Jury Day 2026

 

What is a Juried Member?

The “Juried Member” designation is awarded to Artist members of the League who have submitted a body of work on Jury Day deemed by a panel of independent art professionals to meet an elevated standard of excellence, according to criteria established by the League.

NOTE: The League’s annual Jury Day is NOT the same as getting juried into a specific show at the League Gallery. “Juried Member” status is not a requirement to submit work to a Gallery show or to participate in the Hidden in the Hills Studio Tour. All you need for those is League membership.

Jury Day Registration and Information Sessions

Registration for Jury Day opens on Oct 27 2025, with slots available for up to 30 artists.

A REGISTER FOR JURY DAY 2026 button will appear at the bottom of this page soon. You’ll be able to register from this page or through the League’s Event Calendar from Oct 27 or until 30 slots are filled.

To learn more about Jury Day, read the rest of this page. Watch the three short videos at the bottom and download the Jury Day Information Handout and Jurying Criteria. The handout will be updated to 2026 soon but the process is largely the same year-to-year.

We encourage you to attend one of two Information Sessions to learn about Jury Day in an interactive setting before registration opens. Click one of these links to register for a session:

Why Become a Juried Member?

Participants in Jury Day get the benefit of professional feedback about their work and the chance to become a Juried Member of the League.

The “Juried Member” designation is recognized…

  • In the artist’s profile on the Sonoran Arts League website;
  • Next to the artist’s name in various League publications, including the “Hidden in The Hills” (HITH) Directory;
  • On title cards when that artist shows work in Sonoran Arts League Gallery exhibitions.
  • On a special “Juried Member” League badge that Juried Members can purchase.

Newly Juried Members will have the opportunity to…

  • Submit work to the Gallery shows limited to Juried Members only;
  • Opt-in for special social media promotion (when offered);
  • List this accomplishment on their own websites and resumes.

Types of Media and Artwork

On Jury Day, participating artists submit five pieces of their work. Submit work in one medium only, to show mastery of that medium. Artists who become “Juried Members” retain that status no matter what media they may choose to work in afterwards. They will be free to submit work in any medium for Gallery Calls for Art, the Hidden in the Hills Studio Tour, etc.

Submitted artwork must be original work.
We do NOT allow:

  • Work that is copied, in part or whole, from any published or locally shown work that is not your original work;
  • Pieces done in a workshop or class, student work, or work completed under the guidance of a mentor;
  • Giclée’s or photographs of original paintings printed on canvas.

Criteria for Evaluation

Jurors, who are accomplished art professionals NOT associated with the League, evaluate whether the five submitted pieces rise to the level of a consistent and professional body of work, based on criteria defined by the League (see below).

Keep in mind that:

  • Jurors evaluate against set criteria but their decisions are, to an extent, subjective;
  • Artwork submitted for jurying should be in “gallery-ready” state. Click the short video link below to find out what that means;
  • Jurors can consider a specific criterion “N/A” if it does not apply to the work being evaluated.

For More Information

Short Videos:

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If you have questions about Jury Day after reviewing these materials, please send an email to jurycommittee@sonoranartsleague.org or contact the Sonoran Arts League office at 480-575-6624.