Sixth Southeast Regional Opening Reception

Exhibition Dates: September 19, 2026 - January 16, 2027 The Sixth LaGrange Southeast Regional Biennial Competition, presented by the LaGrange Art Museum and the Lamar Dodd Art Center, continues a distinguished tradition of celebrating and advancing contemporary artistic practice throughout the Southeast. The exhibition provides audiences in West Georgia and East Alabama with access to exceptional contemporary art while offering participating artists valuable opportunities for exhibition, recognition, and inclusion in institutional collections. Through the generous support of the Callaway Foundation, purchase awards further strengthen the growing collections of contemporary American art held by both institutions. Selected from 1,161 works submitted by 338 artists, this year’s exhibition features 129 works by 95 artists representing 11 states: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. This exhibition celebrates the vital role artists play in communities across the region and highlights the unique experiences, places, and perspectives that shape their work. Through this continued collaboration, the Biennial strengthens the region’s creative community and provides an important platform for artists whose work contributes to the evolving story of contemporary art in the Southeast. History of the Biennial Competition The LaGrange Southeast Regional traces its roots to the LaGrange National Competition, which began in 1964 as the Gardens Art Festival, organized by the Chattahoochee Valley Art Association, LaGrange College, and Callaway Gardens. In 1974, the competition was moved to LaGrange, took the name LaGrange National, and was expanded from a regional to a national show. In 1984, the competition expanded again and displayed in two locations, with the Chattahoochee Valley Art Association Museum and the Lamar Dodd Art Center, of LaGrange College. Over the years, the LaGrange National earned an excellent reputation numerous distinguished jurors including Lloyd Goodrich, Richard Lahey, Carl Holty, Joseph Rishel, Larry Poons, Jane Livingston, Cynthia McCabe, Linda Cathcart, Ted Potter, Roy Slade, Henry Hopkins, Patterson Sims, Peter Mirin, Siri Engberg, Benny Andrews, Robert Lyon, Jane Jackson, Eleanor Heartney, J. Richard Gruber, Robert E. Steele, Annette Cone-Skelton, Deanna Sirlin, David Houston, Curlee Raven Holton, Daricia Mia DeMarr, Hannah Israel, and Melissa Messina.