2018 Santa Fe Plein Air Fiesta

Plein Air Painters of New Mexico (PAPNM) will host the 2018 Santa Fe Plein Air Fiesta, a juried paint-out competition and show in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The event runs April 28 – May 18, 2018, with a Kick-Off Fiesta and Orientation on Friday, April 27th, paint-outs from Saturday, April 28th through Wednesday, May 2, and an opening reception and awards ceremony on Friday, May 4. The gallery show will be held at Sorrel Sky Gallery from May 4 – May 18.

Over $20,000 in cash and merchandise will be awarded, with at least 15 awards presented. Top awards include Best of Show ($2,500 cash plus merchandise), Second Place ($1,500 cash plus merchandise), and Third Place ($750 cash plus merchandise). The competition is open to all plein air artists worldwide working in two-dimensional media, excluding photography and digital art. Accepted artists must become PAPNM artist members (annual membership fee $35.00). Entry fee is $45.00 for submission of 3 images. Artists must submit images of works that are at least 80% completed en plein air within the past two years (January 2016 or later). Jury results will be emailed February 10, 2018.

Accepted artists agree to pay a participation fee of $75.00 (non-refundable) within 10 calendar days of notification. Each artist may exhibit two plein air works created during the event and one studio work, for a total of three works. Minimum price point is $500 for all hung work. Works must be sturdily framed or gallery wrapped and ready to hang; maximum dimensions are 26" per side (or 36" x 48" framed for one larger work). Artists receive 50% of sales price, Sorrel Sky Gallery receives 40%, and PAPNM receives 10%. Payment to artists occurs within 30 days of exhibit close. An optional workshop by Stephanie Hartshorn, "Painting the Character of Buildings," is available May 4-6 for $275 (separate registration and fee).