Now in its 36th year, Small Works on Paper is a juried visual art exhibition that showcases 2-D artwork no larger than 18 x 24 inches by Arkansas artists who are members of the Arkansas Artist Registry. The Arkansas Artist Registry is a free service provided to the visual arts community. Visual artists may post contact information, a link to their website and display up to 10 images of their work. Membership to the Arkansas Artist Registry is free and open to all Arkansas artists. Current Arkansas Arts Council advisory board members, staff of the Department of Arkansas Parks, Heritage and Tourism and members of their immediate families are not eligible. 

The Small Works on Paper exhibition travels to up to 10 venues throughout the state in a yearlong show, offering Arkansas artists an extraordinary opportunity to showcase their artwork to patrons all over the state. An out-of-state juror selects a maximum of 40 pieces of artwork to tour with the exhibition.

Submit Artwork! 

2023 Submissions are closed.

Entry Requirements

ELIGIBILITY
SWOP is open to current members of the Arkansas Artist Registry. (Non-members submitting an entry are required to join the Registry at time of entry. 

ARKANSAS ARTIST REGISTRY
The Arkansas Artist Registry is free and open to all visual artists who are Arkansas residents ages 18 and up. It is a unique and valuable online visual arts resource designed to promote and market Arkansas art. Every year, an out-of-state juror selects works from the Registry for Small Works on Paper. A maximum of 40 works may be selected.

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. The deadline for entry will be announced soon.

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. Accepted artworks must be at the Arkansas Arts council office by Nov. 12.

JUROR                                                                                            
The 2023 juror is Margaret LeJeune, Associate Professor of Photography in the Department of Art and Design at Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois. LeJeune holds an MFA degree in Photography/Visual Studies from the Visual Studies Workshop, in Rochester, New York. Her work has been exhibited in both juried and invitational exhibitions. She is a frequent invited lecturer, artist-in-residence and arts conference panelist. LeJeune serves on the board of directors for the Society for Photographic Education and is a member of the Environmental Photographers Collective.

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.

INFORMATION
For questions, please contact Cheri Leffew at (501) 324-9767.

2023 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 the list of 2023 Small Works on Paper artists, click here.

Jan. 4-30
South Arkansas Arts Center
110 E. 5th Street
El Dorado, AR 71730

Opening Reception:
Saturday, Jan. 21, 5:30-7 p.m.

Feb. 6-20
Lyon College
Kresge Gallery
2300 Highland Street
Batesville, AR 72501

March 1 – 30
Community Creative Center
McCoy Gallery
505 West Spring Street
Fayetteville, AR 72701

Apr. 4 – 27
UA Rich Mountain
Ouachita Center
1100 College Drive
Mena, AR 71953

May 4 – 27
Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas
International Paper Gallery
701 S. Main Street
Pine Bluff, AR 71601

June 3 - July 31
Delta Cultural Center
Visitor Center
141 Cherry Street
Helena, AR 72342

Aug. 2 - Sept. 22
UA Little Rock
Brad Cushman Gallery
5660 West 28th Street
Little Rock, AR 72204

Oct. 2 – 20
Arkansas Tech University
Norman Hall Gallery
203 West Q Street
Russellville, AR 72802

Nov. 1 – Dec. 1
UA Fort Smith
UAFS Gallery of Art & Design - Don Lee Student Gallery
5210 Grand Avenue
Fort Smith, AR 72904

*Items are subject to change without notice, please follow our social media for the very latest details.