In Frame is an art show for Mariposa County’s rising generation of artists and creatives.
This juried youth art show is designed to empower young voices, to grow their skills and portfolios, and to recognize and celebrate them through a professional showcase.
About In Frame
In Frame is a juried youth art show for any youth in Mariposa County, ages 11 to 18. This is a juried show which means that all submissions go through a panel of judges for review. If selected, the students’ art will be exhibited in Mariposa gallery spaces in Spring 2026.
This year’s theme is All Things Pass.
This prompt intentionally holds multiple meanings, and we encourage artists to explore and express their own interpretation of the theme, and demonstrate how they connect with this idea.
Works submitted must be flat, 8.5 x 11″, and meet the In Frame 2026 Guidelines for Submission to be considered. A broad variety of 2-Dimensional media is encouraged including painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, digital media, mixed media, collage, 2D fiber arts, etc.
Submissions are open December 15th – January 9th!
Please read this webpage thoroughly to ensure you have a complete submission. Contact Andra at kovacs@mariposaartscouncil.org with any questions or technical issues.
Eligibility
- One entry per student
- Must be between the ages of 11 and 18 (from K–12 public, private, charter or home schools in Mariposa County)
- Artwork must be created within the past year, and related to this year’s theme
- Artwork must be original but may borrow images. For example, a collage made of magazine photos
- Artwork must be on a flat 8.5 x 11 surface (no canvas frames)
- Artist must disclose any use of AI
- Submissions must be complete (see submission process below) in order to be considered
Submissions should celebrate creativity and respect diversity. Artwork that promotes hate, violence, bigotry, or includes inappropriate content, will not be accepted.
Submission Process
To submit your art, prepare these 5 items, and submit them via the form which will be provided here, starting December 15th.
- High resolution image of your artwork
- Title of artwork
- Medium type
- Artwork Authorization Form
- Artist statement (50 – 100 words)
For more information on each item please read our Submission Guidelines.
FAQs
Is this a contest? What does “juried art show” mean?
No, this is not a contest, and there are no ranks or prizes.
A juried art show means that all submissions are reviewed by a jury of artists and community members for selection into the show. Pieces will be selected on the basis of visual elements, originality, age appropriateness, craftsmanship and interpretation of the theme.
Being a part of a juried art show is a benefit to student artists, because acceptance into a juried show is a form of professional validation from experts, which adds prestige to an artist’s resume and can boost their career.
How do I write an artist statement?
Here is a worksheet to help explain the purpose of an artist statement, and some suggestions for how to write your own.
What if I can’t take a high quality image of my artwork?
Please follow suggestions which can be found in our Submission Guidelines or contact Andra at kovacs@mariposaartscouncil.org for tech support and/or alternative ways to submit.
How will students know if their art has been selected?
Participating youth or their adult representative will be notified by email whether or not their students’ works of art have been selected for exhibition in In Frame 2026. Notification emails will be sent on or before February 3rd.
Will the students get their artwork back?
Yes! Work can be picked up at the Arts Council Office following the show. Any artwork not picked up by April 17th will become property of the Mariposa Arts Council.
How are exhibiting students recognized?
All selected artists will have their piece on display at one of our gallery locations during the month of March. We also plan to have a closing reception to celebrate participating artists.
What mediums are allowed?
We encourage a broad variety of 2D media. Here’s some examples:
Drawing – graphite, color pencil, charcoal, pen/ink, crayon, marker, block prints, etching, pastel, collage/mixed media on paper.
Painting – watercolor, oil, acrylic, ink (on flat surface only)
Photography – digital photography, film, polaroid, photo collage, black and white, color, cyanotypes, mixed media, multiple image art.
Multi-Media – we welcome alternative materials, so long as they are flat.
“The most important thing in art is The Frame. For painting: literally; for other arts: figuratively— because, without this humble appliance, you can’t know where The Art stops and The Real World begins.”
-Frank Zappa
