Emerald Coast art exhibition calls for entries exploring the power of touch and texture
Niceville, Florida – The Mattie Kelly Arts Center Galleries at Northwest Florida State College have officially announced their annual call for artists for the 33rd Emerald Coast National Juried Art Exhibition, a long-running event that has become a highlight in the region’s art calendar. This year’s exhibition invites creative minds from all corners to submit works exploring the subject “Texture & Touch.” Artists are encouraged to think about the part of touch in the artistic experience as well as ideas like connection, participation, and comfort.
All mediums are welcome, the organizers have underlined; nothing is off limits. Submissions could be performance pieces, practical art, design, textile, video, fiber, photography, kinetic art, music, traditional visual art forms like painting and sculpture, and more. The exhibition hopes to represent the many voices and methods that make up today’s modern art scene with this wide-open attitude.
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Artists have nearly a month to be ready and submit their entries by Friday, June 13, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. Nicholas Croghan, a seasoned artist and the present Director of the Pensacola Museum of Art at the University of West Florida, will assess the submissions. A working artist specializing in detailed metal point drawings of architecture, machinery, and landscapes, Croghan also lectures in the university’s art department. His background as a teacher and curator guarantees a careful and demanding choice of works.
The show not only draws regional and national notice to participants but also provides significant prizes, hence competition es expected to be strong. The Best-in-Show artist will get a $1,000 award and a private solo exhibition organised by MKAC Galleries. While third place will get $250, second place will get $500. The individual exhibition of the Best-in-Show victor is a special chance for increased visibility.
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Artwork is due by August 1; accepted artists will be informed on June 27. Running until December 18, the exhibition will open to the public on August 18, providing an extended window for people to encounter the work. With the actual awards presentation at 6:30 that night, the much-anticipated artist reception is set for Thursday, September 4, from 6 to 8 p.m.
Artists will be able to pick up or plan the return of their work from January 5 to 15, 2026 following the end of the show.
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The Emerald Coast National Juried Art Exhibition remains a major platform for artists to engage with the creative community and reach a wider audience, all while exploring the rich, tactile possibilities that art can offer.
CLICK HERE for more info and to apply.
