Images Juried Exhibition
July 1–31, 2026
Schlow Centre Region Library
211 S. Allen Street, State College, PA
A signature exhibition of the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, Images 2026 celebrates the creativity, skill, and vision of artists from across Pennsylvania. Juried annually, the exhibition brings together a carefully selected group of artists working in a wide range of two-dimensional media, offering visitors a rich and engaging visual experience.
Presented in the heart of downtown State College, Images coincides with the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts (July 8–12, 2026), when more than 125,000 visitors come to the region to experience one of the nation’s most respected juried arts festivals. The exhibition provides meaningful visibility for participating artists and an opportunity for audiences to discover outstanding contemporary work from across the Commonwealth.
A total of $1,800 in prize money will be awarded at the Images Awards Reception on July 9, 2026.
2026 Exhibition Juror
Amanda H. Hellman, Director of the Palmer Museum of Art at Penn State, serves as juror for Images 2026, selecting the exhibiting artists and award recipients. As Director of the Palmer Museum of Art, she brings extensive experience as a curator, arts administrator, and advocate for contemporary visual art.
Awards
Cash awards totaling $1,800 will be presented, including Best of Show — $500, Best Painting — $200, Best Pastel — $200, Best Photograph — $200, Four Merit Awards — $150 each, and Best Student Submission — $100.
Visitors to the Images Exhibition will be able to vote for a Viewers’ Choice Award, too.
Visit the Exhibition
Dates: July 1–31, 2026
Location: Schlow Centre Region Library
Address: 211 S. Allen Street, State College, PA
Admission is free and open to the public.
Visitors to the exhibition can experience a dynamic cross-section of contemporary Pennsylvania art while exploring the broader Arts Festival, including the nationally ranked juried outdoor exhibition, live performances, and cultural events throughout downtown State College.
Call For Entries
Pennsylvania artists age 16 and older are invited to apply to Images 2026.
Entry deadline: May 8, 2026
Entry fee: $35 for up to three submissions
Eligibility: Open to Pennsylvania residents working in two-dimensional media, including drawing, painting, pastel, mixed media, photography, hand-pulled prints, watercolor, fiber, paper, and digital art.
Exhibition Catalog and Online Gallery
A printed catalog documenting the exhibition will be available during the Arts Festival. An online gallery featuring selected works and the juror’s statement will be published on the Arts Festival website.
Last Year’s Award Winners
In 2025, Best of Show was awarded to Philip Huber of Lock Haven, Pennsylvania, for November Frost, Lapland, Sweden 1, ink and dye on scratchboard.
Other 2025 award recipients included: Maria Dreyer, Glynnis Baker, Joe Winkler, John McKaig, Tom Norulak, Emily McPeek, Tom Powell, Olivia Outlaw, and Bobby Vanek.
Exhibition Sponsors
The Images 2025 juried fine art exhibition was made possible in part by sponsorships from the Chamber of Business and Industry of Centre County, Benson and Christine Lichtig/Lion & Cub Store, Central Pennsylvania Pastel Society, State College Photo Club, Art Alliance of Central Pennsylvania, Bellefonte Art Museum for Centre County, Joyce Robinson and Norman Spivey, Schlow Centre Region Library, and The Gallery Shop.
Thank you to our sponsors for their generous support!
If you would like to become a sponsor of Images 2026, please contact Jennifer Shuey, Director of Development.
About the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts
The Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts is one of the nation’s premier juried arts festivals, drawing more than 125,000 visitors annually. The Festival showcases outstanding visual art, live performance, and community celebration throughout downtown State College each July.
Visit the Festival Store!
Get a Festival poster and buy Festival t-shirts and other merchandise at the corner of College and Allen – or visit our online store.