2026 Holiday Art Competition

A juried holiday-themed art competition and exhibition presented by The Delaplaine Arts Center and Celebrate Frederick. Artists may submit one original two-dimensional work reflecting “The Holidays in Historic Frederick.” Accepted work will be displayed at the Delaplaine, and the Judges’ Choice winner receives a conditional $1,000 prize; the winning image will also be used in Celebrate Frederick promotional materials with attribution.

A secular celebration of “The Holidays in Historic Frederick,” emphasizing recognizable Frederick imagery and a festive winter atmosphere.

Applicants must be artists and may submit one work with one high-resolution image. Work must be an original, personally executed, commercially unpublished two-dimensional artwork; commercially made prints, giclées, and reproductions are ineligible. Eligible media include paintings, drawings, hand-pulled prints, etchings, collage, photography, and digital paintings. The work should depict recognizable Frederick symbols, be reproducible in black and white, and avoid specific religious symbols and endorsements of individual downtown businesses; such imagery is not eligible for the grand prize. Accepted work must be professionally framed or gallery-wrapped, wired and ready to hang, and labeled as specified. Accepted artwork must be hand-delivered to 40 S. Carroll Street on November 16 or 17, 2026, between 9:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., or shipped to arrive by November 17. Artists are responsible for pickup during the applicable stated window; work left beyond the designated dates may be disposed of. The Judges’ Choice winner receives a conditional $1,000 prize after submission of a W-9. The Holiday Committee retains exclusive commercial rights for two years for posters and five years for other promotional pieces, with details arranged with the winner. The entry fee is $20.