West Virginia announces 2026 veterans art show for America250 celebration

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The W.Va. Department of Tourism has announced plans for a 2026 Veterans Art Show, inviting West Virginia veterans to help commemorate the nation’s 250th anniversary through original works of art.

The exhibition, part of the statewide America250 celebration, will open on May 9, 2026, in the West Virginia Culture Center Museum Gallery in Charleston, where all accepted submissions will be on display for public viewing.

“I’m honored for the opportunity to invite our local veterans to participate in the America 250 celebrations,” Tourism Secretary Chelsea Ruby said.

“I can’t think of a better group of people to portray our country’s history than the brave West Virginia men and women who have fought for our freedom. I look forward to seeing all of the unique submissions.”

West Virginia Veterans Art Show to celebrate America250

West Virginia veterans are encouraged to submit artwork that reflects both national and local heritage. Entrants must be U.S. veterans and current residents of West Virginia. (Employees of the W.Va. Department of Tourism and their immediate families are not eligible to participate.)

Prizes will be awarded to the top three works, including a $1,000 Best of Show Purchase Award, $500 for second place, and $250 for third place. The winning piece will be added to the permanent collection of the West Virginia State Museum. To qualify for the purchase award, the sale price of an artwork cannot exceed $1,000.

How West Virginia veterans can submit artwork

Artists may submit up to two works in any medium except video or film, with entries not exceeding six feet in any dimension. Digital images of each piece must be submitted for jurying, with files clearly labeled according to the department’s specifications. Only selected entrants will be asked to deliver or ship physical works for display.

According to the prospectus, all works accepted for the exhibition will be insured by the West Virginia Department of Tourism for up to $10,000 while in the state’s possession. However, unstable or fragile pieces may require a waiver of insurance.

The agency also reserves the right to photograph accepted works for archival and publication purposes, with artists receiving credit for reproduced images.

Artworks sold during the exhibition will be subject to a 30 percent commission, and pieces marked “not for sale” will be displayed accordingly. No works may be removed before the close of the show.

Entries must be submitted by March 27, 2026. Additional registration requirements and entry forms are available through the Department of Tourism’s Exhibits Coordinator.

The show aims not only to celebrate America’s 250th birthday but also to highlight the creativity of the state’s veterans, honoring their service and artistic contributions to West Virginia’s cultural landscape.

For a complete list of rules and to access the entry form, click here.

West Virginia and its Veterans

West Virginia boasts a proud military history. The state has one of the highest rates of military service in the United States, and its National Cemeteries at Grafton are among the earliest established after the Civil War, honoring thousands of Union soldiers from Appalachian regiments.

For decades, the state has consistently ranked near the top nationally in terms of its population's percentage of veterans. This reflects a long tradition of military service, spanning from the Civil War—when the state was formed in the midst of the conflict—to major deployments in World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam, and modern operations.

The state’s strong enlistment rates and multigenerational service families make veterans a highly visible part of West Virginia communities.

West Virginia is home to both Grafton National Cemetery (established in 1867) and West Virginia National Cemetery (established in 1987), part of a federal effort to respectfully inter Union soldiers who died in the Appalachian Theater.

Grafton’s site is one of the earliest national cemeteries created after the Civil War and remains a central location for Memorial Day observances. Its history reflects the unique circumstances of West Virginia’s birth and the region’s deep roots in the Civil War.

West Virginia Culture Center Museum Gallery

The West Virginia Culture Center Museum Gallery is located within the West Virginia Culture Center on the West Virginia State Capitol Complex, accessible via I-64 / I-177 in Charleston.

Positioned directly behind the gold-domed Capitol and next to the Governor’s Mansion, the culture center serves as a primary hub for West Virginia history, arts, and cultural preservation. Its museum gallery hosts rotating exhibitions throughout the year.

The building also houses the West Virginia State Museum, the Archives & History Library, the State Theater, and offices dedicated to arts and cultural programs. West Virginia Culture Center Address: 1900 Kanawha Blvd. East, Charleston, WV 25305.