The Life of Color by Praxis Gallery

Praxis Gallery & Photographic Arts Center is excited to announce its international juried photography competition, The Life of Color. Open to photographers worldwide, this contest invites submissions that explore the compelling role of hue, value, saturation, atmosphere, intensity, perception, and dissonance in creating photographic art. Whether you are an amateur or a seasoned professional, this competition provides a platform to showcase your work, interpret the theme creatively, and engage with a vibrant artistic community.

The theme, The Life of Color, focuses on color as a central force in image-making. Praxis Gallery seeks photographic work where color does not simply describe the world, but constructs it, guiding perception, emphasizing relationships, and altering how space and time are understood. The winning entries will be exhibited at Praxis Gallery in Minneapolis from June 20 to July 11, 2026, with up to 38 images selected for the gallery exhibition.

Participants can look forward to several awards, including the Directors’ Choice award, which provides free entry into two future Praxis juried calls for entry. Five Honorable Mentions will also receive recognition and be featured in the exhibition, the printed show catalog, and the online exhibit gallery. Submission fees are affordable, and Praxis offers one free 10-image entry for new members, as well as limited free submissions for artists facing financial hardship. This competition not only emphasizes artistic merit but also supports accessibility, making it a relevant option among conceptual photo contests.

The submission deadline is May 17, 2026, with selections announced on May 23, 2026. To participate, photographers need to submit digital JPEG files of their work through the online submission form and pay the applicable entry fee.

Prizes

Praxis Gallery has curated a prize and exhibition package to reward photographers whose work stands out in relation to the theme.

• Directors’ Choice Award: The selected artist receives free entry into two future Praxis juried calls for entry of their choice.
• Five Honorable Mentions: Five artists will be recognized and featured in the exhibition, the printed show catalog, and the online exhibit gallery.
• Selected Artists: Up to 38 images will be selected for exhibition at Praxis Gallery in Minneapolis.
• Featured Exhibition: Selected works will be shown in the gallery exhibition from June 20 to July 11, 2026.
• Online Gallery & Archive: Accepted photographs will be posted on the Praxis website exhibition page and archived in the Praxis Gallery & Photographic Art Center’s online gallery.

These opportunities provide selected photographers with recognition, physical exhibition, catalog inclusion, and continued online visibility.

Categories or Themes

The Life of Color contest focuses on a single, unifying theme: the exploration of color as a central element in photography. There are no separate categories.

This edition emphasizes color as an active visual force. Praxis describes color as something that directs attention, shapes atmosphere, and influences how an image is experienced before form is fully resolved. Beyond description, color may operate as a signal, amplifying, unifying, or destabilizing what is seen.

Participants are encouraged to submit photographic work where hue, value, and saturation are used deliberately to construct meaning, evoke response, and define the visual experience. The open format allows photographers to interpret the theme across genres, styles, and techniques, including traditional, digital, and experimental approaches.

Dates and Entry Fees

Praxis Gallery provides clear deadlines, notification dates, exhibition dates, and entry fees for The Life of Color.

• Submission Deadline: May 17, 2026, at 11:59 PM CT.
• Notification: May 23, 2026, at 4 PM CT.
• Exhibition Dates: June 20 to July 11, 2026.

Entry Fees:

• $35 for up to five images.
• $5 for each additional image, up to ten images total per open call.
• Payment is accepted by credit or debit card through the secure online submission site.
• Entry fees are non-refundable.

New Praxis Members receive one free 10-image entry. Artists experiencing financial hardship may contact Praxis Gallery to request one of a limited number of free submissions.

How to Enter

To enter The Life of Color, photographers must submit their work through the online submission form.

• All submissions must be digital files.
• Files must be submitted in JPEG format.
• Each file must be 8MB or smaller.
• File names should follow this format: ImageTitle_by_FirstName_LastName.
• Entrants may submit up to ten images in total.

Selected photographers will receive instructions for shipping exhibition prints or submitting high-resolution digital files for printing.

About the Jury

The Life of Color is curated by Praxis Directors.

The selection process will consider photographic work that engages color as a central force in image-making. Up to 38 images will be selected for exhibition at Praxis Gallery. Photographers will be notified of their selection after the submission deadline, and accepted works will also be posted on the Praxis website exhibition page.

Why Enter The Life of Color by Praxis Gallery?

The Life of Color competition offers photographers the opportunity to have their work featured in a physical gallery exhibition at Praxis Gallery in Minneapolis, with selected images also included in a printed show catalog and online exhibit gallery. Up to 38 images will be selected, giving photographers a defined exhibition opportunity connected to a specific curatorial theme.

The competition is also relevant for artists working with color as a conceptual, emotional, or formal device in photography. Its focus on hue, value, saturation, perception, atmosphere, and visual intensity makes it suitable for photographers developing work around image construction, visual experience, and the expressive potential of color.

For photographers looking to expand their exhibition record or compare this opportunity with other calls, Deartline’s list of the best photo contests to enter offers a comprehensive guide to competitions across various themes and levels of prestige.

Rules and Copyright

This section about the rules and image rights of the The Life of Color by Praxis Gallery has been generated automatically. If you are interested in participating in this contest we suggest you review the complete rules provided by the contest.

Rules

• The contest is open to photographers worldwide.
• All entrants must be 18 years or older.
• Submitted images must not have been exhibited at Praxis Gallery within the past year.
• All submissions must be digital files submitted through the online submission form.
• Submitted files must be JPEG images of 8MB or smaller.
• Up to 38 images will be selected for exhibition at Praxis Gallery.
• Accepted photographers will receive instructions for shipping artwork or submitting high-resolution digital files for printing.
• No framed artwork will be accepted if artists submit original prints.
• Praxis will mat and frame accepted prints for exhibition.
• Artists may also use Praxis Printing Service for a $37 fee, which includes printing, matting, framing, and installation.
• Artists may offer exhibition prints for sale, and Praxis Gallery takes a 50% commission on all sales.

Copyright and Image Usage

• Artists retain all copyrights to their images.
• By submitting, artists grant Praxis Gallery a non-exclusive right to use submitted images for exhibition display.
• Praxis Gallery may also use images for promotion of the artist and related programs.
• Submitted and selected images may be used in online exhibition archives, social media, and website features.
• The artist’s name will always be credited wherever their work is displayed.

For more information and to participate in the contest, visit: the official website.