Maggie June Samples was a creator, critic and lover of art. She served as the student member of the McInteer Aesthetics Committee for two years and was closely involved in the annual student art competition. Whether in her writing, her painting or her personal style, she intentionally sought to make everyday moments beautiful and to help others open their eyes to the beauty that surrounds us all. Maggie died tragically in the summer of 2025, but her legacy of seeking beauty like flecks of gold in the sand continues on campus through this contest named in her honor.
The College of Bible and Ministry is pleased to announce the seventh annual Maggie June Samples Art Competition. The theme for 2025-26 is "Lifted Up."
Students are asked to design a series of four original compositions highlighting passages or imagery in Scripture connected with the theme (e.g. Ps. 93, Isa 63, Lk 1, Jn 3, Jn 12, etc.).
The winner receives a $2,000 prize upon completion of the final series and up to $500 to cover the cost of supplies. The student will have three months to complete the series: four large-scale panels (scale discussed and approved by the committee). Upon completion of the series, there will be a reception and an Artist Q&A for the Harding community. The final pieces will be added to the collection of the McInteer Bible and World Missions Center.
Any 2D media are welcomed (painting, drawing, printmaking, mixed-media, and collage). Be bold with the art concept as you contemporize these ideas. Think how both the idea and look of it will age. Will the concept and visual language still communicate effectively in 20 years?
To enter, submit 3-5 original designs of the proposals created digitally or by hand. The designs are a small-scale version of the final images and should be detailed enough to demonstrate your artistic vision.
Students must email the 3-5 designs to the Aesthetics Committee at McInteerArt@harding.edu as a JPG or PDF by April 18, 2026.
Design concepts must be original and use of AI-generated images is forbidden and will not be considered for this competition.
The Aesthetics Committee will evaluate designs based on the following criteria:
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