This week, I had the honor of participating in a local community art show. I submitted a piece that I spent hours – days even – working on. It was one of those works where you don’t just make something to make it, you pour into it. Time, heart, emotion, detail. You live with it in your head before it’s even real, and then once it’s real, you obsess over the tiniest parts of it, trying to make it just right.

Tonight was the show’s reception and awards ceremony. It was lovely – people mingling, sipping and snacking, chatting about the art. The atmosphere was warm and supportive, and I was so proud to have my piece displayed among such an incredible group of artists.

But… I didn’t place.

I didn’t win any ribbons, certificates, or mentions. Nothing. And as much as I’d love to say that I brushed it off with grace and ease, I didn’t. It stung. It caught me off guard, not that I didn’t place, but how hard it hit me when I didn’t.

The Emotional Whirlwind

When you put yourself out there creatively – whether it’s through art, writing, music, or anything else, you’re not just putting a product out into the world. You’re sharing a piece of yourself. That’s what makes creating so beautiful… and so vulnerable.

So when you don’t get recognized, especially in a setting where recognition is part of the experience, it’s really easy for your brain to spiral. Mine sure did. I found myself immediately thinking:

What was wrong with my piece?
Did I misjudge its impact?
Am I not as good as I thought I was?
Should I even be doing this?

It’s wild how fast those thoughts sneak in. It’s like you go from proud and excited to totally self-critical in 0.5 seconds.

But here’s the thing I had to remind myself – and maybe you need to hear it too:

Your Value as an Artist Is Not Tied to Awards

Art shows are wonderful. I love that they give us a space to gather, to celebrate creativity, to put our work out into the world in a physical, communal way. They’re a chance to see what people in our area are creating, to connect with other artists, and to learn from what inspires them.

But they’re also subjective. Judges have their own preferences, tastes, backgrounds, and biases. That’s just how it is.

Does that mean the judging is bad or unfair? No, it just means that art is personal, and what resonates with one person might not with another. And that’s okay.

It doesn’t mean your work wasn’t good. It doesn’t mean your message didn’t come through. It doesn’t mean you’re not a talented, valid, or real artist.

It just means that this time, in this particular setting, someone else’s piece caught more attention. That’s it.

You Showed Up – And That Alone Is Huge

I think sometimes we overlook how brave it is to even submit work to a show. It might not look like a big deal from the outside, but if you’ve done it before, you know it is.

You’re putting your creation, something you made with your own hands, something that came from inside you, out in public for people to view and judge. That’s terrifying.. It’s also empowering!

You faced fear and doubt and did it anyway. That is something to be proud of. Whether you win or not, you showed up. And that is the part that matters most.

So if you’re reading this and you’ve ever submitted to a show and felt crushed when you didn’t win, please hear me when I say: You did something brave. That’s not a small feat.

Let’s Talk About That Inner Critic

You know the voice I’m talking about. The one that pops up the moment things don’t go the way you hoped. The one that whispers (or shouts),

“You’re not good enough.”
“That was embarrassing.”
“Everyone else is better than you.”

That voice is brutal. And it usually doesn’t speak the truth.

The inner critic is fueled by fear. Fear of not being enough. Fear of being judged. Fear of failure. It tells you all the worst-case scenarios and tries to convince you that they’re fact.

But you know what? You don’t have to listen to it. You can acknowledge it – because hey, we’re human, but you don’t have to believe it.

When I heard that voice after the show, I let myself feel it. I let myself be a little heartbroken. I let myself be disappointed. But then I reminded myself of what I do know:

I created something meaningful, put in the work, challenged myself, and shared it with the world. None of that gets erased just because I didn’t win.

Redefining What Success Looks Like

In the art world, it’s easy to get caught up in external markers of success – awards, sales, praise, followers, likes.

But I think success looks different for each of us. And honestly, the most fulfilling kind of success isn’t always visible to others.

Here are a few things I count as wins:

• Finishing a piece you love, even if it took ten times longer than you expected.
• Trying a new medium or style, even if it didn’t come out how you envisioned.
• Letting someone else see your work, whether in a gallery, online, or just in your living room.
• Having a conversation about your art, even if it’s just one person saying, “That made me feel something.”
• Getting through the frustration, self-doubt, and creative blocks – and continuing to create anyway.

Those are all victories. They may not come with ribbons or recognition, but they matter.

What I Learned from This Experience

Every show, every submission, every rejection – it all teaches you something. Here’s what this one reminded me:

It’s okay to be disappointed. Let yourself feel it. You’re allowed to care deeply about your work and to feel sad when it doesn’t go the way you hoped. That doesn’t make you weak, it makes you human.

You’re not defined by a single moment. One “no” doesn’t undo all the “yeses” you’ve had – and it doesn’t erase your talent.

Other artists are not your competition. They’re your peers, your people. We’re all in this together, trying to say something with our art. Celebrate their wins and know that your time will come too.

Keep showing up. Every time you share your work, you build courage. Every time you push through doubt, you get stronger. Every time you create, you grow.

An Encouragement to Fellow Artists

If you’ve ever felt like giving up after a disappointment.. don’t. Your voice matters. Your vision matters. Your art matters.

You never know who you’re inspiring. You never know who needed to see exactly what you made. You never know what opportunity is around the corner, waiting for your next piece.

The truth is, being an artist isn’t about constant wins. It’s about persistence. It’s about passion. It’s about connection.

And most of all, it’s about staying true to yourself.

So to anyone out there who submitted and didn’t win, be proud of yourself. You did something bold, honest, and brave. That deserves celebration.

And to those who did win, congratulations! Sincerely. That’s a beautiful moment and I hope you soak it in.

We’re all on our own paths, and there’s room for everyone.

Final Thoughts

Art shows will come and go. Ribbons will fade. Recognition will fluctuate. But your love for creating? That’s the part that will carry you through.

So keep making. Keep exploring. Keep showing up.

Even on the hard days.
Even when you don’t place.
Even when your brain tells you it wasn’t worth it.
Because it is worth it. You are worth it – and the world needs your art.

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