Organizer Information
Gallery Ring is an international online art contest and exhibition platform that has been operating juried art contests and exhibitions since 2018. The platform promotes winners through its e-newsletter, website, and Instagram, with top winners also receiving a digital Award Page for self-promotion on websites, newsletters, portfolios, and social media. Gallery Ring frames participation as a way for artists to gain experience with the juried exhibition system used across the art world, build a professional presentation of their work, and connect with an international community of artists.
The platform runs recurring monthly-themed contests (past editions have included subjects such as Blue, Flower, People, Abstract, and Open) alongside its recurring award tiers — Best in Show, Diamond, Golden Trio, Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, and Crystal Awards.
Title & Description
RED — Gallery Ring International Online Art Contest (July 2026)
Gallery Ring is running an online art contest and exhibition built around the color red. Submitted artwork must be driven by red, with the color required to occupy the majority of the composition or serve as its focal point, purpose, subject, or meaning. The contest was created in celebration of Gallery Ring's own Ruby Award, with five Ruby Awards being presented in this single contest — a distinction the organizer states cannot be won anywhere else.
Theme
RED — submitted artwork must be driven by the color red, which must occupy the majority of the composition or serve as the focal point, purpose, subject, or meaning of the piece.
Categories
- Visual Arts
- Painting
- Drawing
- Photography
- Digital
- Mixed Media
- Collage
Eligibility
- Must be 18 years of age or older
- Open to both emerging and established artists
- Must be able to communicate in English or Spanish
Program Benefits & Awards
- Best in Show: free-entry voucher for a future contest
- Golden Trio Award
- 5 Ruby Awards (exclusive to this contest)
- Diamond Awards of Excellence
- Crystal Awards
- Awards of Merit
- Honourable Mention Awards
- All winners receive a digital Award Certificate
- Top winners additionally receive a special digital Award Page for use on websites, newsletters, and social media
- Top winning artwork is featured in a Winners Video on Gallery Ring's YouTube channel
- Top winning artwork is featured in the 3D Rotation Gallery on the site's home page
Application Fee
$20 US for 1–3 images of separate artworks. Entry fees are non-refundable and do not guarantee entry into the exhibition. Artists may submit more than once if they wish to enter more than 3 artworks.
Application Requirements
- 1–3 images of separate artworks (one artwork and one frontal viewpoint per image)
- Images in JPG format, not exceeding 2MB each
- Files labeled as "Last name-Title of Art.jpg"
- Images cropped to show only the artwork — no frames, mats, backgrounds, or watermarks
- Images must be clear, in focus, and free of glare
- Artist statement (recommended, not required): maximum 150 words, written in first person, addressing the artist's purpose and inspiration rather than biography
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 13 July 2026
Location
Online
Additional Details
- Eligible media: two-dimensional, hand-done work such as painting and drawing, as well as photography, digital work, mixed media, print work, and collage
- Ineligible media: sculpture, crafts, jewellery, fabric art, and similar three-dimensional media; video; sound; AI-generated work (unless used minimally and accounting for only a small percentage of the piece)
- Once the deadline passes, no image substitutions or changes are permitted
- All artwork must be original, not created with teacher assistance, and not copied from other artists or photographers
- Offensive, violent, vulgar, distasteful, or politically themed artwork is not accepted
- Artwork must not have been previously shown on the Gallery Ring site
- All decisions regarding exhibitions and winners are final
- Selected artwork must remain in the exhibition for its full duration; early withdrawal is not permitted
- Artists' contact information is not shared with external parties
- Gallery Ring reserves the right to cancel, extend, or change deadlines or exhibition content at any time
- Artists retain all copyrights to their images; by submitting, artists grant Gallery Ring usage rights for display, promotion, marketing, newsletters, press releases, and use on the Gallery Ring website, Instagram, and YouTube channel
- Upon submission, artists are automatically added to Gallery Ring's email newsletter list (opt-out available by request)
- Gallery Ring does not handle art sales or take commission, but will direct sales inquiries to the artist
- Artwork is not required to be for sale