A National Juried Exhibition
August 4 – September 23, 2025
The River Road Show, an annual national juried art exhibition/competition sponsored by the Art Guild of Louisiana, is celebrating its 55th year. The primary purpose of the exhibition is to showcase artists’ work from across the United States.
Juror/Judge of Selection & Awards
Calvin Liang
The Art Guild of Louisiana is honored to present Calvin Liang as the 55th River Road Show juror and judge. Born and raised in Canton, China, Calvin is currently a resident of Corona, California. He is a graduate of the prestigious Shanghai Academy of Fine Arts.
In 2020, after a long and successful career in the theatrical industry (Canton Opera Institute) and the animation art world at Disney and Nickelodeon Studios, Calvin traded in his “assignments” for a career as a fine artist. And in a few years his work was noticed as he (his art) went on to win many national prestigious awards, (Award of Excellence in the National Oil & Acrylic Painters Society Best of America National Exhibition, Bronze Medal in Master Signature division in Oil Painters of America) and more too numerous to mention here. He has also been featured in many popular art magazines: American Art Collector, Southwest Magazine, American Artist Workshop Magazine and more.
Calvin is a Master member of Oil Painters of America and American Impressionists Society, in addition to signature membership in California Art Club, Laguna Plein Air Painters Association, and the American Society of Marine artists.
Learn more about Calvin and check his fabulous artwork on his website www.calvinliangfineart.com.
In conjunction with the River Road Show, the Art Guild of Louisiana will be hosting a 3-day workshop by Calvin on August 14-16 in Baton Rouge. Get the details at www.artguildlouisiana.org/workshops.
Calendar
- May 12
Entry DEADLINE, midnight online or postmark - June 18
Accepted entries posted online on AGL website - July 1-17
DEADLINE for receipt of shipped artwork - July 31
Hand delivered artwork, 11:00 – 1:00 - August 4
Exhibition opens - August 14-16
Calvin Liang workshop - August 21
Reception/Awards ceremony, 5:00 – 7:00 - September 23
Exhibition closes - September 24
Shipped artwork returned,
Pick-up of hand delivered artwork, 11:00-1:00
Entry Deadline – May 12, 2025
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 2022), 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).
- AGL highly recommends pastels be framed with Plexiglas, but, we will accept pastel entries under glass up to a maximum of 24″ framed. 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 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, 2025, 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 – Return shipped September 24, 2025.
- 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 Thursday, July 31, 11am – 1pm, at the Louisiana State Archives, 3851 Essen Lane, Baton Rouge, LA and must be picked up only on Wednesday, September 24, 11am – 1pm.
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 24 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 format with at least 1200 pixels on the longest side.
- All images must represent the painting exactly.
- JPEGs 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