A National Juried Exhibition
August 7 – September 28, 2026
Entry Deadline: May 11
The River Road Show, an annual national juried art exhibition/competition sponsored by the Art Guild of Louisiana, is celebrating its 56th year. The primary purpose of the exhibition is to showcase artists’ work from across the United States.
Juror/Judge of Selection & Awards
Marc Hanson, OPAM
We are very excited to announce the juror/judge for the 56th River Road Show is the highly popular, acclaimed landscape painter Marc Hanson. A current resident of Tybee Island, Georgia, Marc is internationally recognized for his evocative oil, acrylic, and sometimes gouache paintings inspired by the beauty of the natural world. A Master Signature Member of Oil Painters of America, Marc has exhibited in galleries and museums across the U.S. and abroad, has been featured in major art publications and has received numerous prestigious awards. Raised in a military family his youth was spent on the move. Finally settling in California, he studied at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena and has devoted his life to capturing light, atmosphere, and the spirit of place in plein air and studio work.
Marc teaches workshops nationally, guiding artists to deepen their observational skills and personal expression, helping them see and paint with greater confidence and clarity. And he will be presenting a workshop in Baton Rouge in conjunction with the River Road Show. See the full scope of Marc’s inspiring art on his website: www.marchansonart.com.
In conjunction with the River Road Show, the Art Guild of Louisiana will be hosting a 3-day workshop by Marc on August 13-15 in Baton Rouge. Get the details at www.artguildlouisiana.org/workshops.
Calendar
- May 11
Entry DEADLINE, midnight online or postmark - June 18
Accepted/declined notices emailed / Accepted list on AGL website - July 1-17
DEADLINE for receipt of shipped artwork - August 5
Hand delivered artwork, 11:00 – 1:00 - August 7
Exhibition opens - August 13-15
Marc Hanson workshop - August 27
Reception/Awards ceremony, 5:00 – 7:00 - September 28
Exhibition closes - September 29
Pick-up of hand delivered artwork, 11:00-1:00 / Shipped artwork returned
Entry Requirements
Noncompliance with any of the following requirements will void the entry and the work may be returned or disqualified from judging.
Eligibility
- This competition is open to all United States artists 18 years or older.
- Limited to 2-dimensional artwork (artwork with 3-dimensional objects adhered to the surface do not qualify), created within the last three years (created after May 2023), and not previously exhibited in the River Road Show.
- Artwork must be original in design and execution; not created in a workshop or under supervision.
- Photography, digitally created or enhanced works, giclées, and reproductions are not acceptable. Diptychs, Triptychs or multiple panels are not accepted.
- Work deemed inappropriate for public viewing by all ages, i.e. nudity or violence, will not be accepted.
- Not sure if your work is eligible? Call or email us! Direct questions to Leah Schwartzman, 225-205-0522 or rrs@artguildlouisiana.org
Size and Framing
- The maximum framed size of artwork or unframed canvas or wood panel/cradle is 40″ x 40″ (including the frame).
- The minimum unframed size is 8″ x 10″.
- All works must be framed unless painted on wood panel/cradle or minimum 1½ inch gallery-wrapped canvas. The sides of unframed gallery-wrapped canvases must be painted. The sides of wood panel/cradle may be left unpainted.
- Works with a protective layer must use Plexiglas. No glass allowed (except for pastel works 24″ in any direction, or smaller, including the frame). AGL highly recommends pastels be framed with Plexiglas. Pastel artists who ship using glass must cover it with a glass protection product that holds the glass together in case of breakage in transit. (available from the Airfloat Systems – airfloatsystems.com and Masterpak – masterpak-usa.com)
- Screw eyes/D-rings and wire are required. No saw-tooth hangers.
- Mats must be white or a light neutral tint. No liners or fillets allowed.
- Frames must be simple, plain, non-ornate, and no wider than 3″. (3.5″ is not 3″)
- Exhibited artwork must be labeled with the artist’s name, title of work, and price or NFS on back of the painting.
Entry Fee (non-refundable)
- $40 for up to three entries and $5 for each additional entry up to ten.
- AGL members: $40 for the first four entries and $5 for each additional entry up to ten.
- No changes can be made to price, title, or dimensions after an entry is completed.
Awards
First Place: $1200
Second Place: $800
Third Place: $600
- Additional Merit, Honorable Mention, and Merchandise Awards
- Total awards valued at $4,000+
Notification
All entrants will receive email notice, whether accepted or declined, by June 18. Final Juror selections will be posted on this website by June 18.
Catalog
Each exhibiting artist will receive one complimentary printed color catalog. Additional printed catalogs may be pre-purchased prior to October 1, 2026, at $10 each. Downloadable digital catalogs are available for up to one year for $5. Order at www.artguildlouisiana.org/river-road-show-catalog-order-form.
Sales
- No commission is charged on sales.
- Works sold will be available for pickup at the end of the exhibition.
Delivery/Return of Accepted Artwork
- Shipping charges, both directions, are to be paid by the artist in advance. Prepaid return labels must be included with the artwork. Do not send cash or check for return shipping.
- Artwork must be shipped in a sturdy, reusable carton. Shipped work will be returned in original carton using the prepaid label. Wood crates will not be accepted.
- Shipped works should arrive between July 1 and July 17 and will be return shipped September 29, 2026.
- A non-refundable handling fee of $35 is assessed on each shipped carton.
- Additional details will be sent to accepted artists.
- Hand delivered works will be received only on Wednesday, August 5, between 11:00 am – 1:00 pm, at the Louisiana State Archives, 3851 Essen Lane, Baton Rouge, LA and must be picked up only on Tuesday, September 29, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm.
Artist’s Responsibility
- Artists may not substitute another work for an accepted work, withdraw the work once accepted, or remove artwork from the exhibit prior to September 29 at 11:00 am.
- Artists who do not deliver an artwork selected by the judge will be disqualified from participation for two years.
- The River Road Show Committee reserves the right to reject any work deemed inappropriate or not conforming to these exhibition requirements.
- The artist gives AGL permission to photograph and/or reproduce the submission(s) for exhibition promotional purposes.
Liability/Waiver
Although the utmost care will be taken in handling artwork, the Art Guild of Louisiana or any of its members, the Louisiana State Archives or its employees will not be liable for loss or damage to any work of art submitted to this exhibition. Insurance, if desired for shipping, exhibition or any other reason, is the responsibility of the individual artist.
Image Submission
- All images must be JPEG or HEIC format with at least 1200 pixels on the longest side.
- All images must represent the painting exactly.
- All files must include the image of the artwork only … DO NOT include mat, frame, or surrounding background in images.
Questions
Leah Schwartzman at 225-205-0522 or rrs@artguildlouisiana.org