Opportunity Summary
The Arcadian Gallery in Cumberland, Maryland, invites entries for our second American Wildlife Art Competition & Exhibition 2027. This event highlights the beauty of wildlife through original 2D art, sculpture, digital art, and fine art prints. Approximately 70 works will be selected for exhibition in our elegant brick-and-mortar gallery in Cumberland's revitalized downtown Arts & Entertainment District, an emerging East Coast arts destination near Washington, D.C., Baltimore, and Pittsburgh. About 50 additional works will be selected for an online exhibition; all physically exhibited works will also appear online. Juried by renowned wildlife artist Carel Pieter Brest van Kempen. Awards include $2,500 First Place, Endangered Species Art, Paleoart, and more. Ten percent of Gallery sales commission supports conservation.
General Information
The Arcadian Gallery is proud to announce its second American Wildlife Art Competition and Exhibition, a celebration of nature-themed art. This year we are welcoming 2D art, fine art prints, digital art, and sculpture. (No photos, please. We have a separate nature photo competition for that.) This unique competition showcases the beauty of wildlife and provides artists with the opportunity to exhibit their work in both an elegant, brick-and-mortar gallery setting in the heart of downtown Cumberland, Maryland, as well as an online exhibition.
Physical and Online Exhibitions
The juror will select approximately 70 works for the physical exhibition at the Arcadian Gallery. These works will also be included in the Gallery's online exhibition.
In addition, approximately 50 additional works will be selected for the online exhibition only. This allows the juror to recognize and exhibit a broader group of outstanding entries than can be accommodated within the physical Gallery.
All works selected for either exhibition will be available for viewing and purchase through the online exhibition. Artists will be notified whether their work has been selected for the physical exhibition or for the online exhibition only.
This exhibition is unusual in that it welcomes digital art and fine art reproduction/giclée print submissions in addition to traditional 2d media and sculpture. Artists may also submit digital files; if accepted, the Gallery can print the work for a fee as part of a sign-and-return process described in the Rules and Terms to Apply section, so that every exhibited piece carries the artist's original signature.
Key Dates
- Submission Deadline: February 1, 2027
- Notification: March 1, 2027
- Work delivery: April 1-15, 2027
- Exhibition Dates: May 7 to June 26, 2027
- Location: The Arcadian Gallery, 47 Baltimore Street, Cumberland, Maryland
Fees: $30 for the first entry. $20 for each additional entry up to five total.
Awards
First Place: $2,500
Second Place: $1,250
Third Place: $500
Best Endangered Species Art Award — $250 awarded to both the artist and a conservation cause of artist's choice Best Paleoart Award — $500 awarded to both the artist and a conservation cause of artist's choice
Jurying
The competition will be juried by Carel Pieter Brest van Kempen, whose expertise and accolades in wildlife art bring his unparalleled credentials to this event. Each artwork submitted will be judged on artistic merit, originality, and alignment with the American wildlife theme.
Application Requirements
The CaFE system requires that a digital image be submitted for every entry. Artists may submit up to five artworks.
- Platform: All entries must be submitted through the CaFE system.
- CaFE Image Specifications: Minimum 1200 pixels on the longest side, JPG/JPEG format, RGB color space.
- Artist Information: Provide your name and contact information.
- Title: Include the title of the artwork.
- Medium: indicate medium/materials, or "Print" for giclée reproductions, or "Digital" for digital art.
- Sale Price: Provide the sale price for the piece. Prices must be $4000 or less.
- Creation Date: Only artwork created on or after January 1, 2022, is eligible.
- Animal identification: identify the species and its American context, if not already in the title.
Eligibility Criteria
This competition is open to all artists aged 18 and older. Artworks must align with the theme of American wildlife (North, Central, and South America).
- Media Accepted: Original art, sculpture, fine-art reproductions/giclée prints, or digital files suitable for fine art reproduction printing.
- Photography, including digitally manipulated photography, is not eligible.
- Size/weight limitations: No 2D art larger than 48" x 48" (including frame/mount). Sculpture must not exceed a 14" x 14" base or 14" in overall height. Total weight, including packing crate or shipping container, may not exceed 50 pounds.
- Pricing Requirements: No pieces priced over $4,000 will be accepted.
- Creation Date: Art must have been created on or since January 1, 2022.