Annual Shows

The Stanly Arts Guild Hosts Many Art Shows Throughout the Year. Read below to Learn About All The Ways You Can Participate.

Members Show

This is a chance for our members to show off their amazing artistic talents. To enter this show you must be a member of the Stanly Arts Guild. (Yes, memberships are accepted during art take-in for the show!) Awarded prizes are 1st, 2nd & 3rd place, with honorable mention ribbons being handed out at the judge’s discretion. The show will be January 19th thru February 12th, 2022. Prize money will be $300 for 1st place, $200 for 2nd place & $100 for 3rd place. Art take-in will be January 14th, from 12-4 & January 15th, from 10-2. All entries must not have previously won a ribbon in a Stanly Arts Guild show.

Photography Show

Several years ago, because of the many talented photographers in the area, the Guild added the annual photography competition and show. While we typically change the theme of the show each year, this year we went with no theme, to allow photographers to enter photos of any subject they wish. After all, we’ve all had enough challenges over the past couple of years without adding any additional ones.

We also named the show in honor of one of our photographer members we lost in 2021, Dwight J. Dennis. Dwight was always a huge supporter and cheerleader for all our shows, but this one had a special place in his heart, since photography was his passion. Moving forward this will be the Dwight J. Dennis Memorial Photography Exhibition and Competition.

Awarded prizes are 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 2 honorable mentions. Prize money will be $300 for 1st place, $200 for 2nd place & $100 for 3rd place. This year prize funds are sponsored by AExcellent Telecommunications, Inc., in Oakboro, NC. All entries must be no more than 5 years old and must not have previously won a ribbon in a Stanly Arts Guild show.

Summer Art Explosion

This is an “anything goes” type of show. There is no official theme, it’s just time for FUN art. We usually have a wonderful variety of art on display during this competition/show. Awarded prizes are 1st, 2nd & 3rd place for 2 categories – 2-D art, and 3-D art. This show is a wonderful opportunity for artists of all types to enter their work and walk away with a ribbon and cash prize for their creativity. All entries must not have previously won a ribbon in a Stanly Arts Guild show.

Nature At Its Best

The family of Ellen Cook Gaskin has graciously sponsored this competition and show in their mother’s honor. Mrs. Gaskin was a talented artist and had a deep love of nature and all of its wonder and beauty. Entries in this competition should have a nature theme using one of the following as guidelines: fish, fur, feather, field, forest, or flower. Both 2-D and 3-D art are welcomed as entries. Awarded prizes are 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and up to 4 honorable mentions. In addition, Stanly Arts Guild members vote on their favorite entry and a “Members’ Choice” is awarded with a ribbon and cash prize. All entries must be no more than 2 years old.

Senior Art Shows

In 2019 we hosted our first local senior art show with Trinity Place, a local Home for Senior Living. Some of the artwork was created by residents in their 90’s! We want to make this an annual event and hope to do so once again very soon.

High School Art Shows

Each year, the Stanly Arts Guild works with the local high school art teachers in Stanly County to host shows for the many talented students enrolled in their classes. This includes private, as well as public, high schools. The teachers and students get involved in setting up the shows that showcase and encourage the emerging talent we have in Stanly county. The shows are typically 1-2 weeks in length for each school, with a reception for the students & their families at the end of the show. There are no prizes awarded but there may be a graduating senior whose work is showcased for some schools. In these shows every entry is a winner, but the big winners are those of us viewing the show, as the talent and imagination of these young artists is truly amazing.

Spring Garden Craft Show

Our customers love being able to shop for unique art for their patios, decks and yards.

Vendors are invited to sell their beautiful yard art creations so everyone can add what they like best to their yard, garden, porch, deck, camper, wherever they want to decorate nature!

From Our Hands... Holiday Craft Show

Calling all vendors that have holiday craft items to sell!

Every year our customers look forward to the opportunity to purchase one-of-a-kind, handmade items for gifts or for their own use & they know to come to the Stanly Arts Guild & Gifts store to find them.

We look forward to having your wonderful craft items in our store to sell for the 2021 holidays!!