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! 

2024 Submissions are open. The deadline to apply is Friday, July 21.

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 an excellent tool for visual artists who would like a web presence, and for arts enthusiasts and supporters to discover the rich variety of visual artists in Arkansas. Artist Registry members receive our e-newsletter and e-blasts as well as information about workshops, competitions, calls for entry and other postings. 

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 is Friday, July 21.

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 Samll Works on Paper. A maximum of 40 works may be selected. Accepted artworks must be at the Arkansas Arts council office by Nov. 17.

JUROR                                                                                            
The 2024 juror is Laura Blereau, curator of exhibitions at the Newcomb Art Museum of Tulane University. As part of her work, Blereau creates projects that highlight women artists and socially engaged art practices. She has over 20 years of experience working with artists, galleries and museums, and she writes frequently about contemporary art. A participant in the Curatorial Intensive Program at Independent Curators International, she holds a Master of Fine Arts in new forms from Pratt Institute and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in painting from Louisiana State University. Blereau is currently based in New Orleans.

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.