20th Anniversary-Joyce Elaine Grant (JEG) Juried Art Exhibition

Established in 2001, Texas Woman’s University (TWU) and the Photographic Artists’ Coalition (P.A.C., a student-run photography organization), the biennial Joyce Elaine Grant (JEG) Photography Exhibition provides a national venue for the exhibition of artistic expression as seen through the eye of the camera.

Biennially, a distinguished female curator serves as juror and selects images submitted by photographers throughout the United States. The exhibition is on view to the public at the TWU's East | West Galleries every other spring. The juror also awards one artist a solo exhibition, scheduled during the following JEG Exhibition.

The exhibition and endowment were established by alumna Christine Shank and a small group of graduate students, named in memory of the mother of Professor Susan kae Grant. Exhibition proceeds fund the Joyce Elaine Grant Photography Exhibition Endowment, which supports photography scholarships for future graduate students in the Division of Visual Arts.

20th Biennial Joyce Elaine Grant JURIED Art Exhibition, 2027
Juror: Maria L. Kelly, Assistant Curator of Photography at the High Museum of Art in Atlanta

Exhibition Dates: Exhibition Dates: Feb 15 - Mar 12, 2027
Submission Dates: Sept 28 - Nov 08, 2026 
   (submissions end midnight Central Standard Time)
Artist Notification: Dec 9, 2026

Established in 2001, Texas Woman’s University (TWU) and the Photographic Artists’ Coalition (P.A.C., a student-run photography organization), the biennial Joyce Elaine Grant (JEG) Photography Exhibition provides a national venue for the exhibition of artistic expression as seen through the eye of the camera. 

Biennially, a distinguished female curator serves as juror for the exhibition and selects images from entries submitted by photographers throughout the United States. The exhibition is on view to the public at the Texas Woman’s University East | West Galleries every other spring. The juror also awards one artist a solo exhibition scheduled during the following JEG Exhibition in the TWU East | West Galleries.

The exhibition and endowment were established by alumna Christine Shank and a small group of graduate students and named in memory of the mother of Professor Susan kae Grant, Cornaro Professor of Visual Art, Emerita. Exhibition proceeds fund the Joyce Elaine Grant Photography Exhibition Endowment, which supports photography scholarships for future graduate students in the Division of Visual Arts.
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JUROR Maria L. Kelly, Assistant Curator of Photography at the High Museum of Art in Atlanta

Maria L. Kelly is the Assistant Curator of Photography at the High Museum of Art in Atlanta. During her time at the Museum, she has helped organize nearly thirty photography installations. Her exhibitions include Photography’s New Vision: Experiments in Seeing (2025), Tyler Mitchell: Idyllic Space (2024), Underexposed: Women Photographers from the Collection (2021), What Is Near: Reflections on Home (2016), and Helen Levitt: In the Street (2015), among others. Beyond the High, Maria has curated exhibitions at Friche la Belle de Mai, Marseille, France (2026); Emory University, Atlanta, GA (2026); Swan Coach House Gallery, Atlanta, GA (2023); and Columbus State University, Columbus, GA (2022). 

Maria earned an M.A. from Columbia University and a B.A. from the University of Georgia, both in art history. She has held positions at The Sir Elton John Photography Collection and the Brooklyn Museum and internships at The Museum of Modern Art, the Guggenheim Museum, and the Georgia Museum of Art.
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Artwork Delivery Dates: Feb 2-5, 2027
  * No place to store artwork if arrival is early
ARTWORK PICK-UP: Mar 15-16, 2027
Deinstall & Shipping Artwork: Mar 16 - 19, 2027

AWARD: Solo Show at Texas Woman's University

20th Biennial Joyce Elaine Grant Exhibition, 2027
DEADLINE: NOV 8, 2026

Theme: This exhibition is open-themed.

This exhibition is open to photographers, lens-based or lensless, video and photo-related artists from the United States. Judging will be done online. Submissions must be individual JPGs sized to minimum 1200 pixels on the longest side, not to exceed 5MB. 

Artists may submit one to five images for $35.00 in the Basic Application and/or one to ten images may be entered for $60.00 in the Expanded Application. Choose the appropriate entry fee based on your image number submissions at checkout; Example: If you have 1 to 5 images, choose the $35 fee. If you have over 5 but up to 10 images, choose the $60 fee. Images of accepted entries may be used for publicity purposes and for the presentation of the exhibition on the TWU website. All fees are non-refundable and will be considered a donation to the Joyce Elaine Grant Exhibition Endowment. 

This exhibition is open to photographers, lens-based or lensless, video and photo-related artists from the United States. All photographic and related processes are encouraged including digital, video, non-silver, photo & mixed media as well as photographic book arts. Pieces must not exceed 60 inches in any dimension.

Entries are accepted until Nov 8th, 2026 Midnight CST. Accepted works must be ready to hang and delivered to the gallery between February 3rd through the 5th, 2027 at 3 pm. 

Basic application (1-5 images for $35) Expanded Application (1-10 images for $60). At checkout, choose the fee that best fits your application. Example: If you have 1 to 5 images, choose the $35 fee. If you have over 5 but up to 10 images, choose the $60 fee. 
Exhibition proceeds fund the Joyce Elaine Grant Photography Exhibition Endowment, which funds scholarships for future photography graduate students in the Division of Visual Arts in the School of the Arts and Design at Texas Woman’s University.

Artists whose work(s) are accepted will be notified by December 9th, 2026, and are responsible for shipping expenses. Accepted works must be ready to hang (with D-Rings and wire) and delivered to the gallery by February 5, 2027 but no earlier than February 1, 2027. Shipped artwork must include prepaid return shipping label and reusable packing/crating. No styrofoam peanuts please. Do not ship glass; Plexiglass only. Insurance is the responsibility of the artist (Texas Woman's University will not be held responsible for lost or damaged artwork, while in transit). Artwork will not be returned if prepaid return shipping is not included.