Call for Artists: 31st Annual Mary S. Oakley & Lee Lindsay Area Artist Showcase Expands to 100-Mile Radius
Quincy, IL - The Quincy Art Center is calling all artists ages 18 and older living within a 100-mile radius of Quincy, IL to submit their work for the 31st Annual Mary S. Oakley & Lee Lindsay Area Artist Showcase. This juried exhibition, one of the region’s most anticipated arts events, will run from November 21, 2025 - January 10, 2026.
For the first time in its history, the Showcase has expanded eligibility to include artists living within 45 counties in Illinois, Iowa, and Missouri. Each year, this exhibition celebrates the legacy of art patrons Mary S. Oakley and Lee Lindsay while highlighting the talent and creativity of regional artists.
Artists may submit up to three original works in any medium, completed within the last three years. Work must be delivered to Quincy Art Center October 28 - November 1, 2025, from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. There is a $20 non-refundable fee per artwork ($5 discount per piece for Quincy Art Center Members).
This year’s juror, Joshua Johnson, MFA, brings a wealth of experience to the selection process. Johnson is Co-Senior Curator at the Figge Art Museum in Davenport, Iowa, where he has served in a range of roles since 2015, including Assistant Registrar and Assistant Curator of Contemporary and Interdisciplinary Art. He holds an MFA in Studio Art from American University in Washington, D.C., and a BFA in Sculpture and Painting from Dominican University in Illinois, with additional graduate work in Museum Studies at Western Illinois University. Johnson has also taught art and art history and juried numerous exhibitions across the Quad Cities region.
Johnson will select up to 100 works for exhibition and award $4,000 in cash prizes, including Best of Show ($1,500), Second Place ($750), Third Place ($400), the Linda Buechting Watercolor Award ($150), and multiple Merit and Honorable Mention Awards.
The opening reception, scheduled for November 21, 2025, from 6pm - 8pm, is a lively and well-attended event, drawing art enthusiasts, patrons, and artists each year, making it an exceptional opportunity for artists to gain exposure and connect with the community.
The Mary S. Oakley & Lee Lindsay Area Artist Showcase is generously sponsored by the Oakley and Lindsay families, with additional support from the Illinois Arts Council, Daryl Buechting, and Quincy Art Center sponsors and members.
For full eligibility guidelines and entry forms, visit www.quincyartcenter.org, contact Quincy Art Center at (217) 223-5900, or visit at 1515 Jersey St., Quincy, IL to pick up an entry form.
