Small Works on Paper is a juried, touring, visual art exhibition that showcases 2D artwork created by Arkansas artists that is no larger than 18-by-24 inches. 

The Small Works on Paper exhibition travels to up to 10 venues throughout the state in a yearlong show and offers Arkansas artists an opportunity to showcase their artwork to patrons all over the state. An out-of-state juror selects a maximum of 40 pieces of artwork for the exhibition. Scroll down to see the 2026 exhibition schedule. SUBMISSIONS ARE CLOSED UNTIL SUMMER 2026.

Small Works on Paper Entry Requirements

ELIGIBILITY

SWOP is open to all visual artists who are residents of Arkansas, aged 18 years or older.  

Current Arkansas Arts Council advisory board members, staff of the Arkansas Department of Heritage, Parks and Tourism (ADHPT) or members of their immediate families are not eligible.

JURIED ARTIST DIRECTORY

Artists chosen by the juror to be part of Small Works on Paper will be added to the Juried Artist Directory, which was created to support, market and recognize creatives who have earned awards and recognition through the Arkansas Arts Council. 

PURCHASE AWARDS

Up to $2,000 will be available for juror selected awards. Selected works will become part of the SWOP permanent collection.

ENTRY FEES

$15 for one entry, $20 for two entries, or $25 for three entries.

SPECIFICATIONS

All work must be original, on paper, and completed within the last two years. Eligible mediums include painting, photography, drawing, printmaking, mixed media and collage. No reproductions or copies will be accepted. Artwork created by using reference material must be significantly different from its source.

Dimensions of actual work can be any size, but if work is accepted, it must be matted or mounted and fit within a frame of one of the following sizes: 18" x 18" or 18" x 24" (H x W or W x H). Matted or mounted work, plus backing board, must not exceed 1/2 inch thickness to fit in frames. Frames will be provided by the Arkansas Arts Council for accepted artwork. Artwork may be refused if the digital image is not an accurate representation of work. Host locations reserve the right to determine the number of works shown and layout of the exhibition at their local sites. Some locations may not display the entire exhibition.

Every year, an out-of-state juror selects artwork for Small Works on Paper. The Arkansas Arts Council reserves the right of approval of any work submitted, and in its editorial discretion, any work that is deemed offensive or political in nature will not be accepted. Host locations reserve the right to determine the number of works shown and layout of the exhibition at their local sites. Some locations may not display the entire exhibition. 

JUROR                                                                                        

The 2026 juror is artist and educator, Kelli Scott Kelley. She is a Professor of Art with a focus on painting and drawing at Louisiana State University (LSU) in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from LSU and a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. Kelley's paintings have been exhibited widely, including solo exhibitions at the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art in Boulder, Colorado; the Bradbury Art Museum at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro; and the LSU Museum. She has been awarded numerous grants for research and travel, including a 2023 Emerging Research Faculty Grant to study and travel to Japan. Kelley authored a book, Accalia and the Swamp Monster, which features her artwork and was published by LSU Press in 2014. 

SALES

Please indicate the value of each work submitted. All work is considered for sale unless the artist indicates work is not for sale (NFS). If the artwork is not for sale, please list a monetary value. Commissions are not taken on sales.

LIABILITY

Reasonable care will be exercised in handling the artwork. Artists may wish to provide their own insurance.

ARTIST NOTIFICATION

All artists will be notified regarding the status of their entries in the fall.

2026 Small Works on Paper Touring Schedule

The exhibition travels to venues throughout Arkansas in a yearlong show, which offers Arkansas artists an opportunity to showcase their artwork to patrons all over the state and allows Arkansans to see artwork they may not have had the opportunity to see anywhere else.

For a list of 2026 participants, Click Here

2025 Touring Schedule for Small Works on Paper

November 4-22
Harding University, Stevens Art Center
915 E. Market Avenue
Searcy, Arkansas 72149
https://www.harding.edu/

2026 Touring Schedule for Small Works on Paper

Jan. 5-26
Opening Reception: 5-7 p.m. Jan. 8
Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas
701 S. Main St.
Pine Bluff, Arkansas


Feb. 2-27
Arkansas Tech University
Norman Hall Gallery
Russellville, Arkansas

March 6-27
Opening Reception: 5-7 p.m. March 6
University of Arkansas at Fort Smith

April 6-24
NorthWest Arkansas Community College
Bentonville, Arkansas

May 3-30
Lyon College
Batesville, Arkansas

June 9-July 26
University of Arkansas - Pulaski Technical College
Center for Humanity and Arts (CHARTS)

Aug. 5-30
Arts Center of the Grand Prairie
Stuttgart, Arkansas

Sept. 4-30
Opening Reception: 5:30-7 p.m. Sept. 4
Delta Cultural Center
141 Cherry St.
Helena-West Helena, Arkansas

Oct. 8-29
DeltaArts
Arkansas State University
Mid-South Reynolds Center
West Memphis, Arkansas

Nov. 2-30
East Arkansas Community College
Forrest City, Arkansas