Fresh Ideas 2026

Fresh Ideas 2026 is the latest version of VAL’s prestigious juried exhibition of new artworks that represent current trends in art. Shown in the beautiful 2,400 sq ft Lewisville Grand Theater Main Art Gallery (see www.lewisvillegrand.com and https://visualartleague.org. Fresh Ideas includes regional artists who bring exceptional vitality to the Visual Art League’s exhibition series. Accepting 2D (not to exceed 60” x 60”) and 3D (Must fit on pedestal or freestanding sculptures cannot not have a depth or width that exceeds 36”) submissions. No installations or video submissions. No collaborative artwork submissions. No Furniture submissions. Artwork submitted must have been created by an individual artist in the last 24 months. Original artwork must be delivered. No prints or reproductions!

Entry Fee:

• $55 for non-members of VAL
• $40 for VAL members

1st Place - $1,000 and a solo show in summer of the following year at the Lewisville Grand Theater.

Juror: Shelby Bennett

The Visual Art League (VAL) of Lewisville, Texas is pleased to announce a call for entries for Fresh Ideas 2026, a juried show to be held at the Lewisville Grand Theater Main Art Gallery in Lewisville, Texas August 22nd - September 26th, 2026.

Fresh Ideas is VAL's Annual Premier Juried Art Exhibition and sale, which is housed in the beautiful 2,400 sq. ft. Lewisville Grand Theater Main Art Gallery (see www.lewisvillegrand.com and visualartleague.org).  It is open to all visual artists 18 yrs and older who reside in Texas. The non-refundable entry fee, for a maximum of (3) pieces is:

• $55 for non-members of VAL
• $40 for VAL members

Artworks will be available for sale if the artist chooses. See Legal Agreement.
 

Important Dates:
 

Exhibition Dates: August 22nd - September 26th, 2026
Deadline to enter: July 31st 11:59 pm (Mountain Time)
Artist Notifications: August 7th - 8th

Deliver artwork to the Lewisville Grand Theater: Monday August 17th *Lewisville Grand Theater Staff cannot accept shipped artworks!
Opening Reception: Saturday August 22nd 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Pick up artwork: Monday September 28th, 2026

Awards

• 1st Place - $1,000 and a solo show in summer of the following year at the Lewisville Grand Theater.
• 2nd Place - $500
• 3rd Place - $250
• Six Honorable Mentions @ $100 each
• People's Choice Award - $100

Accepted media: oil, watercolor, acrylics, pastel, mixed media, collage, altered books, assemblage, dry media, wet media, printmaking, ceramics, glass, textiles, encaustic, sculpture and photography (film, digital, altered processes, photographic montage). *Digital compositions using AI Image Generator Software are not allowed!

Juror: Shelby Bennett

Shelby Bennett is the curatorial assistant for European Art and Prints and Drawings and Assistant to the Chief Curatorial and Research Officer at the Dallas Museum of Art. In this role, Bennett supports the curatorial department with research on the collection, acquisitions, publications, and exhibitions. Recently, she worked on a major touring exhibition of the DMA’s holdings of Impressionist artworks, The Impressionist Revolution: Monet to Matisse from the Dallas Museum of Art. Before arriving at the Dallas Museum of Art, Bennett worked as a curatorial researcher at the Kimbell Art Museum. Bennett earned her master's in art history from Texas Christian University, where her studies focused on French art of the nineteenth century.  Bennett received her bachelor's degree in English writing and French from St. Edward’s University

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:

Images of entries to be considered for the show must be submitted via Callforentry.org. Image must meet the requirements of that site for size and type of file to be accepted online. One image per artwork. Artists may submit up to (3) pieces for consideration. Artwork delivered to the gallery must be the original. No prints or reproductions.

 ARTWORK REQUIREMENTS:

1. Original 2D and 3D artworks must have been created in the last (2) years and must not have been previously shown in any VAL exhibits. The gallery is owned by the City of Lewisville and is considered family-friendly, so no explicit nudity, confrontational political content, or disrespectful religious images allowed. No installation or video artworks. All art submitted must be an original composition of an individual artist. No collaborative artwork submissions. No prints or reproductions.
2. Maximum size for hung work is: 60x60, including frame.
3. 2D artworks intended to be hung on the walls, must look professionally finished and be ready for installation.
4. Framed pieces must be equipped with d-rings attached to the back and stretched with wire. Sawtooth hangers uniframes, and cleat hangers are not acceptable. Please tape wire ends to prevent injury to the hanging committee.
5. Wires when stretched to hang the art, should not come closer than two inches from the top of the frame to prevent the hanger from showing when the art is hung.
6. Plexiglass, or similar material, must be used in place of glass for any piece larger than 16 x 20.
7. Any artwork printed on acrylic or metal must have smooth round edges or be framed. No sharp edges!
8. Diptychs, triptychs, or other multi piece works constitute one piece, and must be no wider than 60" when hung together. *Artworks with separate pieces beyond a quadriptych are not allowed.
9. Pieces that are hung may not be over 50lbs in weight.
10. Hanging canvas pieces should have clean, gallery-wrapped edges or be framed. Depth of canvas determines finish. 1.5" or greater depth should have a clean finished edge. Canvases less than 1.5" require a frame.
11. 3D artwork must be able to securely sit on a pedestal with a base that will fit on a 20 x 14 surface or rest on the floor freestanding within a 36" x 36" area or safely hang using a wire.
12. Any pieces, including sculpture, which are very fragile or heavy, the artist will be expected to assist with the installation.

​Please Note:

1. This is a juried show. The juror has the right to reject any submitted artwork during the jury process. No refunds!
2. VAL reserves the right to reject any accepted artwork if: it does not look professionally presented, framed pieces over 16" x 20" have glass, or it is not properly wired and ready for installation. NO EXCEPTIONS!
3. ALL ACCEPTED WORKS MUST REMAIN ON EXHIBIT FOR THE DURATION OF THE FRESH IDEAS SHOW.
4. VAL and The Lewisville Grand offer an amazing opportunity to engage with the community and potential buyers as a Gallery Sitter. Bring your sketch book, or project to work on in the gallery, or simply enjoy the exhibit peacefully, and connect with other art enthusiasts when they visit the gallery. Gallery Sitting hours are in 2-hour increments and will be available to sign-up via SignUp Genius once selections for the exhibit are chosen.

Important Information on Delivery of Accepted Artwork:

• A link for Sign-Up Genius will be sent to artists to schedule an intake time.
• Work accepted into the exhibition must be delivered to the Lewisville Grand Theater Main Art Gallery, 100 North Charles Street Lewisville, TX at your scheduled time.
• It is the responsibility of the artist to arrange for delivering their works themselves or by a representative of the artist.
• Any artwork not received at the Gallery by 5:00 pm on August 17th, 2026 will not be included in the show.

You must submit a minimum of one jpeg image or a maximum of three. No detail images. One image per artwork.

You must be a Texas Artist 18yrs or older.