66 Stories: Attractions, Oddities, & Americana

66 Stories: Attractions, Oddities, & Americana

Will exhibit from May 30 – August 1, 2026
Online entry is from Feb 13 – April 13, 2026

In honor of the 100th anniversary of Route 66, this exhibition invites artists to explore the rich visual culture of the Mother Road, from Chicago to Santa Monica—an enduring symbol of Americana, adventure, and discovery. We welcome works that celebrate the quirky character of roadside attractions as well as the charm of the mom-and-pop businesses that defined the Route 66 experience. From towering fiberglass icons, vibrant neon signs, vintage motor courts, and roadside oddities to small-town diners, family-run shops, and nostalgic service stations, submissions should reflect the whimsy, warmth, and wanderlust that transformed ordinary stops into unforgettable waypoints. Artists are encouraged to capture the stories, spirit, and sense of place that made traveling Route 66 a uniquely American journey. We invite entries of work in any physical medium.

In honor of the 100th anniversary of Route 66, this exhibition invites artists to explore the rich visual culture of the Mother Road, from Chicago to Santa Monica—an enduring symbol of Americana, adventure, and discovery. We welcome works that celebrate the quirky character of roadside attractions as well as the charm of the mom-and-pop businesses that defined the Route 66 experience. From towering fiberglass icons, vibrant neon signs, vintage motor courts, and roadside oddities to small-town diners, family-run shops, and nostalgic service stations, submissions should reflect the whimsy, warmth, and wanderlust that transformed ordinary stops into unforgettable waypoints. Artists are encouraged to capture the stories, spirit, and sense of place that made traveling Route 66 a uniquely American journey. 

We invite entries of work in any physical medium. This will be a juried exhibition, and the work selected will be on display in Spiva’s gallery for nine weeks. 

ARTWORK GUIDELINES

Mediums Accepted: We are accepting all mediums, including but not limited to painting, photography, mixed media, and sculpture. 

Presentation Restriction: Accepted work must not be presented behind glass, unless it is hand-delivered. 

Focus: Artists are encouraged to approach Route 66 as a source of cultural and creative inspiration rather than relying on familiar icons. Works featuring the classic Route 66 shield or general open-road motifs are not the focus of this exhibition.

AWARDS

1ST Place | $250

2ND Place | $150

3RD Place | $100

All entrants will be informed of acceptance or declination via email no later than April 17, 2026. Please contact Kearstin Mattox at exhibits@spivaarts.org if you have questions or concerns.

WORK REQUIREMENTS

Submission Format: Please submit high-quality images of your work (at least 300 DPI) in JPEG or PNG format. If your work is accepted, we will request a higher-resolution file for printing. 

Artist Statement: Include a brief artist statement (200-300 words) that explains how your work addresses the theme of Route 66 and your creative process. 

Size Limitations: Maximum dimensions for 2D artwork are 48" x 48". Sculpture dimensions should not exceed 6 ft in height or width. 

ENTRY FEE

A $25 fee is required to enter two works. You must enter two images and no less (you can enter the same work two times if you do not have additional works). If you wish to submit more than two images, each additional entry is $5. All images must be entered in the same application at one time.

ELIGIBILITY

This exhibition is open to any artist living and working in the United States or its territories. Submitted images must be the artist’s own work, and it is the sole responsibility of the artist to obtain written releases from any recognizable person(s) depicted. All work is eligible as long as the work is original and has never been exhibited at George A. Spiva Center for the Arts.