Imagined by A Smith Gallery

Imagined by A Smith Gallery turns away from literal description and toward something more elusive. The theme is “imagined”, and the wording around the call makes that clear from the start: visionary, dreamlike, fictional, fairy-tale, illusory, make-believe. For photographers looking at current opportunities with a clearly defined concept, this online exhibition call offers a focused framework and a set exhibition outcome. The deadline is May 25, 2026.

Presented by A Smith Gallery, the competition is international in scope and centered on an online exhibition running from June 19 to July 30, 2026. Up to 47 images will be selected. Those accepted works will be featured in the gallery’s online exhibition, promoted on social media, included in the online store, and published in an exhibition catalogue available for purchase. A further selection of 27 images will be chosen for “The 27”, a hardbound fine art exhibition book. For readers browsing photography contests online, this call stands out for the way it combines juried selection, publication, and ongoing online visibility.

The entry fee is $40 for the first five images, with additional submissions priced at $5 each and no stated cap on the number of entries. Awards include an online solo exhibition, feature stories on the gallery blog, inclusion in “The 27”, and a $100 Visitors Award determined by Instagram likes. Susan Burnstine will serve as juror. In practical terms, the Imagined by A Smith Gallery offers photographers a structured route into an online exhibition with publication components, sales visibility, and a theme that invites interpretation rather than documentation.

Prizes

The Imagined by A Smith Gallery rewards here are built around exhibition presence, publication, and extended visibility. The selected work enters a broader presentation ecosystem that includes the online gallery, blog coverage, catalogue publication, and the gallery store.

• Up to 47 images will be selected for the online exhibition, which runs from June 19 to July 30, 2026.
• All selected images will be:
  • featured by the gallery on Facebook and Instagram during the exhibition period.
  • discussed in a GalleryTalk hosted by the gallery directors and posted on the website blog.
  • listed for sale in the gallery’s online store.
• An exhibition catalogue including all accepted images will be published and made available for purchase.
• From the accepted works, 27 images will be chosen for “The 27”, a hardbound fine art exhibition book that will also be available for purchase.
• The Juror’s Award includes an online solo exhibition, a copy of “The 27” exhibition book, and a feature story on the gallery blog.
• The Director’s Award includes a copy of “The 27” exhibition book and a feature story on the gallery blog.
• The Visitors Award is $100 and is determined by the highest number of Instagram likes.

Categories

There are no separate categories for this Imagined by A Smith Gallery. The contest is organized around a single theme: imagined.

That curatorial focus is defined through a cluster of associated ideas, including the visionary, poetic, fanciful, curious, dreamlike, fictional, illusory, mythical, and make-believe. Rather than dividing entries by genre, the gallery frames the exhibition around interpretation of that conceptual territory. The result is a theme-led call that leaves room for varied photographic approaches while keeping the overall selection tied to one imaginative premise.

Dates and Entry Fees

The schedule is concise and clearly laid out, moving from submission to results and then into the exhibition period.

Entry fee:

• $40 for the first five images.
• Each additional image costs $5.

The gallery states that there is no limit to the number of images that may be submitted, and submission fees are non-refundable.

An additional condition applies to reviews: photographers submitting 13 or more images receive a complimentary review by the gallery directors. Those entering fewer than 13 images may purchase a review for an extra $20.

How to Enter

Applications are submitted online through the gallery’s application form. Images should be uploaded as JPEG files, 1800 pixels on the longest side, at 72 ppi. Each file must be labeled with consecutive numbers followed by the entrant’s name, matching the numbering on the application form. The gallery asks entrants not to watermark images. Payment can be made online with PayPal, or applicants may submit the online application and then mail a check with their confirmation.

About the Jury

The juror for this Imagined by A Smith Gallery is Susan Burnstine. The gallery describes her as an award-winning fine art and commercial photographer and educator whose work involves homemade cameras and lenses built from plastic, vintage camera parts, and household objects.

The call also notes her international exhibition history, publications, teaching activity, and experience as both curator and juror. For this competition, the selection process is blind: submitted images are renamed and assigned entry numbers so the juror does not see participants’ names while reviewing the work.

Why Enter Imagined by A Smith Gallery?

This Imagined by A Smith Gallery has a specific structure that will suit photographers looking for more than a simple shortlist announcement. The selected work is not only shown in an online exhibition, but also folded into a broader package that includes social media features, a GalleryTalk, online sales listing, and catalogue publication. For a themed call, that gives the project a visible afterlife beyond the selection email itself.

It also offers multiple layers of recognition. There is the main exhibition selection, the narrower “The 27” book selection, award distinctions tied to solo exposure and editorial coverage, and a public-facing Visitors Award. For photographers exploring best photo contests, the combination of juried review, publication, and archived online presentation makes this a clearly structured opportunity with defined outcomes.

Rules and Copyright

This section about the rules and image rights of the Imagined by A Smith 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 competition is open internationally and accepts work in all photographic mediums and styles. The source material also indicates that the call is open to photographers at all levels. Images that have previously been exhibited in an A Smith Gallery competition are not eligible.

The gallery asks for JPEG files sized to 1800 pixels on the longest side at 72 ppi, labeled according to the instructions in the application form. Submitted images should not include watermarks. The jurying process is blind, with images renamed and assigned entry numbers before review.

The gallery also states that it prefers not to accept images created with Artificial Intelligence at this time, citing ongoing uncertainty around copyright issues and litigation.

Copyright and Image Usage

Photographers retain full rights to their images. At the same time, the gallery states that submitted photographs may be used for publicity purposes and in connection with the online gallery, online store, exhibition catalogue, and “The 27” exhibition book.

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