Art Through The Lens 2026

Art Through The Lens is an annual international juried contemporary photography exhibition that provides photographers with an outlet for their art, encouragement for growth in their vision and presentation, and cash rewards for works of exceptional merit. Artists may submit up to twenty photographic entries and/or six video entries. All photo-based imagery created through photographic processes are eligible including non-lens made images. All work submitted must be original, completed in the last three years, and not previously exhibited in an Art Through The Lens or Paducah Photo exhibition. Deadline to apply is Midnight MDT on July 1st, 2026.

Art Through The Lens 2026 is open to all without restrictions on content. It provides photographers an outlet for their art, encouragement for growth in their vision and presentation and cash rewards for works of exceptional merit.  Each year from the works submitted, 50-70 images are selected for exhibition by a highly qualified juror. $1,000 in cash awards will be given to works of high merit. Art Through The Lens 2026 will be on display from July 29th – September 13th.

Yeiser Art Center is a non-profit visual arts organization celebrating over sixty years of serving the community with exhibitions and education throughout the Tri-State Region. As the region’s foremost visual art center, YAC brings diversity and excellence in visual arts to Paducah, a designated UNESCO Creative City. The gallery is situated near Paducah’s riverfront at 200 Broadway in the historic 1905 Market House building.

HISTORY
Originating in 1975 as the Paducah Summer Festival Photo Competition, Paducah Photo has grown from a fledgling contest into an international juried exhibition. Over the past 40+ years, this exhibition has become one of the Mid-South’s most prestigious annual photographic events.

In 2013, Paducah was bestowed the honor of being designated a member of the United Nations Educational, Scientific & Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Creative Cities Network in the area of Crafts & Folk Art. To embrace both this international honor and reflect the international growth of the exhibition, Paducah Photo took on a new name, Art Through The Lens.

SPECIFICATIONS

Artists may submit up to 20 entries. All photo-based imagery created through photographic processes is eligible including non-lens made images. All work submitted must be original, completed in the last three years and not previously exhibited in an Art Through The Lens (or Paducah Photo) exhibition. Size restrictions: No single work may be more than 6 feet in width and 8 feet in height, without advanced approval from YAC. Please contact YAC for approval of oversized submissions.

IMPORTANT DATES:

July 1st, Midnight – Deadline to enter

July 21st – Notification of acceptance

August 18th, 5pm – Deadline to deliver artwork

August 25th – October 10th – Exhibition open to the public

TBD – Closing Reception 

ENTERING

Entries are submitted solely online through CaFE. This is an international juried exhibition; works will be selected to exhibit by a juror. If one or more of your works should be accepted into the show, you will receive subsequent instructions on final presentation. A nonrefundable entry fee of $10 is required for each artwork submitted for consideration. Entries submitted via email or mail to the Yeiser Art Center will not be accepted. Members of the Yeiser Art Center will receive a $10 discount off their total submission fee with the use of a coupon code. Please note: this is a flat $10 discount and does not apply per image submitted. Please contact the Yeiser Art Center to check the status of your membership and receive the coupon code.

Exhibition dates: August 25th – October 10th, 2026.

NOTIFICATIONS & ACCEPTED ENTRIES

All entries selected for exhibition will be notified by July 21st, 2026. Work must arrive at the Yeiser Art Center no later than August 18th, 2026, 5pm.

Accepted entries must be shipped prepaid to the Yeiser Art Center, 200 Broadway St, Paducah, KY. Only FedEX, UPS and USPS shippers are allowed. All work must arrive ready to install following museum standards. If not framed, artwork should be ready to hang in a professional manner and all hanging fixtures should be provided, including magnets, L-hooks or other appropriate hardware. For specific shipping or framing questions or concerns, please call YAC at 270-442-2453 or email office@theyeiser.org.

AWARDS

$1,000 in cash awards will be given in the following amounts:

First Place $500
Second Place $300
Third Place $200

SALES

Sales will be encouraged where works are offered for purchase, but work need not be for sale to enter. Yeiser Art Center will keep a 40% gallery commission on all sales, please price your work accordingly. Work will be insured for the duration of the exhibition for the value of the work, or 60% of the retail price. Artists are responsible for insuring their work during transit to and from the Yeiser Art Center.

JUROR: Ginny Harris

Art Through The Lens 2026 is open to all submissions from artists over the age of eighteen without restrictions on content.

Artists may submit up to 20 entries. All photo-based imagery created through photographic processes is eligible including non-lens made images. All work submitted must be original, completed in the last three years and not previously exhibited in an Art Through The Lens (or Paducah Photo) exhibition.