Question 1

Who can participate in the Harmony of Hearts Young Art Exhibition?

Accepted Answer

Students from K–12 living in San Bernardino County, the Inland Empire, and surrounding areas are welcome to submit their artwork.

Question 2

What does the 2026 theme “Boundless—Creative Minds, Endless Time” mean?

Accepted Answer

The theme invites artists to explore:
Moments from the past,
Feelings in the present,
Dreams for the future,
Imagination without limits.
 There is no right or wrong interpretation—be creative and express your own story.

Question 3

Is there a fee to submit artwork?

Accepted Answer

No. Submission and exhibition participation are completely free.

Question 4

Can I submit more than one artwork?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Students may submit up to 2 artworks, but only one may be selected for display depending on space and curation.

Question 5

Does my artwork need to be framed?

Accepted Answer

Paintings under 18'' × 24'' will be framed for free by the exhibition team.
Larger works must be framed, mounted, or created on canvas by the artist.
Sculptures and 3D art must be sturdy; fragile pieces should send photos or video first.

Question 6

Can digital art be submitted?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Digital artwork must be saved as JPEG or PNG and uploaded through the submission form. If selected, we will print and display it.

Question 7

What file name should I use when uploading?

Accepted Answer

Use this format:
FullName_ArtworkTitle.jpeg
 Example: JaneDoe_HarmonyInNature.jpeg

Question 8

Do I have to submit an essay or video?

Accepted Answer

Yes—each artwork needs one reflection piece, either:
An essay (up to 500 words), or
A video (up to 3 minutes).
 This helps viewers understand your inspiration and will be included in the artbook or shown during the exhibition.

Question 9

Will every submitted piece be displayed?

Accepted Answer

Not all submissions will be displayed. A selection panel will review all entries and choose artworks based on creativity, interpretation of the theme, and available display space. Being selected means your artwork will be showcased in our annual exhibitions.
For 2026, we will feature two main exhibitions:
March: Rancho Cucamonga Goldy S. Lewis Community Center
April: 5th Rancho Cucamonga Arts Festival at Victoria Gardens Cultural Center
If your artwork is selected, we will contact you in March with detailed exhibition instructions.
Each year, we typically select around 170 artworks for display. From these selected pieces, our judges will present:
9 Top Cash Awards
12 Judges’ Awards (prize bags sponsored by Blick Art Materials)
Outstanding Achievement Awards (All selected artists will also receive an official Outstanding Achievement certificate from the San Bernardino County Arts Council – Arts Connection.)

Question 10

What if I cannot drop off my artwork on the listed dates?

Accepted Answer

Please email us to arrange a special drop-off time. We will try our best to accommodate when possible.

Question 11

When will I know if my artwork is selected?

Accepted Answer

Artists will be notified by email after the review period—typically in early March 2026.

Question 12

Will I get my artwork back?

Accepted Answer

You have two options, which you can choose on the submission form:
Donate your artwork to Polaris Education Foundation (PEF) to support our youth art programs, or
Pick up your artwork after the exhibition.
If you choose to pick up your artwork, it must be picked up on April 18, 2026, between 3:00 PM-4:00 PM.
 We will send a reminder email with the exact pickup location and details.
All selected artworks will also be published in our annual artbook on Amazon. We encourage families to purchase a copy as a special keepsake and to support our program.

Question 13

Will there be awards?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Awards will be presented on April 18, 2026, during the exhibition celebration.
This year’s awards include:
9 Cash Awards
1st Place: $150
2nd Place: $100
3rd Place: $50
               (awarded across three categories)
12 Judges’ Awards
 (special prize bags sponsored by Blick Art Materials)
Outstanding Achievement Certificates
All selected artworks will receive an Outstanding Achievement Certificate.
Additional honors include:
Best in Theme
Young Artist Achievement Awards
City and Community Awards
Selected winners will receive certificates and special recognition during the awards ceremony on April 18,2026.

Question 14

Will my essay or digital film be included in the exhibition?

Accepted Answer

Essays will appear on the artwork label and in the printed artbook.
Videos may be shown during the exhibition and shared on our digital platforms.

Question 15

Who should I contact if I have questions?

Accepted Answer

Email: polarisartshow@gmail.com
 We are happy to help!

Frequently Asked Questions