Prospectus
T h e S h e r i d a n A r t s F o u n d a t i o n P r e s e n t s
The 21st Annual Telluride Plein Air
A celebration of outdoor painting
June 30 - July 6, 2025
Application Dates: Oct 1, 2024 - Jan 10, 2025
Application Fee: $55.00, Notification Date: Jan 31, 2025
Eligibility
Open to all artists 18 years and older.
Entry Form and Fee
The 2025 Telluride Plein Air application will be available online October 1, 2024 through January, 10 2025. Submission fee is $55 per person & includes 3-5 images and one artist statement. Requested data will include the submission of three-five painting images (Plein Air works only please) and an artist statement of past art shows and awards.
Image & Resume Format
Each artist must submit 3-5 images of their Plein Air artwork. Please refer to the Juried Art Services Help File for new image requirements.
Entry Process
The Telluride Plein Air Celebration is a juried exhibition consisting of a panel of 3-5 jurors. The panel will review all submitted applications and select between 15-20 artists for a total of 20-25 artists to participate in the 2025 event (the top five revenue-generating artists and Artist Choice First Place winner of 2025 are invited back for the 2025 event). Notification of selected artists will be sent to each applicant via email no later than January 31, 2025. Artist agreement forms will be emailed to those who have been accepted following the announcement.
Exhibition Details
ARTISTS MUST BE ON-SITE FOR ALL THREE DAYS OF THE SALE. All artwork must be completed in the Telluride area between June 23 (a week before housing starts, so artists must secure their own housing if they arrive early to paint) and July 6, 2025. Canvases will be stamped with an approved insignia as they arrive; wet paintings produced on June 23 or later can be stamped. Only artwork with this stamp will be permitted in the Exhibition & Sale. In addition, all works must be suitably framed with proper backing. Wire hangers or a suitable hanging device must be attached and ready to hang. Artists are asked to paint a minimum of ten paintings of varying size. Paintings must fit on pro-panel displays which are 6” tall and 38.5” wide. Please do not bring canvasses that are wider than 38.5” wide.
Sales
This event is a fundraiser for the Sheridan Arts Foundation and the Historic Sheridan Opera House, a 501(c)(3) non-profit. The sale takes place outside the Sheridan Opera House and in Elks Park for three days over the Fourth of July holiday. The Sheridan Arts Foundation will retain 40 percent of all sales revenue generated throughout the sale. Commissioned pieces will also be permitted at the above-mentioned rate. Artists should expect to be on-site all three sale days at their booth. Payments for all work sold will be mailed shortly after the exhibition closes.
Lodging/Transportation
Host lodging is available to each participating artist and spouse/partner at no charge for seven nights beginning June 30, 2025 (artists may NOT request additional lodging nights with their host). If an artist plans on bringing additional family members (i.e. children, siblings) or pets, they will be responsible for providing their own accommodations. Artists are also responsible for providing their own transportation to, from and around Telluride, Colo.
Awards
$15,000 cash and prizes.
Calendar
Jan. 10, 2025 Online Application Cut Off
Jan. 31, 2025 Artists notified of acceptance via email
Feb. 7, 2025 Artist agreement sent out via email
March 5, 2025 Artist agreement signed and returned to the SAF
June 23-30, 2025 Early arrival dates (does not include housing)
June 30, 2025 Host housing begins (for following 7 nights)
July 1, 2025 Quick Draw Competition & Sale
July 3, 2025 Artist Choice Preview
July 4, 2025 Art Exhibition & Sale
July 5, 2025 Art Exhibition & Sale
July 6, 2025 Art Exhibition & Sale
July 6, 2025 Host housing ends
Please note that the event dates are confirmed, but the detailed schedule is subject to change.
The Sheridan Arts Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization
Sheridan Arts Foundation * 110 N. Oak Street * P.O. Box 2680 * Telluride, CO 81435
(970)728.6363 phone * (970)728.6966 fax