We all want to believe that hard work pays off. So when life feels unfair, when you do everything “right” and still don’t get the result you hoped for, it can make you wonder why you should bother at all. Feeling unmotivated in those moments isn’t weakness, it’s human. Unfairness shakes our confidence. It makes the climb feel pointless. But even in uneven situations, showing up for yourself still has value. Your progress, your growth, your small wins—they’re not erased by the things you can’t control. Fairness isn’t guaranteed, but your effort can still move you forward. Sometimes the bravest choice is simply trying again, even when the world doesn’t play fair.
Prisma Art Prize celebrates emerging painters by showcasing diverse traditional and contemporary works, offering an inclusive platform that highlights the full creative potential and possibilities of the painting medium. For more information, visit the website. Deadline is December 19.
Bates College seeks a full-time studio art professor specializing in printmaking and foundational studies, committed to excellent teaching, inclusive pedagogy, active artistic practice, and departmental collaboration. Learn more at the website.
UMOCA offers Utah artists a yearlong residency with studio space, professional development, curator access, and a final exhibition. Two artists are selected each cycle. Visit the website for more details. Deadline for the current cycle is December 31.
Praxis Center understands the good, the bad, and the ugly when it comes to carving out a corner of the art world to call your own. We know that life – and work – aren’t always fair. But we also know that’s no reason to give up. Hard work and consistency do pay off. Taking risks pays off. Believe it, live it, and see how far you can go.