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Sanctuary by Decagon Gallery opens a door to images of refuge, peace, and renewal (those quiet spaces and charged moments that feel like home). It is an online exhibition with cash awards, an online solo show for the top entry, and a professionally designed catalog that extends the life of the work beyond the screen. If you track the best photography challenges online, this call may deserves a place on your shortlist.
The theme is clear yet generous: “Sanctuary,” whether physical or emotional, private or shared. Photographers worldwide can submit work through November 30, 2025. Fees are flexible: enter a single image for $5, submit up to four for $24, add more at $4 each, and if you send eight you can add two more at no extra cost for a total of ten. Standout entries compete for $1,000 in total awards, including a $500 First Place plus an online solo exhibition. For those searching for open theme photography contests with real cash prizes, the structure here is straightforward.
Winners and selected photographers receive exposure through an online exhibition, a printed and digital catalog, and a curated video showcase. Notifications go out in mid-December, and the exhibition runs from December 15, 2025 through February 15, 2026. The combination of focused theme and multi-format presentation makes this a practical opportunity for image makers working across styles and subjects.
The Sanctuary by Decagon Gallery Prizes
The Sanctuary by Decagon Gallery competition offers a combination of monetary awards and professional exposure. Here are the full details of the prizes:
- First Place: $500 cash prize and an Online Solo Exhibition.
- Second Place: $300 cash prize.
- Third Place: $200 cash prize.
- Juror’s Awards and Honorable Mentions: Special recognitions highlighting additional outstanding submissions.
All award recipients receive a free printed exhibition catalog. Selected photographers are featured in the Sanctuary online exhibition, the catalog, a curated video presentation, and on Decagon Gallery’s social channels. In addition to the financial prizes, the solo show and catalog offer valuable opportunities for exhibition and publication exposure.
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The Categories of the Sanctuary by Decagon Gallery
This call does not use formal categories. Instead, it centers on the theme “Sanctuary,” welcoming interpretations across genres—from landscapes and portraits to abstractions and documentary approaches. Both color and black and white are welcome.
Sanctuary by Decagon Gallery Dates and Entry Fees
| Submission Deadline | November 30, 2025 |
| Notification of Acceptance | December 15, 2025 |
| Exhibition Run | December 15, 2025 — February 15, 2026 |
Entry fees:
- $5 for a single image
- $24 for up to 4 images
- $4 per image for entries 5–8.
Pay for eight entries and you may add two more (entries 9–10) at no additional cost.
How to Enter:
Submit via the entry form on the official page. Prepare JPEGs at a minimum of 2100 px (300 dpi accepted), maximum 4 MB per file, and title each file with your name plus the image title.
About the Jury
The juror is Ovidiu Petca, a Romanian printmaker and curator with extensive international exhibition and biennial experience.
Why Enter Sanctuary by Decagon Gallery?
Sanctuary offers a focused brief with broad creative room, international visibility, and layered presentation. Cash awards, a solo online show for the top entry, a printed and digital catalog, and a curated video feature make it appealing to photographers working in multiple directions, including those active in documentary photography contests. For those scanning for more photo challenges to join, it also fits neatly into an end-of-year schedule.
Rules and Copyright
This section about the rules and image rights of the Sanctuary by Decagon 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
Selection results are communicated by email. The online exhibition is hosted on Decagon Gallery’s website within the stated dates. A digital badge is provided to all participants, and selected work is included in a curated video showcase.
Copyright and Image Usage
Artists retain full copyright to their works. By entering, photographers grant Decagon Gallery the rights necessary to exhibit the images online and to use selected works for marketing the exhibition, including inclusion in a printed and digital catalog and related promotional materials.
For more information and to participate in the contest, visit: the official website.
