Call to Visual Fine Artists
Pictures at an Exhibition: A New Cycle of Inspiration!
The Panama City Symphony invites visual fine artists to participate in a unique collaboration celebrating the enduring relationship between art and music. This exhibition and concert experience is inspired by “Pictures at an Exhibition,” originally composed by Modest Mussorgsky in 1874 as a tribute to his friend, the painter and architect Viktor Hartmann. Later orchestrated by Maurice Ravel, the piece remains a beloved orchestral showpiece. Now, we invite today’s artists to complete the creative circle – creating new visual works inspired by music that was itself inspired by art.
What We’re Looking For
We are seeking original, wall-mounted 2D artworks that reflect your personal response to one or more musical movements from Pictures at an Exhibition. The artwork should respond to the music itself, not Hartmann’s original illustrations.
Accepted mediums:
- Painting (oil, acrylic, watercolor)
- Drawing (charcoal, ink, pencil, pastel)
- Mixed media (must be wall-mountable)
- Printmaking (linocut, etching, lithography)
- Collage
- Textile art (2D, mountable. Hanging wire must be securely attached. No sawtooth hangers.)
Not accepted:
- Photography (digital or analog)
- Digital or AI-generated art
- 3D sculpture (unless wall-mounted)
Rationale: We want to maintain a visual and tactile connection to Victor Hartmann’s era, where physical materials and craft were central, and while giving today’s artists freedom to interpret Mussorgsky’s music in their style and medium.
Submission Guidelines
Artists may submit up to two original works by December 22, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. CST.
Each submission must include:
- One high-resolution image or scan (JPG, PNG, or PDF)
- Title of the artwork and the musical movement it corresponds to
- Sale value in U.S. dollars
- Medium and Size (excluding frame)
- A short artist biography (maximum 150 words)
- A brief artist statement about the work (maximum 150 words)
- A non-refundable entry fee of $53.00
Artwork Size Requirements
Minimum size: 8 x 10 inches (excluding frame)
Maximum size: 36 x 48 inches (excluding frame)
TO REGISTER, GO TO THE ARTCALL.ORG LINK AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE.
Awards and Exhibitions
Selected finalist artists (up to 15) will receive:
- $75 cash prize and a Merit Award Certificate
- Image of artwork on Panama City Symphony’s social media pages with links to websites of the finalists
- Four-week public exhibition at the Main Gallery, Panama City Center for the Arts (March 13 – April 10)
- Opening Night Reception on March 13, 2026, at 7:00 p.m.
- Visual feature in the multimedia symphony performance & inclusion in the Panama City Symphony’s concert program and promotional materials
- Opportunity to sell your submitted artwork in the gallery and at the concert performance on April 11, 2026
First, Second, Third, and People’s Choice Awards
In addition to selecting artwork for the exhibition, a panel of professional fine art jurors will award First, Second, and Third Place prizes out of the top 15 finalists.
Cash Awards:
- First Place Award (1): $1,000
- Second Place Award (1): $500
- Third Place Award (1): $300
A separate People’s Choice Award will be determined by public vote during the concert exhibition and will receive a cash prize of $750.
Selection Process and Jurors
A panel of professional fine art jurors will review all submissions. Judges will consider creativity and innovation, relevance to theme, technical excellence, emotional expression and impact. Jurors will not be shown entrants’ profiles. Juror notes will not be shared with entrants. Jurors will review the scoring rank order to determine the top 15 finalists and will select the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners out of the top 15 finalists. Jurors will meet online to handle ties and make final selections of the top three winners.
Exhibition Timeline and Key Dates
- Submission Deadline: December 22, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. CST
- Jury Round One: December 23, 2025 – January 14, 2026
- Notification of Acceptance into Online Jury: January 15, 2026
- Jury Round Two to Select 15 Finalists: January 15 – January 20, 2026
- Notification of Finalists selection: January 21, 2026
- Artwork arrival in Panama City: February 27, 2026
- Opening Night Reception: March 13, 7:00 p.m., 2026, Announcement of First, Second, and Third Place Winners
- Panama City Center for the Arts Main Gallery Exhibition: March 13, 2026 – April 10, 2026
- Symphony Concert & Multimedia Presentation: April 11, 2026 (Art Exhibited in Foyer and Digital Screens)
- People’s Choice Award Vote, One Vote Per Patron at Concert. Announcement of Winner at End of Concert.
- Prize Money Disbursed to Winners: April 13-17, 2026
- Return of Unsold Works: April 14 – 18, 2026
Shipping and Framing Requirements for Finalists
Failure to adhere to shipping and framing requirements may lead to disqualification.
Selected Finalists are Responsible For:
1. Ensuring artwork is professionally framed, wired, and ready to hang
-No clip frames or sawtooth hangers
-No glass (use acrylic or plexiglass for shipped works)
-Neutral mats preferred (white, off-white, black). Mats are not required.
2. Paying for shipping costs and insurance both ways
-Note for sold art: Buyers will pick it up or pay for shipping
3. Shipping artwork in a sturdy, reusable box such as Airfloat, U-Line, or Master Pack.
-No other shipping containers, wooden boxes, screws, or nails may be used.
-Packing peanuts may not be used.
4. Placing a copy of your accepted image on the inside lid of the shipping box
5. Printing name boldly on the outer flap of the box.
6. Attaching an envelope to the outside of the box that includes:
-a prepaid return label with clear return instructions
-a bar code on the prepaid return label
7. Shipping artwork to arrive by February 27, 2026.
FINALISTS, SHIP ARTWORK TO:
Panama City Center for the Arts
Attention: PCS Fine Arts Exhibition
19 E 4th Street
Panama City, FL 32401
ARTIST’S AGREEMENT
Submission of the entry by the finalist shall serve as an agreement that all conditions in this competition have been met. Artists certify that submitted works are new and original art inspired by the stated musical composition. Contest organizers reserve the right to refuse, upon arrival, any artwork that does not match the submitted digital image or does not meet the competition guidelines. Any artist who attempts to influence, intimidate and/or harass a judge or any representative of the hosting organizations will be disqualified. The jurors’ decisions will be final for finalist selections and awards. The Panama City Symphony and Panama City Center for the Arts/Bay Arts Alliance and its representatives and employees are released and discharged of any and all claims made by damage or loss of the artwork while in the possession of either organization. Images of finalists art may be used by the hosting organizations in promotions, on organizations’ websites and social media channels, on printed programs, and digital slides during the Pictures at an Exhibition concert on April 11, 2026.
SALES AND COMMISSION
Artwork sold during the exhibition or concert will be subject to a 60/40 split, with 60% going to the artist, 20% supporting the Panama City Symphony and 20% supporting the Panama City Center for the Arts.
All artwork must be priced to sell and may not be listed as Not for Sale.
LET YOUR ART COMPLETE THE CIRCLE!
Pictures at an Exhibition began as a powerful conversation between visual art and music. Now, we invite you to join that conversation, creating new works that continue the cycle of inspiration from art to music and back to art again.
This Fine Arts Competition is using ArtCall.org for registration and juror evaluations. Here is the submission link:
Register & Pay for the Fine Arts Competition
