Call for Entry: 23rd Appalachian Mountain Photography Competition Opens at the Turchin Center for the Visual Arts
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Call for Entry: 23rd Appalachian Mountain Photography Competition Opens at the Turchin Center for the Visual Arts
Theme: I Know Why the Mockingbird Sings
Exhibition Dates: February 6 – May 2, 2026
Submission Deadline: November 20, 2025
BOONE, N.C.
— The Turchin Center for the Visual Arts (TCVA) at Appalachian State University
invites photographers to submit work for the 23rd Appalachian Mountain Photography
Competition (AMPC), opening February 6, 2026. This year’s theme,
“I Know Why the
Mockingbird Sings,
” was chosen by juror Ty Murray, artivist and Director of Art &
Communications at The Bottom, a nonprofit cultural organization in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Murray describes the inspiration behind the theme:
“Joy is at the heart of my creative practice. My gears were turning for a theme that
could convey the freedom that joy embodies—like the feeling of an uncaged bird
taking flight. A title with a twist on Maya Angelou's I Know Why the Caged Bird
Sings came shortly after.
In Appalachia, where memories move through mountains and stories echo through
hollers, joy can be an act of devotion or defiance. This year’s theme invites
photographers to tune into the moments that heal, harmonize, uplift, and unburden.
”
Photographers are encouraged to explore where joy takes root—whether found in solitude,
community, nature, or creative practice—and share that vision through their lenses.
Submissions
The AMPC continues to offer two entry options:●
Single-Image Submission: Artists may submit 1–5 standalone images for a $15 entry
fee.
●
Series Submission: Artists may submit 6–12 images from a single body of work for a
$20 entry fee. Selected artists will exhibit six images chosen by the juror.
Deadline for submissions: November 20, 2025, at 5:00pm EST.
Artists will be notified of acceptance by December 12, 2025, and must deliver artwork to the
Turchin Center by January 16, 2026. Complimentary return shipping via FedEx will be provided.
Submit your work:
●
Single-image submissions: https://tcva.slideroom.com/#/permalink/program/86480
●
Series submissions: https://tcva.slideroom.com/#/permalink/program/86481
Exhibition & Programming
The exhibition opens Friday, February 6, 2026, with a public reception featuring an ARTtalk,
awards, and DJ session with juror Ty Murray / DJ Soularia.
Public programming throughout the exhibition will include:
●
A collaborative call-and-response Write It Out workshop in partnership with The Bottom
(Knoxville, TN)
●
A community-curated playlist inspired by the exhibition theme
●
People’s Choice voting, held in-person at the gallery, with awards announced at the
exhibition closing
The exhibition will remain on view through May 2, 2026.
About the Juror: Ty Murray
A multidisciplinary artist rooted in the Appalachian South, Ty Murray identifies as a storyteller
whose creative practice bridges art, activism, and community. Her work—spanning photography,
ceramics, DJing, and curation—celebrates the intersections of identity, land, and joy. As Art &Communications Director for The Bottom, Murray curates sensory experiences that honor the
past while envisioning liberated futures.
About the Appalachian Mountain Photography Competition
Now in its 23rd year, the AMPC celebrates the people, places, and natural beauty of
Appalachia. The competition is presented by the Turchin Center for the Visual Arts in
partnership with Appalachian State University’s Outdoor Programs.
The Turchin Center extends its gratitude to last year’s sponsors whose generous support helped
make the AMPC possible: Mast General Store, Appalachian Voices, Bistro Roca, Footsloggers
Outfitters, Peabody’s, and Stickboy Bread Company.
Important Dates
Event Date
Online Submission System Opens September 26, 2025
Deadline for Entries November 20, 2025 @ 5 PM EST
Notifications Emailed December 12, 2025
Artwork Delivery January 12–16, 2026
Exhibition Opens February 6, 2026
Exhibition Closes May 2, 2026
ARTtalk, Awards Reception, & DJ Set February 6, 2026
For complete submission guidelines and details, visit tinyurl.com/23rdampc or contact:
Shauna Caldwell
Associate Curator for Academic Engagement
Email:
