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Cheyenne Frontier Days™ Old West Museum

45th Annual Western Spirit Juried Art Show & Sale

March 7 – April 19, 2026

Statement of Purpose:

The Western Spirit Juried Art Show & Sale (WSJASS) is the premier annual juried art show in the Rocky Mountain Region for emerging and established artists who create original works interpreting the American West.

 Media Categories:

Accepted categories for the show are Acrylic, Drawing, Mixed-Media (including digital drawings), Oil, Pastel, Photography*, Printmaking, Sculpture, and Watercolor.

·         The Museum/Jurors have the right to change the category for jurying.

·         No AI-generated art** or installation art*** will be accepted.

*Please see appendix for Photography vs. Digital Art, AI-generated art, and installation art definitions.*

Selection & Awards:

·         All art is selected by an independent jury comprised of professionals in the western art community.

·         Award judging of the artwork is completed the Friday before the Western Spirit Opening Reception.

Awards:

·         Best of Show: $1,000

·         Best of Each Media: $500

·         Best Miniature: $100

(Awards are paid at the same time as sales checks after show close.)

Communications:

·         Entry and selection communications will come via CAFÉ (callforentry.org).

·         Add callforentry.org to your safe senders list; check spam/junk folders regularly.

·         Additional updates regarding the Western Spirit Opening Reception and the Art Seminar will be sent by Art Show Coordinator, Amanda Marshall, via email (amanda.marshall@oldwestmuseum.org).

·         Marketing-related communications may also come from the CFD Old West Museum. (Please check carefully).

 Entry Process:

·         Submit all entries through www.callforentry.org (CAFÉ).

·         Each artist may only submit four pieces in total.

·         Once submitted the title, price, medium, or artist name cannot be changed.

·         All information submitted on CAFÉ will appear on gallery labels, the Western Spirit Website, and on all media related to Western Spirit and the CFD Old West Museum.

Image Requirements:

o   JPEG prefered, max 5MB.

o   Minimum 1200 pixels on the longest side.

o   Only one image per entry.

§  For 3D works/works with multiple angles: use a split-screen composite in a single image.

If you experience technical difficulty with the entry process, please contact the CAFÉ Admin at cafe@westaf.org or by calling (303) 629-1166.

All entries are due by November 1, 2025. No late entries accepted!

 Display Specifications:

·         All 2-D artwork must be wired with D-rings. No sawtooth hangers, eye screws, or keyhole slots. Non-compliant work will be rejected on arrival.

·         All accepted works must arrive at the Museum show ready: wired, framed or gallery wrapped. Wire ends must be taped.

·         Acrylic and Museum Glass are preferred; other protective glazing accepted if it is safe for display.

·         Museum staff have final authority on display and right of refusal.

 If you have display concerns, please contact us at least 2 months prior to the show so we have time to address your concerns. Museum Staff have final determination regarding the mounting and display of artwork, including the right of refusal.

All 2-D pieces must be measured to include framing.

·         2-D: max 47 inches horizontal x 60 inches vertical including the frame.

·         3-D: base no larger than 3 sq. feet.

·         Suspended sculptures will follow 2-D guidelines.

·         On CAFÉ please submit the framed dimensions of any artwork.

·         Miniature Guidelines:

o   2-D: max 10 inches framed on any side

o   3-D: max 18 inches in any dimension

Oversized pieces will be returned at the artist’s expense.

Originals, Multiples, & Series:

·         Only original work in concept, design, and execution accepted.

·         Derivative works will be disqualified unless:

o   They are a unique re-interpretation

o   The original artist/title is credited

o   No copyright laws are violated

o   Written permission is secured, if possible

 ·         AI-generated art** will not be accepted.

·         No photos, laser, giclee, or digital reproductions except in the Photography Category.

·         Multiples must be disclosed and available for the entire duration of the show. The Museum must be able to sell all listed multiples.

·         Work must be created within the last three years and not previously displayed for sale at the CFD Old West Museum.

·         Miniatures cannot be scaled-down versions of previous or accepted work.

·         Sized up or sized down versions of work previously shown in the Museum.

 The Museum Staff reserves the right to decline any submitted work that violates these guidelines. If you submit derivatives or AI artwork, the Museum has the right to disqualify that work with no refund.

 Sales:

·         All artworks must be for sale for the entirety of the show.

·         Commission: 35% retained by the Museum. Please adjust your prices accordingly prior to submission.

·         Artists must set pricing at submission. Art prices will not change after submission.

·         Works sold or commissioned within 30 days after the show closes are subject to the same 35% sales commission to the Museum.

·         If an artist sells an accepted work before delivery, they must pay the 35% commission and will be barred from future Museum shows for 24 months.

·         Only works accepted into the show may be sold on Museum premises (including online).

 Delivery & Shipping:

Hand-delivery:

·         January 26 – 30, 2026, M-F, 9a.m.- 4p.m.

Pick-Up for unsold works:

·         April 21 – 24, 2026 Tu-F, 9a.m. – 4p.m.

Please notify the Museum via email at amanda.marshall@oldwestmuseum.org about any last-minute pick-up changes. Please email the Museum at least two weeks prior to the end of the show if you have a representative picking up your work.

 Shipping:

·         Ship to:

CFD Old West Museum

Attn: Art Show Coordinator

4610 N. Carey Ave

Cheyenne, WY 82001

·         Works must arrive January 19-23, 2026 (no delivery January 19 due to MLK Day).

·         Returning artwork shipped by May 1, 2026 (if all necessary paperwork is completed).

·         Must include prepaid return labels with barcodes. Otherwise, works will be returned C.O.D.

·         Works left after May 9, 2026 will be returned C.O.D.

 Packing:

·         No packing peanuts ($20 repacking fee if packing peanuts are used).

·         Inadequate packing materials = $20 repacking fee.

o   Adequate packaging means the artwork does not shift while packaged in the box.

·         Secure framing required.

 Miniature Show (Only for Artists Accepted into 2026 Western Spirit Show):

·         Only open to artists accepted into 2026 WSJASS.

·         May submit one miniature (2D or 3D).

·         Titles, mediums, prices, and images due by January 9, 2026 to Amanda via email (amanda.marshall@oldwestmuseum.org)

·         Miniatures should be delivered to the Museum with accepted works.

·         Miniatures must adhere to miniature size limits (see above).

·         Miniatures must be original and not smaller versions of larger works.

Museum Art Show and Sales Marketing Policy:

The Museum reserves the right to reproduce accepted works for marketing and promotional purposes (media, ads, posters, mailings, billboards, website, etc.) Artists will always be credited.

Liabilities:

·         All accepted works are insured while in Museum custody.

·         Artists are responsible for insuring works in transit.

·         Entry fees are non-refundable.

 Fees and Museum Member Entry Discount Codes:

·         Members: $10/entry (max 4 entries).

·         Non-Members: $20/entry (max 4 entries).

·         Contact Amanda before submission for membership discount code. (Only available for current Museum members).

·         For Membership options, please contact Development Manager Lonnie Reese at (307) 778-7291.

 Disqualifications:

Work will be disqualified and returned at artist’s expense if art:

-          Is late

-          Frame shows obvious fixes

-          Piece is unfit to hang in a professional show

-          Exceeds size limitations

-          Is damaged

-          Is derivative

-          Is an installation piece***

-          Is not the same piece as shown in the digital image submission

-          Is not ready to hang

-          Is AI Generated**

-          Artist alters piece and/or its display while it is on exhibit in the Museum without prior authorization

-          Is sized up/down versions of works previously shown at the Museum

 Appendix:

*Criteria for Photography Classification:

a)      Authenticity: Photographs should aim to represent reality, preserving the essence of the captured moment and subject matter.

b)      Minimal Post-processing: Photographs should undergo only minor adjustments that maintain the overall integrity of the original image.

c)      Enhancements: Permissible enhancements include basic exposure adjustments, color correction, cropping, and minor retouching to remove distractions or imperfections. These enhancements should not significantly alter the content or context of the original image.

If any images edited do not match these classifications after edits, the image should be submitted as mixed

media.

**AI Artwork includes images generated in or enhanced by programs such as Midjourney, Dall-e, Chat-GPT, and other programs.

***Installation Art: Any work that requires assembly to display in the gallery.

Application Requirements

Applicants must completely read the prospectus then submit their application through CaFE. Each artist may only submit up to four pieces total.

Eligibility Criteria

Artists are eligible if they submit art that was creating in the past 2-3 years and if it has not been featured in any other art show through the Cheyenne Frontier Days™ Old West Museum. Art may not be installation art or AI generated. Artists disqualified in years past are NOT eligible for this year's show.