Cowgirl Gathering 2025

Description

Call for Entries 
The Cowgirl Gathering Art Show 2025
Invitational and Open Call
Online Show with Optional Live Painting Demos in Fort Worth, Texas

Hosted by Cowgirl Artists of AmericaIn association with the Cowgirl Gathering.

The 4th annual Cowgirl Gathering Art Show and Sale will be open to the public online from May 2-31 with (optional) live demos in Fort Worth, Texas during the Cowgirl Gathering Event.

Entry Details
Call Open Jan 13 - March 11**Get your application in by Feb 17th for pre-jury for special opportunities. See details at the bottom of the page.$25 for first piece, 50% off additional two piecesCGA Members get your discount code from the Member Space (retroactive discounts not available)
Artists ages 18+ are invited to submit work for consideration for The Cowgirl Gathering Art Show and Sale.
Categories accepted in 2-d and 3-d Media in fine and traditional arts: 
Painting, drawing, photography, printmaking, collage, mixed media, glass, fiber, sculpture, digital painting, digital collage, hand fabricated works in precious metal (including jewelry, buckles, boxes.)
Some restrictions apply, see below.

Foundational Judging Criteria
Artists are to present up to 3 pieces for consideration in the show. All works must be available for sale.Attention will be paid to:Initial impression Composition and Design Technical Execution Attracts and holds attention Aesthetic qualityIncomplete application will not be considered.

All styles are welcome, no preference will be given for traditional or contemporary work. Keep in mind this is a western show, and works should represent the genre, which includes landscapes, wildlife, farm and ranch scenes, horses and cattle, etc.Work is accepted based on the juror’s scores. Final curatorial decisions are reserved for The Cowgirl Gathering and Cowgirl Artists of America.

Awards/Prizes/Benefits
Best in Show award based on jury scoresHonorable Mention award based on jury scoresPeople’s Choice award based on votes by visitors, announced on the final day of the show.All exhibited works will be offered for sale for the duration of the show.​All submissions will be considered to be featured on social media and artists for podcast interviews.​Prizes TBD

Curatorial Process
The jury process is conducted internally by Cowgirl Artists of America. Before jurying begins, incomplete applications will be removed. Jurors will then review the submitted works along with each artist’s bio, statement, and CV. Each piece will be evaluated based on the criteria listed above.The Cowgirl Gathering Show highlights Western art with a focus on both established and emerging artists. To achieve this dual purpose, the top 50 scoring works will be automatically included in the exhibition. Additionally, up to 50 more works may be selected through curatorial decisions, with an eye toward new and emerging artists who demonstrate strong style and skill.

Application Requirements
WORKS PER ENTRY
Up to 3 works may be submitted per application. One application per artist. 
MEDIUM and Size 
Oil, Acrylic, Watercolor and Gouache, graphite, colored pencil, oil pastel, soft pastel, photography, printmaking, collage, mixed media, glass, fiber, sculpture, digital painting, digital collage, precious metals.
No size restrictions this year! However be certain you will be able to ship your work to a buyer if it sells. ***We do not charge shipping separately. If you typically charge for shipping ensure that you add that cost to your artwork price when submitted.
*Photography and Digital Art Definition of terms:
Photography- Film or digital photography with the intent to capture what is actually seen or manipulation thereof is done primarily in camera, with only basic adjustments done in post production. Images that contain multiple photos taken with different lenses and stitched together; or an image that is heavily edited in post production to significantly add, take away, or distort what was seen goes in the digital collage/digital mixed media category. 
Digital Collage/mixed media- Digital work that combines multiple images or types of digital work. For example a photograph that has been manipulated to look like a painting or a photograph that has drawn elements added to it.
Digital Painting- a digital painting does not use a photograph in the work itself. That means all elements are drawn/painted by hand. Photo manipulation is not part of the work.
Limitations
Original work only. Works created referencing another artist's photographs are allowed as long as you have the express permission of the photographer to use their photo for your work. Do not enter work that has previously been sold.
With the exception of printmaking, photography, sculpture and digital work reproductions/prints are not allowed. In the case of printmaking, photography, and digital work the print must be part of a limited edition, no open edition works accepted. All prints must be signed and numbered. 
For works in precious metal all aspects must be hand-forged and hand-engraved.
There are no limits based on year made, but artwork should be indicative of your current style.
*No AI work in any form (neither in part, nor or in whole) is accepted. By applying to this show you are agreeing not to submit AI generated work. If you submit work that is in part or in whole AI generated, you agree to pay a $5000 breach of contract fee. By submitting your application you agree to this term.

ACCEPTED FINISHES
Works on stretched canvas must be framed or have neatly finished sides. Artwork that is not finished neatly will not be accepted. (Neatly finished sides typically refers to hand painted sides on a gallery wrapped canvas. 
Works on paper must be framed and matted, behind glass.
Photographs and digital paintings must be printed on high quality or gallery wrapped canvas.
All 2-d work must have a wire hanger. And look professional and neatly finished from all angles. 

PHOTO REQUIREMENTS
For 2-D works submit the following for each work: Ensure that you upload a clear, sharp, well lit image of ALL requested angles. 
One tightly-cropped image of the work (full image, no frame, glass, or background) If the frame is a part of the actual artwork, include the frame in your image.One image showing the "finish" (ie. frame/matting or neatly finished sides. Work that is not neatly finished will not be accepted into the exhibition.(Optional but highly recommended) One photo of work staged (hanging or displayed in a space). This photo should look professional. Since this is an online exhibition photos such as this help collectors imagine the work in their space, giving context for size and shape.* Special note for PHOTOGRAPHERS and/or DIGITAL ARTISTS: Unless you have physical framed prints on hand, you may send only your head-on image and a mock-up of what your work will look like once printed and framed. If your work sells you must frame it to the specifications in your mockup.
For 3-D works and precious metal submit the following for each work:
3 to 4 images from different angles. These should give the judge a good idea of the quality and craftsmanship of the piece as a whole. You may want to include a close up of a detail. One photo can include the work being worn for wearable art.  Please photograph with non-distracting backgrounds in a professional manner. What you submit will be what is seen in the online gallery if accepted.
Technical Notes:
Files must be 10 MB or less jpg filesNo specific file name requirements

PRICING
Artwork submitted for consideration must be a minimum of $300.

SALE TERMS
Standard terms are a 60/40 split (60% of sale funds going to the artist). 40% of sales support the ongoing work and mission of Cowgirl Artists of America. For the Cowgirl Gathering CGA also makes a donation to the American Paint Horse Foundation's Youth Scholarship program.Participating artists must reserve accepted pieces for the show. If you have a collector who wants to purchase work accepted into the show (prior to the the show opening) they may do so through our online gallery. Any work sold after the show, as a direct result of the show ("follow-up sale), is subject to the 60/40 split. Artists who have a "follow-up sale" must email info@cowgirlartistsofamerica.org within 7 days of the sale to make payment arrangements.
DELIVERY | SHIPPING | Pickup
Since this year's show is online there is no shipping unless your work sales. That being said if you typically charge a shipping fee, make sure to add this to the price of your work as we do not charge shipping separately. 
Artists are responsible for shipping the work to the collector within 7 days of purchase. Work must include insurance*. 
*We recommend using Ship and Insure for your art shipping insurance. CGA members get a discount!

Important Dates
Application: Jan 10-March 11
All application materials must be submitted by March 25th. (Fees will not be refunded for incomplete applications, this includes submitting an application at the last minute and not being able to complete it, or needing tech or other support after hours on the last day.)
Jury Process: March 12-15
Acceptance Notifications: March 15
Acceptance status will be sent to all applicants.
Signed Contract Due: March 25
VIP Presale: April 25 - May 1
Show Opening: May 2
Painting Demos: May 2-3
Show Closes: May 31
Artists will be updated upon the sale of their work. Work must be shipped within 7 days of sale.  Artist commission will be payed within 10 days of the successful delivery of sold work. 

Location of show: Online
Location of Live Painting Demos: Fort Worth Stock Yards, Tx.
The Cowgirl Gathering Art show is part of a bigger event called the Cowgirl Gathering. The Cowgirl Gathering Art Show is sponsored and organized by Cowgirl Artists of America (CGA).

Artist Demos
Artists participating in the show may also take part in Artist Demos on Friday and Saturday. Information will be provided in the artist contract, if accepted.

Artist Agreements
If accepted, artists must sign and return the artist agreement by March 29. 
Pre-Jury Details
A small group of artists who get their application in by Feb. 10th will be pre-juried for special opportunities for promotion and with the Cowgirl Gathering Event. Not all artists who apply early will be pre-juried, and not receiving a pre-jury notification does not mean you aren't juried into the show. Final announcement will be made March 15th.Please direct all questions to info@cowgirlartistsofamerica.org