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 15th Abstract WinnerOleksandr Koltsov Contemplators (Diptych) | Acrylic | UK |
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TERAVARNA announces its "16th 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
The international juried art competition hosted by TERAVARNA revolves around the theme of 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 can submit their artworks in any medium or artistic form.
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Please note that participants must be at least 18 years of age to participate in our events.
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For detailed submission guidelines and further information about abstract art contests, please refer to the sections below.
CATEGORY
All types of visual art will be considered for the abstract art competition in 2026, including but not limited to Painting & Mixed Media, Photography & Digital, and Sculpture & 3D Installation.
DEADLINE
The deadline for submission is JUNE 30, 2026* 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 | $500-$1000
Runner-Up Prize Award | $350-$500
Merit Prize Award | $250-$350
Talent Prize Award | $100-$250
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.
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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.
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Talent prize winners can add a special 6-month representation on ARTSY for just $211; get your work viewed by seasoned collectors and reputed galleries on a global platform.
2) 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.
3) Global Presence through Social Media: TERAVARNA actively promotes winning artists through dedicated features across major social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn, and also on YouTube. They are highlighted through curated posts, stories, feeds, reels, and carousels to attract art lovers and collectors worldwide.
4) Newsletter Feature for Wider Exposure: TERAVARNA features competition winners in its monthly newsletter, which also highlights their achievements while introducing their talent to an engaged community of subscribers. These digital promotion strategies go a long way in elevating an artist’s online presence. Besides, it creates opportunities for global recognition, networking, and sales.
5) 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'd like to enter more than 10 artworks for consideration, please fill in your details and submit them again
ART WITH IMPACT: TERAVARNA will donate 5% of all entry fees, up to $250, from this juried art competition to support wildlife conservation efforts led by NGOs working to protect habitats and endangered species worldwide. Every entry gives back. Every stroke can make a difference.
TIMELINE
NOW | Abstract Art Competition Open
30 JUNE 2026, 11:59 PM California Time
Cash Prize Notification Starts
Deadline for Entries
5 JULY 2026
7 JULY 2026
Non-Cash Prize Notification Starts
Exhibition of Winning Artworks Starts
Cash Prize Distribution Starts***
7 JULY 2026
21 JULY 2026
29 JULY 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.
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
Still not sure if you should participate?
Let us convince you otherwise...
Abstract art, with its kaleidoscopic array of colors and shapes, challenges our perception of the world and transports us to the limitless potential of the creative mind. It moves about the canvas, playing with our eyes and ears and forcing us to reevaluate our assumptions. 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.
TERAVARNA's only official email ID is info@teravarna.com. If you receive messages from any other address, please forward them to us for verification before responding. Your safety is our top priority.
