2026 Healing Art Showcase:
Harmful Comparison and Self-Worth
Welcome to the fourth annual Healing Art Showcase! Sponsored by the University of
Utah
Counseling Center and the College of Fine Arts, the Healing Art Showcase explores
how mental health impacts students’ overall well-being, academically and personally.
Through the sharing of student-created art, we aim to reduce mental health stigma,
foster connection through shared experiences, and learn from one another about ways
to improve mental health.
This year’s theme: Harmful Comparison and Self-Worth. In today’s social media-driven world, students often compare themselves negatively to others including peers, classmates, and friends. These comparisons can lead to feelings of inadequacy. Ultimately, this cycle reinforces the belief of never being enough.
We invite you to explore this theme in your artwork by illustrating: What harmful comparison looks and feels like, how it impacts your sense of self-worth, healthier alternatives: What would it look like to break free from harmful comparison? How might that change your view of yourself?
Additional Information
Important Dates
The Healing Art Showcase will be held on display in the Union lobby from February 23rd-27th, 2026.
Entry submission deadline is February 18th, 2026 at 5:00 pm MDT.
Winners will be announced after the showcase has ended and votes have been counted, early March 2026. Cash prizes will go to the top three entries which will be decided on by the attendees of the exhibit, i.e., this will be determined by the People’s Choice Awards or a “community vote”.
Eligibility
All entries must be original works of art, created within the past 3 years and artists must identify as a current University of Utah student. All entries must come with a brief explanation of how the art piece represents the themes of Harmful Comparison and Self-Worth. The explanation should be no more than 500 words (no more than 2 paragraphs).
Your art can be any typical physical medium—painting, photography, digital art, sculpture, mixed media—whatever best expresses your perspective. It must be framed and/or otherwise physically ready to be displayed on an easel or on a table, ie not loose pages or in a notebook.
Process of Entry
1) Fill out entry form above (in red).
2) Attach a photo of your artwork in the form (file type limited to JPG, PNG, and PDF).
3) Entry forms are due by Feb. 18th, 2026 at 5:00 pm MDT.
4) Selected artwork must be delivered to the Counseling Center (SSB Rm. 426) by Thursday, Feb. 19th at 5pm MDT (unless other arrangements are agreed upon between the artist and the Counseling Center).
5) If you need special assistance in submitting your work, please contact Christina Kelly LeCluyse: cklecluyse@sa.utah.edu with the subject “Healing Art Showcase Entry”.
Rules of Entry
1) There is no entry fee. It is free to participate.
2) The maximum number of submissions is two (2).
3) We are accepting two dimensional work in the following media: Drawing, Painting, Photography, Printmaking, Collage, and Computer Assisted Human Generated Imagery. Three dimensional art is also accepted but must be self-contained and able to be displayed on a table, this includes: diorams, sculptures, wood, and metal work.
4) The art piece must be original meaning that it is created, assembled, and produced by the actual artist and not Artificial Intelligence (AI).
5) Artwork will be displayed as is! Please have the artwork framed or prepared as appropriate, and ready to be placed on an easel or a table.
6) Artists must include measurements of each submission on the application form.
7) The Counseling Center is not responsible for lost, stolen, or misdirected entries.
8) The Counseling Center is not responsible for artwork being damaged; signs indicating to not touch the artwork will be placed around the exhibit, but it is not guaranteed that artwork will not be touched (e.g., not in protective casing).
9) Your entry acknowledges acceptance of the rules of entry.
Criteria and Judging
Voting will take place during the showcase, from February 23rd-27th, 2026. Judging will take place after the last day of the Healing Art Showcase and winners will be announced in early March.
We will have 3 People’s Choice Awards which will be chosen by the showcase attendees.
Each attendee will have the chance to vote for their top 3 favorite art submissions.
The top three art pieces will be awarded a cash prize of:
1st Place: $300
2nd place: $200
3rd place: $100
Participants who attend the showcase will be asked to judge the pieces on the basis of: original concept, expressive use of media, artistic excellence, and representation of the theme of Harmful Comparison and Self-Worth.
Submit entries using the form above. Be sure that all information is complete on submissions. Thank you for being a part of the Healing Arts Showcase!
*Adapted from University of UC Irving Healing Arts program.*