Participation Details:

·       The 2024 Boulder County Plein Air Festival application will be available online from December 15, 2023 through February 5, 2024.

·       Open to all artists 18 years and older, in the United States. All painting media are eligible. 

·       Each artist must submit at least 5 images (and up to 10) of their plein air artwork in JPEG format, per the specifications outlined on Call for Entry’s Media Guidelines.

·       Submitted artwork images must be original works of art created by the artist submitting the work, and representative of the type, style, and medium of artwork the artist plans to create during the festival itself. Additionally, applicants may only submit images of artwork that has been created entirely of their own skill with no assistance or instruction (ex: images from artwork completed in a class or workshop are unacceptable).

·       A non-refundable application fee of $55.00 per artist is required. 

·       Participation in the 2024 Boulder County Plein Air Festival is juried by a panel composed of practicing artists, teachers, collectors, and curators. The panel will review all submitted applications and select up to 35 artists who will be invited to participate. Total participation is targeted at 25 to 35 artists. Invitations to selected artists will be sent to each applicant via email no later than February 15, 2024. Artists must confirm participation via email by March 1, 2024. Participation agreement forms will be emailed to those who have been invited following their acceptance of the invitation.

·       Artists who accept their invitation to participate in the event must submit a signed letter of agreement March 1, 2024.

·       Housing may be available for artists who live more than two hours away, in local host homes upon request/availability.

·       All surfaces must be stamped by Open Studios staff on June 1st to be included in the festival exhibit and be considered for awards.

·       All artwork must be completed in Boulder County on stamped surfaces during the official paint-out period between June 1st and June 7th, 2024. A minimum of 90% of each artwork must be finished in the field, with 10% or less allowed for touch-up in the studio.

·       Artists may submit up to five original works from the paint-out period for the show, and all submitted works must be offered for sale. Artwork displayed must be presentation-ready. Unframed canvases are permitted but must be at least 1-3/8 in depth with finished edges. Any work on paper, boards, etc. must be appropriately framed. Artworks bust be wired for hanging.

·       An exhibition and sale of the works created during The Festival will be hosted by Open Studios at the Historic Niwot Feed Store Gallery in “Vintage” downtown Niwot, CO. Artists are also asked to attend an Opening Reception on Saturday, June 8th, from 5:00-7:00 pm at the Historic Niwot Feed Galley. Artists are encouraged to be present at the sale but will not be required to be present for the entire time. The exhibition and sale will be manned by Open Studios staff and volunteers. 

·       The artist voting (cash prize awards, see below) will take place at this opening and will be based on the entire body of work displayed.

·       Open Studios will retain a 40% commission from sale of artworks at the opening and throughout the month, 60% to the artist. Open Studios will take payments for all sales and remit artists’ earnings shortly after the exhibition closes. Prices for the artwork will be set by the artists with a $400 minimum.

·       Although the utmost care will be taken handling artwork, neither Open Studios nor its representatives will be responsible for damage or loss from any cause. Insurance, if desired, is the responsibility of the artist.

·       Please note that the dates are confirmed but the detailed schedule is subject to change.

Application Requirements

·       Open to all artists 18 years and older, in the United States. All painting media are eligible. 

·       Each artist must submit at least 5 images (and up to 10) of their plein air artwork in JPEG format, per the specifications outlined on Call for Entry’s Media Guidelines.

·       Submitted artwork images must be original works of art created by the artist submitting the work, and representative of the type, style, and medium of artwork the artist plans to create during the festival itself. Additionally, applicants may only submit images of artwork that has been created entirely of their own skill with no assistance or instruction (ex: images from artwork completed in a class or workshop are unacceptable).

·       A non-refundable fee of $55.00 per artist is required for entry.

Eligibility Criteria

All artists, 18 years of age and older, living in the United States, and practicing plein air painting in any painting medium, are eligible to apply.