November 28, 2025 - January 4, 2026
McKelvey Charitable Fund Gallery
Artist Reception Saturday, December 13th, 5-7PM
The Standing Out exhibition honors three artists selected from the previous year’s The Big Wave! showcase by the 2024 guest juror, Joe Schenk the former director of the Art Museum of South Texas in Corpus Christi for their exceptional work and artistic merit.
2025 Merit Artist Winners
JEANNA PEÑA
Ceramics, Installation Sculpture
South Padre Island, TX
DINAH BOWMAN
Gyotaku, Collage, Nature-printing
Portland, TX
MICHELLE BELTO
Encaustic Painting
San Antonio, TX
Standing Out 2026
During The Big Wave! exhibition, a guest juror will choose three artists to be part of a special group exhibition in December 2026-January 2027. Artists MUST HAVE artwork in The Big Wave! exhibition to be considered for the Merit Artist Award.
The esteemed 2026 juror TBA. The deadline for to apply to be a Merit Artist is Tuesday, December 2, 2025.
We are also asking artists who wish to be considered for 2025 Merit Artists to submit an artist statement and (optional) 1-3 images of other work they make. This will help the juror in making their decision.
Each of the three selected Merit Artists will be awarded a studio visit by a member of the Rockport Center for the Arts Exhibition Committee. They will help guide the Merit Artist in the creation of their body of work.