Mint Hill Arts is excited to announce our upcoming show:
Water Stories Show
Theme Description – Water Stories
Water connects us all! It shapes landscapes, sustains life, and carries memories across generations. What story does water tell us about connection, resilience, scarcity, stewardship or hope? From a simple glass of water to a gentle stream or reflective pond to powerful oceans and stormy skies, water plays a role in endless stories. Artists are invited to explore water as subject, symbol, or inspiration. Consider its movement, moods, colors, and beauty, but also its profound importance to all living things. Whether abstract or representational, your work should reflect the vital role of
water in our world.
Award Categories:
- Fluid Media: Works created with fluid-based materials on paper, Yupo, Aquabord or similar absorbent rigid supports that are framed (no canvases). Media includes watercolor, gouache, water-based ink, alcohol inks, casein, tempera, watercolor pencil. Fluid media must be visibly dominant.
- Painting: Oils, acrylics, pastels; or any combination of all.
- Photography: Photos which have been minimally processed and represent what was captured by the artist. During post-processing, tonal adjustments (including conversion to Black and White), cropping and removal of dust and speck distractions are acceptable. The application of artistic filters or the use of editing tools to insert, erase or move objects within a frame is not allowed.
- Other Media: Drawing, mixed media, scratch board, fiber, graphics, altered/enhanced photography, and 3D works, etc. (Includes all materials or techniques not included in the other categories.)
Show Dates:
October 6th – October 30th, 2026
Drop Off:
Mint Hills Arts
11524 Bain School Rd, Suite 208
Mint Hill, NC 28227
*This show will be held at our new location inside the NEW Mint Hill Community Center. Note the new address for the location.
Registration Deadline
12:00 p.m. (NOON), Wednesday, September 30th
Intake Time:
Friday, October 2nd, 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Saturday, October 3rd, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Pickup Dates:
Friday, October 30th 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Saturday, October 31st 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
| Award | Prize |
|---|---|
| Best in Show | $350 |
| 1st Place | $150 to be awarded in each category |
| 2nd Place | $100 to be awarded in each category |
| 3rd place | $75 to be awarded in each category |
| Honorable Mentions | $50 (2 per category at the judge’s discretion) |
Judge:
To be announced.
Opening Reception:
The Opening Reception will take place on October 9th, 2026 from 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. in the Mint Hill Arts Gallery. Awards will be presented at 8:00 pm. Everyone is invited to enjoy refreshments and great art!
How to Enter:
Online registration is required by each participating artist. Registration DEADLINE is 12:00 noon on Wednesday, September 30th, 2026. Entrants must complete the entry link HERE. Bring in your artwork during one of the intake dates listed above (during our open hours).
Rules:
- Open to all artists. Each artist may enter 2 pieces of art.
- Entering artists must be 18 years of age or older. Minors must have a parent or guardian sign the online Registration Form. Minors will be held to the same standards as adult participants.
- All media accepted.
- 2-D work may not exceed 30″ x 30″ vertically or horizontally.
- 3-D work cannot exceed a 24″ footprint x 6′ in height, and must be easily transportable, fit through the door, and be displayed appropriately.
- Intake Registration form and fees must be submitted online only.
- NO registration or fees will be accepted onsite. Click HERE for the Intake Registration Form.
- Artists will be PROVIDED an Intake Label for their work at Intake.
- Artwork which has been awarded a prize in any previous MHA show is not eligible.
- All work must be original and done solely by the artist. Reproductions of work done by other artists will be disqualified.
- Students may enter, but only if the instructor has not touched the artwork. Teachers may instruct and/or critique only.
- All artwork must be properly wired OR properly framed and wired (click HERE for wiring instructions). Mint Hill Arts reserves the right to decline any artwork that is not properly framed, too difficult to install or is unsafe for public display. Wiring kits are available for purchase at the gallery.
- Subject matter should be family-friendly. MHA reserves the right to respectfully decline any piece.
- Artwork must remain in the show until its closing unless it is sold. Sold artwork may be taken from the exhibit at the time of the sale. If you have an emergency and must remove your artwork, please notify the Gallery Coordinator to make arrangements.
- You do not have to put your work up for sale. Whether to sell, and the price of your work, is determined by you.
- Mint Hill Arts deducts a 20% commission on all work sold through our gallery, with customer payments made directly to Mint Hill Arts. Artists are then paid within 30 days of the sale. Commissions help fund Mint Hill Arts Gallery, classrooms and community activities. Mint Hill Arts is a non-profit art organization with a dedicated volunteer work force!
Questions regarding this call can be emailed to the Gallery Director.
