Call for Entries • $1250 in Prize Money

Judge: Philip Gould
Nationally Recognized Documentary and Architectural Photographer of Lafayette, Louisiana

Entry Deadline January 27
Exhibit February 2 – March 1, 2026
Artist Reception Thursday, February 12, 5:30-7pm
Fee $10 for Each Entry / 1 Free Entry for SAAC Members

Competition Prospectus
Complete the online registration form below or print a copy of the prospectus.

TO ENTER submit up to two framed photographs along with a completed entry form and the entry fee for each piece.
• Original photographs created with any type of camera, printed on any media
• Basic corrective editing, but no graphic manipulations
• Entires can not have previously shown in past ViewFinder Competitions

DELIVER entries by January 27, 2026, to the South Arkansas Arts Center at 110 East 5th Street, El Dorado, Arkansas 71730.

PRIZE AWARDS

BEST of SHOW • $500
1st Place • $250
2nd Place • $150
3rd Place • $100
plus the
Sponsor’s Purchase Award
for the Best Union County “America 250” Photo • $250

SPONSOR’S PURCHASE AWARD Best Union County Photo $250

Photos taken in Union County are also eligible for the “America 250” Sponsor’s Purchase Award. Celebrate America’s upcoming 250th anniversary by capturing a photo that portrays the American spirit through your lens. Submit an image from across Union County that reflects patriotism, American flags, or meaningful symbols of our nation, from home-town traditions to powerful moments of community pride. If your entry is selected by the sponsors, you will receive an additional $250 cash prize separate from the judge’s awards. Your entry will become part of The Diamond Agency’s artwork collection, and the image will be featured in an upcoming edition of the “El Dorado Insider” publication.

Photographs can be take with any type of camera and printed on any medium. Basic corrective editing in the dark room or digitally on the computer is allowed but no graphic manipulations. Photographs must have not previously shown in past ViewFinder Competitions. Each piece must be ready for display in the gallery with a sufficient hanging method. The judge and show chairperson have final authority to define what constitutes an acceptable entry.

ENTRIES/FEE: Limit 2 pieces per person with an entry fee of $10 each. SAAC members can enter one photograph for free.
DEADLINE: January 27 – Entries must be received in the SAAC Office by Tuesday, January 27, 2026.
DELIVERY/PICK-UP: Works must be delivered to SAAC by January 27 and picked up on March 2-3. Artists are responsible for the delivery and pickup of all works. Shipped pieces must include a return shipping instructions when received. Work not picked up after 30 days will become the property of SAAC
EXHIBITION: All works will be on exhibit in SAAC’s Galleries February 2 – March 1, 2026. An Artist Reception will be held February 12, 5:30-7:00pm with an awards presentation at 6:00pm. All work must remain for the duration of the exhibit.
SALES: Sales are encouraged. A 35% commission will be charged on all sales resulting from the exhibition. Works NOT FOR SALE must be marked NFS.
WAIVER: Any work submitted may be reproduced for promotional purposes by the South Arkansas Arts Center, El Dorado Insider, or The Diamond Agency. All prize winners will need to provide the original photo or digital file so a high resolution, print-ready file can be made for sponsor’s use. The receipt of an entry in the competition will constitute agreement by the artist with all conditions set forth in the prospectus.

South Arkansas Arts Center

Entry Form for The Viewfinder

Artists may submit up to 2 entires. Complete the Online Entry Form then deliver the work to SAAC by February 1.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

  • Entry #1

  • Artist receive 65% of listed price. Gallery commission 35%.
  • This field is hidden when viewing the form

  • Entry #2

  • Artist receive 65% of listed price. Gallery commission 35%.
  • This field is hidden when viewing the form

  • • I hereby certify that the entry described here is my original unaltered photography. I have read and fully understand the rules of the competition and agree to allow the artwork to be reproduced for promotional purposes. • Any work submitted may be reproduced for promotional purposes by the South Arkansas Arts Center, El Dorado Insider, or The Diamond Agency. All prize winners will need to provide the original photo or digital file so a high resolution, print-ready file can be made for sponsor's use. The receipt of an entry in the competition will constitute agreement by the artist with all conditions set forth in the prospectus.

  • • Click the submit button to upload the form. If an entry fee is due, please pay at SAAC when delivering artwork.