16th Annual Hope & Healing Juried Art Show
Purpose of our Art Show
Donate your original art that promotes hope and healing by communicating a message of peace, calm, comfort, and inspiration.
- To inspire hope and healing by raising the awareness that art aids in healing
- To create art for hospitals and healing facilities where viewers seek inspiration to heal
- To provide students with opportunities to explore creativity and create art to help others
16th Annual Hope & Healing Juried Art Show
June 11 – July 19, 2026
Allentown Art Museum
By March 1, 2026 – REGISTER to participate. The registration lets us know you want to be communicated with for drop off instructions. Teachers only need to register for their class, each individual student does not have to. Every piece of art MUST have an Online Release Form and artist name and submission number noted on the back.
By April 3, 2026 – Deadline to drop off art. Art drop off is by appointment only, but we will communicate Open House drop off dates to those who Register to participate in the show. It must be delivered to our Healing Arts Center, 2158 S Cedar Crest Blvd., Allentown PA. Art can be submitted any time now through April. You do not need to wait if your piece is ready and you have completed the Release Form.
Artists Invited to Participate
High school and college students donate their art to help inspire healing in healthcare. We have art in more than 40 hospitals and healing facilities.
Theme
Donate your original art that promotes hope and healing by communicating a message of peace, calm, comfort, and inspiration. View our handout for what contributes to successful submissions.
Artificial Intelligence: Artwork created by AI is not accepted in this show. Art work submitted must be original to the student creator. Any submissions proved to be created with AI will be disqualified.
*REQUIRED for all submissions* – Please complete the online Art Show Release Form which makes it easy to ensure we have all required information including an artwork title and inspiration statement (of 50 words or less) on how the art communicates a message of peace, calm, and hopefulness to viewers. Once you complete the form, you will be emailed a submission number. Please tape your full name and that number to the back of your art and submit it by April 3, 2026. Every entry must have a release form.
Artwork Requirements
Submission Checklist for Success
- Focus on healing and hopeful imagery such as landscapes, nature, and water. *Think about what you’d want to look at if you are in a healthcare waiting room, doctor’s office, or treatment area.
- Use colors promoting peace and calmness.
- Create a 2D artwork.
- Meet the size requirement of 16” x 20” or 11” x 14”, horizontal or vertical,
including a mat, and a depth not to exceed 2”. - NEW FOR 2026 – All matted work should use a BLACK mat. We highly recommend this because it makes the artwork look better in the show.
- Painting on canvas must have the sides painted; all paper art must be matted.
Conté Crayon or pastel must have a spray fixative applied. - Sign your work where it is not covered by the mat.
- Complete the digital Release Form at HTTA.org/ReleaseForm. You’ll be emailed a submission number. Tape or write it on the back of your piece with your full name.
- Submit your Art by 4/3/26.
Donated Art must follow the show required sizes and content. Please make sure your piece follows them.
Please DON’T:
X Use AI to create your art. It must be original to the human creator for this show.
X Use dark colors or subject matter.
X Feature a trademarked logo or individuals other than the artist.
X Turn in an unfinished piece [unpainted canvas edges or unmatted].
X Make it smaller than 11” x 14” or larger than 16” x 20”.
X Contain glass or fragile material.
X Turn in your piece without completing the Release Form.
Art that does not follow these instructions can be returned and will not be part of the Art Show.
Print out this Art Show Handout to check off all the submission requirements were followed and find important dates and contact information.
Judging Criteria
- Artist’s interpretation and ability to visually communicate a message of hope and healing to the viewer.
- Creativity, technical skills, and craftsmanship.
- Ability to communicate a compelling inspiration statement.
A panel of judges with expertise in arts and/or healthcare award the top five honors in the range of $500 – $150. Community Honor Awards are granted by those who want to select a winning piece, name the award, and fund the $100 prize. In 2023, we granted 18 Community Awards and The Baum School of Art honored 10 students with scholarships bringing the total amount of students receiving honors to over 33! That is 25% of our Gallery Show.
Community viewers of the Art Show can also text-to-vote for their favorite piece of art that inspires them. At the end of the gallery show, the piece with the most votes receives the Viewer’s Choice Community Award and $100. Msg&Data rates may apply.
Select Art used for Healing Art Meditations
Select art may also be part of Healing Art Meditations for Healthcare & Beyond which combines our art with the music of Jim Brickman and other nationally known musicians. We will make every effort to communicate where your art goes and how it is used if we have a legible email good beyond the current school year.
