Greater Mobile Student Show

We are excited to share some important updates with you regarding our annual student exhibition. Beginning this year, the  Visual Arts Achievement Program (VAAP)  will now be known as the  Greater Mobile Student Art Show, presented by Amp Up Arts . While the spirit and structure of the program remain strong, this refreshed name reflects our commitment to elevating students’ creative achievements across our region.

We are also thrilled to announce that  artist Lucy Gafford Kastantas  will be creating this year’s awards. Her work will help us launch an initiative aimed at encouraging students to begin building their own art collections—making each award not only a recognition of excellence but also a meaningful piece of art in itself.

Teachers, please fill out this brief form by Friday, January 23rd.

Now Accepting Entries for 2026

The Mobile Arts Council is accepting submissions for the  2026 District 1 Greater Mobile Student Art Show  and  Young at Art . Eligible District 1 schools include those in  Baldwin, Clarke, Conecuh, Escambia, Mobile, Monroe, and Washington counties . Private studios are not eligible to submit to the juried show.

While this year’s program will be limited to the District 1 competition,  we look forward to expanding and rebuilding this exhibition into a statewide competition by next year.

Entry categories include  craft, drawing, painting, photography, new media, printmaking, mixed media, and sculpture . All entries must be submitted  in person , accompanied by:

• A completed teacher inventory form
• A student artist statement
• Printed label templates (details below)

Greater Mobile Student Art Show – Grades 6–12

• Open to students in Group I (Grades 6–8) and Group II (Grades 9–12)
• Teachers may submit up to 8 entries total (students may submit one piece per category; teachers may submit multiple student works per category)
• Only one entry per individual student
• The District 1 juried exhibition will be on display February 4–28, with inventory drop off on Monday, February 2.
• We will have an Awards Reception on Saturday, February 28 at 12 p.m. All participating teachers, students (and their families) welcome.

Young at Art – Grades 5 and Below

• Not part of the juried competition
• Teachers at one school/location may submit up to 5 entries
• Teachers at multiple schools may submit up to 7 entries
• Works must be ready to hang (wire, sawtooth hanger, contact strips, etc.)
• Unlike VAAP, private lesson teachers may submit entries

Rules & Regulations (Summary)

• Only District 1 schools may participate in the juried show
• Each artwork must include two sets of typed labels :
  • One label attached to the back of the artwork
  • One additional set (printed and neatly cut on cardstock) for the gallery wall
• Teachers must submit a typed inventory form
• ALL artwork must be original, student-made, and equipped to hang from a standard hook
  Please test all hanging hardware before drop-off
• Entry categories: Craft, Drawing, Painting, Sculpture, Photography, New Media, Mixed Media, Printmaking

We look forward to celebrating your students’ creativity and to growing this exhibition into a statewide program next year. Please reach out if you have any questions—we are here to support you through the submission process.

All physical intake forms are attached at the bottom of this post.

Please contact Sydney Cramer at scramer@mobilearts.org or Kat Stoves at kat@mobilearts.org with any questions.