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WINNER OF FIRST PRIZE | 16TH ABSTRACT
Donna Sonnenberg | Collage | USA
TERAVARNA announces its "17th ABSTRACT" International Juried Art Competition. Artists with a keen eye for originality are encouraged to put their most compelling pieces on the unifying topic of abstraction for this unique occasion. The abstract art competition is open to contributions in a wide variety of creative disciplines, including but not limited to traditional media such as painting and sculpture, new media such as digital art, fiber art, photography, graphic design, and mixed media, as well as experimental and installation art. All are welcome to this celebration of the boundless possibilities of abstract art.
The gallery continues to uplift the spirits of artists worldwide with greater exposure and new opportunities — and this time, too, we have some surprises as add-ons, ensuring every creator can dream big!
CONDITIONS FOR PARTICIPATION
Abstract International Juried Art Competition hosted by TERAVARNA is a thematic contest. As the name suggests, the theme is ABSTRACT. Artists are free to interpret and represent the theme in their unique way. You should remember the following criteria:
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Both figurative and abstract ideas related to the overall theme will be considered.
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Artists are welcome to submit their artworks in any form of visual arts.
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Only artists 18+ years of age are eligible to participate.
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For detailed submission guidelines and further information about abstract art contests, please refer to the sections below.
CATEGORY
The 17th Abstract Art Competition is open to all forms of visual arts, including:
Painting, Mixed Media, Photogrpahy, Digital Art, Sculpture, and 3d Installation, etc.
DEADLINE
The last date to submit your artwork for the 17th ABSTRACT International Art Juried Competitions is 15th October 2026.* PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS DEADLINE WILL NOT BE EXTENDED.
AWARDS & PRIZES
Up to $5,000 in cash prizes will be given out to winning artists. **
Lucrative prize money will be awarded to our talented participants, honoring their brilliant efforts. Depending on the number and quality of artworks submitted, the following prizes will be considered:
First Prize Award | $300-$750
Runner-Up Prize Award | $150-$500
Merit Prize Award | $75-$250
Talent Prize Award | $25-$100
Honorable Mention Award
Finalist Award
1) Premium Marketplace Feature: The First, Runners-up, and Merit prize winners of the competition will receive a free feature on a premier art marketplace like ARTSY for 6 months. This visibility will elevate their credentials and enhance their prospect of art sales.
Please Note:
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The number of artworks featured on ARTSY may vary depending on the total number of artworks submitted by artists for the competition. The First prize winners can feature up to 10 artworks, Runner-ups can feature up to 5 artworks, and Merit prize winners can feature up to 3 artworks on ARTSY for 6 months. All artworks go through the jury and are required to be approved by the jury in order for them to be included in the ARTSY list.
Example: If a 1st place winner sent in 10 artworks for the competition, only 5 artworks, instead of 10, can be listed on ARTSY.
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If you are a talent prize winner, you can avail a special 6-month representation on ARTSY, just for $149, to get your work showcased to an array of experienced collectors and well-respected galleries all over the world.
2) PR Promotion for Winners: The cash prize winners and the runner-ups will be more widely promoted via dedicated Press Release across premier media and news platforms like Google News, Yahoo News, NewsEdge, AP News and more. It will not only give their achievement a boost in leaps and bounds, but will also promote their winning artworks to the collectors and art lovers globally. This will also help to support artists' working lives and enhance their career paths.
3) Immersive VR Showcase to Boost Profile: There will be a special VR feature for all cash prize winners, showcasing their winning artworks in a simulated environment. Displaying artworks in immersive gallery setups like TERAVARNA will attract collectors and art enthusiasts across the globe, roping in more productive engagement, accelerating sales, and global visibility for artists.
4) Global Presence through Social Media: TERAVARNA actively encourages and highlights winning artists with features across social media sites, including LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. These are featured through curated posts, stories, feeds, reels, and in carousels to draw the attention of art lovers and collectors.
5) Newsletter Feature for Wider Exposure: TERAVARNA's monthly newsletter prominently features the award winners and showcases their accomplishments and introduces their talent to our community of engaged subscribers. These digital marketing strategies help boost an artist's visibility on the internet. Furthermore, it provides avenues for recognition, networking and sales.
6) Making Art Accessible to All: TERAVARNA offers special coupons for persons with disabilities and artists participating from developing countries (refer to the TERAVARNA Foundation website for details). *
Note: *Artists applying for physically challenged categories or representing developing regions must submit valid supporting documents to claim the coupon. The coupon will be sent via email after the necessary verification process is done. Each coupon will be applicable for one submission only. These submissions will be juried separately.
** Note that TERAVARNA doesn't promise entrant artists to win a prize in money or money's worth in any of its competitions. Instead, only artists selected by an independent jury from a pool of applicants will be eligible to receive professionally designed Certificates of Recognition. In case there are joint winners for any of the cash prizes the money will be split evenly among contestants. Similarly, if a category does not receive enough entries to be judged fairly within that category alone, it will be considered alongside other categories with sufficient entries. The final prize amount will depend on the total number of entries but will always be within the indicated range.
FEES
The entry fee for each artwork is $20 (non-refundable).
If you would like to submit more than 10 works, please fill out the form again.
ART WITH IMPACT: TERAVARNA will donate 5% of entry fees, up to $250, of this juried art competition towards wildlife conservation and work that helps protect habitats and endangered species throughout the world, coordinated by NGOs. Every entry gives back. Every stroke can make a difference.
TIMELINE
NOW | Abstract Art Competition Open
15 OCTOBER 2026, 11:59 PM California Time
Cash Prize Notification Starts
Deadline for Entries
22 OCTOBER 2026
23 OCTOBER 2026
Non-Cash Prize Notification Starts
Exhibition of Winning Artworks Starts
Cash Prize Distribution Starts***
23 OCTOBER 2026
13 NOVEMBER 2026
14 NOVEMBER 2026
Exhibition of Winning Artworks Ends
*** All cash prizes are given out via PayPal. If you don't have a free PayPal account, you can get one Click here..
IMAGE SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
Please make sure to meet all of the specifications outlined below:
1. Which file format is required for my submission?
-Only JPEG or JPG files are accepted.
2. What is the file size requirement for submission?
-Less than 2MB is preferred, but we will accept files up to 5MB maximum.
3. How should I crop my image?
-Your image should be cleanly cropped, showing only the artwork.
-Remove any borders, frames, backgrounds, or unnecessary elements.
4. How clear should my image be?
-Ensure your image is in sharp focus, not blurry.
-The artwork should be clearly visible from a front-facing view.
Disclaimer: Please note that TERAVARNA does not accept AI-generated artworks for submission.
AI Usage Policy: Strictly Prohibited
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All submissions must be entirely human-created. The use of AI tools or AI-generated content—including elements, compositions, textures, or upscaling—is prohibited at any stage of the creative process.
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To preserve the integrity of manual skill, any artwork involving AI in any form will be immediately disqualified.
HOW TO APPLY
STEP 1: Choose the number of artworks you'd like to submit from one of the options below.
STEP 2: Click on the number of artworks and proceed to make a payment. You can pay by PayPal or via credit card.
STEP 3: After successful payment, you'll be redirected to a page where you can upload your images and other details.
NOTE: If you have any issues with your image submissions, please email us at info@teravarna.com and we'll promptly get back to you.
HOW MANY ARTWORKS ARE YOU SUBMITTING
TERAVARNA's only official email ID is info@teravarna.com. Please forward any message from an email address other than the one listed above to verify before replying. Security is our number one priority.
Still not sure if you should participate?
Let us tell you otherwise…
The kaleidoscopic array of colors and shapes in abstract art defies the perception of the world and carries the viewer to the limitless potential of the creative mind. Swirls around the canvas, teasing our eyes and ears, challenging our preconceptions. The entangled strokes of paint create an orchestra of feelings that reveals hidden meaning to the curious. Each brushstroke conveys meaning and encourages the development of unique tales. Digital abstract painting is a call to explore one's inner world; it is an artistic medium that reaches one's spirit and spurs original thought.
TERAVARNA presents the best platform for abstract art contests. We provide the ideal stage where you can present your artwork and be admired by visitors. Art enthusiasts will get to view your creation, ranging from abstract expressionism to digital abstract art, evaluated by an expert panel of jurors. The jurors have considerable knowledge and experience in this genre of art, and they will share insightful comments on your submissions. Their feedback can inspire your personal style. After submissions are received and juried in due course, the winners will be announced on this portal.
We intend to provide the ultimate abstract artwork gallery meeting point where admirers can find new art to praise, and artists can find new admirers for inspiration. Here at TERAVARNA, we think it's important to acknowledge and honor hard work and excellence. We value the work of the best abstract artists because we know how much time and energy they put into their pieces.
Cash prize winners in our colorful abstract painting competition can boost their profiles with a free representation on a revered platform like Artsy for 6 continuous months. These rewards will inspire you to keep pushing boundaries in your creative endeavors.
TERAVARNA's dedication to the arts community exceeds juried shows and public displays. Our goal is to provide a setting conducive to creative development and exploration. We also provide instructional courses, masterclasses, and other tools to help you develop your creative abilities, hone your craft, and spark your creativity in addition to the events we host. Benefit from these programs to widen your artistic horizons, try new methods, and connect with other creative types to build a strong foundation for your career.
TERAVARNA's abstract art contest provides excellent networking and promotional chances for artists like you. Your work will be seen by a wide variety of art lovers, buyers, exhibition owners, and experts in the field. The worldwide audience seeing your creations will give you the exposure that no local venue ever could.
If you've been on the fence about participating in an abstract art competition, know that TERAVARNA is a fantastic venue for showcasing your work, connecting with the creative community worldwide, and earning praise from knowledgeable judges. Don't allow self-doubt to stop you from embarking on a creative journey that would revolutionize your professional life as one of the best abstract artists.
