Call Description

Please download prospectus, with complete show information, here: Placerville Arts Association.

The 59th National Mother Lode Art Exhibition is a prestigious juried art exhibition sponsored by Placerville Arts Association (PAA), located in El Dorado County, California The exhibit has grown over the years into one of the most prominent national exhibits in the area. Now hosted at the Mills Station Arts and Culture Center (MACC) in Rancho Cordova, California, for the fourth consecutive year, this dynamic exhibit features artworks from across the United States. With an open theme that does not adhere to the show’s name, each exhibition is unique, shaped by the distinctive selections of the juror. This show is a must-see, offering a diverse array of classic and contemporary art that captures the creativity and talent of artists nationwide. The selected art has included a large variety of media, including painting, sculpture, photography, textiles and jewelry, among others. This year’s awards total over $4250, including a $700 Best of Show. Members of Placerville Arts Association have an opportunity to garner awards not open to non-members. (Please see Membership in the "View Rules and Terms to Apply" section.)

Juror and Judge - Leslie McCarron. Leslie McCarron is a full time oil painter whose work centers on two subjects: floral still lifes and landscapes. Color is her first draw, followed by the conversation between shapes. Her paintings are saturated with energy and buoyancy. Bold forms, rhythmic shadow play, and confident palettes become compositional anchors across her work. In some, she leans into minimalism, letting thick brushwork and simplified floral forms do the heavy lifting.

Since 2019, Leslie has been represented by Archival Gallery in Sacramento, where she has had multiple solo shows and group exhibitions. Her work has also been recognized with several juror and curator awards from the PBS KVIE Annual Art Auction. She has also been featured on the cover of Inside Sacramento Magazine and has been written up in the Carmichael Times Newspaper. Leslie’s work has been widely collected by art lovers in Northern California and from across the US.

Exhibit Location: Mills Station Arts and Culture Center (MACC)
10191 Mills Station Road, Rancho Cordova, CA 95827 (This is NOT a mailing address.)

Exhibit Days and Times: Thursday, November 6th through Saturday, November 22nd, 2025 • Thursdays & Fridays: 2pm - 7pm and Saturdays: 11am - 4pm • Sundays & Mondays: Closed • Tuesdays & Wednesdays: by appointment

Entries Open: Monday, June 9th, 2025.

Deadline for Entry: Friday, September 19th, 2025 at 10:59pm PDT. Enter early, as technical help may not be available. No artwork will be accepted after this date and time.

Online Jury Process: Monday, September 22nd through the week of October 5th, 2025.

Accept/Decline Notices: Week of October 5th, 2025.

Accepted Entries Shipped: Artwork must arrive between Monday, October 13th and Saturday, October 25th, 2025. Ship artwork only by FedEx or UPS. Use zip code 95667 to calculate costs for shipping to and from.

Hand-deliver Art: Tuesday, October 28th, 2025, 10am - 6pm at the MACC (address above).

Last Day of Show: Pick Up Art at MACC: Monday, November 24th, 2025, 10am - 6pm.

Please click and read "View Rules and Terms to Apply" button at bottom.

Application Requirements

Conditions of Entry: Entry into this exhibition constitutes agreement with all conditions set forth in this Prospectus and forms; this is your commitment to participate. Accepted work must remain for the duration of the show. Please do not submit the same art in two overlapping shows. By entering work into this show, you are committing to exhibiting it if accepted. Accepted artwork withdrawn, due to sale or otherwise, affects the show and takes a spot from another potential artist.

Artwork Specifications: 
Two-Dimensional Work - Must not exceed 48” wide by 72” tall by 6” deep, including mat and frame if applicable. Diptychs and triptychs are considered one piece and are not to exceed the above dimensions. Each hanging piece may not exceed 30 pounds. Work with unfinished edges must be framed. Gallery wrap canvas must have all edges finished; if photography or digital, the image must extend around all edges. All art must be dry. All pieces must be ready to install. The backs of work to be hung must be wired, with wire ends covered. No sawtooth or cleat hangers, no screw eyes, clip frames or plastic box frames; these will not be accepted. Plexiglass is strongly recommended for all shipped artwork. We realize certain pieces may need to be hung differently from these specifications, i.e. quilts, fiber arts. Please contact show chair with questions regarding these specifications before completing your entry.

Three-Dimensional Work - Sculptures to be placed on pedestals must fit safely on a 24” square space and must be able to be displayed securely on a level surface. Free-standing sculptures must fit within a 4 foot square and may not be more than 6 feet tall. Sculptures over 50 pounds are to be installed by the artist and must meet gallery fire and safety code rules. All free-standing work must be stable and safe for viewing. If work needs additional support, that support must be provided by the artist. Please contact show chair with questions regarding these limitations before completing your entry.

Entry Fees: Up to 5 pieces may be submitted, of which only 2 may be accepted. Entry fee is $20 per piece. Entry fees are nonrefundable and are due upon entry. Fees are the same for PAA members and non-members. All entries and fees must be made through www.callforentry.org.

Eligibility Criteria

Open to all artists residing in the USA. Open theme, open media. Entries must be original artworks created in the last three years by the artist entering the competition, not previously shown in a Mother Lode Art Exhibition. No installations, videos, film or work produced by any commercial printing process (exception: photography and digital imagery). No guarantee of electricity. Accepted art must be identical to the image submitted for entry. No substitutions.

Please click and read "View Rules and Terms to Apply" button below.