Rising Eyes of Texas 2027

RISING EYES OF TEXAS

Every year, Rockport Center for the Arts hosts a statewide, juried exhibition for undergraduate and graduate students emerging in the visual arts. Cash prizes are awarded for first, second and third place.

Submission fees are just $5 for up to three artwork submissions. 

Past jurors have been 2026 - Elena Rodz (2026 Master Artist and past curator of exhibitons for Rockport Center for the Arts), 2025 - Sara Morgan (Director, Art Museum of South Texas), 2024 - Tracy Saucier (director of the Beeville Art Museum), 2023 - Tanja Peterson (gallery director, Redbud Arts Center), 2022 - Joseph Cohen (artist, and founder of Davis Cohen Fine Art), 2021 - Rigoberta Luna (co-owner Presa House), 2020 - Rebecca Gomez (independent curator, former curator Mexic-arte Museum), 2019 - Hollis Hammonds (Professor of Art, St. Edwards University), 2018 - Rainey Knudson (founder of Glasstire).

2026 Rising Eyes of Texas Exhibition Date: February 27 - March 29, 2026. Submission Deadline: EXTENDED through Sunday, February 8th, 2026 (11:59 pm CST). If selected for the exhibition, Accept Invitation Deadline: Thursday, February 12th. Artwork Drop-off: February 15-24, 2026. 

MEDIA / SPECIFICATIONS

• Works must not be larger than larger than 72 inches

• Each artist may submit up to Three entries

• Artists must state the final sale price upon submission. Sale price cannot be changed.
  NOTE: Prices and/or size of works may be taken into consideration by the jury if deemed excessive for this exhibition

PRESENTATION
Accepted 2D artworks must be ready to hang for formal gallery presentation with all the necessary hardware as well as withstand the rigors of packaged shipment (i.e. all paper/mylar/etc. works MUST be framed or mounted, no clips or magnets will be used to hang work.) Accepted 2D artworks MUST HAVE D-RINGS OR WIRE ATTACHED prior to delivery. Accepted artworks must withstand the rigors of packaged shipment. Each work of art is received in good condition unless otherwise noted. No objects will be exhibited that might be unsafe or cause injury to the Gallery, visitors, or staff. Works damaged in transit will not be displayed.

EXHIBITION
Rising Eyes of Texas 2026 opens February 27, 2027, and continues through March 28, 2027. A public reception and presentation of awards will take place March 13, 2027. If your work is accepted, we encourage you and your friends, and/or family to attend the reception. The gallery reception is free and open to the public. All accepted works must remain on view until the close of the exhibition unless otherwise agreed upon arrangements have been made in writing.

PRIZE INFORMATION
Three winners are awarded cash prizes.
$500 for First prize
$300 for Second prize
$200 for Third prize

ELIGIBILITY
All student artists in Texas age 18 and over who are currently enrolled at a university, college, community college or technical school in the state are eligible. Entering artists must be prepared to show proof of enrollment with a current student ID. All media are accepted for entry.

ENTRIES
The deadline for submissions is Sunday, January 24th, 2027 (11:59pm CST).
Submissions will be accepted online only. Notification of acceptance will be sent via email.

DELIVERY of ACCEPTED WORKS

• Mailed work and hand deliveries must arrive at Rockport Center for the Arts between February 5 - 19, 2027.

• If delivering by hand, gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday 10am-5pm and Sunday 12pm-4pm.

• C.O.D. deliveries will not be accepted.

• Late or damaged shipments will not be displayed.

• Works must be shipped in reusable packing cartons with return shipping label included.

Deliver all accepted works to:
Rockport Center for the Arts
ATTN: 2026 Rising Eyes of Texas
204 S. Austin Street
Rockport, TX 78382

RETURN of ACCEPTED WORKS
Pick-up of artwork in-person takes place Monday, March 29 - Monday, April 5, 2027. Return shipments will begin Tuesday, March 30, 2027, and artists are responsible for the return shipping costs of their work. Pre-paid labels should be sent with the artwork or emailed to catey@rockportartcenter.com prior to the exhibition’s close.

LIABILITY
All reasonable care will be given to objects in the custody of the Rockport Center for the Arts. Works are insured while on exhibition. The Art Center cannot assume responsibility for possible loss in transit or damage or deterioration incurred before the exhibition, or after if not removed/picked up as stated above. It is understood that unsold works that are not removed from the exhibition by the end of the loan agreement by the artist/lender will no longer be property of the artist/lender and the Rockport Center for the Arts reserves the right to use the artwork as it sees fit.

SALES/REPRODUCTION
Artists will receive 60% of the sale price, and the Rockport Center for the Arts will receive 40% in support of administrative & exhibition costs. Rockport Center for the Arts reserves the right to reproduce accepted entries in all exhibition and promotional material.

QUESTIONS
Contact pam@rockportartcenter.com

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ENTRY FEES
1-3 artwork submissions allowed per student. $5 entry fee regardless of number of submissions. Entry fees are non­refundable and must be received by the entry deadline.