2027 Visionary Peace Call for Artwork
About the Program
For ten years, Pacem’s Arts for Peace program has invited Delaware youth to share their visions of peace through art. All submitted artwork will be displayed at the annual Visionary Peace Youth Art Exhibition Opening at the The Delaware Contemporary on Sunday, February 28, 2027.
Each year, students explore themes such as emotional well-being, kindness, love, unity, diversity, and global harmony. Through their artwork, students demonstrate that peace is something we actively create through compassion, connection, and understanding.
A jury will select artwork with especially strong messages of peace for inclusion in the Pacem in Terris Traveling Peace Youth Art Exhibition. Selected pieces will be professionally photographed, reproduced, and displayed at more than 30 public locations annually, reaching over 500,000 viewers each year. Exhibition locations include Nemours Hospital for Children, The Grand, Delaware Courthouses, The Hope Center, and Social Service Centers and community spaces throughout Delaware.
Submission Requirements
Artwork Theme
Students should respond to one or more of the following prompts:
What is your vision of a peaceful world?
What does a peaceful future look like?
How can we create a more peaceful world together?
Artwork Expectations
Focus on positive expressions of peace
Be colorful and visually engaging
Use little or no white background
Reflect originality and creativity
To ensure the exhibition remains welcoming and trauma-sensitive for all students, artwork may not include images of violence, weapons, guns, bombs, or other disturbing content.
Artist Statement
Each submission must include a short artist statement on the front of the mounted piece.
The artist statement should briefly explain the student’s vision of peace or the message behind the artwork.
2–3 sentences
Maximum 50 words
Elementary students: handwritten
Middle and high school students: typed
Artwork Format
All submissions must be original, two-dimensional (2D) artwork.
Accepted media include: Drawing, Painting, Photography, Collage, Digital art/design, Mixed media mounted on paper.
Size Requirements
Artwork must be on paper, lightweight cardstock, or canvas.
The total submission size — including the artist statement — must not exceed **16” x 20”**. Smaller sizes are welcome.
Mounting Guidelines
Artwork must be securely mounted on construction paper, lightweight mat board, or similar lightweight backing.
Heavy frames, glass, or 3D elements will not be accepted.
Lightweight mats are permitted if they remain within the size limit.
Labeling
If possible, please label the back of each submission with: Student name, Student Grade, School name, Teacher name
Important Notes
Each teacher may submit up to **30 pieces of artwork**.
Submitted artwork may be considered for inclusion in the Pacem in Terris Traveling Peace Youth Art Exhibition.
Selected artwork will be photographed and reproduced for public exhibition and educational display purposes.
Because artwork travels to multiple locations, all submissions must be lightweight, durable, and easy to transport.
Deadline: The deadline for submitting artwork is December 16, 2026.
REGISTER NOW! to reserve your spot at the Visionary Peace Youth Art Exhibition
Questions: Contact Carolyn Bitzer cb@depaceminterris.org or Donna Jenkins dj@depaceminterris.org
Check out our current Arts for Peace video and Traveling Peace Youth Art Exhibition schedule!
Delaware Pacem In Terris 