2026 Ohio Artist Registry Exhibition

Description

Open To: Ohio visual artists registered in the Ohio Artist Registry                                                                                                        
Entry Open Date: Monday, February 9, 2026
Entry Deadline: Friday, April 24, 2026
Jury Awards: Three, $500 Juror Choice Awards
Exhibition Summary: The Ohio Arts Council (OAC) in partnership with the Friends of the Library and Columbus Metropolitan Library (CML) will present the annual Ohio Artist Registry Juried exhibition, featuring work from artists who are members of the Ohio Artist Registry (OAR). The 2026 exhibition will be themed “Commemorating America 250” honoring the nation’s 250th anniversary by exploring America’s history, culture, and future through the perspectives of Ohio artists.
Exhibition Information: The juried exhibition will be presented in the Patrick Losinski Gallery at the Columbus Metropolitan Library's Main Library from July 2 to September 19, 2026. Three Juror's Choice awards of $500 each, provided by the Ohio Arts Council, will be selected by a panel comprised of a professional Ohio artist, a Columbus Metropolitan Library staff member, and a representative of the Friends of the Library.
Eligibility Requirements: 
Entrants must be: 
Living residents of Ohio.  18 years and older. Registered in the Ohio Artist Registry (OAR) with an active public profile. Check to see if you currently have an active profile.  
Please note: OAC and CML employees are not eligible to apply for this exhibition. 
Create an Ohio Artist Registry Public Profile: 
It is free to be part of the Ohio Artist Registry and to make a public profile.   
To be eligible to apply for the juried exhibition, a public profile must be received by the CFE deadline, April 24, 2026. 
To register and create a public profile: 
1. Visit the Ohio Artist Registry. 
2. Click ''Register'' in the upper right corner.  Complete the registration information and submit for OAC staff approval. (Approvals happen during OAC business days.)
3. Once your registration is approved: 
Click "Log In." Then, click "Add My Profile" to create the public profile and then, click "Submit" Once you have your public profile created, and approved, you can add portfolios of your work (portfolios do not need to be added to apply for the exhibition opportunity)
Submitting Work for the Exhibition: 

You may submit one application for the exhibition (through ArtCall.org) with up to two works submitted. Images can include two views per artwork to allow for detail or alternate perspectives. Additionally, you will provide a 250-character statement about the work.New for 2026: You will provide a 125-word visual description of each work in plain-language. 

Exhibition Parameters: 
All mediums and themes are welcome; works that engage with the theme "Commemorating America 250 " honoring the nation's 250th anniversary will receive special consideration. Work must be original and created within the past three years.  Work only suited for public display will be accepted. No nudity or profanity. Work submitted cannot have been previously displayed/presented at the Patrick Losinski Gallery (formerly named Carnegie Gallery).   Artwork must remain on display for the duration of the exhibition. Two-dimensional and three-dimensional works are accepted and may not exceed 6' by 6'. Two-dimensional work must be wired and ready to hang and may not exceed 35 pounds each. Work must be dry.  Because of the historic nature of the Patrick Losinski Gallery, suspended work will not be accepted. 

Selection Review Process: The jury process is anonymous and based solely on the work submitted. To present exhibitions of merit and significance, jurors evaluate work using objective criteria; however, a work need not meet every criterion to be selected. In assessing quality, jurors may consider one or more of the following:

Suitability of subject, technique, and style for the intended audience
Vitality and originality
Artistic expression and experimentation
Creative and inventive use of the medium
Innovation in style and/or concept
Technical proficiency in the use of the medium/media

Notifications: Week of June 8, 2026 -- Notification will be emailed through the ArtCall.org site. 
Artwork Drop-Off Date and Time: Saturday, June 27, 2026, 12 p.m. - 4 p.m. -- Shipped works must arrive the week of June 22nd and arrive no later than June 26th, 2026.
Exhibition Dates: Thursday, July 2 – Saturday, September 19, 2026
Closing Reception: Saturday, September 19, 2026, 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Artwork Pickup Date and Time: Monday, September 21, 2026, 5 p.m. - 8 p.m. -- Artists may also pickup artwork at the conclusion of the Closing Reception on September 19th. 
Accepted artwork should be delivered/picked up at the second-floor information desk at the Main Library, located at 96 S. Grant Ave., Columbus, Ohio 43215. No adjustments can be made to the delivery/pick-up schedule; late submissions will not be accepted. Friends and family members may deliver/pick up artwork if the artist is unavailable. Work must be delivered with appropriate packaging and protection material.  An Exhibitor Agreement document will be emailed to selected artists to be completed, signed, and delivered with artwork.  
Mailed artwork should be sent to the following address:
Attn: Jennifer Selfinger, Advocacy AssociateColumbus Metropolitan Library – Main Library96 S. Grant Ave.Columbus, OH 43215
Mailed work must include pre-paid return shipping if the work is to be shipped back.  Artists who ship work for exhibition may elect to pickup work in person.  Artists may elect to drop off in-person and have worked return shipped.
Liability and Insurance: Every reasonable care will be taken for the safety of all works of art. Columbus Metropolitan Library (CML), its officers, and agents, will not be responsible for any loss or damage. CML does not insure entries. Works will be handled and exhibited at the artists' risk. 

Artwork Sales: Submitted artwork does not have to be available for sale; however, a value must be provided for each submitted piece. Friends of the Library will enter each image that is for sale and each price on their website. Visitors interested in purchasing work should contact The Library Store at Main Library. Friends of the Library will receive 30% on all exhibition sales.  
A dedicated 2026 exhibition website will be created and archived on the OAC website. See 2025 exhibition website as an example by visiting the Registry and clicking on the Exhibition tab.  In addition, the Columbus Metropolitan Library Losinski Gallery will create an exhibition webpage. 
Ohio Arts Council Staff:
Kathy Signorino, Artist Programs and Percent for Art Director 614-728-6140 or kathy.signorino@oac.ohio.gov
Chaz O'Neil, Artist Programs and Percent for Art Coordinator 614-728-4421 or chaz.oneil@oac.ohio.gov
User Entry Process Tutorial
You can leave this video on your call site's homepage (or embed it on any page) for a quick tutorial your users can watch to help them with the submission process.