About This Call
2026 Juried Virtual International Open Exhibition. Submissions Open: August 31, 2026. Deadline: Monday, October 19, 2026.
Open to Members and Non-Members.
Juror of Selection and Awards
Bill Schneider, AISM, IAPS-EP, NOAPS-M, OPAM, PSA-MP
General Information
- Up to 5 paintings can be submitted per artist.
- A maximum of 2 paintings per artist can be accepted into the exhibition; however, there is no guarantee that a painting will be accepted.
- Paintings submitted do not have to be for sale.
Categories
The category of entry for a painting is to be selected by the artist when entering painting information on ShowSubmit. Artists are encouraged to use the following to determine which category their painting falls into:
- Landscape — Includes traditional outdoor settings, marine, skycapes, cityscapes and architecture
- Portrait/Figure
- Still Life/Floral
- Animal/Wildlife
- Abstract/Non-Objective
Awards
Total cash awards are $4,550. Only one award is allowed per artist.
- Best in Show - $1,000
- First Place - $750
- Second Place - $500
- Third Place - $350
- Six Honorable Mentions - $75 each.
- 4 Awards of $150 each for Exceptional Merit, one per each of the following categories: Portrait/Figure, Still Life/Floral, Animal/Wildlife, Abstract/Non-Objective.
- 4 Awards of $100 each for Merit, one per each of the following categories: Portrait/Figure, Still Life/Floral, Animal/Wildlife, Abstract/Non-Objective
- 2 Awards of $150 each for Exceptional Merit in Landscape
- 2 Awards of $100 each for Merit in Landscape
Sales
- Paintings submitted DO NOT have to be for sale.
- Any sales enquiries will be directed to the artist to arrange the sale and shipping.
- No commission will be required, however a 10% donation will be gratefully appreciated if your work sells during this exhibition.
Artwork Eligibility
SPS is committed to maintaining the highest standards of ethics and integrity in pastel painting. Only original paintings are eligible for entry into SPS Exhibitions. Each submitted work must be created entirely by hand by the artist submitting it and must be original in both concept and design.
- Paintings cannot have appeared in any previous SPS Members' or SPS International Exhibitions.
- We ask that you not submit your entries into shows that will be running concurrently.
- The surface of the painting must be at least 80% soft pastel.
- There is no size limit in the virtual exhibition.
- Your entry confirms that the work entered is original, that your own references were used, unless expressed permission given from another photographer.
- Submitted artworks must be created with the pastel medium itself, and not a digital creation. Any submission created completely with AI (artificial intelligence) is ineligible.
- Artists' work must not violate any Public domain images &/or Copyright laws.
- Artwork must not be created on top of any photographic image.
- Artwork must be 3 years old or less, not painted under supervision of an instructor or in a class, and not copied from published photos.
- If the outcome of the painting has been significantly and unduly influenced by another artist's work, the juror(s) may consider the painting to be ineligible.
Terms
Even though the artist retains copyright to his/her image(s), accepted images do become part of SPS archives and may be used to promote future SPS events.