2026 North Charleston Arts Fest calls for fine art, photography
Cash prizes offered in judged shows
The Judged Photography Exhibition at North Charleston Arts Fest. Provided photo.
The 2026 North Charleston Arts Fest is just seven weeks away, taking place April 29-May 3.
The event offers some excellent exhibition opportunities for fine artists and photographers ages 16 and up, including the annual Judged Fine Art and Judged Photography competitions & exhibitions. Entries for these judged competitions are eligible for ribbons and cash prizes and will be on display throughout the festival in Exhibit Hall C at the Charleston Area Convention Center Complex (5001 Coliseum Dr., North Charleston). Go here for complete details and entry instructions for all exhibition opportunities are available for download.
There is no pre-jury process or application to complete!
Judged Fine Art Competition & Exhibition
Fine artists aged 18 and up are invited to enter original work into the annual North Charleston Arts Fest Judged Fine Art Competition & Exhibition and compete for cash prizes totaling up to $6,550.
There are eight accepted media categories: acrylic, oil, drawing, pastel, watercolor, printmaking, printed new media, and 2-D mixed media. Awards will be at the sole discretion of the judge, Arun Drummond, multi-disciplinary artist and founder & director of Drummond Studio Gallery in Charleston. His paintings, assemblages, and cultural narratives explore memory, identity, and the lived experiences of the black diaspora in the Lowcountry. His work has been featured on Food Network and in Conde Nast Traveler magazine and appears in regional museums, galleries, and cultural institutions. Drummond was gallery manager of Chuma Gullah Gallery in Charleston from 2004-2020, and has served as a board member for Redux Contemporary Art Center since 2025. Arun has established a cultural hub dedicated to emerging artists at Drummond Studio Gallery and curates solo and group exhibitions featuring regional and national talent.
Judged Photography Competition & Exhibition
Professional and amateur photographers aged 16 and up are invited to enter original prints into the annual North Charleston Arts Fest Judged Photography Competition & Exhibition and compete for cash prizes totaling $2,050.
Submissions will be accepted in the Professional/Advanced division or Amateur division under the categories of Color and Monochrome. Photo entries may be printed on photo paper and mounted on standard foam core or gator board (fully adhered to backing). Matting is optional. Sponsor will attach adhesive hanging tabs to the back of each mounted print.
New for 2026, photographs may also be framed or printed on canvas, wood, or metal. Canvas, wood, metal, or framed prints must be ready to hang securely with wire fully across the back of work (no saw-took hangers, pre-fab hooks, or glass clip framing). This year, awards will be at the sole discretion of the judge, Aaron Zych, owner of Heart of Gold Gallery in Mount Pleasant. For years, Aaron has held a deep fascination with history, particularly the personal narratives of legendary artists, musicians, and iconic figures who have shaped our cultural consciousness. Intrigued by iconic photographs, he often wondered about the specific moments captured. This inherent curiosity, combined with a passion for photography, led him to a distinguished career as an art curator and collector. In 2017, after nearly two decades of operating a fine art gallery in New York, he opened Heart of Gold Gallery, where he features works by influential photographers from around the world.
The Judged Fine Art and Photography exhibitions are free and open to the public throughout the entirety of the North Charleston Arts Fest. Viewing times are:
- Wednesday, April 29, 6-8 p.m.
- Thursday through Saturday, April 30-May 2, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Sunday, May 3, noon-5 p.m.
Award winners will be acknowledged at the Arts Fest Opening Celebration in the Exhibit Hall on Wednesday, April 29, 6-8 p.m. The free public celebration features food, live music by The Rod Brown Combo, live art demonstrations by members of the North Charleston Artist Guild, and more, set among the hundreds of pieces of artwork on display. The Exhibition Encore will be held on Sunday, May 3, from 2-5 p.m. This free event serves as a closing reception for these exhibitions, allowing patrons to view the artwork in a festive atmosphere and make final decisions on purchases. In addition to the vast array of artwork on display, the event offers musical entertainment, painting demonstrations, and complimentary “bubbles and bites.”
The 2026 North Charleston Arts Fest will mark the event’s 43rd year. The festival schedule offers something for all to enjoy, including concerts, theatre presentations, dance performances, exhibitions, children’s programs, and more. All festival events and activities are free. For more information about the Arts Fest, to download the prospectus for the Judged Fine Art and Judged Photography competitions & exhibitions, or for details on volunteer opportunities, visit NorthCharlestonArtsFest.com. For more information about other exhibition opportunities offered by the city of North Charleston Cultural Arts Department, visit CulturalArts.NorthCharleston.org, or call 843.740.5854.