BOONE, N.C. — The Turchin Center for the Visual Arts (TCVA) at Appalachian State University announces the call for entry for the upcoming 24th Appalachian Mountain Photography Competition (AMPC) exhibition. This year’s exhibition will be juried by Maggie Flanigan, artist and Director of the AFA Visual Arts program at Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute, who chose “Staring at a Glimpse” as the exhibition theme.
Flanigan describes the inspiration behind this year’s theme:
“The things that haunt us are the things we love, inherit, mourn, and, often, what we’ve yet to understand… This exhibition invites artwork that explores haunting in its broadest sense, encouraging work that considers the visible and invisible forces that shape our communities and personal histories.”
Photographers are invited to submit work that considers these visible and invisible forces shaping Appalachian communities and personal histories
Submissions
The AMPC submission process opens September 22, 2026, and offers two entry options:
- Single-Image Submission: Artists may submit 1–5 standalone images aligned with the theme for a $15 entry fee. Selected artists will deliver one image chosen by the juror.
- Series Submission: Artists may submit 6–12 images from a single body of work aligned with the theme for a $20 entry fee. Selected artists will exhibit six images chosen by the juror to highlight AMPC’s vision of supporting the expansion of Appalachian narratives.
Deadline for submissions: November 19, 2026, at 5:00 PM EST.
Artists will be notified of acceptance on December 11, 2026, and must deliver artwork to TCVA between January 5–8, 2027. For artists unable to pick up their work in person, TCVA will provide complimentary return shipping via FedEx/UPS to exhibiting artists.
For complete submission guidelines and details, visit https://tcva.appstate.edu/exhibition or contact:
shauna caldwell
Associate Curator for Academic Engagement
Email: ca********@******te.edu
About the Turchin Center
The Turchin Center for the Visual Arts in Boone, North Carolina welcomes visitors to experience the arts through contemplation, engaging discussion, dynamic tours, festive exhibition celebrations, enlightening art talks, and creative art workshops. Admission is always FREE. Named for Appalachian State University benefactors Robert and Lillian Turchin, the Center hosts changing exhibitions in six galleries featuring local, regional, national and international artists.
The Turchin Center is located at 423 West King St., in Boone. Regular hours are Tuesday–Thursday and Saturday, 10am-6pm, and Friday, 12-8pm. TCVA is closed Sunday and Monday and observes all university holidays. For general inquiries, to be added to the mailing or e-news list, obtain donor program details or to schedule a tour, call 828-262-3017, e-mail tu***********@******te.edu or visit TCVA.org. The Turchin Center can also be followed on Facebook and Instagram @TurchinCenter.
For more information, contact shauna caldwell at ca********@******te.edu
