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:
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:
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:
Submitting Work for the Exhibition:
Exhibition Parameters:
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:
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 Associate
Columbus Metropolitan Library – Main Library
96 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
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.
