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Submit A Quotation | 2027 Exhibition

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: July 1, 2026

CASH AWARDS: $6,000 TOTAL
$2,000 each for Best-in-Show Adult & Best-in-Show Student & People's Choice Award

Call for Quotations

"Have the courage to stand up for what's right, and have the wisdom to sit down and talk."

Seth M., 12th Grade, Booker High School
Sarasota, Florida

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About the Competition

A critical part of the impact of the exhibition is the selected quotations from the general public that accompany each piece of artwork. The quotations give individuals in the larger community a chance to have their voices represented by expressing their thoughts, feelings and ideas. The combination of visual art and the written word adds a deeper dimension to the overall experience. 

Please consider submitting an original quotation either online or by mail and know that you are helping to create a community that is safe and inclusive for all.

AI (artificial intelligence) generated quotation submissions are NOT accepted.

About the Exhibition

Featuring 50 billboard-size images measuring 16 feet (4.88m) wide by 12.5 feet (3.81m) high accompanied by a thought-provoking quotations, each work of art and quotation is created by local, national and international artist or writer reflecting their interpretation of our theme "embracing our differences."

The exhibition will be on display mid-January through April at multiple locations in Southwest Florida. Since 2004, the exhibition has hosted more than 5.2 million visitors, in addition to 694,000 students via our education programs, for a very unique opportunity to experience the importance of inclusion, kindness, and respect in our lives.

To view past winning selections, please visit our Galleries.

Helpful Info

Entries can be no longer than 20 words. Below are some ideas to help stimulate your thoughts about “embracing our differences.”

  • What does embracing our differences mean to you?
  • Have you ever felt discrimination? What did it feel like?
  • Have you ever been bullied? How did you feel?
  • Have you witnessed someone being bullied? How did you feel?
  • What have you done to stand up to hatred and prejudice?
  • What are you looking for in a best friend?
  • What would a perfect world look like?
  • If possible, how would you change the world?

To view past winning quotations and art, please visit our Galleries.

There is no submission fee. You may submit as many original quotations as you wish; however, you may only submit five at one time.  If you wish to submit more than five quotations, you will need to submit them separately in groups of no more than five. Feel free to email us with your questions.

Judging will take place in early fall and those selected for inclusion in the exhibition will be notified by email. Due to the volume of submissions, only artists/writers with entries selected for display will be notified individually. All winning entries will be posted on our website by early January. “Like” us on Facebook to find out earlier.

For Educators

Teachers may complete submissions on behalf of their students and, at their option, substitute their personal or school contact information for that of their students. 

Looking for resources to help students create submissions? Here is a lesson plan to help your students in their work:

Narrated Virtual Lesson  |  Lesson Plan  |  PowerPoint  |  Student Worksheet

Questions

Feel free to email us with your questions.

"I stand against hatred with love, prejudice with acceptance, and ignorance with knowledge."

Md. Faisal Arefin
 Rajshahi, Bangladesh

 

Exhibition