The Dalí Museum’s Student Surrealist Art Exhibit: “The Surreal Self”
Initiated in 1985, this annual juried art exhibition presents work by Florida middle and high school students that explores ideas and visions inspired by the work of Salvador Dalí and the Surrealists. Students are asked to experiment with surrealist techniques such as visual transformation, dislocation and symbolism to create their works. This year’s theme is “The Surreal Self: Personal Symbols, Stories and Portraits.”
This exhibit is comprised of three distinct student shows featured at The Dalí Museum in 2026:
Pinellas County: Jan 10–Feb 25
Hillsborough County: Mar 14–Apr 26
Statewide: May 9–Aug 2
As an artist, Dalí had the ability to construct versions of himself that would be shared with others. In Dalí’s work, it is common to see personal symbols derived from his lived experiences, like his melting watches which represent how he perceived the passage of time. Dalí also referenced physical locations with personal meaning, particularly the rocky forms of the Catalan coastline where he grew up, in his creation of surreal landscapes.
The self-portraits Dalí created throughout his career explore different sides of his identity, portraying himself at various stages of life. In Self-Portrait (Figueres), teenage Dalí depicts an older version of himself shrouded in darkness, while in The Hallucinogenic Toreador he appears in his favorite blue sailor outfit from childhood, and in The Discovery of America by Christopher Columbus he emphasizes his revitalized religious devotion later in life.
With this theme, students are challenged to represent themselves with the techniques used by Dalí to shape and present his own version of self. The Dalí Museum invites students to portray themselves through personal symbols, stories and portraits, founded in reality or the otherwise fluid methods of Salvador Dalí.
Please see the guidelines below for entry information. We look forward to seeing your students’ artwork!
Check out The Dalí’s video resources for the Student Surrealist Art Exhibit:
View closed caption version
View closed caption version
Please read the guidelines carefully; some information has changed.
2026 Pinellas Guidelines
Digital submissions due to Pinellas Art Office: Nov 7, 2025
2026 Hillsborough Guidelines
Digital submissions due to Hillsborough Art Office: Feb 6, 2026
2026 Statewide Guidelines
Digital submissions due to EntryThingy: Mar 6, 2026
Note: Students may not submit their own artwork. Art teachers should submit artwork on their students’ behalf. If a student is not enrolled in an art class during the current semester, any art teacher at the same school may submit on the student’s behalf.
view past student surrealist art exhibits online:
2025
2025 Pinellas County Exhibition Online
2025 Hillsborough County Exhibition Online
2025 Statewide Exhibition Online
2024
2024 Statewide Exhibition Online
2024 Pinellas County Exhibition Online
2024 Hillsborough County Exhibition Online
2023
2023 Statewide Exhibition Online
2023 Pinellas County Exhibition Online
2023 Hillsborough County Exhibition Online
2022
2022 Statewide Exhibition Online
2022 Pinellas County Exhibition Online
2022 Hillsborough County Exhibition Online
2021
2021 Statewide Exhibition Online
2021 Pinellas County Exhibition Online
2021 Hillsborough County Exhibition Online
2020
2020 Statewide Exhibition Online
2020 Hillsborough County Exhibition Online
view photos of past student surrealist art exhibits:
2019 Statewide Exhibition Photos
2018 Statewide Exhibition Photos
2017 Statewide Exhibition Photos
2016 Statewide Exhibition Photos
2015 Statewide Exhibition Photos
2014 Statewide Exhibition Photos
2013 Statewide Exhibition Photos
2012 Statewide Exhibition Photos
Thank you to our sponsor:
The Student Surrealist Art Exhibitions, Competition and Receptions are funded by a generous gift from an anonymous donor and in part from a program endowment fund established by the Craig and Jan Sher Philanthropic Fund. Additional support for this educational program comes from our Museum corporate partner, Bloomin’ Brands.
