the Charleston Youth Art Month Juried Exhibition, or special arrangements for submission of artwork can be directed to Public Art Director Jeff Pierson at Jeff.Pierson@cityofcharleston.org or 304.541.9284.
In 2023, 75+ pieces of artwork were juried and displayed at the City Service Center. In 2024, nearly 175 pieces of artwork were juried and displayed at the City Service Center. In 2025, nearly 300 pieces of artwork were juried and displayed at the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center.
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