Currently enrolled Mississippi State University students are invited to submit works of 2D media (drawing, graphic design, painting, photography, printmaking, etc.), 3D works, and digital works (video, web design, interaction design, etc.) to the 8th Annual CAAD + CALS Exhibition. This exhibition is sponsored by the Mississippi State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS), in partnership with Mississippi State's Department of Art, College of Architecture, Art and Design (CAAD).
Exhibition Focus:
This year’s subject matter is inspired by the MSU Dietetics and Nutrition Program through the Department of Biochemistry, Nutrition and Health Promotion. This program focuses on the study of nutrients in food and their relationship to health and disease. This collaboration aligns with exciting developments within the program, including a new dietetics assessment lab and new teaching kitchen.
Entries must be submitted online by November 5, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. (CST)
Accepted Works:
Accepted works will be on display at the Art Department Gallery from November 30-December 4.
Accepted work must be stable, framed, or delivered in exhibition-ready form. All 2-d work should be on secure wire and/or d-rings. Sawtooth hangers are not acceptable. All 2-D work that is framed should have glass or plexi/acrylic. Exposed work in a frame will not be accepted unless a conceptual component requires it to be displayed exposed. It is recommended that students create works that fits into standard frame sizes (5"x7", 8"x10", 16"x20", etc.). Any student with questions about "exhibition ready" or non-traditional display methods should contact Gallery Director Dixie Boswell at dboswell@caad.msstate.edu
Eligibility:
All currently enrolled Mississippi State University students are eligible to enter. Students can enter individually or as a team.
Awards:
• Best in show: $200
• Honorable Mention: $75
• Honorable Mention: $75
• Honorable Mention: $75
Submission Guidelines:
Visit msuart.submittable.com/submit
Please submit the following:
1. Images (up to three images per entrant) • File format: JPEG or JPG (If submitting web/interaction design piece, please use a template and include your QR code.)
• 72 DPI
• Naming Convention: LastName_FirstName_Title_EntryNumber.jpg
Ex: Haug_Rowan_LANDSCAPE_1.jpg
2. Work List:
· Format: Microsoft Word
· Naming Convention: LastName_FirstName_Worklist
· For 2D/3D Work: Number each work with the corresponding number in the image header and include the title, year, medium, dimensions (H” x W”), and sales price. If the work is not for sale, please write NFS.
· For If submitting a web/interaction design: Number each work with the corresponding number in the image header, include title, year, medium, sales price, and URL address. If the work is not for sale, please write NFS.
Exhibition Timeline:
· Nov. 5, 11:59 p.m.: Deadline to submit
· Nov. 11: Entrants notified about acceptance
· Nov. 19-20 (all submitted work must be framed or exhibition ready): Drop-off work at the Art Department Gallery
· Nov. 23-24: Installation of work
· Nov. 30-Dec 4: Exhibition dates
· Dec. 3: Exhibition reception/Award Ceremony sponsored by CALS
· Dec. 7-8: Work pick-up at the Art Gallery. Work left after this time will be disposed of.
Accepted Work:
All accepted work must be framed or exhibition ready. Work not suitable for the exhibition will not be placed on display. For web/interaction design pieces, use a template and include your QR code.
Sales and Pricing:
The price of the work is determined by the artist. Historically, works priced at or below $300 have a higher likelihood to be purchased by the CAAD and CALS departments.
Access to Collection Objects:
Classes are encouraged to visit the Mississippi State University Dietetics and Nutrition Program To arrange a visit or contact within the Department, please contact Rowan Haug at rhaug@caad.msstate.edu
Contact:
Please direct any questions about submissions to CAAD/CALS Coordinator Rowan Haug (rhaug@caad.msstate.edu). Dietetics and Nutrition-specific questions should be directed to Mandy Conrad - agc8@msstate.edu Jaqlene Villalpanda - jar356@msstate.edu Daniel Peterson - dp127@msstate.edu Renee Matich - matichr@fsnhp.msstate.edu
Vicki Leach - vhl4@msstate.edu
Questions regarding web/interaction design pieces should be addressed to Assistant Professor Tek Jung (kjung@msstate.edu). Gallery and exhibition questions and questions on framing and display should be addressed to Gallery Director Dixie Boswell (dboswell@caad.msstate.edu.
DEADLINE: 11:59 PM CST, SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2026
Students may begin drafting their application and uploading the required files on Wednesday, September 16th and continue to make changes until the deadline.
For more information, visit Graphic Design Portfolio Review.
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What is the Graphic Design Portfolio Review (GDPR)?
It is a closed-door evaluation of your artwork after completion of the following courses in the Department of Art BFA Program (or their transferred equivalent): Design I & II, Drawing I & II, 3D Design, and Digital Design I.*
*Students who are currently enrolled in 3D Design and/or Digital Design I are eligible to apply.
The Graphic Design Portfolio Review takes place every Fall semester — it only occurs once per year.
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What is the purpose of the Graphic Design Portfolio Review?
The enrollment demand for the graphic design concentration is very high and resources/classroom spaces are limited. Only the top students will be selected for entry into the concentration.
Passing the GDPR is a requirement to enter the graphic design concentration.
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APPLICATION ELEMENTS
*GENERAL INFORMATION
i. STATEMENT OF INTENT
ii. ACADEMIC RECORD FORM
1–9 REQUIRED PORTFOLIO PIECES:
- DRAWING: black & white (Drawing I)
- DRAWING: color (Drawing II)
- DRAWING: student's choice (Drawing I or II)
- DESIGN: black & white (Design I)
- DESIGN: color (Design II)
- DESIGN: student's choice (Design I or II)
- 3D DESIGN PIECE (3D Design)
- DIG DES: illustrator/vector-based (Digital Design I)
- DIG DES: photoshop/pixel-based (Digital Design I)
10–12 OPTIONAL PORTFOLIO PIECES:
10. OPTIONAL PIECE #1 (any art studio class)
11. OPTIONAL PIECE #2 (any art studio class)
12. OPTIONAL PIECE #3 (any art studio class)
**MSU Student Honor Code (Check the box to acknowledge the Student Honor Code.)
FILE FORMATTING: Visit the Graphic Design Portfolio Review page to view/download the workshop handout.
As part of the Articulation Agreement between Mississippi Junior and Community Colleges and the state’s four-year universities, the following courses will automatically transfer. A grade of “C” or better is required in each course in order for it to be accepted by the Department of Art:
- ART 1213 Drawing I
- ART 1223 Drawing II
- ART 1123 Design I (2-D)
- ART 1133 Design II (Color)
- ART 1013 Art History I
- ART 1023 Art History II
- ART 1153 3D Design.
A Foundations Professor or Academic Records Assistant may advise the student to retake one or more courses, if doing so will improve the student’s technique and/or skill level and increase their chances of a successful Concentration Portfolio Review.
To receive transfer credit for art classes not covered by the articulation agreement between Mississippi junior and community colleges, students must:
1. Attach a PDF document that includes syllabi or catalog descriptions for each of the courses that you wish to transfer.
2. Upload high quality images of the work that was created in each course; you must have a minimum of 75% of the coursework from each course.
3. Label your artwork files according to this example: lastname_course_piece#.jpg, ex. jones_painting_piece3.jpg
- Images in your transfer portfolio should show your artwork in the best possible light.
- Photograph your artwork on a neutral background under even light - no dark shadows or extreme highlights.
- Images should be a minimum file size of 72dpi.
Each class not covered by the articulation agreement must be approved by the coordinator of the area in which the course falls under: Foundations, Drawing, Photography, Sculpture, Printmaking, Painting, Ceramics, Graphic Design or Art History. If the transfer credit is not approved, the student must enroll in the MSU art course in order to receive required credits.
To view MSU student work from each course click here: http://www.caad.msstate.edu/art/studentwork.php
If you have any questions or concerns about the process please contact:
Shannon Bacot
Academic Advisor
sbacot@caad.msstate.edu
662.325.8590