GALLERY HOURS: TUE - SUN, 12PM TO 4PM | FREE ADMISSION
22 MARINE ST., ST. AUGUSTINE, FL 32084 | (904) 824-2310
CALL FOR ART: When in the Course of Human Events
June 5 – August 2, 2026
In-Gallery & Online
“…We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
This exhibit invites artists to reflect on the enduring influence and evolving meaning of the Declaration of Independence. More than a historic document, the Declaration introduced ideals—Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness—that continue to shape the American experience. This exhibition encourages artists to explore these founding philosophies, the grievances that inspired them, and the ways their meanings have shifted through time. Through painting, sculpture, poetry, photography, and other mediums, artists examine how these ideas resonate today—revealing personal, local, and national perspectives on a document that remains both aspirational and deeply human. This exhibition aims to spark thoughtful reflection and constructive conversation about the ideals that continue to shape our past, present, and future.
See below for full exhibit guidelines.
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Members receive discounts on exhibit entry fees, art sale commissions, workshops, and may show their work in the Fall and Spring Members Shows – which are only judged for awards! You can join at the same time as entering your work, or do it separately by clicking the button below!
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“It's Time to Go” Painting by Douglas Johnson
“St. Augustine Celebrations” Photo by Mark Krancer
“Remembering the Seminole Leader Osceola...” Mixed Media by Roxanne Horvath
What can I enter?
Each artist may submit no more than TWO (2) original 2D or 3D works that meet the following criteria:
Subject
- Declaration of Independence – works of art should explore the document as a whole, including:
- The Philosophy – Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness
- The Grievances – concerns and conflicts expressed in the document
- Evolution over time – how these philosophies or grievance resolutions have evolved over the years. What major (national, global) or minor (local, individual) events or experiences have had the most effect on that evolution to the country as a whole or the artist individually.
Mediums to enter
- 2D Visual Art – original painting (all mediums; NO PRINTS), original drawing (all mediums; NO PRINTS), original printmaking, original photography, collage, digital art–NO AI)
- 3D Visual Art – sculpture (all mediums), pottery/ceramics, wood, glass, jewelry, assemblage, metal
- Poetry – poems should be legible (consider font choices) and may be displayed on no more than two (2) 11x14in frames or one (1) 11x17in frame.
- Fiber arts – must be able to display as a 2D piece on the wall, hung with a nail or secured Velcro, or a 3D piece on a pedestal no larger than 36in x 24in x 24in
Presentation Requirements
- 2D works may be no larger than 60 inches on any side, including the frame.
- 3D works may be no larger than 36 in x 24 in x 24 in to fit on a pedestal; 60in high x 36in x 36in for free-standing 3D art.
- 2D works must be ready to hang with secure wire on back.
- Canvases less than 1.5in thick MUST BE FRAMED
- Unframed canvases with 1.5+ inch thick frames MUST HAVE FINISHED, CLEAN EDGES. NO TAPED EDGES.
- Digital Art must be framed (even if printed on a canvas with 1.5+ inch edges)
- Photography must be printed on photo paper, matted and framed. No photography printed on canvas, acrylic, metal, wood, etc. for this exhibit.
- Framed pieces must be secure in the frame, and frames must be put together properly. If a frame is loose or the wire comes off, the work will be removed from the show.
- Work meant to hang on the wall MUST HAVE A SECURE WIRE OR IT WILL NOT HANG IN THIS SHOW. NO SAWTOOTH HANGERS.
- Any hanging instructions/requests must be approved by STAAA staff PRIOR to artwork drop off.
Other Info
- Artwork will be displayed both in-gallery AND online. Works must be delivered to the gallery to be judged for acceptance and awards and to be listed for sale online.
- More than two works submitted by one artist will not be accepted, and refunds will not be given. Duplicate entries will be disqualified. Contact STAAA before entering again.
- All entry fees are NONREFUNDABLE. This includes duplicate entries, juried out pieces, and pieces that were not delivered in time for judging. It is the artist’s responsibility to make sure their work is ready and brought to the gallery by the receiving dates and times listed above and that work is promptly retrieved at the end of the show.
Disclaimer
We understand that the topic of this exhibit, especially with the current political landscape of the country and world, has potential to open up polarizing conversations. Our goal for this exhibit is the opposite: open pathways for constructive conversation. The subject of the artwork submitted should remain on neutral ground. Artwork that expresses hate, name-calling, crude satire, or subjects that could be taken offensively and/or out of context, will not be allowed. This is a juried exhibit and the staff and board of the St. Augustine Art Association reserve the right to determine what artworks may be displayed in the gallery.
For questions regarding permissible art, please email info@staaa.org and include a photograph of the work you want to enter.
“Prison Barrack” Photo by Chankyun Kim
“American Rust” Photo by Laura Dill
What NOT to Enter
Do not enter works that have:
- Portraits of historical figures or famous people as the main subject
- Reference images not taken by the exhibiting artist or reference images not in the Public Domain
- Anything that you might find in the comment sections on social media
- AI generated components or images – also, do not use AI for reference
- Any artwork that has been exhibited in an STAAA show where awards were given out
- Kits or mass-produced items
- Plagiarism – if your piece is a recreation of someone else’s work (including different mediums), or of published images of any kind, DO NOT ENTER IT.
- Any artwork done as an exercise in a class or workshop
- Work that does not meet the presentation requirements.
How is the show judged?
This exhibit is judged for acceptance and awards. All judging takes place in-person, not from the digital images submitted. Entry fees are NONREFUNDABLE, even for works that fail to meet the guidelines and are not accepted.
- After entering online, works MUST be brought to the gallery by the drop off dates listed below. Judging for acceptance and awards takes place in-person (not from the digital photos submitted) after the Artwork Drop-Off hours have concluded.
- Key factors that judges look at: planning & composition, proficiency & execution, presentation. Judge’s decisions are final.
- After judging, you will be notified via phone call if:
- You win an award. (But we won’t tell you what you won!)
- Your work was not accepted. (We ask that you pick it up as soon as possible!)
- Awards will be presented during First Friday Art Walk (June 5) at 7:00pm.
Awards include the Jean Wagner Troemel Best in Show award ($500), The Alice Alger Most Creative Award ($250), and the Avery St. Jean Art Place Awards.
“Deep Roots, Strong Life” Painting by Diane Bradley
Artwork Drop Off and Pick Up
Upon completing the online form and making your payment, you will receive an email that confirms the receipt of submission. This email will include all the details, which are also on this page, about delivering your artwork in time for judging. It is the artist’s responsibility to make sure their work is ready and brought to the gallery (located at 22 Marine Street, St. Augustine, FL 32084) by the receiving dates and times listed below and that work is promptly retrieved at the end of the show.
Artwork may be brought to the front of the gallery on Marine Street and checked in with the Receivers.
If you are unable to deliver your work on the given dates/times, please bring the artwork the weekend before during gallery hours (Sat/Sun: 12-4pm) or make arrangements with someone else to deliver your work. It is the artist’s responsibility to make sure their work is in the gallery in time for judging. Artwork brought to the gallery after the times listed below WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
Please note: there is no designated parking, but artists may use the City’s 30min loading zone out front to quickly drop off/pick up their work. STAAA is not responsible for parking citations by the City–parking grievances can be taken to the City of St. Augustine. Please be mindful of other artists also dropping off/picking up.
REMINDER: Work left after 60 days is considered an unrestricted donation to the St. Augustine Art Association.
Artwork Drop-Off
Tuesday, June 2 (11:30 AM – 5:30 PM)
Wednesday, June 3 (11:30 AM – 5:30 PM)
ARTWORK PICK-UP
Sunday, August 2 (12:00 PM – 4:00 PM)
Tuesday, August 4 (11:30 AM – 5:30 PM)
Wednesday, August 5 (11:30 AM – 5:30 PM)
“Broken Promises” Collage by Robin Kunstler
How do I enter?
To submit your artwork:
- Complete the online form below.
- Upload high-quality image(s) of your artwork (jpg, png, jpeg, pdf; max file size is 5MB). Make sure your file name does not have any punctuation or special characters (periods and dashes are the only acceptable characters besides letters and numbers for file names).
- Provide your payment information and click the “Submit” button. Artwork submitted without payment will not be accepted or presented to the judge.
- You should receive a confirmation email within a few minutes outlining the details on delivering the artwork to the gallery in time for judging. Check your spam folder if you do not see it in your inbox. If you do NOT receive a confirmation email, check your spam folder. Confirm with STAAA BEFORE resubmitting, as double entries will be a disqualification and refunds will not be given.
- Bring your artwork to the gallery on the Receiving dates and times listed above.
NEED HELP? If you’re having trouble with the online form: MAKE SURE YOUR INTERNET BROWSER AND DEVICE ARE UP TO DATE; make sure the url has HTTPS; make sure all fields are properly filled out with correct information; make sure that your file name does not have any punctuation or special characters (periods and dashes are the only acceptable characters besides letters and numbers for file names). CLICK HERE FOR HELP.
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Enter online by Monday, June 1, 3:00 PM
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Entry Form
- $20 per piece for active STAAA Members
- $40 per piece for Non-Members
- $10 per piece for Student Members
- $25 per piece for Student Non-Members
Before you submit: DO NOT USE AUTO-POPULATE to complete this form. Auto-filled information may not process. Please, ensure that all info is correct before hitting submit.
Information for website, wall cards, gallery guides, etc. is copied from this entry form.
Programs & Exhibits of the St. Augustine Art Association are funded in part by grants from the the St. Johns County Tourist Development Council, the St. Johns County Cultural Council, and the Community Foundation of Northeast Florida.
