2026 Holiday Art Competition

A juried competition and exhibition celebrating the secular theme “The Holidays in Historic Frederick.” Accepted artwork will be displayed at the Delaplaine Arts Center, and the Judges’ Choice winner receives a conditional $1,000 prize. The winning artwork may be used in Celebrate Frederick’s promotional campaign with attribution.

A secular celebration of “The Holidays in Historic Frederick,” using recognizable Frederick imagery to evoke a winter wonderland for residents and visitors.

Applicants must be artists and may submit one work with one high-resolution image. Eligible work is original, personally executed, commercially unpublished two-dimensional art in any medium; commercially made prints, giclées, and reproductions are ineligible. The work should reflect “Holidays in Historic Frederick,” include recognizable Frederick symbols, reproduce in black and white, and be suitable for a vertical-format poster; a winning work may be cropped or altered to fit. Specific religious imagery, imagery uniquely associated with one faith, and endorsements of specific downtown businesses are not eligible for the grand prize, although they may still be accepted for display and sale. The selected work or portions may be used in promotional pieces with attribution; the Holiday Committee retains exclusive commercial rights for two years for posters and five years for other promotional pieces. Accepted work must be hand-delivered November 16 or 17, 2026, or shipped to arrive by November 17. It must be professionally framed and wired or have finished gallery-wrapped edges, be ready to hang, and carry the required identifying label. The Judges’ Choice winner receives a conditional $1,000 prize after submitting a W-9; People’s Choice and possible Judges’ Special Award recipients receive certificates.