Theme
ThinkTLS (TLS = Technology Lifecycle Services) and the University of North Georgia invite UNG students from multiple programs to submit one artwork to Sustainability. This art contest and exhibition will explore creative art practices that illuminate and inspire sustainable ways of living. Student artists are invited to interpret the theme “sustainability” by utilizing recyclable electronics parts and materials supplied by ThinkTLS to create artworks. Submissions should reflect thoughtful engagement with the idea of sustaining an environmentally responsible future. Three awards, generously funded by ThinkTLS, will be presented at a Reception and Awards Ceremony on April 24, 2026.
Selected artworks will first be featured at a campus exhibition held at UNG Gainesville, on the days leading to the April 15th Earth Day celebrations at UNG. Through the duration of this exhibition, campus and community members will be invited to cast their vote for the Popular Choice Award.
Afterwards, the works will be moved to ThinkTLS for a closed display. At this time, a committee composed of ThinkTLS members will select the Best Use of Materials Award and an external juror appointed by UNG will select the Best in Show Award.
The contest will culminate with a Reception and Awards Ceremony held at ThinkTLS, 2480-A Atlanta Hwy, Gainesville, GA 30504, on April 24th, 2026, from 5 pm until 7 pm.
The three awarded artworks will be acquired by ThinkTLS, to inaugurate the company’s art collection.
Eligibility
The following UNG students are eligible to participate in this contest and compete for the awards:
- Current students majoring in any Department of Visual Arts four-year and two-year program (Art Pathway, B.A. and B.F.A.)
- Current students enrolled in the B.S. Art Education program
- Current students enrolled in the B.S. Interdisciplinary Studies program, with a declared Fine Arts concentration.
Maximum Size
Works submitted to the contest should measure a maximum of 2 feet in any direction.
Awards
Best in Show –$5000 – selected by an external juror.
Best Use of Materials – $2500 – selected by ThinkTLS.
Popular Choice Award - $2500 – selected by popular majority vote in person at UNG Gainesville.
Timeline
January 12 – March 6 – Bins filled filled with ThinkTLS recyclable electronic materials will be placed at these locations:
- Dahlonega campus – Painting Studio, UNG Fine Arts Annex
- Gainesville campus – Printmaking Studio, Room 2004, Arts and Technology
Student artists are invited to review the available materials and take what they wish to use in their artworks. Important - Please take what you believe you will use only. Kindly return any unused materials to the bin.
By Friday, March 20 - Submit this form with all the information requested and three photographed views of your work.
Between Monday, March 23 and Monday, April 6 - Deliver your finished work to one of these locations:
- Dahlonega campus – Hansford Hall Art Gallery – Room 203 (“Gallery”), Monday through Friday, 8 am – 5 pm.
- Gainesville campus – Arts and Technology – Room 1203 (“Art History Classroom”) – Monday through Friday, 8 am – 5 pm. Only enter the room when the classroom is not in session.
Important - Ensure that your work is properly labeled with your name and the artwork title.
By March 22 – Artwork receipt confirmation and confirmation of participation in the contest emailed to all submitters.
Wednesday, April 8 – Sustainability Exhibition installed at UNG.
April 9 – April 17 at noon – Sustainability Exhibition at Student Center - UNG Gainesville - Vote for Popular Vote Award
Friday, April 17 - noon - 5 pm – Artworks installed at ThinkTLS
Monday, April 20 – Friday, April 24 – Artworks at ThinkTLS
Friday, April 24, 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm – Reception and Awards Ceremony at ThinkTLS.
Awards presented to contest winners at this time.
Awarded artworks will remain at ThinkTLS and awarded students will sign transfer of ownership documents to ThinkTLS. All other contestants take their artworks at the closing of the reception.
Building Addresses
ThinkTLS - 2480-A Atlanta Hwy, Gainesville, GA 30504
Arts and Technology - 2631 Mathis Drive, Oakwood, GA 30566
Student Center - UNG Gainesville - 3820 Mundy Mill Road, Oakwood, GA 30566
UNG Fine Arts Annex - 60 Hamp Mill Rd, Dahlonega, GA 30533
Hansford Hall – 239 West Main St, Dahlonega, GA 30597
Contact
Contact Dr. Ana Pozzi Harris, ana.pozzi@ung.edu, DoVA Community Engagement Coordinator, with any questions.
Awards Rules
Each artwork may receive only one award.
Awards are granted in the following order of precedence:
1. Best in Show Award
2. Best Use of Materials Award
3. Popular Choice Award
If an artwork is selected for multiple awards, it will receive the highest-priority award only.
When an artwork is ineligible for an award because it has received a higher-priority award, the next eligible artwork will be selected for that award.
If an artwork is selected for both the Best Use of Materials Award and the Popular Choice Award, it will receive the Best Use of Materials Award. The artwork with the next highest number of valid votes will receive the Popular Choice Award.
Popular Vote Award - Valid votes
All votes are submitted anonymously.
All votes must be submitted with a valid email address.
Each submitted email address was verified with a “thank-you” email. Addresses identified as invalid through automated server responses were not counted.
Each email address may cast only one vote for a single artwork. Multiple submissions for the same artwork from the same email address were counted once.
Votes submitted from the same email address for multiple artworks were considered invalid and were not counted.