Color Las Cruces is a juried event.  Entry images will be juried, and finished art will be judged by nationally-recognized plein air painter/teacher Kevin Weckbach, (who will also conduct a workshop prior to this event). Cash and merchandise prizes will be awarded in two categories; “Professional” and “Open”. Color Las Cruces is presented by the Doña Ana Arts Council in partnership with the City of Las Cruces, Las Cruces Convention and Visitors Bureau and New Mexico Department of Tourism.

Las Cruces is a city rich in history, the arts and scenic beauty and offers wonderful year-round weather. It is a city of stark contrasts of old and new, majestic mountains and extreme desert, tree-filled farmlands and the ever flowing Rio Grande River. You will find many painting locations in the downtown area alone; Farmers Market is held on Main Street every Saturday morning and the historic Mesquite District is a few blocks away. Most painting locations are minutes away by car, are easily accessible, and will be predetermined.

In conjunction with Color Las Cruces, a plein air workshop with Kevin Weckbach will be held on September 9th and 10th .  Kevin is an award-winning artist and highly sought-after instructor based in Denver.  Workshop details and registration are available here or by calling 575/523-6403.

Color Las Cruces Competition Details
Event Dates: Saturday, September 11th – Sunday, September 12th.

Saturday:
Artist Registration: 7:00–9:00am
Competition: 9:00am –1:00pm
Judging – 2:00pm–5:00pm
VIP Artists Reception, Awards and Performance-6:00pm

Sunday:
Gallery Hop Noon-4pm
Open to the Public – Finished paintings will be  in participating galleries for viewing and purchase.

Prizes: (two categories)
Professional:
1st Place:  $1000.00
2nd Place:   $750.00 
3rd Place:   $500.00

Open:   Cash and merchandise

Timeline:

August 13 – Paid entry received by DAAC.    
August 20 – Notification received by artists.    
September 11, 7-9am – Registration and instructions, maps, etc.    
September 11, 9am-1pm – Competition at various locations.    
September 11, 6pm – VIP Artist Reception, Awards, Performance   
September 12, Noon-4pm – Exhibit/Sale in participating galleries

Rules & Regulations:

• Submit an online, completed application, three images representative of your best work, and mail non-refundable entry fee of $40.00 by August 13, 2010.  Contest is limited to one category per artist. Please respond as early as possible, as participation in both categories is limited.
• If accepted, artist agrees to be present at registration from 7-9am on Saturday, September11th to receive instructions, maps, and authentication.
• Artist agrees to create a work in the field (no studio work), on your own canvas/board/paper that is stamped by DAAC and authenticated prior to the start of painting.
• Artist agrees to paint at one of the competition’s predetermined locations.  Artist will leave registration area at 9am and deliver completed work by 1pm.
• Artist agrees to be present and display their painting for sale (40% commission) in a participating gallery on Sunday from noon-4pm.  All pieces not sold by 4pm on Sunday will be available for pick-up by artist.
• Artists are responsible for their own supplies, framing, transportation, meals, and lodging.
• Online entry: Go to www.las-cruces-arts.org  Color Las Cruces 2010.  Complete the entry form, upload three (3) images, print out the form and mail it to be received in the DAAC office by August 13, along with your $40 payment (checks payable to DAAC) to Dona Ana Arts Council, Attn: Color Las Cruces, P.O. Box 1721, Las Cruces, NM 88004.  Please be sure to provide us with your e-mail address for notification.
• Entry fee includes your participation, a T-shirt identifying you as a featured artist, a ticket to the Artist/VIP reception and performance in the Rio Grande Theatre Saturday evening, and an opportunity to show your piece for sale in a participating gallery (gallery commission – 40%) on Sunday afternoon 12-4pm.
• Paid entries must be received in the DAAC office no later than August 13th.  Accepted artists will receive an e-mail acceptance notice along with event details and hotel packages for non-local entrants by August 20th. Artists not juried into the competition will also be notified via e-mail by August 20th.

Click here for Printable Artist Application Form
Click here to Enter Online
Click here for Kevin Weckbach Workshop Information