Bluegrass, Brushstrokes, and Beyond:

• Open to all K-12 Kentucky students, including public, private, and home-schooled students.

• Students do not need to be enrolled in an art class to participate.

• All work must be original and created by the student.

• Tracings and plagiarized images are not eligible.

• Entries will be accepted for drop-off from March 10 to March 21, 2025.

• Entry fee: $1 per piece, with a maximum of 3 pieces per student.

• Each artwork must have a completed entry form attached to the back of the piece. Each piece should have its own complete slip. Incomplete entry forms will result in disqualification from the competition. We will communicate via email so please ensure the email on your entry form is legible and checked regularly.

• Framed and canvas works MUST be wired for hanging. Pieces without wiring will not be accepted.

• Unframed works will be hung using binder clips—foam board backing, matting, or poster board is recommended.

• 3D/Sculpture pieces should be stable and self-supporting.

• Sales: Students may price their work for sale with parental approval. GRAC will retain a 10% commission on all sales, with youth artists receiving 90% of proceeds.

• Artwork MUST be hand-delivered to a staff member of the GRAC: 101 East Main Street, Mt. Sterling, KY 40353.

• Deadline: March 21, 2026, by 2:00 PM. Late submissions will not be accepted.

• Mailed artwork must arrive by March 21, 2025, before 2:00 PM. GRAC cannot provide return mail services; all pieces must be picked up in-person.

• Pick-Up Dates:

  • Artwork can be picked up starting March 27, 2026, after the gallery reception, to May 23, 2026. 

  • Art will be displayed until May 8, 2026.

  • All artwork must be picked up by May 23, 2026, by 2PM.

  • Any artwork left after May 23, 2026, will become the property of GRAC.

• Work must be checked out with a GRAC staff member before removal from the facility.

• Teachers, please inform your students if you pick up their work 

• Age Groups: Entries will be judged in the following grade bands: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12

• Prizes (In each grade band)

  1st Place: $100

  2nd Place: $75

  3rd Place: $50

• A total of 12 cash prize winners will be awarded.

• Student score sheets will not be released.

• Painting

  Watercolor, acrylic, oil

• Drawing

  Pen, ink, pencil, charcoal, crayon

• Mixed Media

• Photography

  Film, digital, edited

• Digital Drawing

• 3D/Sculpture.

Email submissions@grackentucky.org