42nd Annual ASGSR Conference

2026 Art Competition

December 2–5, 2026 · Crystal City, VA

Open to All Conference Attendees: Active Competitions, Honors, and Awards

ASGSR Art Competition

Description and History

The American Society for Gravitational and Space Research (ASGSR) invites artists to submit their original work for consideration in the annual ASGSR Art Contest, held in conjunction with the ASGSR Annual Meeting. This contest celebrates the intersection of art and scientific exploration, showcasing creative works inspired by gravitational and space-related research.

Eligibility

The competition is open to all artists attending the 2026 Annual Meeting. ASGSR membership is not required.

Submission Guidelines

  • Conference Theme: From Atoms to Astronauts: Transformative Science for a New Era of Exploration.
  • Originality and Copyright: All submitted work must be the original creation of the artist and must not infringe on any copyrights or intellectual property rights.
  • Eligibility of Original Artwork (Physical Submissions): The “original creation” of the artist requires submission as a physical 2D (e.g. painting, drawing, or traditional print media display such as photograph or lithography) or 3D (e.g. sculpture or model) work produced by the attending artist for display at the ASGSR meeting.
  • Digital and AI-Generated Artwork Policy: AI-produced printed graphics are not considered “original creations” for inclusion as artistic media for the ASGSR. Computer generated images and art are permitted as long as they are the primary or derivative work of the artist, not a direct AI product. Photo editing and other forms of image processing are also permitted. For example, submitting a print of an AI-generated image that is the product of prompt-driven input that used AI to generate an image is not permitted.
  • Submission Review and Approval: ASGSR reserves the right to reject submissions that do not meet the guidelines or are deemed inappropriate.
  • Usage and Publication Rights: By submitting artwork, artists grant ASGSR permission to display their work online and in print materials related to the ASGSR Annual Meeting, and on the ASGSR website, Newsletter, Journal, and other published materials.

Technical Requirements and Display Information

  • 2D Artwork: ASGSR will provide easels for the display of 2D pieces. The maximum weight for 2D artwork is 20lbs.
  • 3D Artwork (Sculptures and Models): ASGSR will provide up to a 6′ tabletop for the display of sculptures and original models with a maximum weight of 20lbs. The artist is responsible for any specialized display needs beyond the provided tabletop.
  • Delivery and Retrieval: Artists are responsible for the delivery and retrieval of their artwork to and from the designated display area at the ASGSR Annual Meeting, including any shipping or handling costs. Specific drop-off and pick-up times will be communicated to accepted artists.
  • Liability: ASGSR is not responsible for any damage to artwork during transit or display.
  • Display Requirement: All artwork must remain on display for the duration of the ASGSR Annual Meeting.

Judging Criteria

The selection process combines peer evaluation and selection by voting  with editorial committee oversight to highlight the best in scientific artistry:

  • GSR Journal Cover Award: The winner of this prestigious category will have their artwork featured on the cover of the 2027 volume of Gravitational and Space Research, the ASGSR’s open-access journal.
    • Selection: Chosen by the Gravitational and Space Research (GSR) Editorial Board.
    • Requirement: Must be original scientific imagery; creative rearrangement or mixing of multiple images is not permitted for this category.
  • Audience Choice Awards: These honors recognize work that resonates most with the biological and physical space sciences community. This will be determined by a vote of registered ASGSR conference attendees based on:
    • Artistic Merit: Focuses on creativity and visual impact. May include photographs, digital art, paintings, or sketches. Creative mixing of images into an art-form is encouraged here.
    • Technical Merit: Focuses on the excellence of the scientific imagery itself.
  • Judging Committee Special Awards: A dedicated committee may also select winners based on specific criteria such as technical skill, relevance to ASGSR, and the clarity of the accompanying artist statement.

Submission Instructions

  • Artist Information: Submissions should include Artist’s Name, Contact Information (email/phone), Title of Work, Medium, Dimensions, Year Created, and Artist Statement.
  • Electronic Submission Materials: Artists are asked to submit a photograph or electronic copy of their artwork, along with a brief artist statement (100–200 words) describing the work, its relationship to the theme, and the artistic process.
  • Submission Method: Submissions have closed.
  • Deadline: October 23rd, 2026, 11:59PM EDT.