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Avian Arts Exhibition 2026 

Entry dates: October 20, 2025 – January 1, 2026
Show runs in KNC’s Glen Vista Gallery February 6 – April 30, 2026 

KNC is inviting artists and photographers of all ages to showcase their creative talents for the Avian Arts Exhibition contest. This event is designed to inspire a deeper appreciation for birdlife and promote awareness of avian species through visual storytelling. Whether you’re a seasoned artist or an avid birdwatcher with a camera, this contest is a great way to engage with nature, express your artistic vision, and contribute to bird conservation awareness. 

12 artists (six photographers and six illustrators) will be chosen to display their artwork in KNC’s Glen Vista Gallery from February 8- April 30. During the exhibit, visitors will be asked to vote on their favorite pieces, with the winners announced the week before the end of the show.  

Timeline  

  • Submission Deadline: January 1 
  • Judging Period: January 5-8 
  • Winners Announced: January 9 
  • Gallery Setup: February 1-5 
  • Artist Reception: February 8, 2:00-4:00 PM 
  • Voting: open from reception (February 8) through Earth Day (April 22)
    • Ranked voting is open to the public, in person only.
  • Contest prize winners announced: April 23 or 24 
  • Show Close: Thursday, April 30 
  • Gallery Deinstall: May 1-3 

Prizes 

  • 1st Place (per category): cash prize + KNC supporting level membership 
  • 2nd Place: KNC supporting level membership 

Rules & Guidelines 

  • Open to all ages; Our panel will evaluate the craftsmanship and professional quality of each artwork. 
  • 3-5 submissions per person. 
  • Must be original work (no AI-generated images) 
  • For photographs: basic editing allowed, no major manipulation. 
  • For illustrations/flat work: digital and traditional media accepted. 
  • Submit high-resolution JPG/PNG files with a short description or story behind the piece. 

Judging Criteria for Featured Gallery Artists 

  • Creativity & originality 
  • Technical quality (photography or artistic technique) 
  • Relevance to theme 
  • Emotional impact or storytelling

Contest  

  • Winners will be chosen by visitor’s votes during the gallery show February 8- April 22 
  • Winners will be announced a week before the end of the show and will pick up prizes at show takedown