2023 Competition Rules

Saturday October 7th – Saturday October 14th 2023

  1. BOUNDARIES: The geographic boundaries of the Competition area: All of Ada and Canyon counties and/or a 50 mile radius from Finer Frames
  2. CHECK-IN: Check-in & stamping will be available during Friday’s Artist Reception. Check-in & stamping continues at 9:00am Saturday inside FINER FRAMES at 132 E State Street. Check-in is required before start of the Festival along with completion of a W-9 Form. Only stamped canvas will be eligible for awards.
  3. COMPETITION BEGINS: Saturday morning and continues thru noon the following Friday
  4. QUICK DRAW SET UP: Artists painting in the optional Quick Draw Competition may choose their sites and set up their equipment before the competition officially begins at 10:00 AM Saturday. Quick Draw paintings may be done using a reference photo (only time during the Festival), although painting from life is preferred.
  5. YOUR PAINTINGS: 100% of your main competition paintings must be completed in the field. No studio painting allowed!
  6. STOP: All Artists must finish creating their paintings by 12:00 pm Friday Oct 14th and deliver them framed and ready to hang to Finer Frames. No exceptions.
  7. FRAMING: For ease of handling each Eagle Plein Air Festival painting must be wired prior to judging. Discounted frames will be available for purchase at Finer Frames. Quantities are limited. Gallery-wrapped canvas & panels will be accepted if wired for hanging. NO WET EDGES will be accepted! We’re serious about this. Festival stamps must be visible on all works, including paper.
  8. EXHIBITING: By 12:00pm Friday all Artists are to have their completed artworks to Finer Frames. All artwork must be ready to hang for the competition, show and sale.
  9. NUMBER OF ENTIRES: The max number of pieces that may be entered with your registration is 3: 1 for the Main Festival Competition + 1 Nocturne (optional) + 1 Quick Draw (optional).
  10. ADDITIONAL ENTRIES: For an additional $45, you may choose to enter an additional painting in each category. The maximum number of paintings, by adding this option at registration, that you could enter would be 6.
  11. JUDGING: This year’s guest juror is Bonnie Griffith. Ribbons & prizes will be awarded during Friday’s Festival Awards Show & Sale.
  12. SALE: Each painting must be framed, have a title and price and is required to be for sale. Finer Frames will take a 40% commission from each work sold. The monetary transaction for each artwork sold will be handled by Event Staff. Any Artist who sells his/her artwork “on the side” to avoid paying the required commission will be banned from future events. Idaho’s 6% State Sales Tax will be added to the price of each painting that sells which will be collected by the Event Staff. There will be Event Staff on hand to accept credit cards. Please print your NAME, painting TITLE and retail $PRICE on the tags provided.
  13. AWARDS: Over $3000 in cash, ribbons & recognition will be awarded at Saturday’s Festival Show & Sale. $500 Best of Show; $150 Top Awards (x10); $50 Honorable Mention (x10); Nocturnal Paint Out $100, $75, $50 & $25; Quick Draw $100, $75, $50 & $25; plus many additional ribbons
  14. CONCLUSION:  Unsold paintings can be picked up at the end of the festival. Due to space restraints, a limited number of paintings will be on display in the Gallery through the end of October. Unsold artwork will need to be picked up by 4pm Saturday October 28 or be surrendered.