Calling All Artists: The Backus Museum opens its annual juried photography competition for Through the Eye of the Camera
The A.E. Backus Museum & Gallery announces its Call to Artists for the annual juried photography exhibition, Through the Eye of the Camera.Now entering its fourth decade of excellence, the competition provides amateur and professional artists an exceptional opportunity to present their best works for consideration, honors, and public appreciation. Entries in both traditional and digital photography will be accepted by advance appointment April 15 through May 8. There is a $30 entry fee for artists entering 1-3 works, $25 entry fee for artists entering 4 or more works. This year’s full prospectus with application, dates, guidelines, categories, awards, and entry procedures is available to download from the Museum’s website at www.BackusMuseum.org/juried-shows or pick up during regular hours at the Museum, 500 North Indian River Drive in Historic Downtown Fort Pierce, Florida.
Photographers may enter their work in one of four subject categories: (1) Animal subjects; (2) Flora & Landscape subjects; (3) People/Portrait subjects; or (4) Open, for subjects that are not included in the three other categories. In addition to Best of Show, Director’s Choice, People’s Choice, and 1st-2nd-3rd and Award of Merit in the category awards, there is a special “Best Black & White Photograph” and “Best Film / Traditional RAW Photograph” award. Details are available in the prospectus.
Artists are required to sign up online for an entry appointment in advance. Each 15-minute entry appointment will accommodate one artist entering up to three (3) works of art; artists wishing to enter more than three works must sign up for additional entry appointments. Artists can access the online appointment schedule with all entry information at www.BackusMuseum.org/juried-shows.
The juried exhibition Through the Eye of the Camera will be on view May 15 through the close of the regular season on June 19, 2026, with accepted artists and award winners announced online by Thursday evening, May 14. The opening reception is planned for Friday, May 15 from 6:00-8:00 pm.
Collage Mirage: The Art of Derek Gores (through April 26) presents nearly 50 works by the internationally-known Florida artist. Gores’s visual language is expressed in energetic and lush compositions of magazines, maps, data, and more, all recycled into striking and ingenious imagery on canvas. Balancing precision and playfulness, Gores assembles, layers, and remixes both images and meaning with an eye for dynamic impact and clever wit. With every scrap and detail creating a fresh and new context, each work invites discovery and offers a novel perspective on our very visual world.
ALL DATES AND PROGRAMMING SUBJECT TO CHANGE; PLEASE CHECK THE WEBSITE FOR ANY UPDATES OR CANCELLATIONS.
About the A.E. Backus Museum & Gallery
Since its founding in 1960 and the first day the doors opened in 1961, the A.E. Backus Museum & Gallery has been a center and catalyst for creativity and culture in our region. The Museum houses the nation’s largest public presentation of artwork by Florida’s preeminent painter, A.E. “Bean” Backus (1906-1990), and also continues its more than sixty-year tradition of exhibiting and celebrating the paintings of the original Florida Highwaymen, who got their start here. In addition, the Museum organizes and hosts changing exhibitions from artists of regional, national and international acclaim. The Backus Museum was recognized as the 2026 Best Museum, 2021 Best Tourist Attraction, 2018 Best Museum in the Best of the Treasure Coast by the readers of Indian RiverMagazine; 2025 & 2022 Best of the Best Community Choice Award for Best Art Gallery; and the 2024 Best Art Gallery by Hometown News.
Hours: Wednesday – Saturday, 10 AM to 4 PM; Sunday, 12 Noon to 4 PM. Admission is $5 per person; AARP, AAA, and Veterans with appropriate ID receive a $2 discount. Students with school ID, children under 18, active duty military, and current members are always free. Additionally, the A.E. Backus Museum offers $1 admission to individuals and families presenting a SNAP Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card as part of the Museums for All access program, to encourage individuals of all backgrounds to visit museums regularly and build lifelong museum habits. Please note the City of Fort Pierce is working to improve the North Indian River Drive Corridor from Seaway Drive south to Avenue A through January 2027. The Museum will remain open and accessible. For more information see this Traffic Notice.
Treasure Coast Business is a news service and magazine published in print, via e-newsletter and online at tcbusiness.com by Indian River Media Group. For more information or to report news email news@indianrivermedia.com.