Each year, Gainesville Area Visual Arts (GAVA) distributes scholarships to local graduating seniors. This year’s 2026 scholarship recipients are both Gainesville High School graduates. Thanks to the February For the Love of Art event, the organization was able to give $4,000 in GAVA scholarships.
Deno received $2,440 and will attend North Central Texas College to study visual arts and photography.
Charlie received $1,560, and she plans to attend Escape Studios in London, England to study graphic design and animation.
Additionally, GAVA is currently planning for its annual fall art exhibition.
This year’s theme is EXTRAORDINARY PERSPECTIVE. All artists in North Texas and Oklahoma are invited to submit a maximum of four pieces of art to GAVA’s annual art exhibition at the Santa Fe Depot Museum, 605 E California Street in Gainesville. This is an open show that requires original art only (no artificial intelligence [AI]) that has not been shown in the GAVA Fall Art Exhibition in the last four years.
Alan Burris is this year’s GAVA judge. Burris will select the 1st, 2nd, 3rd place winners and two Honorable Mentions for four categories: Traditional, Contemporary, Three Dimensional and Photography/Digital. As an artist, Burris has produced a large body of work over many years, using a variety of media and exploring a wide array of subject matter. As an art instructor/lecturer for 23 years with Murray State College, Burris has taken a traditional academic approach to the history, creation and meaning of visual art from a western perspective.
Along with the GAVA Awards there will be a Theme prize, the Breaking the Mold Deaver Art Award, and new to 2026, the Gwen Novak One of a Kind Art Award. Novak was a truly extraordinary artist, beautiful friend and GAVA Member who passed away in January 2026. Many local businesses will also present their own unique awards and prize money. Follow the GAVA Facebook page for announcements of which businesses will be giving awards.
Entry fee for GAVA members is $15 per entry and $20 per entry for non-members.
Artists can join GAVA when they submit their art to get the reduced fee. Art submission is Saturday, Aug. 29 – 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday, Aug. 30 - noon to 3 p.m. Students are encouraged to enter their art. GAVA reserves the right to exclude any art deemed inappropriate. Visit the GAVA website for the Prospectus and Entry Form: www.gainesvilleareavisualarts.org.
The Opening Reception & Awards will be on Saturday, Sept. 5 from 6-8 p.m. GAVA is excited to announce that the Fall Art Exhibition Original Art Raffle will feature art from Gary Woodall, Ruth Williamson, Diana Erbskorn and Jim Connell. Tickets will be one for $5 or three for $10.
The exhibition is free to the public and runs from Sunday, Sept. 6 to Sunday, Sept. 13, and will be open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays. You get to be a judge of our 2026 Fall Art Exhibition with our People’s Choice Award, too. When you come visit to see all the art, simply scan the QR code or visit the GAVA website to cast your vote using the entry number of your favorite piece of art in this year’s show. The winning artist will win $50 for Michaels, a ribbon and a certificate.
For additional information about GAVA and this year’s Fall Art Exhibition, please email Show Chair and GAVA President, Joe Conner at [email protected]
