Black Swamp Arts Center
Exhibition artwork

Black Swamp Arts Center

Second Annual Fall Art Exhibit

Black Swamp Art Center, Archbold, Ohio

September 24 – November 5, 2026

Deadline is September 7th. 4 weeks left to enter.
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Description

Our Second Annual Fall Art Exhibit call for entries is open! The online entry platform will close on Monday, September 7, 2026. Entry is open to all artists 18 and older. A non-refundable submission fee of $30 (BSAC members), $35 (non-member price) entitles the artist to submit up to three entries. Up to $1,000 in awards will be given out. A Free, opening party and awards presentation will be held, Thursday, September 24, 5:30–7 p.m. Appetizers, wine and beer will be available. Artwork does not need to be fall themed.

This prospectus contains complete rules, instructions, and key dates. Please keep it handy for future reference!

Awards

  • Best of Show: $300
  • 3 Outstanding Awards: $150 each
  • 3 Merit Awards: $50
  • People’s Choice Award: $50
  • 3 Honorable Mentions

Entry Fee

  • Members: $30 for up to 3 works.
  • Non-Members: $35 for up to 3 works.
Submission fee is non-refundable.

Eligibility

  • Entry is open to all artists age 18 and older.
  • Entries must be the original work of the exhibiting artist. If an entry is deemed to be a copy of another person's work, the entry will be removed.
  • BSAC Artist Members receive a $5 discount on entry fees. Artist membership dues are $35 per year. If your membership is due to expire during the exhibit, we ask that you renew before entry.

Artwork Requirements

  • Artists may enter up to (3) pieces. Sets can be considered as one entry (eg: a set of matching mugs, diptychs, etc.)
  • Work shown in previous exhibits at BSAC may not be entered again.
  • Please submit work prepared within the last 3 years.
  • Media: paintings, hand-pulled prints prepared solely by the artist; pastels, mixed media, sculpture, collage, pottery, glass, jewelry, wood, metalwork, and fiber art.
Framing & Presentation
  • 2-D works entered in the judged exhibit should be appropriately framed with sturdy wire hangers.
  • No sawtooth hangers.
  • Size limit is: 60" x 60" (including frame) and weigh less than 20 lbs.
  • 3-D weighing more than 60 lbs. and/or 4 feet across in width or height will require special arrangements. Please call.
  • Work with wet or sticky surfaces will be disqualified.
  • No unframed work, however, finished canvas wraps with the sides painted and ready to hang will be accepted.
Entry Identification
  • All entries must be legibly labeled on the back (2-D work) or on side or bottom (3-D work) with your name, title of work, medium and price.
  • Mark items that are not for sale, nfs.

Delivery

In person drop off only. We don't accept shipped items.
Entry drop-off: Thursday September 17, 2026, 10am–5:30pm and Friday, September 18, 2026, 10am–5:30pm.

Artwork Pickup

Unsold entries can be picked up Friday, November 6, 2026, 10am–5:30pm, Saturday, November 7, 2026, 10am–2pm (other times by appointment). Entries left over 30 days are forfeit, and will become the property of Black Swamp Arts Center. As property of the BSAC these items will be sold.

Sales

Black Swamp Arts Center will handle all sales. A 30% commission will be taken. Pieces not priced or stated not-for-sale may be labeled NFS at the discretion of the art center. Artist payouts are calculated monthly.

Liability and Reservation of Rights

All possible care will be taken in handling of entries, but neither The Black Swamp Arts Center nor the Black Swamp Arts Council will be held responsible for loss or damage. The Black Swamp Arts Center reserves the right to reproduce any art from the exhibit participants for the purposes of publicity. BSAC reserves the right to reject any work without explanation. Submission of entry shall imply an agreement on the part of the artist to all of the above conditions.

Questions

Call 419.572.9942, or e-mail [email protected].

Notifications Are Posted in Your Account

Results will be posted in your ShowSubmit account by the end of the day on September 14, 2026. You will also receive an email.

Log in and check your account. We are unable to answer individual inquiries about results.

Image and Filename Specifications

  • File Format: Submit original, high-quality JPEG image files. Other formats (e.g., PNG, TIFF) are not accepted.
  • Crop Your Image: Ensure only the artwork itself is visible in the image. Do not show any visible matting, frames, or background distractions.
  • Orientation: Make sure your image is oriented correctly (right side up) so that the artwork appears in its intended viewing direction.
  • Image Size: You do not need to resize your image files before uploading. The system will automatically resize them. Smaller images cannot be enlarged to meet the requirements, so ensure your images are high resolution before uploading.
  • File Names: You do not need to rename your files before uploading them. The system will handle any file naming requirements.
  • File Size: There is a 30MB maximum file size limit. Larger image files will take longer to upload and process.

Additional Entry Information

  • You will pay for your entry by credit or debit card using our secure checkout system.
  • After your entry is submitted and paid for, you may log back in to review your entry, edit artist and image information, and add or substitute images up until the entry deadline (September 7, 2026.)
  • Entry fees are not refundable and must be submitted and paid by the entry deadline.
  • Entries cannot be accepted or changed after the deadline. Incomplete entries will be disqualified.

Support

Questions about this exhibition?
Contact ([email protected]) for questions about the prospectus, BSAC, eligibility, artwork requirements, drop-off, pick-up, sales, etc.

Need help with ShowSubmit?
Visit our Help Center or Entry Guide for guidance on image uploads, payments, and managing your entry. If you still need help, email ShowSubmit Support ([email protected]). We respond Monday–Friday, 9am–6pm Eastern.