Student Competitions at AMoA
The Alexandria Museum of Art is again proud to partner with the Rapides Parish School Board
and JB Lafargue Special Education Center to host a juried student art show at AMoA
February 7th – February 28th, 2026
2026 Juror: Barbara Clover, River Oaks Resident Artist
Students in the Rapides Parish Gifted/Talented Visual Arts program will present a set of works completed during the school year that showcases their talents and skills. Students are encouraged to create works that demonstrate not only show their creativity and abilities but also their views or perspectives on a particular subject.
Students, their families and teachers are invited to attend the
Opening Reception on Friday, February 7th at 5:30pm.
| SCHEDULE | |
|---|---|
| Entry Deadline: | January 17th, 2026 by midnight |
| Acceptance email notifications: | January 21st, 2026 by 5:00pm |
| Deadline for delivery of accepted works: | January 27th, 2026 by 5:00pm |
| Exhibition Opening Reception: | February 7th, 2026 from 5:30-7:30 pm |
| All artwork will be available for pick-up: | After February 28th, during business hours |
HOW TO SUBMIT ARTWORK:
Entries are being accepted via Google Forms and must be submitted by teachers with parents’ permission. If you would like to enter a student’s work, please email or talk with your talented visual art teacher. Incomplete forms will not be accepted.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:
- One entry per student. Work must be completed by student only and must be original.
- All works must be created during the current 2025-2026 school year.
- Reproductions of licensed work, group projects and computer-generated artwork are not eligible.
- Total dimensions of 2-D artwork should not exceed 25”x31”.
- Works on stretched canvas must have painted edges but do not require matting.
- All accepted 2-D pieces will be matted by the talented visual art teachers. Materials will also be provided by the teachers for student work.
- 3-D pieces are limited to 3’ in all measurements and must weigh less than 20lbs.
- No changes or substitutions are allowed after submission.
JURYING CONSIDERATIONS:
All entered works are based on creativity, originality, execution and overall quality of presentation. Not all entered works are accepted. All works are juried without distinguishing information other than grade. The guest juror will jury approximately 40 works to be chosen for exhibition.
2026 Gifted and Talented Awards
Viewer’s Choice
Ada West, Bumble Bee Bag, 2025, Fabric
Staff Choice
Eleanore Litton, Pinky Promise, 2026, Acrylic on canvas
9th - 12th Grade
1st Place
Evan Phillips, It’s a Big World Outside, 2026, Mixed media
2nd Place
Miley Youngblood, Headspace, 2025, Mixed media
3rd Place
Natalie Fontenot, Best Friend, 2026, Graphite on paper
Honorable Mention
Joshua Gray, A Gouda Girl, 2026, Graphite and colored pencil on paper
6th - 8th Grade
1st Place
Emmalyn Williams, Mantra, 2025, Oil pastels on paper
2nd Place
Rylee Hopkins, Flower Child, 2025, Graphite on paper
3rd Place
Alli Howard, The Cardboard Alien, 2025, Acrylics, cardboard, and hot glue on matboard
Honorable Mention
Honorable Mention: Angelle Sims, Mad as the Hatter, 2025, Mixed media
Honorable Mention
Gisele Prejean, Lily of the Valley, 2025, Charcoal and graphite on paper
3rd - 5th Grade
1st Place
Ada West, Bumble Bee Bag, Fabric
2nd Place
Tatum Bourque, Warning, 2025, Marker on paper
3rd Place
Elliot Dunn, Baby Yoda, 2025, Ceramic
Honorable Mention
Remington Stock, The Gray Elephant, 2025, Mixed media
K - 2nd Grade
1st Place
Daisy McKay, The Pumpkin Patch, 2025, Mixed media
2nd Place
Allie Townsend, Flower Pot, 2026, Ceramic
All children in grades K-12 that live in Rapides Parish are eligible to enter for FREE. Prizes and awards will be presented for 1st, 2nd, 3rd Places and Honorable Mention in each of the competition categories: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12. A Viewer's Choice Award will also be presented.
- The 2026 Youth Art Month Competition Exhibition will be on display at the Alexandria Museum of Art March 6 – April 5, 2026.
- Deadline to Enter: Monday, January 31, 2026, midnight.
- Juror: Barbara Clover, Resident Artist at River Oaks
| SCHEDULE | |
|---|---|
| Entry Deadline: | January 31, 2026, midnight |
| Acceptance email notifications: | February 8, 2026 by 5:00 pm |
| Deadline for delivery of accepted works: | February 19, 2026 by 5:00 pm – no exceptions |
| Exhibition Opens to the public: | Friday, March 6, 2026 |
| YAM Exhibition Dates: | Friday, March 6 - April 5, 2026 |
| YAM Opening and Awards Announced: | Friday, March 6, 2026, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm; Awards at 7:00 pm |
| All artwork will be available for pick-up: | After April 16, 2026, during business hours |
HOW TO ENTER:
Please read all guidelines before submitting your entry.
- Verify all information before submitting. Online Entry Form.
- Works may be submitted by teachers, parents, or guardians. Students 18 years or older can enter on their own behalf.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:
- One entry per student. Work (and title) must be completed by the student only.
- All works must be created during the current 2025-2026 school year.
- Individual and original artwork only. No reproductions of licensed work or group projects will be accepted.
- Total dimensions of 2-D artwork should not exceed 25”x31”.
- Works on stretched canvas must have painted edges and do not require matting.
- 3-D pieces are limited to 3’ in all measurements and must be less than 20lbs.
- No changes or substitutions are allowed after submission.
- Computer-generated art is welcomed, but no AI. Digital artwork must have the artist’s signature embedded into the image.
TIP: Pre-cut mats are available at local arts and craft stores in a variety of sizes. Matting service for is available from AMoA. See entry form.
JUDGE’S CONSIDERATIONS:
Judge critiques works based on creativity, originality, execution and overall quality of presentation. Not all entered works are accepted. All works are juried and judged without distinguishing information other than grade level.
AWARDS:
Awards will be presented at the 2026 Youth Art Month Festival on Friday, March 7 at the AMoA Opening Reception. including Blick Art Materials gift cards,and place ribbons.
1st, 2nd, and 3rd Place Awards and Honorable Mention will be presented in K-2, 3-5, 6-8 and 9-12 grade level categories, as well as a Viewer’s Choice Award.
NOTE: AMoA is not responsible for works left after June 30, 2026.
If you have any questions, please contact madilyn@themuseum.org or call 318-443-3458.
