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NORTH CAROLINA VETERAN
ART SHOW

5TH ANNUAL VETERAN ART SHOW
OCTOBER 2ND - 16TH, 2026
DAG GOLDEN BELT GALLERY
MILL NO. 1 AT GOLDEN BELT CAMPUS
800 TAYLOR ST.
DURHAM, NC 27701

Please join us for the 5th Annual North Carolina Veteran Art Show from Friday, October 2nd, to Friday, October 16th, at the Durham Art Guild Golden Belt Gallery.  The Joel Fund and Heart2Hand Veteran artist Lt. Colonel (retired), Bernardine Donato, are excited to host the two-week art exhibit in partnership with Durham Art Guild. This family-friendly art show will contain original pieces created by North Carolina Veterans of all backgrounds, art levels, and branches of service.

Gallery Hours: 
  • Monday – Saturday, 10 am – 7 pm
  • Sunday, 12 pm – 4 pm

There is free, paved parking on site with accessible entrance.

During the Third Friday Durham Art Walk, an Artist Talk and Closing Reception is planned for October 16th, from 6:00-7:15 pm, with light refreshments until 8:00 pm. This event is designed to foster community engagement and honor the service and artistic talent of North Carolina veterans. The structured program, from 6:00 PM to 7:15 PM, will feature a moderated Artist Talk panel, audience Q&A, an art tour, and a meet and greet with veteran artists. Please visit this website to see the other events and galleries that are open for the evening! https://downtowndurham.com/thirdfriday-2/

Can’t make it in person? The featured artwork will be on The Joel Fund’s Operation ART Online Gallery, as well as an online gallery on the DAG website. Click here to see DAG Gallery at Golden Belt.

If you have any questions please contact Isabella Brezenski
at 919-200-0886 or via email at isabella@thejoelfund.org.
The Joel Fund, Reconnecting veterans to life at home. Durham, NC. North Carolina Veteran Art Show

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

The submission process is to make sure the size of each piece will fit in the limited space we have. Please provide an artist statement along with your submission(s). 

Submission end date: September 14, 2026 at 5 PM
This is the deadline to submit artist information and images of artwork. Artwork drop-off information will be shared via email upon approval of your work. This is not a juried show, but pieces will be selected due to limited space.

Submission criteria

  • Must be a US Military Veteran, Active Duty, Reservist, and/or National Guard service member located in North Carolina 
  • All art mediums accepted: 2D, 3D, literary art, and more 
  • Artwork must be original and owned by the artist
  • Artists may submit one (1) piece of artwork for consideration
  • All experience levels accepted

Artwork criteria
Veteran artists may submit one (1) piece of artwork to the North Carolina Veteran Art Show. Due to space restraints, the size of the submitted 2D visual art should not exceed 36 x 36 inches, including the frame (if a framed piece). 3D pieces are to be no larger than 36″x36″ and no more than 50 lbs.

  • 2D artwork should be wired or framed and be ready for hanging
  • Title of artwork required 
  • Artist Statement required with submission. More details below.
  • For 2D and 3D submissions, attach a photo of the piece in the submission form.
  • For literary submissions, attached a typed copy in the submission form.


Artist Statement:
Please adhere to the 250 word count maximum. Include the following information in your artist statement:

  • How long did you serve in the military?
  • How has art helped you after your time in the military?
  • How does your chosen art medium help you express yourself creatively?
  • How long have you been practicing art?
  • What inspired you to create this piece of art?


Optional: In light of the 250th Anniversary of the Signing of the Declaration of Independence, artists are welcome to submit artwork relating to the commemorative themes outlined in America250 NC. The themes include “Visions of Freedom”, “Gathering of Voices”, and “Common Ground”. Using this theme is not at all a requirement to submit artwork, but a guide in case this theme inspires any artists. More information can be found here:
https://www.america250.nc.gov/about/commemorative-themes#CommonGround-65 

If you have any questions or concerns regarding subject matter, please contact Isabella Brezenski by email at isabella@thejoelfund.org or by telephone at 919-200-0886.

ART SUBMISSION FORM

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATIONS

The Joel Fund Logo - Reconnecting Veterans to Life At Home

The Joel Fund’s mission is to reconnect veterans to life at home, using the power of community to engage, educate, and encourage veterans and their families. TJF runs programs focused on community and resiliency. Operation ART provides healing and recovery through community-focused art classes. Operation Connect offers monthly peer-support and creates warm referrals throughout North Carolina. Operation VESSEL offers financial resources for housing-related crises, empowering veterans in their journey toward stability and independence.

Bernardine Donato retired after serving 24 years in the US Navy and the CA Air National Guard. She is a veteran artist who currently resides in Durham, NC.

HearttoHand

The Durham Art Guild’s mission is to enrich and connect our communities by creating opportunities and providing leadership for current and future visual artists and art enthusiasts.The Guild is a nonprofit member-driven visual arts organization established in 1948. For over seven decades we have supported local artists and advocated for the arts in our region.