Drury, an independent University grounded in the liberal arts tradition, is hosting a Midwest competitive exhibition to be shown at our Pool Art Center Gallery in Springfield, Missouri.
STEVIE BALES, GRAPHIC & DIGITAL DESIGN INSTRUCTOR
TODD LOWERY, PAINTING/DRAWING PROFESSOR
REBECCA MILLER, PHOTOGRAPHY PROFESSOR
MATT NOBLETT, GRAPHIC & DIGITAL DESIGN PROFESSOR
DR. TOM RUSSO, ART HISTORY PROFESSOR
| October 8, 2026 | Entry Deadline |
| October 16, 2026 | Notification (by email) |
| October 30, 2025 | Works Due At Gallery (ready to hang, no work accepted past this date) |
| November 6, 2026 | Exhibition Opening |
| November 6, 2026 | Exhibition Reception 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. |
| November 24, 2026 | Exhibition Closes at 5:00 p.m. |
Best of the Midwest High School Competitive Exhibition is open to all currently enrolled high school students in Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.
Students may be in public, private, or home school educational environments and are sophomores,
juniors, or seniors. Parental or legal guardian permission is needed to exhibit student works.
Up to 3 entries per artist in any medium and subject matter. 2-D works should be no larger than 3’x5’ and must be framed (with stable back hardware or wire) and ready for display. 3-D works no larger than 3’x3’x3’ and 50 lbs. Artists must be present for works requiring special installation. At the discretion of the university, any works deemed unstable or dangerous to the public will not be accepted. Students are encouraged to enter works that reflect personal artistic expressions that goes BEYOND entry level class assignments.
The exhibition will be primarily selected from digital image files. Images should accurately represent the works entered. It is the intention of the gallery that all acceptances will be considered final. However, the gallery reserves the right to delete from the exhibition any artwork that does not conform to the entry specifications.
All accepted works must be delivered to the gallery by October 30, 2026. Shipped works should include a prepaid return shipping label or they will not be returned. After the close of the exhibition works will be shipped back within four weeks and hand deliveries must be picked up within two weeks or they will become property of the gallery. Upon notification of acceptance to the exhibition, further delivery instructions will be provided.
The Pool Art Center Gallery will exercise professional care in handling all entries, but cannot assume liability for loss or damage, however caused, while works are in the gallery’s possession or in transit. Accepted entries will be insured, while on exhibit, for the amount indicated on the Entry Form, subject to the standard policy provisions.
The Pool Art Center Gallery reserves the right to photograph and reproduce all artworks accepted for the exhibition regardless of copyright. Images may be used for exhibition brochures, educational, and/or publicity purposes only.
Please fill out the below entry form and include 1 image of each of the work you are entering. Digital images for entry should be in jpeg or PDF format and completed entry forms may be made on the DU website.
All entries must be received by 10/8/2026.
DO NOT use .edu HS email addresses on entry forms as most firewalls will not let us contact you for notification.
Questions? email dva@drury.edu