2026 Advent Art Competition
St John's Church, Florence
Submit up to 2 original two-dimensional artworks addressing the theme of "Hope" created in the past 3 years without AI generation for consideration in a juried exhibition.
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Get matched →- Deadline
- 38 days left
- Entry fee
- $30
- Award
- $1,400
- Location
- Florence SC
- Exhibition window
- Nov 29, 2026 → Jan 5, 2027
- Applicants notified
- Oct 19, 2026
- Size cap
- ≤ 72" max dimension
About
Overview
St. John's Church in Florence, South Carolina invites artists to submit two-dimensional works to its Advent Art Competition addressing the principle of "Hope". Selected artworks will be displayed on campus and featured in church materials and media through the season of Advent. Awards will be presented at an opening reception on December 3 at 5:30 pm.
Key dates
- Submissions open: Wednesday, July 1, 2026
- Entry deadline: Monday, October 5, 2026
- Acceptance notification: Monday, October 19, 2026
- Artwork delivery: November 4–14, 2026, Monday–Thursday 10am–4pm or by appointment
- Exhibition dates: November 29, 2026 – January 5, 2027
- Artwork pickup: January 11–21, 2027, Monday–Thursday 10am–4pm or by appointment
Eligibility
- Must reside in Georgia, South Carolina, or North Carolina
- Must be 18 years old or older at time of submission
- Work must be original, created within the past 3 years
- Work must not use AI-generated imagery, composition, or content
- Up to 2 artworks per artist may be submitted
Media & size
- Two-dimensional work only
- Maximum size: 36" x 72"
- Works must be framed with horizontal wiring or D-rings
- St. John's reserves the right to disqualify improperly framed materials
Fees
- $20 for first entry
- $10 for each additional submission (maximum 2 submissions total)
Awards
- First place: $575
- Second place: $425
- Third place: $275
- Honorable mention: $125
Sales & commission
Artwork is not required to be for sale. A 30% commission fee will be collected from any artwork sold during the Advent Artist program. Commission fees support Tenacious Grace, a nonprofit operating a two-year residential recovery program called Five Sparrows for women who are survivors of abuse, addiction, poverty, and prostitution.
How to enter
Submit artwork in person November 4–14, 2026 (Monday–Thursday 10am–4pm), or ship to: St. John's Church, 252 S. Dargan Street, Florence SC, 29506. Email Beth at [email protected] to schedule delivery outside regular hours. Include return shipping label for shipped work. Shipping costs are the artist's responsibility.
Liability & rights
While care will be taken, St. John's assumes no responsibility for damage or loss. Artwork insurance is solely the artist's responsibility. By submitting, artists grant St. John's non-exclusive rights to use submissions and images in St. John's related events and communications.
- Award
- First place: $575; Second place: $425; Third place: $275; Honorable mention: $125
- Entry fee
- $20 for first entry and $10 for each additional submission (maximum 2 submissions)
- Entries per artist
- Up to 2
- Sales commission
- Organizer retains 30% on sales
- Theme
- Artworks addressing the principle of "Hope" - works that might inspire, encourage reflection, or offer new perspectives toward understanding hope during the Advent season as a confidence in the future anchored by the past and relied upon in the present.
- Eligibility
- Open to artists residing in Georgia, South Carolina, or North Carolina, 18 years old or older, creating original two-dimensional work made in the past 3 years without AI generation.
- Audience
- Artists residing in Georgia, South Carolina, or North Carolina, 18 years old or older
- Size & format
- Artwork shall be no larger than 36" x 72".
- Also worth noting
- Artwork shall be no larger than 36" x 72".
Every listing links to the organizer's official page. Always confirm deadlines, fees, and entry rules there before you apply.