The 2026 Van Gogh Challenge: Spring in the Valley

The 2026 theme is a celebration of renewal, creativity, agriculture, and community rooted in California’s Central Valley. This year’s challenge invites creators to interpret the richness of springtime—its vibrant colors, landscapes, stories, and agricultural heartbeat—maintaining the expressive, nature-centric inspiration found in Van Gogh’s work.

Program Goals

The Van Gogh Challenge is a cultural initiative designed to:

Disclaimer: We do not condone trespassing, and we advise photo contest participants to utilize the pre-determined photo locations of the Almond Blossom Cruise or to get permission from owners of the property planned to use for location shots.  

The Challenge is open to visual artists of all backgrounds and experience levels residing or working in the Central Valley.

Participation Levels: Includes categories for Professionals/Amateurs (18+), Youth (Under 18), and a Mobile Category for smartphone submissions of all ages.  

Eligibility Note: Employees, board members, and committee members of Visit Modesto, Stanislaus Arts Council, judges, and their immediate families or household members are not eligible to win.

All works must reflect the Spring in the Valley theme. Artists are encouraged to interpret this broadly, celebrating nature, agriculture, and renewal.

Accepted Mediums:

Painting: Oil, Acrylic, Watercolor.

Digital Art & Illustration.

Photography.

Textiles & Fabric Arts.

Sculpture.

Mixed Media.

Submission Requirements:

Works must be original, created by the entrant, and completed after January 1, 2024.

Works must be inspired by or created within California’s Central Valley.  

Digital Adjustments: Standard cropping, color correction, and light edits are acceptable for photography and digital art; however, AI-generated content or excessive alterations that misrepresent the original work are strictly prohibited.

All submissions require artists to check the release of rights for use by Visit Modesto for commercial and promotional purposes. 

For a photo in which a person is recognizable, you must be prepared to provide a model release from the subject or, in the case of a minor, the subject’s parent or guardian, to Visit Modesto upon request.  

If the entrant is unable to provide all required releases, Visit Modesto in its sole discretion reserves the right to disqualify the submission, seek to secure the required releases, or permit the submission to remain in the contest. All entries must include; photographer name, location of photo, title for work 

Photos must be taken in accordance with federal, state and local laws and with appropriate permission from property owners. Photos that violate or infringe upon another person’s rights, including but not limited to copyright, are not eligible. Photos that contain sexually explicit, nude, obscene, violent or other objectionable or inappropriate content, as determined by Visit Modesto in its sole discretion, are ineligible for all categories of this contest. 

Submissions must be made through VisitModesto.com during the official open call:

📅 Entry Period: February 1 – April 4, 2026

A multiregional panel will evaluate submissions based on creativity, technical quality, and relevance to the theme.

Please do not contact us about the status of entries or judging. 

Winners will receive a non-monetary prize package which may include:

Art supplies or professional tools.

Gift cards to local businesses and regional arts hubs.

Tickets to regional museums or attractions.

Exhibition opportunities and features on Visit Modesto platforms.

The 2026 Challenge culminates in a public celebration of creativity:

Awards Ceremony: Scheduled for April 16, 2026, aligned with the Modesto Art Walk.

Gallery Exhibition: A showcase of top submissions and the “Youth in Bloom” feature wall.

Mural Unveiling: A kickoff installation aligned with the Almond Blossom Cruise launch.

All entrants hold the Visit Modesto and contest sponsors and their respective regents, directors, officers, employees, emeriti, fellows, interns, research associates, and volunteers (the “Indemnified Parties”) harmless from and against all claims of any nature arising in connection with entrant’s participation in the contest and acceptance or use of a prize. The Indemnified Parties are not liable for any costs, damages, injuries, or other claims incurred because of entrants’ participation in the contest or winner’s acceptance and usage of a prize. The Indemnified Parties are not responsible for incomplete or misdirected entries, technical or network malfunctions or failures, or causes beyond their control.  

Entrants are solely responsible for their entries. Entrants may not submit materials that introduce any software viruses, worms or other programs designed to damage software, hardware or telecommunications equipment or are off-topic, partisan-political, contain advertising, nudity, personal attacks or expletives, or is otherwise abusive, threatening, unlawful, harassing, discriminatory, libelous, obscene, false, sexually explicit, or that infringes on the rights of any third party. 

The contest is void where prohibited or restricted by law. Visit Modesto reserves the right to cancel the contest or modify these rules at its discretion. In the event of a dispute regarding the winners, Visit Modesto reserves the right to award or not award the prizes in its sole discretion. Visit Modesto reserves the right to disqualify any entrant whose entry or conduct appears in any way to: inhibit the enjoyment of others; tamper with the competition; violate these rules or other applicable law or regulation; infringe on the rights of third parties; or act in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner. Decisions of Visit Modesto are final and binding.