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Arts in the Parks

The Wyoming Arts Council partners with Wyoming State Parks to hold various arts activities in Parks across the state. Plein Air in the Parks is an annual event that pairs talented artists with beautiful locations. This painting competition is open to artists of all ages and offers cash awards.

2020 Plein Air in the Parks at Buffalo Bill State Park.

Plein Air in the Parks 2021

This year, for the first time, we are partnering to hold two separate Plein Air in the Parks events in different locations – the Wyoming Territorial Prison State Historic Site (Laramie), August 26-29 and Buffalo Bill State Park (Cody) September 9-12. Additional details are below. Please review information carefully as the rules and guidelines for each event are slightly different.

Registration is separate for each event and is now open. An early bird rate is $35 for artists. A reduced rate for college students is available for $15 and a youth division rate for those under the age of 18 is available for $5.

Plein Air in the Parks is a collaborative event, presented this year by Wyoming State Parks, the Wyoming Arts Council, the Cody Country Art League, Laramie Artists Project, and the University of Wyoming Art Museum. Whether participating in Cody or Laramie, or at both events, artists can look forward to a weekend of outdoor, on location plein air painting with a concluding art show, sale, and reception that offers cash prizes to top participants. Artists also have the option of selling pieces produced at the events.

WY Territorial Prison State Historic Site

WY Territorial Prison State Historic Site

Registration is now open.

Rules and Guidelines

For information about Laramie, visit the Albany County Tourism Board website. Visit the Wyoming Territorial Prison State Historic Site website for information about things to do and see, amenities, and maps. More detailed information will be provided to registered artists at stamp-in. 

A select number of campsites have been set aside at Curt Gowdy State Park for registered artists. Sites must be reserved in advance by calling the Park at 307-632-7946 and overnight and day use fees apply. The deadline to reserve one of these sites is August 9. 

Registration includes a waived day use fee to access the State Park for the participating artist and one guest. ID badge must be worn for admission and access throughout the weekend. The general public will need to pay the daily access fee to the State Park. No admission will be charged to attend the show and sale on Sunday between 1 and 3 pm.

Check back for updated information about artist gatherings, public programs, and workshop opportunities.

REGISTRATION

Registration includes up to two entries in the judged competition. Mediums may include Oil, Acrylic, Watercolor, Pastel, Graphite, or other medium. Registration will be available online in July.

  • Early Bird (through August 20) – $35
  • Regular and Walk Up (August 21 – August 28) – $50
  • College Student (must present valid ID at stamp-in) – $15
  • Junior Divisions – $5
    • Youth Division (age 12 and under)
    • Teen Division (ages 13-18)

ARTIST STAMP-IN

Wyoming Territorial Prison State Historic Site (975 Snowy Range Road) 

  • Thursday, August 26, Noon-4 pm – Boxcar House
    • Staff guided site tour for participating artists will be offered at 1 pm
  • Friday, August 27, 9 am – 4 pm – Boxcar House
    • Staff guided site tour for participating artists will be offered at 9:30 am
  • Saturday, August 28, 9 am – 4 pm – staff will be upstairs in the Horse Barn Theater

RULES AND GUIDELINES

  1. Authentication stamp must be visible on the back of artwork. The entire back of the entry must be visible at submission.
  2. Artists may work on site between sunrise and sundown. 
  3. Entries must be created in the pure intent of outdoor, on location, plein air painting. At least 75% of the painting must be produced outdoors in the spirit of plein air within the bounds of the Wyoming Territorial Prison Historic Site.
  4. Entries produced using manipulated photographic processes, computer enhanced imagery or other non-plein air means will not be accepted.
  5. Registered artists and event attendees agree to respect public lands and historic structures by following the use regulations and any verbal, written or posted rules of the various land management agencies (i.e. obtaining necessary use permits, staying on designated roads and trails, etc.).
  6. Up to two (2) stamped entries may be entered into the competition.
  7. Artist name, artwork title, medium, age (for youth divisions), and date should be legibly printed on the back of submitted artwork or on a label affixed to the back.
  8. Artist name, signature, or other identifying mark should not be included on the front of the artwork. Judging will be done anonymously.
  9. All entries must have wire or other hanging hardware on the back. The maximum size of the artwork, including framing, should not exceed 30” X 36.”
  10. It is not required that artwork be framed, however it is highly recommended that pastels, drawings, watercolors, and other works on paper be presented under glass for their protection.
  11. Artists agree to allow Arts in the Parks (State of Wyoming Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources) permission to use images of their artwork for educational, promotional, and other non-sales purposes.
  12. Registrants (or parents/guardians) will be asked to sign a photo release form at stamp in.

COMMISSION STRUCTURE

Artwork entered into the competition may be listed for sale at the reception and award ceremony. During the reception, artists can sell up to 3 additional works created during the event but not entered in the competition. Artwork need not be framed. Sales are processed by the staff during the event.

A 25% commission will be retained. This includes any sale of artwork generated during the plein air competition, including direct sales facilitated by artists. 15% of the commission will be donated to the UW Art Museum education program. 10% of the commission will be put toward the Plein Air in the Parks program for future events. Cash prizes and checks for the sale of artwork are mailed after the event. Artists will have the option of having unsold work displayed at the Wyoming Territorial Prison Horse Barn Gallery through September. Additional commission and shipping information will be available when artwork is dropped off for the competition.

JUDGING AND CASH PRIZES

Judging will be done anonymously. During judging, participating artists and the public will not be permitted into the Horse Barn where work is displayed. The judging panel is comprised of artists or those with an arts background, representatives from the community, and individuals familiar with the Wyoming Territorial Prison Historic Site. Checks for cash award prizes will be mailed after the event. The below cash awards will be given.

  • Best of Show Cash Award – $1000.00
  • 2nd – $500.00
  • 3rd – $250.00
  • People’s Choice Award – $250.00

Junior Division Awards

  • Youth (12 and under category and Teen 13 to 18 category to be judged separately)
    • 1st Place – $50 cash award
    • 2nd Place – $35 cash award
    • 3rd Place – $20 cash award
Buffalo Bill State Park

Buffalo Bill State Park 

Registration is now open.

Rules and Guidelines

For information about Cody, visit the Cody Country Chamber of Commerce and for more information about arts activities, visit the Cody Country Art League website. Visit the Buffalo Bill State Park website for maps, information about camping, and amenities. 

A select number of campsites have been set aside at Buffalo Bill State Park for registered artists. Sites must be reserved in advance by calling the Park at 307-587-9227 and ask for Debbie, Jared, or Dan. Overnight and day use fees apply and can be paid upon arrival. The deadline to reserve one of these sites is August 26.

Registration includes a waived day use fee to access the State Park for the participating artist and one guest. ID badge must be worn for admission and access throughout the weekend. The general public will need to pay the daily access fee to the State Park. No admission will be charged to attend the show and sale on Sunday between 1 and 3 pm.

Check back for updated information about artist gatherings, public programs, and workshop opportunities.

REGISTRATION

Registration includes up to two entries in the judged competition. Mediums may include Oil, Acrylic, Watercolor, Pastel, Graphite, or other medium. Registration will be available online in July.

  • Early Bird (through September 3) – $35
  • Regular and Walk Up (September 4-11) – $50
  • College Student (must present valid ID at stamp-in) – $15
  • Junior Divisions – $5
    • Youth Division (age 12 and under)
    • Teen Division (ages 13-18)

ARTIST STAMP-IN

Cody Country Art League (836 Sheridan Ave.) & Buffalo Bill State Park (4192 Northfork Highway, North Shore Fee Booth). Artists are strongly encouraged to check in at the Cody Country Art League prior to driving out to the Park.

  • Thursday, September 9, Noon-5 pm
  • Friday, September 10, 9 am – 5 pm
  • Saturday, September 11, 9 am – 5 pm

RULES AND GUIDELINES

  1. Authentication stamp must be visible on the back of artwork. The entire back of the entry must be visible at submission.
  2. Entries must be created in the pure intent of outdoor, on location, plein air painting. At least 75% of the painting must be produced outdoors in the spirit of plein air within the bounds of Buffalo Bill State Park.
  3. Entries produced using manipulated photographic processes, computer enhanced imagery or other non-plein air means will not be accepted.
  4. Registered artists and event attendees agree to respect public lands by following the use regulations and any verbal, written or posted rules of the various land management agencies (i.e. obtaining necessary use permits, staying on designated roads and trails, etc.).
  5. Up to two (2) stamped entries may be entered into the competition.
  6. Artist name, artwork title, medium, age (for youth divisions), and date should be legibly printed on the back of submitted artwork or on a label affixed to the back.
  7. Artist name, signature, or other identifying mark should not be included on the front of the artwork. Judging will be done anonymously.
  8. All entries must have wire or other hanging hardware on the back. The maximum size of the artwork, including framing, should not exceed 30” X 36.”
  9. It is not required that artwork be framed, however it is highly recommended that pastels, drawings, watercolors, and other works on paper be presented under glass for their protection.
  10. Artists agree to allow Arts in the Parks (State of Wyoming Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources) permission to use images of their artwork for educational, promotional, and other non-sales purposes.
  11. Registrants (or parents/guardians) will be asked to sign a photo release form at stamp in.

COMMISSION STRUCTURE

Artwork entered into the competition may be listed for sale at the reception and award ceremony. During the reception, artists can sell up to 3 additional works created during the event but not entered in the competition. Artwork need not be framed. Sales are processed by the staff during the event. 

A 25% commission will be retained. This includes any sale of artwork generated during the plein air competition, including direct sales facilitated by artists. 15% of the commission will be donated to Cody Country Art League. 10% of the commission will be put toward the Plein Air in the Parks program for future events.Cash prizes and checks for the sale of artwork are mailed after the event. Artists will have the option of having unsold work displayed at the Cody Country Art League through October. Additional membership, commission, and shipping information will be available when artwork is dropped off for the competition.

JUDGING AND CASH PRIZES

Judging will be done anonymously. During judging, participating artists and the public will not be permitted into the Sheep Mountain Day Use Area where work is displayed. The judging panel is comprised of artists or those with an arts background, representatives from the community, and individuals familiar with Buffalo Bill State Park. Checks for cash award prizes will be mailed after the event. The below cash awards will be given.

  • Best of Show Cash Award – $1000.00
  • 2nd – $500.00
  • 3rd – $250.00
  • People’s Choice Award – $250.00

Junior Division Awards

  • Youth (12 and under category and Teen 13 to 18 category to be judged separately)
    • 1st Place – $50 cash award
    • 2nd Place – $35 cash award
    • 3rd Place – $20 cash award

 

Contact: Rachel Clifton

WAC Accessibility Statement

The Wyoming Arts Council believes that experiencing the arts should be accessible for all, including people with mental and/or physical disabilities, older adults, military/veterans, people living in institutions and those who lack access to the arts due to geographic isolation, cultural difference and economic hardship.

Governor Mark Gordon
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