29 Jul 2026

Compete 76th Annual National Exhibition of Traditional Realism

Academic Artists Association –  Vernon, CT, United States

Academic Artists Association

Opportunity Description

U.S. National Deadline: August 10, 2026 – Academic Artists Association is now accepting entries for our 76th Annual National Exhibition of Traditional Realism.

On display October 1st – October 31st, 2026 @ New Hartford Artisans Guild, 545 Main Street ( #40 ), New Hartford, CT

ELIGBILITY & MEDIA

  • Open to all living U.S. artists.
  • Any original representational art in the categories of Oils, Acrylics, Watercolors, Graphics, Pastels and Sculpture will be considered.
  • Note: Casein and Egg Tempera will be judged with Acrylics.
  • Submissions must have been completed within the past five (5) year period.
  • Submissions must be the artist’s original composition.
  • No photographs, giclées, digital prints, or artwork done in a class or under an instructor’s guidance are allowed.
  • Absolutely no AI assisted or digitally created artwork!

JUROR
Wende Caporale-Greene has gained a national reputation for her work through the Pastel Society of America, in which she has earned the designation “Master Pastelist”. She has won numerous prestigious awards, including the Art Spirit Foundation Gold Medal from the Hudson Valley Art Association. She has also been included in exhibitions of Allied Artists, Audubon Artists, the Portrait Society of America, Art Students League and the Salmagundi Club, where she has garnered awards for her pastel paintings, oil paintings and sculpture.

AWARDS
Over $10,000 in Awards.

ENTRY FEE

  • Members*: $30 for 1 artwork, $10 for 1 additional artwork. *If 2026 dues were not received by May 31, 2026, you must pay the non-member fee.
  • Non-Members: $55 for 1 artwork, $10 for 1 additional artwork.

PROSPECTUS/APPLICATION
Contact info@academicartistsassociation.org for complete Prospectus and Application.

Acceptance Notification By Monday, August 24, 2026.

SALES
A 20% commission will be retained on all sales. If work is listed N.F.S., the value must be given.

About:
Founded by Springfield artist Harriet R. Lumis in 1949 in response to the developing trend in the art world away from representational work, Academic Artists Association has remained true to Lumis’ founding principals. Each year, the Association has sponsored a show representing the finest of realism in art.

Academic Artists Association
Arts Center East
709 Hartford Turnpike
Vernon, Connecticut

Opportunity Categories: + Open to Multi-Media. Opportunity Types: Compete. Opportunity Tags: Deadlines 07 July thru Aug and Open to Artists Worldwide. Benefits: Cash or Value Awards, Exhibition - Group, and Sales.

Opportunity expires in 13 days.

Apply for this Opportunity