80th Ohio Annual Exhibition

In 1942, the Zanesville Art Institute held the ­first annual "May Show of Arts and Crafts" for artists in and around Zanesville. Eight decades later, this annual exhibition continues at the Zanesville Museum of Art as the "Ohio Annual Exhibition." This highly anticipated exhibition, the eligibility for which has been expanded statewide, recognizes the extraordinary ­fine art and fine craft created in the Buckeye State and celebrates the museum’s commitment to discovering, encouraging, and recognizing Ohio’s finest artists and artisans. 

About the Ohio Annual Exhibition

In 1942, the Zanesville Art Institute held the ­first annual "May Show of Arts and Crafts" for artists in and around Zanesville. Eight decades later, this annual exhibition continues at the Zanesville Museum of Art as the "Ohio Annual Exhibition." This highly anticipated exhibition, the eligibility for which has been expanded statewide, recognizes the extraordinary ­fine art and fine craft created in the Buckeye State and celebrates the museum’s commitment to discovering, encouraging, and recognizing Ohio’s finest artists and artisans.

Each year we look forward to presenting a stylistically and thematically diverse exhibition that captures the essence of Ohio’s vibrant visual arts scene. The people, places, and customs found in each unique region of Ohio inspire its artists, and the ZMA is in the fortunate position of recognizing and fostering this creativity. 

In its 80th year, this competitive, juried exhibition welcomes submissions from all Ohio artists, in all stages of their career. In 2025, over four hundred artists vied for the opportunity to exhibit their work at the museum and earn the title Best in Show. 

80th Ohio Annual Exhibition Contact Information

• Zanesville Museum of Art - www.zanesvilleart.org
• (740) 452-0741 ext. 206
• exhibitions@zanesvilleart.org

Meet the 80th Ohio Annual Juror

Dr. Sarah Spinner is an arts leader and museum director whose work centers on partnerships and public-facing cultural initiatives. Since July 2024, she has served as Director of the Kent State University Museum, home to one of the world’s most comprehensive collections of historic fashion and textiles. In this role, she has led transformational growth in audience engagement and institutional collaboration, positioning the museum for a new phase of scale and impact. Her leadership has been recognized with the 2025 Summit ArtSpace Artist Empowerment Award and the 2023 Ohio Museums Association Professional of the Year Award. Previously, she served as Managing Director of FRONT, where she worked closely with artists on large-scale contemporary projects and also championed accessibility initiatives for people of all abilities. She serves on the board of The Sculpture Center and is a member of Leadership Cleveland’s Class of 2026. She believes deeply in the power of arts and culture to connect people across communities, open space for dialogue, and inspire possibility.

Entry Categories

1   Painting, All Types
2   Drawing, Prints, and Collage
3   Sculpture
4   Jewelry and Functional Metalwork
5   Ceramics
6   Glass
7   Photography
8   Fiber Art, Textiles, and Quilts

Awards

The ZMA’s Executive Director and the 80th Ohio Annual Exhibition juror will present the cash prizes and awards during the exhibition opening Thursday, June 18, 2026. The opening begins at 5:30 and ends at 7:30 pm. The awards ceremony begins at 6 pm. All award and prize decisions are final and at the discretion of the museum and exhibition juror.

Awards and prizes will be presented in the following categories:

Best in Show, $1,000

1 Painting, All Types, $100

2 Drawing, Prints, and Collage, $100

3 Sculpture, $100

4 Jewelry and Functional Metalwork, $100

5 Ceramics, The Ceramics Heritage Award, $500

6 Glass, $100

7 Photography, $100

9 Fiber Art, Textiles, and Quilts, The Janice Ballas Excellence in Fiber Arts, $250

 *Please note, if a category receives only a single applicant, that applicant is not granted an award by default. Decisions remain at the discretion of the juror.

Key Dates for Artists
(For additional information, please visit www.zanesvilleart.org)

Monday, February 2 - Application opens

Friday, April 24 - Application closes

Tuesday, May 12 - Acceptance notifications emailed to applicants.

Friday, May 15 - Postmark shipping deadline for artwork.

• All work should be shipped to Zanesville Museum of Art, c/o Ohio Annual, 620 Military Road, Zanesville, Ohio 43701.
• Please include a pre-paid return shipping label.
• A delivery confirmation email will be sent to the artist’s email on file in the Ohio Annual Exhibition application. Please allow 48 hours for a delivery confirmation email. If you have not received a delivery confirmation from the ZMA, please email exhibitions@zanesvilleart.org.

Friday, May 29 – Sunday, May 31 - Hand-deliver artwork to the Zanesville Museum of Art.

• The ZMA is located at 620 Military Road, Zanesville, Ohio 43701.
• Artwork delivery dates and times:
  Friday, May 29, from 10 am – 3 pm
  Saturday, May 30, from 12 – 4:30 pm
  Sunday, May 31, 12 – 4:30 pm
• Artists unable to drop off their work during these times should email exhibitions@zanesvilleart.org to schedule an alternative appointment. All artwork needs to be onsite by Sunday, May 31, 2026, to been included in the exhibition.

Thursday, June 18 - Exhibition opening 5:30–7:30 pm. The award ceremony begins at 6pm. The museum encourages all artists to attend the opening and award ceremony.

Friday, September 11 - 80th Ohio Annual Exhibition closes.

Saturday, September 12 – Sunday, 13 - Pickup artwork at the Zanesville Museum of Art

The ZMA is located at 620 Military Road, Zanesville, Ohio 43701.

• Artwork pick up dates and times:
  Saturday, September 13, 5:30–7 pm
  Sunday, September 14, 12–5pm
• Artists unable to pick up their work during this window should email exhibitions@zanesvilleart.org by Friday, August 28, 2026 to schedule an alternative appointment to pick up their artwork.

Tuesday, September 15, 2026 - Artwork will be scheduled for shipment to those artists who shipped their work to the ZMA.

Who May Apply

• This competition is open to all artists, 18 years of age and over, who presently live in or have previously lived in the state of Ohio.
• Entry application submission shall be taken as an agreement to all conditions stipulated in the entry form.

Apply Online, by Mail, or in Person 

• Apply and submit the entry form and fee online at www.callforentry.org by April 24, 2026.

Submission Requirements

• All works must be original, completed in the last two years, and not previously exhibited at the Zanesville Museum of Art.
• Accepted works may not be withdrawn by the artist prior to the closing of the exhibition and artists must abide by the specifications outlined below.
• Artwork entered into this exhibition must not exceed 72”H x 72” W
  • Please include the frame when measuring work.
• Artwork entered into this exhibition must not exceed 100lbs.
• No more than two artworks may be submitted by each artist for consideration in the Ohio Annual Exhibition.
• Whenever categories are in question, final decisions will be made by museum staff.
• The ZMA reserves the right to reject entries deemed unacceptable.
• Payment the entry fee does not ensure acceptance of artwork.

Image Format Requirements

• All artwork will be juried based on the high-resolution digital images submitted with the entry form.
• Please ensure that the images of your original artwork are of the highest quality.
• The CaFÉ image requirements can be found here: https://www.callforentry.org/artist-help-cafe/uploading-media/
  • Images of accepted artworks will be retained by the ZMA for educational and promotional purposes.
• Please submit one image of each two-dimensional or three-dimensional submission.

         Each artist may submit a maximum of two works.
                  For 2D artwork: 1 image per piece
                  For 3D artwork: 1 image per piece

• The title of each image should follow these guidelines:
  • Artist Last Name Artist First Name Category # Title.JPG
  • (For example, Kappes Karl 1 Evening Landscape.JPG)
•  
• The ZMA reserves the right to reject an artwork if that artwork was not accurately or clearly represented during the submission process.

Entry Fee

• The entry fee is $25 for each work submitted for jury.
• Each artist may submit a maximum of two works.
• Entry fee payment does not guarantee acceptance into the 80th Ohio Annual Exhibition.
• The ZMA does not provide a refund for entry fees.

Sales and Insurance

• Artwork should be eligible for sale.
• The ZMA will retain a 30% commission on all artwork sold from this exhibition.
• Prices of accepted works may not be changed after submission deadline and all artwork for sale will be insured at the sale value.
• The insurance value may not exceed fair market value and must be provided on the entry form. Artwork that is not for sale must be marked NFS on the entry form.

Artwork Display Requirements

• Two-dimensional submissions must come ready to hang with D-rings.
  • Please note, we will not hang artwork from wire, only D-Rings. View a 1-minute D-Ring video tutorial
• Upon delivery, all artwork must be dry and in stable condition.
  • The ZMA has the right to reject artwork accepted into the exhibition if, upon delivery, it is not in stable condition or if the artwork is not properly seated and secure in its frame.
• Please attach a label with your last name, first name, and artwork title (for example: Kappes, Karl, Evening Landscape) to the lower right back section of a two-dimensional work or to the bottom of a three-dimensional work.
• Please note: Some 3-dimensional work may require the museum to affix museum wax to secure the work to the pedestal.

Delivery and Pick Up

• Artists are responsible for the transit of artwork to and from the ZMA.
• Please email the ZMA to authorize another party to deliver or pick up their artwork.

Ship Artwork to the ZMA

• Shipped artworks must be postmarked by Friday, May 15, 2026.
• Ship artwork to:
  Zanesville Museum of Art
  c/o Ohio Annual
  620 Military Road
  Zanesville, Ohio 43701.
• Please include a pre-paid return shipping label in your original shipping container, box, or crate.
• COD shipments will not be accepted.
• A delivery confirmation email will be sent upon receipt to the email included in the application. Please ensure that the ZMA has the most up-to-date email. If you do not receive a delivery confirmation email, please confirm delivery by emailing exhibitions@zanesvilleart.org. Please allow 48 hours for a response.
• Artworks shipped to the ZMA will be shipped back to the artist using the enclosed pre-paid return shipping label. A pre-paid return shipping label should included in the shipping box covering full return shipping charges.
• Artwork will be scheduled for return shipment on Tuesday, September 15, 2026.

Hand-deliver Artwork to the ZMA

• Please plan to deliver artwork at the Zanesville Museum of Art, 620 Military Road, Zanesville, Ohio 43701, during the following days:
  • Friday, May 29, from 10 am–3 pm
  • Saturday, May 30, from 12–4:30 pm
  • Sunday, May 31, 12–4:30 pm
  • Artists unable to drop off their work during this three-day window should email exhibitions@zanesvilleart.org to schedule an alternative delivery appointment.
• The ZMA is not liable for any damage or loss incurred in transit. Settlement for any artworks damaged in transit will be the responsibility of the artist and shipper.

After the Exhibition Closes - Pickup Artwork at the ZMA

• Please plan to pickup artwork at the Zanesville Museum of Art, 620 Military Road, Zanesville, Ohio 43701, on either of the following days:
  • Saturday, September 12, 2026, 12–5pm
  • Sunday, September 13, 2025, 12–5pm
  • Artists unable to pick up their work during this window two-day weekend window should email exhibitions@zanesvilleart.org to schedule an alternative pickup appointment.

Entry application submission shall be taken as an agreement to all conditions stipulated in the entry form.

Call to Artists

This competition is open to all artists, 18 years of age and over, who presently live in or have previously lived in the state of Ohio. All works must be original, completed in the last two years, and not previously exhibited at the Zanesville Museum of Art. Accepted works may not be withdrawn by the artist prior to the closing of the exhibition and artists must abide by the specifications outlined below.