Create The Mon - Call for Art

WV Rivers Coalition, West Virginians for Public Lands, Appalachian Forest National Heritage Area, and A Waterway of Life present...

“Create the Mon” Art Exhibition: Rules and Guidelines 

Overview 

The Mon National Forest provides clean drinking water, healthy forest ecosystems for wildlife protection, and recreation opportunities. The Mon Forest is also a muse to inspire our artistic souls.

We are back again with a live, in-person, art exhibition in Elkins. "Create the Mon" - Elkins - will run from October 2 to October 31, 2026.

Opening night will take place on October 2, 2026, at the Appalachian Forest National Heritage Area's Appalachian Forest Discovery Center in Darden Mills, Elkins, WV. Artists are highly encouraged to attend the opening but not required to attend the opening. Poetry, readings, and other performative arts may be presented during the opening.

You may submit three pieces of art for consideration to the show that relate to the theme of celebrating the Mon National Forest. This is a juried opportunity. The jury consists of staff and board members of the WV Rivers Coalition and the Appalachian Forest National Heritage Area. Submissions close at midnight on August 25, 2026.

Art Exhibit Theme 

We believe all can “Create the Mon.” We’re looking for art done in, or inspired by, the Mon Forest. Art in any medium – pastels, oil, pencil, poetry, pottery, song, dance, photography – is accepted - the only limit is your imagination. 

Eligibility 

The contest is open to all artists, amateur or professional, of all ages. 

Art must be created in, or inspired by, the Mon National Forest.

Remember we are visiting the Mon Forest, and the forest is home to many animal and plant species - some that live only in the Mon. Please do not move, rearrange, damage, or destroy any part of the forest or any element found in the forest. 

Submission Guidelines – There is no fee to apply or to participate!

• Submission Period: Submissions will be accepted from June 25, until August 25, 2026. All entries must be received by 11:59 PM EST on August 25, 2025. 
• File Format: Some representation of the art must be submitted at the 'Submit Photo' link provided at the bottom of this page (even if art is not a photograph). Photographs must be submitted in JPEG format. For other art, such as audio and video, we request a sample image accompanied by a link to the audio/video file. Any poems or other written media may be submitted. All Files should be high resolution.
• Entry Limit: Participants may submit up to three works of art. 
• Participants in our 2023 digital gallery, the 2024 in-person Petersburg exhibit, and the 2025 gallery in Marlinton are eligible and considered submitted. Any Art in our past exhibits can be part of the Elkins Art Exhibition so long as the artist will deliver to and pick up the art.
• Art Delivery and Pickup – ALL Art Accepted into the Exhibit must be delivered to Appalachian Forest National Heritage Area's Appalachian Forest Discovery Center in Darden Mills, Elkins, WV between September 1 - 25 or by appointment. All Art must be picked up from Discovery Center between the first week of November 2026, or by appointment, with all work picked up by November 9, 2025. Photography, paintings/drawings, and similar should be framed or mounted.
• All art submitted must be ready to hang. Artist info attached to back: Artist's name and town; Phone number; Title of work; and Medium. Also indicate a sale price or NFS (not for sale).

Art Requirements 

• Originality: All art must be original work, done by the entrant. Previously created or published art are welcome, provided that the entrant has the full rights to the image and grants WV Rivers Coalition and its partners permission to present the art and republish the art in a guide and/or related promotional materials. 
• Content: Art must be created in, or be inspired by, the Mon Forest.
• Photos must not contain any watermarks, borders, or signatures. 
• Editing: Minimal editing is allowed (e.g., cropping, color correction, etc.). 
• Permissions: If your art includes identifiable people, you must obtain their permission to submit the art and provide a signed release form upon request. 

Judging Criteria 

• Relevance to Theme: How well the art captures the theme “Create the Mon.”
• Composition: Variable by medium.
• Creativity: Originality and artistic expression. 

Prizes 

• The People’s Favorite: The art designated ‘The People’s Favorite’ will be selected by based on the votes of attendees to the opening of the Art Exhibit on October 2, 2026. The People’s Favorite winner will receive a prize of $100; and may be featured on our website, blogs, and social media.
• Honorable Mentions: Up to five honorable mentions may be selected and featured on our website, blogs, and social media. 

Announcement of Accepted Art 

• Artists will be notified via email by August 30, 2026. 
• The official announcements and additional promotions will be made on WV Rivers Coalition’s and West Virginians for Public Lands' website and social media platforms. 

For any inquiries regarding the contest, please contact Mike Jones at mjones@wvrivers.org. 

There is no fee to apply and no fee to participate. You are welcome to price your art for sale. The venue and/or sponsors take a 30% commission on any sales. Further details and an agreement regarding sales will be included with the notification of acceptance to the show.

We look forward to seeing your beautiful and inspiring art demonstrating that we all “Create the Mon.”