Eligibility

 The 33rd Art in the County Juried Exhibition and Sale is open to artists who meet both the following conditions:

  • Are Artist Members of the Prince Edward County Arts Council in good standing; and
  • Are residents or ratepayers of Prince Edward County, live in nearby communities (see defined geographic area below), or are Ontario-based Indigenous Artists with ancestral connections to this land i.e. Haudenosaunee, Anishinabe, Huron-Wendat

Please refer to https://countyarts.ca/membership/ for details of the membership categories and payment options available.

New in 2026 – Expanding Eligibility

County Arts is removing boundaries and expanding the eligibility requirements of Art in the County to reflect its growing membership. By welcoming County Arts Artist Members from neighbouring communities, the exhibition will evolve into a truly regional platform, attracting new audiences, strengthening partnerships, and further positioning Prince Edward County as a significant contributor to Canada’s artistic landscape. Click here to learn more about County Arts Mission, Vision, and Value.

In 2026, we will cap the involvement of non-PEC artists at 25% to ensure the show retains “sense of place” and connection to Prince Edward County.

Defined geographic area is within approximately 1 hour (or 80 KM) of Picton: 

The following towns/municipalities in Hastings County: Belleville, Quinte West, Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, Deseronto, Centre Hastings (includes Madoc), Stirling-Rawdon, Marmora & Lake, Municipality of Tweed (south of Highway 7 only).

The following towns/municipalities in Lennox & Addington County: Greater Napanee, Loyalist, Stone Mills, and Amherst Island. 

Kingston, Wolfe Island

The following municipalities in Northumberland County: Brighton, Trent Hills, Cramahe, and Alnwick/Haldimand (a bit beyond the 1-hour rule, but it includes Alderville, which is significant to the Bay of Quinte region as the historic home and territory of the Mississauga Anishinabeg, who occupied the area for centuries before being displaced by United Empire Loyalist resettlement after 1783).

Click here to view the qualifying map.

Entry Rules

Artworks must have been completed since the 2025 edition of Art in the County, and be original, unaided work except where work is a collaboration. All works must be for sale and remain on view for the duration of the show. Art in the County charges a 35% commission, and does not add HST on artwork as per a tax ruling from the Canada Revenue Agency.

  • Two-dimensional works must be no larger than 60” x 72” (frame included), and ready to hang with wire and eye hooks.
  • Sculptures are to be of reasonable size. Artists submitting sculpture are responsible for moving it into and out of the gallery.
  • A maximum of two (2) pieces in any medium may be entered for consideration.
  • Click here to read the complete set of entry rules, which you will agree to abide by when submitting your work.

Jurying Process

In 2026, jurying will take place online with award selections and critiques taking place in person on June 21.

Jurors will consider the following criteria when selecting work:

  • Creative innovation and distinct artistic voice (approaching medium or subject matter with originality and a compelling point of view)
  • Clarity of intention (consistency of ideas, process, and conceptual direction)
  • Technical execution (skill, material fluency, and resolution of the work)
  • Presentation and professionalism (presentation appropriate to and supportive of the work)
  • Overall impact (the work’s ability to engage, move, or resonate with the viewer)

Optional critique of artwork for a fee of $20.00, which is to help offset the costs associated with this enhanced service. At the time of registration, please indicate if you would be interested in this optional critique, and your works will be noted accordingly.

We also encourage applicants to review the criteria for each of the artist awards, when considering what artwork to submit.

Registration

Click here to complete the online registration form by June 12, 2026 at noon. Please use upper and lower case, NOT all capitals.

 

Pay the registration fee using the link provided in the application form. Pricing is as follows:

  • One artwork submission $45
  • Two artwork submissions $60
  • Number of Optional Critiques $20 per artwork

 Note: The entry fee is non-refundable. Limited subsidies are available for first-time applicants. For more information, contact Janna Smith at janna@countyarts.ca.

Upload images or videos (for 3D works) to the application form. Please consult the following document to learn about the digital image requirements.

Submitted images must be accurate representations of the original artwork. Digital manipulation of artwork images that alters the appearance of the original piece is not permitted. The Art in the County committee reserves the right to refuse accepted artworks that, upon delivery, are found to differ significantly from the submitted images. 

Quinte Photo Services, a supporting sponsor of Art in the County, is offering artists complimentary photography and digitization of their submitted artwork. Appointments are limited to availability and are available until June 9. To book or learn more, please contact info@quintephotoservices.com
Before submitting the form, please be sure that information about the artwork (name, medium, selling price) is accurate since it will appear on published materials.
 A copy of the submitted form will be emailed to the address provided. Please keep this email as a record of the information on the registration form so you can ensure that the label(s) on the digital image(s) you send match your registration form.

Important Dates

Monday April 27, 2026
Registration OPENS. Press release announcing the beginning of artist registration.

Friday, June 12, 2026 by NOON
Registration CLOSES.

Wednesday, June 17, 2026
Online jurying takes place. Artists will be contacted if their artwork has been selected.

Friday, June 19, 2026 between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm
Artwork that has been selected must be dropped-off at County Arts Lab – 206 Main St W, Unit 2E, Picton. Please adhere an art tag to your artwork.

Sunday, June 21, 2026 
Jurors onsite at County Arts Lab to select winning works and offer critiques to those who have pre-registered.

Thursday, June 25, 2026
Award winners will be announced.

Friday, June 26, 2026
Show OPENS – from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm each day and 5:00 pm on Sundays.

Sunday, July 12, 2026
People’s Choice and Children’s Choice Awards announced at 1:00 pm. Show CLOSES at 2:00 pm. Buyers pick-up artwork between 3:00 and 5:00 pm.

Monday, July 13, 2026
Artists pick-up artwork between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm.