Rules and Guidelines

REGISTRATION

Registration includes up to two entries in the judged competition. Mediums may include Oil, Acrylic, Watercolor, Pastel, Graphite, or other medium. Registration is open! 

• Early Bird (through Aug. 23) – $35
• Regular and Walk Up (September 4-16) – $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)

Registration includes a waived day use fee to access Curt Gowdy State Park for the participating artist and one guest. You will be given an ID Badge at stamp-in. 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 at the visitor’s center on Sunday between 1 and 3 pm.

VISITING CHEYENNE

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 mentioning the Plein Air in the Parks event. Overnight and day use fees apply. The deadline to reserve one of these sites is September 3. 

For information about Cheyenne, visit the Visit Cheyenne website. Visit the Curt Gowdy State Park website for information about things to do and see, amenities, and maps. 

ARTIST STAMP-IN

Curt Gowdy State Park (1264 Granite Springs Rd. Cheyenne, WY 82009) 

• Thursday, September 15, Noon-4 pm – Visitor’s Center
• Friday, September 16, 9 am – 4 pm – Visitor’s Center
• Saturday, September 17, 9 am – 4 pm – Visitor’s Center

RULES AND GUIDELINES

• Authentication stamp must be visible on the back of artwork. The entire back of the entry must be visible at submission.
• Artists may work on site between sunrise and sundown. 
• 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 Curt Gowdy State Park.
• Entries produced using manipulated photographic processes, computer enhanced imagery or other non-plein air means will not be accepted.
• 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.).
• Up to two (2) stamped entries may be entered into the competition.
• 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.
• Artist name, signature, or other identifying mark should not be included on the front of the artwork. Judging will be done anonymously.
• 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.”
• 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.
• 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.
• 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 Cheyenne Artist Guild. 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.

JUDGING AND CASH PRIZES

Judging will be done anonymously. During judging, participating artists and the public will not be permitted into the Visitor Center 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 Curt Gowdy 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 – $1,000.00
• 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