San Marcos Arts Festival – Juried Art Exhibition 2026

The San Marcos Arts Festival Juried Art Exhibition invites regional artists working in any fine art media to submit work for a curated exhibition at the San Marcos Art Center, November 4–20, 2026. This juried show is presented by the San Marcos Art League in partnership with the City of San Marcos, with up to $500 in cash prizes awarded at the juror’s discretion.

Our juror is Margo Handwerker, Director of the Glassell School of Art at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, an accomplished curator bringing a discerning eye to this year’s selection.

Artists may submit up to 5 entries. The juror may select up to 2 works per artist, based on available space. Entry fee is $30 per submission, non-refundable.

Prospectus

San Marcos Arts Festival Juried Art Exhibition

This exhibition is part of the annual San Marcos Arts Festival, taking place November 14, 2026, and is open to all artists working in any fine art media. The exhibition is presented by the San Marcos Art League on behalf of the City of San Marcos.

General Information

Eligibility

•       Open to all artists in all media.

•       Entries must be original in design and execution.

•       Entries must have been completed in the last two years.

•       Works completed in a workshop or under supervision are ineligible.

 Entry Fees

•       $30 per entry.

•       Each artist may have no more than two works represented in the show, but the number of entries submitted is limited to five.

•       Entry fees are non-refundable.

Submissions

Entries will only be accepted online through callforentry.org.

Schedule

Monday, August 17, 2026: All submissions must be received by the San Marcos Art League.

Week of August 31, 2026: Selection notification mailed and emailed.

Sunday, November 1, 2026: Hand delivery of works to: San Marcos Art Center, 117 N. Guadalupe St., San Marcos, TX 78666, between 1:00pm – 4:00pm.

(Monday, November 2 and Tuesday, November 3: installation — Art Center closed to the public.)

Wednesday, November 4 – Friday, November 20, 2026: Exhibition on view at the San Marcos Art Center, opening at 11:00am on November 4.

Friday, November 13, 2026: Opening Reception, 5:30pm – 7:30pm, at the San Marcos Art Center.

Saturday, November 14, 2026: San Marcos Arts Festival.

Wednesday, November 18 – Friday, November 20, 2026: Unsold, hand-delivered art may be picked up at the San Marcos Art Center, 117 N. Guadalupe St., San Marcos, TX 78666, by arrangement. 

Conditions of Entry

•       All accepted works must be hand delivered ready to hang securely with wire (no sawtooth hangers) for display. We will not be accepting shipped artworks. Artwork cannot exceed 35 pounds.

•       Two-dimensional/framed work: Framed size limit: 36" wide x 48" high, including frame.

•       Three-dimensional/sculptural work: Sculptural and other 3D works will be considered based on size, stability, and display availability. 3D artwork must not exceed 36" in width and 48" in height, and must be capable of standing independently on the floor or on a plinth/pedestal without assistance. The Art Center cannot accommodate works requiring suspension or ceiling-mounted display.

•       All accepted works will remain on display at the San Marcos Art Center from November 4 through November 20, 2026, including the Opening Reception on November 13 and the San Marcos Arts Festival on November 14.

Juror

Margo Handwerker

Margo Handwerker is Director of the Glassell School of Art at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (MFAH), having previously served as Dean of the school’s Core Residency Program. An artist, curator, and arts administrator, she previously served as Chief Curator and Director of the Texas State Galleries at Texas State University here in San Marcos, and lectured in Critical Studies, Architecture, and Urban Design at UCLA. Earlier in her career, she was a curatorial assistant in MFAH’s Department of Modern and Contemporary Art and taught at the Glassell School. She holds a PhD from Princeton University’s School of Architecture and an MA in Art History, Theory, and Criticism from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. She is also a practicing artist and a member of the M12 Studio collective.

Awards

Up to $500 in cash prizes awarded at the juror's discretion!

Sales

All artwork must be for sale at the price determined at submission and include sales tax. The San Marcos Art League will retain a 20% commission on all sales. Sales tax collection and remittance for works sold through this exhibition will be handled by the San Marcos Art League on behalf of participating artists.

Reproduction

By submitting an entry, the artist grants the San Marcos Art League and the City of San Marcos a non-exclusive, royalty-free right to photograph, reproduce, and use images of the submitted and/or accepted artwork — including the artist's name — for purposes of publicity, promotion, documentation, and educational use related to the San Marcos Arts Festival and its presenting organizations, in print and digital/online media. Submission of an entry to this exhibition shall indicate the artist's agreement to these conditions. This release will be included in the CAFE pop-up legal agreement at the point of application.

Per prospectus guidelines in description.

•       Open to all artists in all media.

•       Entries must be original in design and execution.

•       Entries must have been completed in the last two years.

•       Works completed in a workshop or under supervision are ineligible.