Cape Fear Studios' National 2D Competition 2026

Cape Fear Studios is proud to announce its 15th National 2D Competition. This juried competition is open to all artists, 18 or older, in the United States.  The exhibit will be on display June 26-August 25, 2026 in the Cape Fear Studios Main Gallery in Fayetteville, NC.  

Entry deadline May 8, 2026

Best of Show: $1000, First Place: $750, Second Place: $500, Honorable Mention (2) $50 each

Show Juror: JJ Jiang; Visit: jjjiang.com

-Maximum of two 2-dimensional entries per artist

-May not exceed 36" x 36" including frame and must be properly wired for hanging

-Entry fee: $35 for the first entry; $15 for the second entry

Entry deadline May 8, 2026 at CaFEcallforentry.org

Cape Fear Studios is proud to announce its 15th National 2D Competition. This juried competition is open to all artists, 18 or older, in the United States. The exhibit will be on display June 26 - August 25, 2026 in the Cape Fear Studios Main Gallery in Fayetteville, NC.

Best in Show: $1000

First Place: $750

Second Place: $500

Honorable Mention (2): $50 each

Show Juror: JJ Jiang

Visit: jjjiang.com

 "The medium and subject may vary, but artistry remains the same," believes JJ Jiang. This belief is evident in JJ's career as an artist as his paintings have been repeatedly juried into our nation's most prestigious national and international competitions. In the process, JJ quickly achieved signature member status with the Oil Painters of America (OPA), the American Watercolor Society (AWS), and the National Watercolor Society (NWS). This is truly a rare feat achieved only by a very elite group of artists in North America. His work has won numerous awards, been displayed in museums, art centers and galleries throughout the country, and has been widely collected. It has been featured in publications such as Watercolor Artist magazine, SPLASH 21, The Art of Watercolour magazine, Southwest Art magazine and Fine Art Connoisseur magazine.

As a fine artist, JJ draws his inspiration from both his eastern and western cultural roots, as well as his inquisitive mind and inner poetry. He excels in drawing, watercolor and oil painting, Chinese calligraphy and brush painting, while exploring subjects such as land and waterscape/cityscape, still life, portrait and figure. Beyond the creation of art, sharing his creative passion for it through teaching has been an integral part of JJ's journey for years.

JJ currently lives in Cary, North Carolina and is the owner of the Village Art Circle Fine Art Studio in the heart of downtown Cary. His unique art journey was written and published in the Our State/North Carolina magazine, January 2015 issue. A portfolio of his watercolor work has been featured in the Summer 2024 edition of the top international watercolor magazine, The Art of Watercolour Magazine, Issue 54, published in France.

Entry Specifications

• Maximum of two 2-dimensional entries per artist
• Works must be completed in the past 2 years and not copied from any other artist or published materials, created under supervision, nor previously exhibited in Cumberland County, NC
• Must be for sale
• MAY NOT EXCEED 36” x 36” including frame and must be properly wired for hanging; NO SAWTOOTH HANGERS
• Work requiring extraordinary installation will be declined

*Plexiglass required on all shipped works on paper

Media:

• All 2D painting and drawing media, hand pulled prints, and collage
• Diptych and triptych only accepted when created as a single concept in multiple frames; judge’s discretion shall rule
• Photographs, recolored image transfers and digitally produced images will not be accepted

Entry Fee:

$35 for the first entry; $15 for the second entry 

Accepted Entries:

• Artists will be notified of acceptance/decline no later than May 27, 2026.
• Dates for delivery of work, shipped or hand delivered, are shown below in the schedule. NO LATE ENTRIES ACCEPTED 
• Label with artist’s name, contact information, title, medium and price should be attached to the back of art, upper right corner
• The artist is responsible for insurance and cost of shipping to/from Cape Fear Studios. Shipping guidelines and additional information will be sent with notification of acceptance.
• SHIPPED ENTRIES MUST INCLUDE A PRE-PAID RETURN LABEL
• *Any artist withdrawing an entry after acceptance will not be eligible to enter this competition for 2 succeeding years

 Sales:

All works must be for sale. In the event a work is sold, Cape Fear Studios will retain a 30% commission of the sale price. State sales tax is applicable to all sales. No work may be withdrawn early from the show. Payment from sales will be made to the artist within 30 days after the close of the exhibit. Price must remain the same as listed on the entry form. 
 

Disclaimer Agreement:

Work submitted at the risk of the artist. While all possible care will be taken, Cape Fear Studios, its members or representatives, will not assume responsibility for any loss or damage incurred before, during, or after the exhibit. Cape Fear Studios reserves the right to refuse any work that does not comply with all specifications or differs greatly from submitted digital images. Your submitted entry signifies your agreement with the terms and conditions stated herein, including granting permission to Cape Fear Studios to reproduce accepted paintings for advertising the 2025 exhibition.

Competition Schedule:

• May 8, 2026 at midnight: entry deadline through CaFE at www.callforentry.org
• May 27, 2026: Accepted/declined notifications posted
• Accepted works shipped or hand delivered must arrive June 17-23, 2026 to Cape Fear Studios
• Cape Fear Studios is open 11am to 5pm Tuesday through Friday; 10am to 2pm on Saturday; closed Sunday and Monday.  Address: 148 Maxwell Street, Fayetteville, NC  28301
• Friday, June 26, 2026: Opening Reception and Awards Ceremony, 6-8pm
• August 25, 2026: Exhibit closes (pick up hand-delivered works August 26-28 from 11am to 5pm or August 29 from 10am to 2pm)
• Return shipping will begin August 27, 2026

Contact Information: 

Cape Fear Studios, (910) 433-2986 or artgallery@capefearstudios.com 

Labels for accepted works of art. Please attach to back of artwork in upper right hand corner 

Entry 1

Name                                                             Phone

Email

Title                                Medium                    Price

Entry 2

Name                                                             Phone

Email

Title                                  Medium                 Price

-Maximum of two 2-dimensional entries per artist

-Works must be completed in the past 2 years and not copied from any other artist or published materials, created under supervision, nor previously exhibited in Cumberland County, NC 

-Must be for sale

-May not exceed 36” x 36” including frame and must be properly wired for hanging.  No sawtooth hangers. 

-Work requiring extraordinary installation will be declined.

- *Plexiglass required on all shipped works on paper. 

-Maximum of two 2-dimensional entries per artist.

-Works must be completed in the past 2 years and not copied from any other artist or published materials, created under supervision, nor previously exhibited in Cumberland County, NC

-Must be for sale. 

 *Any artist withdrawing an entry after acceptance will not be eligible to enter this competition for 2 succeeding years.