Compete America 250
Opportunity Description
U.S. National Deadline: May 17, 2026 – Gallery One Visual Arts Center is proud to announce its ninth national juried exhibition, “America 250,” celebrating the Semiquincentennial, or 250th anniversary of the United States of America.
The national call for entries invites photographers across the United States to submit works that explore the theme of America’s 250th anniversary. The exhibition seeks photography that “turns the camera lens onto our nation” and reflects aspects of what America means, stands for, or could become.
The exhibition will run from June 19 through August 1, 2026, at Gallery One’s multi-level space in downtown Ellensburg, Washington.
ELIGIBILITY
Open to all artists 18 years and older residing in the USA. Accepted entries MUST be identical to submitted images, or the work will not be exhibited. Acceptance implies the use of your images and your name in any printed or online publicity. All work must have been completed by the artist and cannot have been created under the direction of an instructor or as a matriculated student.
For the purpose of this exhibition, we define photography as works created using a digital or film camera that are unaltered except where slight enhancements are needed for lighting, coloration or contrast. Works created using AI are not allowed. Artists are asked to submit works that turn the camera lens onto our nation, the United States of America, and reflect an aspect of our country, what it means, what it stands for, or what it could be. Works should not promote or slander a particular political party or candidate or depict overtly graphic imagery.
JURORS
Gail Gibson has worked in the gallery industry for more than 35 years, and her degrees in Art History, Painting, and Photography led her to the profession. From 1987-1991 Gail was the director of the Weston Gallery in CA, and then opened G. Gibson Gallery in Seattle in August, 1991. She is also a long time member of AIPAD. In 2019 the brick and mortar G. Gibson Gallery morphed into G. Gibson Projects, an online and ‘by appt.’ space. G. Gibson Projects curates and showcases physical and online exhibits through partnerships with local arts organizations and alternative spaces. The freedom from retail has allowed time for other projects and a larger chance for her to give back to the community when it’s needed… see more
C. Meier (American, b. 1982, they/them) is a non-binary artist and curator based in Portland, OR. As Exhibitions Director at Blue Sky, Oregon Center for the Photographic Arts, they have organized over 90 photographic exhibitions since 2021. Additionally, Meier co-curated the 2017 exhibition re:collection at the Museum of Contemporary Photography, Chicago (MoCP), and curated the 2023 exhibition Size Matters for Medium Photo, San Diego. Other professional roles include Collections Manager / Registrar (2018-2020) at the MoCP, and Studio Assistant to artist Barbara Kasten (2019-2020). Meier’s own art practice explores materiality, reveling in the hybridization of processes including drawing and photographic methods. They are especially interested in alternative and cameraless approaches to photography… see more
AWARDS & RECOGNITION
The jurors will distribute $800 in awards across four categories:
$300 – Best at capturing the exhibit theme
$200 – Best traditional approach to photography
$200 – Best non-traditional approach to photography
$100 – Award of Merit
ENTRY FEE
$20 for first entry (+$10 each additional entry)
Awards will be announced at the exhibition reception on July 3, 2026
About:
Gallery One Visual Arts Center is dedicated to the creation, exhibition and appreciation of visual arts in Central Washington. In addition to rotating exhibits of contemporary art, Gallery One offers a variety of quarterly classes, an art after school program for kids, a gift store featuring regional artisans, a full ceramics studio available for classes or private rentals, inexpensive studio spaces for artists and facility rentals for the community.
Gallery One
408 N. Pearl Street
Ellensburg, WA 98926
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