---
title: 61st CAIN National
description: >-
  Juried national show at Del Mar College's Joseph A. Cain Memorial Gallery in
  Corpus Christi, Texas, with $10,000 in Purchase Awards for 2-D work and
  sculpture.
url: 'https://www.artsume.com/programs/8f244628-4d33-436c-aaa8-159ab7804a5d'
type: program
status: open
createdAt: '2026-09-04'
updatedAt: '2026-09-07'
programType: Exhibition
organization: Del Mar College
organizationUrl: 'https://www.artsume.com/o/del-mar-college'
deadline: '2026-11-30'
entryFee: 20 USD
location: 'Joseph A. Cain Memorial Gallery, Corpus Christi, TX, United States'
isOnline: false
compensationRange: '$10,000 in Purchase Awards'
disciplines:
  - drawing
  - painting
  - printmaking
  - watercolor
  - photography
  - sculpture
---

# 61st CAIN National

**Hosted by:** Del Mar College

**Type:** Exhibition | **Location:** Joseph A. Cain Memorial Gallery, Corpus Christi, TX, United States | **Deadline:** November 30, 2026 | **Entry fee:** $20

## About This Program

ABOUT THE SHOW

$10,000 in PURCHASE AWARDS

The CAIN National Show attracts works by contemporary artists nationwide and is judged by a guest juror of national stature. Resulting Purchase Awards have built an impressive Permanent Collection at Del Mar College.

This year's 61st show runs February 19, 2027, with an opening reception from 6-8 p.m. and closes April 19, 2027. Accepted artwork is displayed in the distinctive Joseph A. Cain Memorial Gallery.

2-D ARTWORK: All original works will be considered; this includes drawing, painting, printmaking in traditional media, original watercolor, and photography. A professional presentation of accepted artwork is required. Acetate covering is acceptable with white museum-quality mat board with at least 2" mounting and over-mat visible on all sides. To ensure consistency in presentation, if your work is framed, please use simple frames. Ship framed works with Plexiglas ONLY.

SCULPTURE: Sculptures of any media will be considered. However, sculptures requiring ceiling-suspended installation will not be accepted. All submissions must be "ready to hang" on the gallery walls or placed on pedestals. We cannot hang any artwork from the ceiling.

SALE OF WORK: Artwork does not have to be for sale. Cain Gallery will publish a price list and connect artists to interested buyers but will play no other part in the sale.

AWARDS: $10,000 in Purchase Awards, decided by the juror and Art Faculty.

## Eligibility & Requirements

- **Geographic Eligibility:** National
- **Disciplines:** drawing, painting, printmaking, watercolor, photography, sculpture
- **Age Requirements:** 18+ years old
- **Note:** Open to all U.S. artists; artists must be 18 years and older. Only original work created in the last three years can be entered (no reproductions). Works previously exhibited in the CAIN National Show are not eligible. Each artist may submit three works (the listing's requirement overview states a submission limit of 1). Full-time Del Mar Art faculty members are excluded.

Sculptures requiring ceiling-suspended installation will not be accepted; all submissions must be ready to hang on gallery walls or placed on pedestals.

### Additional Requirements

Submit 2 to 8 images through CallForEntry.org (CaFÉ), one image per artwork: JPEG or JPG only, 1,200 pixels or greater on the longest side, under 5 MB, sRGB color profile, correctly oriented. $20 entry fee covers 2 entries; additional entries are $5 each. All fees are non-refundable and payable through callforentry.org.

## Compensation & Benefits

$10,000 in Purchase Awards

**Includes:** Prize

$10,000 in Purchase Awards, decided by the juror and Art Faculty. All accepted artwork can be considered for purchase; purchased works enter Del Mar College's Permanent Collection.

## Timeline

- **Opens:** August 31, 2026
- **Deadline:** November 30, 2026
- **Program Start:** February 19, 2027
- **Program End:** April 19, 2027

## Contact

**Email:** art@delmar.edu

**Phone:** 361-698-1216

## How to Apply

Apply at: https://www.delmar.edu/offices/art/gallery.html