The Schwa Show 2026

Deadline: 33 days left
Entry fee: $20
Award: $3,200
Location: Greenville, North Carolina
Exhibition window: Oct 2, 2026 → Oct 31, 2026
Applicants notified: Aug 31, 2026
Size cap: ≤ 36" max dimension

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Heads up: this show’s exhibition window can overlap other calls you enter — the same piece can’t hang in two places at once.Check conflicts →

About

Submit up to 5 digital entries (3 required, 2 optional) of original fine art and crafts work in any media for national juried competition.

Overview

The Schwa Show is a national juried competition recognizing excellence in fine arts and crafts. Emerge Gallery & Art Center celebrates its 25th anniversary with juror Holly Garriott, Executive Director of Emerge Gallery and Associate Teaching Professor at East Carolina University's School of Art and Design.

Eligibility

Open to artists age 18 and up. Work must have been completed in the past 3 years and never previously exhibited at Emerge Gallery. All pieces must fit through the exterior door (36" x 80"). Work must be available for the entire exhibition and ready to hang. Video entries are accepted but require special equipment to be provided by the artist.

How to Enter

Submit entries digitally through www.callforentry.org (CaFÉ). Each artist may submit 1 to 5 entries (3 required, up to 2 additional). If the same artwork is submitted multiple times, only 1 submission will be notified of acceptance.

Fees

Artists are required to submit 3 entries for $20, with the option to submit 2 additional entries at $5 each.

Key Dates

Submission deadline: August 15, 2026 (11:59 PM MDT)
Notifications of acceptance: August 31, 2026
Delivery by: September 23, 2026 (shipped) or September 22–25, 2026 10:00 AM–8:00 PM (hand delivered)
Exhibition: October 2–31, 2026
Opening reception: Friday, October 2, 5:00 PM–8:00 PM
Pickup: Sunday, November 1, 1:00 PM–3:00 PM or Tuesday, November 3, 10:00 AM–8:00 PM

Awards

Best of Show: $1,000
Best of 2D: $500
Best of 3D: $500
Honorable Mention: $100 (3 awards)

Commission & Insurance

Emerge Gallery retains a 30% commission on sold work. Gallery will insure accepted work during exhibition dates only (through November 3, 2026) for up to 70% of the sales price with a maximum of $5,000. Insurance value must be realistic; artists must note NFS (Not for Sale) or provide an insurance value.

Contact

Email: sarah@emergegallery.com
Phone: 252-551-6947
Current hours: Tuesday–Friday 10:00 AM–9:00 PM, Saturday 10:00 AM–4:00 PM, Sunday 1:00 PM–4:00 PM (Closed Mondays)
Summer hours (June–August): Monday & Friday 9:00 AM–4:00 PM, Tuesday–Thursday 9:00 AM–9:00 PM, Saturday 10:00 AM–4:00 PM (Closed Sundays)

Award: Best of Show: $1,000; Best of 2D: $500; Best of 3D: $500; Honorable Mention: $100 (3)
Entry fee: $20 for 3 required entries; $5 each for up to 2 additional entries (up to 5 total)
Entries per artist: Up to 5
Sales commission: Organizer retains 30% on sales
Eligibility: Open to artists age 18 and up; work must have been completed in the past 3 years and never previously exhibited at Emerge Gallery.
Audience: Artists age 18 and up
Size & format: All pieces must fit through our exterior door (36" x 80")
Also worth noting: All pieces must fit through our exterior door (36" x 80")
Contact: sarah@emergegallery.com

Aggregated automatically — verify details at the organizer's site.