The Gibbes Museum of Art, a beacon for the arts in the American South since its establishment in 1858, has extended the submission deadline for the Society 1858 Prize for Contemporary Southern Art to Sept. 14.
One of the leading artist competitions in the Southeast, the prize drew more than 350 entries last year. In addition to artists who currently reside in one of the 14 eligible Southern states (see eligibility rules HERE), artists who live elsewhere may also enter if they are originally from one of those states. Entries are accepted only through the competition's SlideRoom portal.
Due to popular demand, the Gibbes has expanded eligibility by adding two states to its call for artists. Maryland and Texas now join the previous 12 eligible states.
Now in its 18th year, the prize is presented by Society 1858, the Gibbes Museum's young professionals auxiliary group. In addition to the cash award, one artwork by the winning artist will be exhibited at the museum for one year. The Gibbes will also invite the winner to Charleston in February 2027 for the official unveiling of the artwork.
The invitation includes a three-day celebration honoring the artist, including the annual Society 1858 Winter Party and the Amy P. Coy Forum, where the artist will speak about their work at the Gibbes Museum. The selection jury includes arts professionals, Society 1858 representatives and the previous award recipient. More information about the prize is available HERE.
The 2025 winner was Kandy G. Lopez, an Afro-Caribbean American artist from Florida. The Gibbes Museum recently acquired one of her works for its permanent collection. The multidisciplinary artist explores cultural identity, representation and power through fiber, painting, glass and mixed media.
Since winning the 2025 Society 1858 Prize for Contemporary Southern Art, Lopez has debuted her first international solo exhibition at the Florence Foundation in Paris, presented her second New York gallery solo exhibition at ACA Galleries, and exhibited at the Armory Art Center, Ringling College of Art + Design and the North Dakota Museum of Art.
"I was deeply honored to receive this prize from the Gibbes Museum and Society 1858," Lopez said. "The competition prides itself on being a community-driven, educational experience for artists. And for me, it became a spiritual experience, thanks to the hospitality and generosity of the people of Charleston. The support from these unrestricted funds inspires me to continue learning and exploring new ideas that shape my practice."
More information about Lopez is available at gibbesmuseum.org/1858-prize/kandy-g-lopez-2025-winner.
"The Society 1858 Prize for Contemporary Southern Art gets to the heart of what the Gibbes Museum of Art is all about, and what it has been about since the museum's founding in 1858," said Dr. H. Alexander Rich, president and CEO of the Gibbes Museum. "Celebrating and supporting living artists who represent the best of the South is core to our mission, and each year the Society 1858 Prize highlights not only an exceptional winning artist but also the breadth of Southern creativity and ingenuity. The Gibbes and Society 1858 are proud to champion emerging and established artists from throughout the region, whose work pushes us to think differently about American identity and artistry today."
Since its inaugural award in 2008, the Society 1858 Prize for Contemporary Southern Art has recognized artistic achievement across all media. Previous winners have gone on to receive major national honors, including awards and fellowships from the Guggenheim Memorial Foundation, Joan Mitchell Foundation, United States Artists and the Pollock-Krasner Foundation. Works by past winners have entered the permanent collections of institutions including The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the National Gallery of Art and the Art Institute of Chicago.
The Gibbes Museum has also acquired works by several prize winners and finalists for its permanent collection. Society 1858 supports the museum year-round through social and educational programs for emerging art patrons. Funds raised by the group support the prize competition, as well as exhibitions and educational initiatives at the Gibbes Museum.
Artists are eligible to enter if they currently live or work in, or are originally from, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia or West Virginia.