Karen Bowers, March of the Oaks; watercolor, YR XVII

Yosemite Renaissance XIX

Yosemite Renaissance XVIII

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See tips for preparing your entry

Yosemite Renaissance is an annual competition/exhibition intended to encourage diverse artistic interpretations of Yosemite.  Its goals are to bring together the works of serious contemporary artists that do not simply duplicate traditional representations; to establish a continuum with past generations of Yosemite artists; and to help re-establish visual art as a major interpretive medium of the landscape and a stimulus to the protection of the environment.  Historically, the arts have played a very important role in the establishment of our State and National Parks.  It is our hope that they can be just as important in future efforts to preserve and protect that heritage.

The Yosemite Renaissance XX competition is open to all living artists with no restriction on the number of entries. Subject matter is limited to recent works on the landscape, environment, wildlife, and people of Yosemite or the Sierra. Both representational and non-representational submissions are accepted. Entries may be in any medium including the following: painting (any medium); photography/digital; and other (All other two- and three-dimensional media, including drawings, pastels, printmaking, textiles, collage, and all 3-dimensional works). Size is limited to works that can be shipped in containers not exceeding maximum U.P.S. dimensions of 130 inches, length and girth combined (girth is the distance around the package). Triptychs or other multi-image pieces (exhibited under one title) should not exceed 48 x 48."

Artists may submit one high-quality 35mm color slide, or a jpeg or eps file up to 150 dpi of each artwork entered. If you are submitting a digital file, please title it with the title of your work, and scale it no larger than 800 x 600 pixels. Up to three images may be submitted for each three-dimensional piece. (Photographic entrants should submit slides made from exhibitable prints—DO NOT send your original, unique slide.)

Yosemite Renaissance staff will make every effort to review submitted applications for completeness, and to notify applicants if items are missing, but it is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that a complete application is submitted in a timely manner. The most common mistakes applicants make are not including entry fees, not including the proper size return packaging (please no less than a #10 size envelope), and not writing their names on their entry slides.

1. Preliminary and final selection will be made by the jurors from slides/images. Up to 40 pieces will be selected for the exhibition.

2. Artists whose works are selected from the slides/images will then ship their original works for the exhibition at the Yosemite Museum Gallery. If the originals differ significantly in appearance from the submitted slides/images, they may be disqualified.

3. The jurors will select cash award winners from original works.

$3,000 in cash awards will be distributed at the discretion of the judges. (Several purchase awards may be given as well.)

The Board of Directors of Yosemite Renaissance (consisting of artists, curators, and administrators), in conjunction with available visiting artists, will do the preliminary jurying of submitted works.

There is a non-refundable entry/handling fee of $15 for the first entry. Additional entries require a $10 fee for each. Payment must accompany your entry submissions. Your check or money order should be made payable to Yosemite Renaissance, Inc. One check may cover several entries from one artist.

Entry is 35mm color slides or jpeg or eps files only, with one entry form and the appropriate fee for the work entered. The entry form may be photocopied. For three-dimensional works you may submit up to 3 slides/images per entry to show significant views—indicate the point of view on each slide. Only slides in 2 x 2" mounts will be accepted. Label each slide like the example on the entry form. (Use only slide masking tape, do not use paint masking tape on slides.) Send entry forms, slides, entry fee and a padded, self-addressed, stamped envelope together to: slides will be returned only if a self-addressed, stamped (with adequate postage) envelope is provided.

Artwork accepted for exhibition must be substantially framed under Plexiglas (we require Plexiglas because UPS will not insure glass) where appropriate, with proper hardware ready for hanging. Three-dimensional works should be ready for hanging or presentation. All artwork, including hand-delivered pieces, must be packed in sturdy reusable containers. Containers should not exceed the UPS maximum of 130" (length and girth combined). Artists will ship their works to Yosemite at their expense. Return shipping will be covered by Yosemite Renaissance.

The utmost care will be taken in handling slides and artwork while in Yosemite and other venues. However, no responsibility is assumed by Yosemite Renaissance, Inc., the National Park Service, the Mariposa County Board of Supervisors or any other sponsoring agency for loss or damage for whatever cause. Artists wishing to insure their work should contact their insurance agents.

All artworks will be considered for sale unless designated "Not For Sale" (NFS) on the entry form. If "Not For Sale," list value for our information. Prices should include the cost of the frame or other presentation hardware.  Requests for price changes made after acceptance to the exhibit may not be accepted. A 25% sales commission will be deducted on sales made through the exhibit or through Yosemite Renaissance.

It is assumed that artists give permission for their works to be photographed for publicity purposes and/or for them to be reproduced in printed or electronic publications which are directly related to the activities of Yosemite Renaissance. Submission of entry constitutes agreement by artists to terms and conditions in this prospectus.

Important Dates:

October 29, 2004: Entries due

November : Preliminary jurying from slides

December: Final jurying from slides

January: Artists notified of jurying results. Slides returned to artists whose work was not accepted in the competiton.

Feb. 18, 2005: Works due at exhibition site.

Feb. 25, 2005: Yosemite Renaissance XIX opens at the Yosemite Museum Gallery. Awards will be presented at the opening reception, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

May 1, 2005: Exhibit closes at the Yosemite Museum Gallery.

For additional information or copies of this prospectus send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to. Due to budgetary constraints, requests for a prospectus which do not include a self-addressed, stamped envelope can not be honored until we do our next bulk mailing and therefore may not be sent until after this year’s deadline for submissions.

Yosemite Renaissance also administers the Yosemite Artists-in-Residence program for recognized artists who have an established exhibition record. For information about this program, send a separate self-addressed, stamped envelope to the address below or click on the Artists-in-Residence page.

Yosemite Renaissance, Inc. is a non-profit corporation funded and supported in part by the Mariposa County Board of Supervisors, the Ansel Adams Gallery, and Yosemite Concession Services. Exhibit space and technical services courtesy of the National Park Service.