Color can define mood, shape perception and bind together disparate artistic elements. In the international art competition Shades of Blue 2026 by Camelback Gallery, blue is more than a hue: it’s the central theme around which all submissions must revolve. With a deadline of January 11, 2026 and an entry fee of $22 for up to two images, this contest invites photographers and other visual artists from around the world to submit works in which blue is a dominant or focal color. Winners enjoy cash distinctions, three-month online exhibition placement and strong digital visibility across multiple platforms.
This competition fits squarely into the landscape of editorial and fine art calls that attract photographers and artists who are exploring colour-driven creativity. Shades of Blue encourages all subject matter and media, provided the work engages compellingly with the blue spectrum. For those tracking photography challenges online, this contest stands out for its clear theme, accessible entry process and curated online exhibition that places selected work in front of an international audience.
Award announcements are scheduled for on or before January 25, 2026, and the online exhibition of winners runs for three months on Camelback Gallery’s platform, giving photographers prolonged opportunity for exposure alongside peer art. With well-defined prize tiers and professional jury selection, Shades of Blue 2026 represents both a focused creative brief and a meaningful presentation opportunity for digital artwork and photographic expressions of blue.
Contents
Prizes
Shades of Blue 2026 by Camelback Gallery offers a tiered set of prizes that combine cash awards with extensive online promotion and exhibition opportunities. Across all prize levels, recipients receive inclusion in a three-month virtual award exhibition and official recognition that can be shared in portfolios and social media profiles.
T
The specific awards include:
- Best in Show: Cash award, main page slider promotion, a 3-month virtual award exhibition, entry into the “Artwork of the Year” award, and announcements on Artweek.com, TopArtAwards.com, and TheArtGuide.com.
- Gold Awards (up to 3): Cash award, 3-month virtual exhibition, and announcements on ArtWeek.com and TheArtGuide.com.
- Silver Awards (up to 6): 3-month virtual exhibition and group announcements on major art portals.
- Bronze & Finalist Awards: 3-month virtual exhibition and group award posts on social media.
Related Photo Contests
Categories
Shades of Blue 2026 does not divide its visual arts competition into multiple categorical genres such as portraiture or landscape. It uses a single, thematic focus: works of art in which the color blue is a central presence.
Dates and Entry Fees
The calendar and fee structure for Shades of Blue 2026 by Camelback Gallery are straightforward and designed to move from entry to exhibition efficiently.
| Competition open | Currently open |
| Deadline for entries | January 11, 2026 |
| Award announcement | On or before January 25, 2026 |
| Exhibition publication | Approximately two weeks after deadline |
| Exhibition duration | Three months online |
The entry fee is $22 for one or two images. Artists are allowed multiple entries, paying the fee for each submission.
How to Enter
Submissions are made via the online entry form linked from the official contest page. If you encounter issues with the form, Camelback Gallery accepts email submissions: include artist name, locale, attached images, titles and mediums, a brief statement about the artwork, and URLs for your website or social media. Indicate your payment preference for the entry fee, and the gallery will issue an invoice for processing.
About the Jury
The jury for Shades of Blue 2026 consists of one to three art professionals selected by Camelback Gallery. These jurors review eligible submissions after the entry deadline, evaluating each work according to criteria including adherence to the blue theme, technical skill, composition, color execution and overall impact. Works that receive at least one jury vote qualify for inclusion in the virtual award exhibition, and among those selected, the jury determines the prize tier placements.
Why Enter?
For photographers interested in a theme-based showcase, Shades of Blue 2026 by Camelback Gallery offers a clear brief tied to a color that resonates across genres and subjects. The competition’s international, online format removes geographic barriers and allows selected work to be seen by a global audience over an extended exhibition period, supported by announcements on partner art platforms and social media channels.
Beyond raw recognition, the structure of prizes (from cash awards to curated digital exposure) provides tangible outcomes for portfolios, websites and professional narratives. In the context of other curated calls, including various best photo challenges online, this contest pairs thematic focus with a professional presentation suitable for artists at many stages of their photographic practice.
Rules and Copyright
This section about the rules and image rights of the Shades of Blue 2026 by Camelback 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
Submissions must adhere to the thematic requirement of blue as a central color element. All entrants must be at least 18 years old and submit artwork completed preferably within the last three years. Only original works are accepted; reference photos may be used only incidentally without dominating the subject unless permission has been granted. Files must be JPGs under 3 MB, professionally presented without watermarks, frames or glare. Camelback Gallery does not accept AI-generated artwork. Content that includes nudity with uncovered private parts, profanity, political or sadistic imagery is not eligible for jury consideration.
Copyright and Image Usage
Artists retain full copyright to their work. By entering, participants grant Camelback Gallery a non-exclusive, perpetual license to reproduce images of submitted works on the gallery website and in marketing related to the competition, including Facebook and Instagram. The gallery may crop or resize images for platform requirements. Winning entries remain part of the public online exhibition catalog for up to one year. Camelback Gallery does not sell artwork but will connect interested buyers with the artist.
For more information and to participate in the contest, visit: the official website.
