2027 Juried Student Art Exhibition: Story Keepers

The Stark Museum of Art is pleased to announce the 2027 Juried Student Art Exhibition on view March 31 – May 8, 2027 in the Community Gallery. The Juried Student Art Exhibition theme is offered in conjunction with the Stark Museum of Art’s upcoming special exhibition The Bayou Collection by George Rodrigue on view March 5 - September 18, 2027. The exhibition theme, Story Keepers, invites students to create artwork in response to the following statement: Artworks are visual stories. Artists will capture the unique qualities of their region with imagery that celebrates the landscapes, traditions, and feelings of home.

The exhibition of student artwork will be juried by Staff at the Stark Museum of Art, and will include up to 100 works of art created by 4th – 12th grade artists in Region 5, TX and Calcasieu Parish, LA. Artwork will be displayed in the Museum’s Community Art Gallery.

The Stark Museum of Art will present three different awards to selected artists.

Merit Awards will be presented to the student artists with the highest scoring artwork from grades 4th-6th, 7th–9th and 10th-12th.
Director’s Choice Awards will be selected by the Executive Director of the Stark Museum of Art and given to two student artists from each of the three grade groups.
The Signature Image Award will be presented to the student artist whose artwork best illustrates the exhibition theme, Story Keepers.

Lamar University Department of Art will also select artwork by students in grades 7th-12th that are included in the 100 works for a separate scholarship opportunity.

Three scholarships, in the amounts of $1000, $750, and $500, will be awarded for selected entries in the 10th -12th grade categories.
Three Summer Camp Scholarships for Lamar University’s annual summer camp will be awarded for selected entries in the 7th-9th grade categories.

The judging, awarding, and administering of any scholarship by Lamar University will be separate of any jurying that may have been previously done by Staff at the Stark Museum of Art or the Stark Foundation.

Important Dates & Information

A series of three pre-recorded classroom videos will be available beginning November 13, 2026 for teachers to help them discuss this year’s theme and guidelines with students. Videos are available FREE to all teachers, but registration is required to access the videos.
Artwork must be received by the Stark Museum of Art on Wednesday, February 3, 2027 at 5:00 p.m.
Featured Artists and award Winners will be announced on the Stark Museum of Art website no later than Wednesday, March 10, 2027.
A Juried Art Reception is scheduled for Wednesday, April 7, 2027 from 4:30-7:00 p.m.
All artwork submitted from Orange County public and private schools will be delivered to the school on Friday, May 14, 2027. All other artwork submitted for the Juried Student Art Exhibition must be picked up at the Museum on May 12-15 and May 19-22, 2027. Artwork that is not picked up will be deemed donated and will be discarded or used for other purposes as deemed appropriate by the Stark Museum.