McKean County Youth Art Exhibition
In honor of America's 250th anniversary in 2026, Pitt-Bradford Arts, in partnership with Leadership McKean, is proud to present a county-wide youth art exhibition celebrating what makes McKean County special.
This exhibition is an opportunity to:
- Celebrate our nation's 250th birthday by showcasing local pride and community spirit
- Provide young artists throughout McKean County a platform to share their unique perspectives
- Foster creativity and artistic expression among students of all ages and skill levels
- Bring our community together through the eyes of our youth
- Create a lasting tribute to what makes McKean County a wonderful place to live
Through this collaboration we're combining arts education, community engagement, and civic celebration to honor both our local heritage and our nation's milestone anniversary. If there are any questions please reach out to upbarts@pitt.edu
Important Dates
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| May 8, 2026 | Application Deadline |
| May 11 - 16, 2026 | Jury Review Period |
| May 18, 2026 | Artists Notified via Email of Selections |
| May 20-31, 2026 | Artwork Drop-off at Pitt-Bradford and locations throughout McKean County |
| June 5, 2026 | Opening Celebration (Date TBD) |
| July 13 - 17, 2026 | Artwork Pickup |
How to Submit
- Complete the Application Form
- Available at any registration buttons on the page
- One form required per student (not per artwork). Digital upload for images are required.
- Prepare Your Artwork
- Ensure work meets size requirements
- Attach identification label to back of each piece with: student name, age, and artwork title.
- If possible, save artwork with the following file name. Students First & Last Name and number 1, 2 or 3. SamSmith1.jpg, SamSmith2, SamSmith3
- Submit by Deadline
- Applications must be received by May 8, 2026. No late submissions will be accepted.
Entry Fee: FREE
Selection Process
All submissions will be reviewed by a jury panel May 11-16. Artists will be notified of jury decisions by May 18, 2026. This is a juried exhibition, meaning not all submitted works may be selected for display. Selection is based on artistic merit, adherence to theme, and exhibition space considerations.
Eligibility
Open to: All students ages 5-18 living in McKean County, Pennsylvania, including:
- Public school students (K-12)
- Private school students
- Homeschool students
- Any young artist residing in McKean County
Theme: "Why I Love McKean County"
We want to see McKean County through your eyes! Your artwork can celebrate:
- Our beautiful landscapes and natural areas
- Local communities and neighborhoods
- Cultural traditions and heritage
- Favorite memories or special places
- People who make our county great
- Something fun that represents McKean County to you
- Anything that shows what makes this place special
Media Accepted: Drawing, painting, sculpture, mixed media, photography, and more.
Size Requirements: Maximum size: 16" x 20" (including frame/matting)
Submission Limit: Up to 3 pieces per student, please complete an application for each student.
Important Requirements:
Loan Agreement
A loan agreement must be signed by a parent/guardian before any artwork will be displayed. This agreement will be provided to selected artists after jury notification and artwork cannot be exhibited without a signed loan agreement
Artwork Drop-off
Selected works must be delivered May 20-31, 2026. There will be multiple drop-off locations that will be available throughout McKean County for convenience. Drop off can also happen at Pitt-Bradford. Specific locations and times will be provided in the acceptance notification.
Artwork Pickup
All artwork must be picked up July 13-17, 2026. Works not retrieved within 30 days after the exhibition ends will be considered abandoned. The gallery is not responsible for work left beyond the pickup deadline.
Artwork Preparation
All 2D work must be ready to hang (framed with hanging hardware, no standing frames). 3D work must be stable and ready for installation. Please contact the gallery if you need guidance on artwork preparation.
Image Use
By participating, artists grant permission for their work to be photographed and used for promotional purposes related to this exhibition and future programming
If there are any questions please reach out to upbarts@pitt.edu