davidson national print and drawing competition

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the final Davidson National Print and Drawing Competition—an event that once brought some of the most compelling contemporary works on paper to Davidson College—the Galleries invite submissions from contemporary artists who incorporate different forms of printmaking and drawing into their work of any media. This exhibition honors the legacy of the competition, organized by Herb Jackson ’67, which relied on important contemporary art world figures as jurors, such as Marcia Tucker and Clement Greenberg. Through the competition, the college acquired more than 50 works for the Permanent Art Collection.

We are seeking work by artists who push the boundaries of traditional print and drawing practices. Submissions are open to professional and emerging artists working in any print media or drawing, including but not limited to: intaglio, lithography, screenprint, relief, monotype, digital print, graphite, ink, charcoal, mixed media, and experimental forms.

Exhibition Dates: August 24, 2026 - September 27, 2026