Student Art Showcase 2026

CALL DESCRIPTION

Western CT State University invites high school students to the 2nd Biennial Student Art Showcase. Students throughout Connecticut in grades 9-12 are eligible to participate. Selected students will take part in a special art exhibition at The Gallery at the Visual and Performing Arts Center. The top selected artists will be featured and presented with noteworthy recognition and awards at the opening reception. No entry fee required!

Eligibility Criteria  

• Open to students in grades 9-12 attending public high school and home school throughout the State of Connecticut.
• All works must be original and completed within the last year.
• All works must be available through the entire run of the show.
• Do not submit works for the jury that might be sold before or shown elsewhere during the WCSU STUDENT ART SHOWCASE exhibit time frame.

Awards / Recognitions  

• Works will be selected for 1st, 2nd, 3rd place by category and revealed at the art opening.
• OVERALL 1st, 2nd, and 3rd will be selected and awarded *Scholarships to WCSU

Categories:

Drawing and Illustration 

Drawings include renderings made by an instrument on a surface and include realistic or abstract imagery. Illustrations are works that graphically depict a concept. Pencil, charcoal, pastel, crayon, scratchboard, marker, etc.

• No AI-generated art.
• Drawings copied from published photographs, the internet or existing works should not be submitted and will be disqualified.
• Animated .gif files will not be accepted.

3D Small works

• Wire, Metal, Wood, Plaster
• Handcrafted ceramics and hand-made clay or porcelain (no molds or greenware).
• Unfired ceramics and oil-based clay works will not be accepted.

Painting

Art created by applying pigment to a 2D surface. Oil, acrylic, gouache, watercolor, ink, or spray paint applied on canvas, board, paper or other flat surfaces.

• No AI-generated art.
• Paintings copied from published photographs, the internet, or existing works should not be submitted and will be disqualified.

Photography

Analog or digital cameras. Black and white, color, photograms or other experimental photos. Each work submitted to the photography category should be a distinct image that presents a unique artistic vision.

• Editing software is acceptable to use for minor touch-ups and image correction in a manner that replicates traditional darkroom techniques (cropping, dodging, burning, adjusting brightness, contrast, color balance, etc.).
• No AI-generated art.
• Works that are digitally collaged, cloned, layered, merged, distorted, or heavily manipulated with computer software will not be accepted.

Size Limitations 

• Two-dimensional works, when displayed, cannot exceed 48” in height or width, including frame.
• Three-dimensional works cannot exceed 48" in height or width.

If you need more information e-mail us at Robeaul@wcsu.edu or Locks@wcsu.edu

Application Requirements

• All entries are submitted online only.
• A parent or guardian email and contact information is required to complete the application.
• Each student is allowed one submission with up to three (3) art entries.
• Each artwork must be represented by only one image (no detail views or duplicates).
• Applications not received by the deadline will not be considered.

This program is supported by Danbury Cultural Commission and Jerry's of Norwalk

Western CT State University School of Visual and Performing Arts

The Art major at WCSU provides challenging visual arts training within the context of a liberal arts education. This approach infuses in students a broad, diverse range of knowledge and experience along with the ability to think critically and analytically. The Gallery at The School of Visual & Performing Arts serves as a venue for both professional and student exhibitions, while the Visiting Artist Lecture Series features an impressive array of practitioners. Bus trips provide students the opportunity to visit galleries and museums each semester in the surrounding area, including Manhattan.

Danbury Cultural Commission

With a focus on the arts and culture within the City of Danbury, the Danbury Cultural Commission takes its charge and funding from the City of Danbury as a Mayor's Commission chartered in December 1967. The Commission's goals are: to develop new cultural programs and sustain established ones, which improve the quality of life as well as benefit the community of Danbury. Additional goals are to encourage, promote and nurture the arts by creating a climate in which they can flourish and be experienced by the widest possible audience as well as showcase Danbury as an innovation destination.