Call Description

Overview

Thank you for your interest in applying to the 2026 Young Guns Art Show, taking place on December 10, 2026, at the National Western Stock Show in Denver, Colorado.

Young Guns is a contemporary Western art exhibition showcasing emerging and mid-career artists working in any fine art medium (2-D or 3-D). We are interested in artwork that reflects the West as it exists today or explores contemporary ideas connected to Western identity, culture, or landscape—whether the West is interpreted as place, concept, or inspiration.

Artists are selected based on the overall quality and cohesion of their body of work. Our exhibition features local Colorado artists as well as national and international talent.

Before applying, we highly recommend reviewing past Young Guns artists and artwork on our website to better understand the direction and spirit of the show.

Submission Guidelines

Required Materials

Minimum of 6 and maximum of 10 images of original paintings, prints, sculptures, photographs, or other fine art
(No giclée reproductions of original paintings will be accepted. Fine art photography printed digitally on archival paper is acceptable.)

Titles, prices, medium, and dimensions must be included for every artwork

Artist statement

Submit up to 10 examples of your strongest work for review by the coordinator and curator. The images submitted do not need to be the exact works intended for exhibition. Previously sold work may be included, and multiple media may be submitted in one application.

YOU MUST INCLUDE PRICES, MEDIUMS, TITLES, AND SIZES FOR EACH ARTWORK TO BE CONSIDERED.

Please submit only original work in any medium with Western subject matter or spirit, broadly defined. Etchings, prints, and photographs in small editions may be considered. No mechanical reproductions of original artwork will be accepted.

Exhibition Requirements

Artists may exhibit up to five works total

Sale prices are set by the artist and must reflect standard retail pricing. Please do not increase prices for this show. Our ideal price point is $2,500 and we recommend prices do not exceed $10,000.

Accepted artworks must remain on display for the full duration of the exhibition and cannot be picked up early.

All artwork must arrive ready to exhibit (framed, wired, sculpture with bases).

All work is sold framed, including prints and photographs, unless discussed in advance.

Artists are responsible for shipping artwork to and from the exhibition (if work does not sell). Insurance during transit is the responsibility of the artist.

Artwork is insured while on site.

Unsold artwork will be repacked in the original shipping materials. Return labels must be included with shipments.

Work should be current (created within the last year or so) and not previously shown or offered for sale in a Colorado retail gallery (exceptions may be made for sculpture).

Artists are not guaranteed future invitations.

Sales & Commission

Young Guns artists receive a 60% commission on sold work.

Work may be featured on our website, in advertising, and in digital communications. Artists are encouraged to follow us on social media, share their participation, and notify their collectors and mailing lists.

We reserve the right to refuse or remove artwork at any time. Selection decisions are final. Application fees are non-refundable.

After Acceptance

Upon acceptance, artists will receive a contract and detailed timeline. The NWSS staff will work directly with artists to finalize exhibition artwork.

Artwork will need to be delivered in October 2026. Unsold work will be released or shipped back after the exhibition closes.

Application Fee & Notification

$35 application fee

Applications submitted by April 1, 2026 will be reviewed.

Notifications will be sent via CaFE by June 1, 2026.
If you do not receive notification by June 15, 2026, your application was not accepted. Please check your CaFE status before reaching out.

Events (Tentative)

December 10, 2026: Young Guns Art Show & Reception

January 9-24, 2027: National Western Stock Show

Additional programming may be announced

Due to the nature of our space, artwork purchased during opening events may not remain on view throughout the full exhibition period.

Application Requirements

Please submit only original work in any medium with Western subject matter or spirit, broadly defined. Etchings, prints, and photographs in small editions may be considered, no giclee or mechanical reproductions of original work (such as giclees of original paintings) will be accepted. We do accept fine art digital photographic prints printed on archival paper.

Submit up to 10 examples of your work for review. Our exhibit features local Colorado, national, and international artists. The examples do not have to be the works intended for the exhibit, some of the application images may be previously sold work, and you may submit multiple media in one application.

YOU MUST INCLUDE PRICES, MEDIUMS, TITLES, AND SIZES FOR EACH ARTWORK TO BE CONSIDERED.

Eligibility Criteria

Local Colorado, national, and international artists are encouraged apply.