CAL Fall 2026 Judged Show

Conroe Art League hosts the virtual CAL Fall 2026 Judged Show, from which qualified winners are eligible to compete in LSAG's 2027 Annual Show.

Call for Artists: This call is sponsored by Conroe Art League (CAL), a member of the Lone Star Art Guild (LSAG) 

CAL Fall 2026 Virtual Judged Show
Hosted on the CaFE (Call for Entry) platform

Key Dates

Registration Opens: August 1, 2026

Registration Closes: September 14, 2026

Awards Announced: October 2, 2026 (announced electronically, winners allowed to show in the gallery during October)

CAL Gallery Take-In (for eligible winners): October 6, 2026

Eligibility

Open to artists in Texas.

Artists do not have to be a member to enter this show.

However, to enter eligible artwork in the LSAG 2026 Annual Show, artists must be a member of Conroe Art League or another LSAG league.

Entries from outside Texas will be declined.

How to Enter

All entries must be submitted through CaFE (www.callforentry.org)

Step 1: Create & Upload Your Portfolio

Upload all artwork images to your CaFE portfolio before applying to the show.
Important: If you submit before uploading all your entries, CaFE may require a new profile to add more later.

Step 2: Apply to the Show

Search for CAL Fall 2026 Judged Show on CaFE and submit your chosen artwork.

Step 3: Checkout

Complete payment. Student entries must apply coupon codes during checkout (see "Fees" below).

Artwork Image Requirements

File Type: JPG only

Longest Side: Minimum 1,200 pixels

File Size: Under 5 MB

Do Not include frame in the image or measurements

Entry Fees

Adult Artists (over 18): $20 per artwork, no maximum

Student Artists (≤18): FREE with coupon codes

Max 3 entries per student

Coupon codes must be entered at checkout:

1st entry: STU1ST

2nd entry: STU2ND

3rd entry: reuse either STU1ST or STU2ND.  

Questions: Contact showsandexhibits@conroeartleague.com

Judging & Awards

Judge: Diann Zimmerman

Diann Zimmerman is an artist, educator, and founder of Watercolor – Beginners and Beyond, one of the world's largest watercolor communities, with more than 377,000 members spanning over 100 countries. A former Education Director for the Watercolor Art Society–Houston (WASH), she is passionate about helping artists of all skill levels grow through encouraging, hands-on instruction. In addition to leading workshops and demonstrations, Diann offers more than 200 watercolor tutorials on Patreon. Her work and teaching emphasize creativity, confidence, and the joy of painting, inspiring artists to embrace experimentation, celebrate progress over perfection, and make art accessible to everyone.

Judging will be conducted online

Cash awards (based on number of paid entries) for:

Best of Show

Best Floral

Best Landscape

Best Student

Winners Eligible for LSAG Annual Show:

First Place

Second Place

Third Place

First Honorable Mention

Best of Show

Best Landscape

Best Floral

Best Student

Winning Adult CAL Members may display their work in the CAL Gallery (October 2026)

No hanging fee

One docent shift per artwork required

Docent training available

Artist Divisions

Division is based on your art experience. Artists must remain in the same division all year.  The LSAG year begins July and ends in June. 

 DIVISION I: ACCOMPLISHED

These artists are considered accomplished in their field. They are typically the leaders; teachers or judges, they understand the theories and principals of art and consistently win awards.

DIVISION II: ESTABLISHED

These artists have a well-established history of their work, actively promote their art and have a proven track record. They possess the technical skills necessary to teach others and routinely achieve artistic success.

DIVISION III: EMERGING

These artists are typically early in their journey (3-7 years) but are more confident in their ability than in their Novice years. They are in the process of self-discovery and developing their artistic style.

DIVISION IV: NOVICE

One who has created art for less than three years through self-study or under the direction of a teacher. After two (2) years of College Art (4 art courses) or three (3) years as a Novice, any LSAG member should automatically be placed in the Emerging Division.

DIVISION V: YOUTH

These young artists are school aged (preK-12). They are typically enrolled in public, private or home school, taking private lessons or are self-taught. This Division is divided as follows:

a. Elementary (grades preK-5);

b. Middle School (grades 6-8); and

c. High School (grades 9-12)

CATEGORIES (Revised in 2025)

Category A: Oil / Acrylic: Oil, acrylic, gouache or oil pastel applied in an opaque method created in such a way as to give the appearance of an oil painting

Category B: Watercolor / Acrylic: Water media or inks applied in a fluid or transparent method giving the appearance of a watercolor painting, including but not limited to watercolor, acrylic, gouache and inks (alcohol, water-based or India). Sumi-E or oriental brush painting may be included if applied in a fluid, non-linear method.

Category C: Pastels: Pastels applied on a variety of substrates including paper or board and may be applied over a watercolor or pastel underpainting. Includes, but is not limited to soft pastels, pan pastels and pastel pencils. Does not include oil pastels.

Category D: Drawing/Printmaking:

i. Drawing: Picture or diagram, linear in nature, made with an instrument that you physically hold, such as but not limited to, charcoal, pencil, colored pencil, pen, crayon, marker, chalk or metal. Shading may be done within the drawing using the same instrument. Shading can also be linear, such as hatching or crosshatching. May include scratch art, oil pastels, Sumi-E and oriental brush drawing as long as they are used in a linear method.

ii. Printmaking: Printmaking includes works produced from hand plates, stones or screens that have been manually created by etching, engraving, silk screening, plate lithography, linoleum blocks or woodcut, then manipulated into an artist’s original images. Printed works should be signed and numbered limited editions.

Category E: Mixed Media: Mixed media describes artwork in which more than one medium or material has been employed. Examples include, but are not limited to collage, encaustic painting, assemblages or altered books. Material used to create mixed media may include paints, paper, cloth, wood and found objects. Wet media (liquid in their usage) or dry media (pencils, charcoal, crayons) used in conjunction are considered mixed media for the combination of inherently differing media to create a finalized piece. Artwork that is predominantly one medium with a slight embellishment from another medium should be categorized elsewhere.

Category F: Photography: Photographic images must be the original work of the artist and must be produced on film or digitally on a lens-based camera. The photographic images must be made using photographic processes and may be minimally altered using standard post processing techniques. Minimal alteration of film images allowed would include darkroom techniques such as dodging, burning and vignetting. In the case of digital images, minimally altered would include stacking, minor distraction removal, “noise” reduction, simple sharpening, texturing, vignetting and adjustments to colors and contrast. It would not include inserting substantial digital sections from a different photographic image or generated by AI. No stock or AI images are allowed in any form including addition of these to the artist’s photographic image. AI sharpening, focus tools such as Adobe super resolution and Topaz Photo AI are not permitted.

Category G: Digital Art: Digital art is manually produced using digital, computerized technology and software as an essential part of the creative process. The computer is the tool utilized to create the digital art, be it graphic design, digital painting, pixel art, or digital art produced using photographs. Photographs used in creating digital art must be the artist’s original photographic images. Digital art using photographs as a base must be included in this Digital Art Category. Digital art must be solely created and controlled by the artist. The artist is expected to use software to create or manipulate the work and is not penalized for using software which has AI algorithms. Digital art may include 2D or 3D. The artist may NOT explicitly instruct the software’s generative AI to create any portion of the artwork. 

Category H: Abstract/Non-Objective: Includes non-representational art where images are not a depiction of a visual reality but instead use shapes, colors, forms, textures and gestural marks to achieve an effect.

Category I: Sculpture: 3D forms in various media, including sculptures in relief.

Category J: Fiber Arts: Fiber art must include original design (no commercial patterns allowed), created or assembled using fabric, silk, wool, yarns, twine, paper, paper pulp or paper mache. Methods of construction include, but are not limited to, weaving, silk painting, screen printing on fabric, felting, quilting, quilling and embroidery.

Category K: Jewelry: Jewelry would encompass all pieces of art created and assembled with the express purpose of adorning the body, including, but not limited to rings, bracelets for wrist or ankle, necklaces, earrings, belts, buckles, and bejeweled head wear. The pieces may be a combination of different mediums and methods of construction. For example, a wire wrapped stone on a leather thong. Material for construction include, but are not limited to, wire, clay, glass, semi-precious or precious stones, metal clay, encaustic, fiber, leather and plastic (including epoxy resins).

Category L: Glass: Glass art includes, but is not limited to, blown glass, stained glass using copper foil method, stained glass using lead came, kiln formed fused glass, etched glass, glass mosaic, sgraffito using glass enamels, lamp working and beadmaking. If beads or fused glass are incorporated into jewelry, it would be judged as jewelry. Pieces using glass as a substrate only, are not considered in this category. For example, a purchased wine glass which is painted is not acceptable, but if you made the wine glass and then painted it, that would qualify.

Category M: Wood: Wood art includes but is not limited to furniture making, marquetry, wood turning, intarsia, inlay and carving.

Category N: Ceramics: Ceramic art includes clay, pottery, porcelain and earthenware, typically hardened by heat. These pieces are often functional; however, if they are purely artistic, they may be judged under sculpture. Methods of construction include, but are not limited to, thrown on a potter’s wheel, hand built or shaped over a form, and may be glazed or unglazed.

Category O: Experimental: Unique, unusual artwork created in a non-traditional manner using any media.If unsure about category selection, contact the Show Chair.

Important Notes

No refunds.

Winning artwork from Conroe Art League's Fall 2026 Judged Show must be entered into the LSAG database (http://lsag.wspub.com) to qualify for the 2027 LSAG Annual Show after the CAL Fall 2026 Judged Show is completed. If not part of an art league, choose “NONE”  as your league in the LSAG profile.

You must join CAL or any LSAG art league before the LSAG 2027 Annual Show to compete. We hope you will choose Conroe Art League.

LSAG Show Rules state the following:  Qualifying artwork may be entered only once in the LSAG Annual Show; therefore, they cannot be entered in any LSAG Member League show the next year.

Need help? Contact: Jeff – showsandexhibits@conroeartleague.com

We look forward to seeing your work in the CAL Fall 2026 Virtual Judged Show!

Be sure to do the following:

Each artwork from an artist must be in the same division (I, II, III, IV, or V). An artist's artworks may be in different categories. 

Student artists =<18 are limited to 3 artworks.

The fee is $20.00 for each image submitted for individuals over 18. Students 18 and under, may use coupons at checkout, which will make their entries free. There are 2 coupons and students may use either of there 2 times for a total of 3 entries.

Eligibility Rules

Artist's residence must be in Texas.

Artwork must be original and may not have been painted on by any other person and must have been completed in the last 2 years.

For each artwork specify the width, height, and depth, round up to whole inches.  Do not include the frame size in your measurements. Artist must comply with size requirements and community standards. Subject matter must be family friendly. No Nudes.

3-D Art Requirements - maximum size is 30 inches wide by 30 inches deep by 48 inches high.  Maximum weight 40 pounds.  

2-D Art Requirements - maximum width/height is 48 inches, including the frame, and may not  exceed 30 pounds in weight.

Best of Show winner is given a free 1-year membership to CAL. 

Once you submit artwork into CaFE, it will automatically be "locked".  If you need to modify your entry, contact Jeff Lung, showsandexhibits@conroeartleague.com He will change your status to "Incomplete", so you can make changes and resubmit. Be sure to double check your Division/Category, which is the very last thing.