The Eccles Art Center (EAC) and the Ogden Pioneer Days Committee are pleased to announce a CALL FOR ARTISTS for the 2025 Traces of the West Art Competition. Hosted by the EAC and sponsored by Ogden Pioneer Days, this juried exhibition will be on display in the Main Gallery throughout July 2025. Open to artists currently residing in Utah, the competition invites creators working within the Western theme to celebrate the spirit of the American West. Traces of the West showcases Western-themed art in all forms—painting, sculpture, photography, mixed media, and more—ranging from traditional depictions of cowboy life to contemporary interpretations of Western landscapes and culture. This exhibition honors the diversity and richness of Western art and invites Utah artists to share their vision of the West.
ENTRY DEADLINE: FRIDAY, JUNE 27, 2025
COMPETITION GUIDELINES:
- The Ogden Pioneer Days—Traces of the West Statewide Competition is open to all artists.
- Entries must be Western-themed. This includes, but is not limited to, traditional and contemporary interpretations of Western landscapes, Native American and Indigenous cultures, cowboys and cowgirls, ranch life, rodeo scenes, frontier history, Western folklore, and mythology, as well as Indigenous wildlife and domestic animals. All forms of Western art media are welcome, including 2D works (such as painting, drawing, photography, and printmaking), 3D works (such as sculpture and ceramics), metalwork, jewelry, leatherwork, textile and fiber arts, mixed media, and digital painting..
- Artists may enter up to two pieces. Works consisting of multiple parts (i.e., diptych/triptych) WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
- Original works in any medium, including paintings, original prints, monoprints, drawings, graphics, pottery, sculptures, textiles, digital paintings, and photography, are eligible.
- REPRODUCTION PRINTS such as gicleé ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR ENTRY
- Size limitations: 3D entries may not exceed 60 inches in length or width.
- 2D clip or front-loading frames will not be accepted.
- Entries must have been created within the last two years and must not have been previously exhibited in a juried exhibit sponsored by the Eccles Art Center
- Non-local artists are welcome! Artwork may be shipped to the Eccles Art Center at 2580 Jefferson Avenue, Ogden, UT 84404. Artists are responsible for all shipping costs, including return shipping, if the piece remains unsold.
- Entries must be ready to hang, mounted, gallery wrapped, matted and framed, or otherwise prepared for display. ALL WORK MUST INCLUDE WIRE OR SIMILAR HANGING SYSTEM. Works will not be accepted with only alligator hardware, D-ring, V-ring, or keyhole hangers under any circumstance. Click here to review the EAC’s framing guidelines.
- Artwork left unclaimed after 90 days from the end of the competition will become the property of the Eccles Art Center and may be disposed of or sold at the discretion of the Eccles Art Center. There will be no exceptions.
ENTRY DROP OFF:
MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY
JUNE 23 TO JUNE 27, 2025
9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Eccles Art Center
2580 Jefferson Avenue
Ogden, Utah 84401
Work will not be accepted after 4:30 p.m. on Friday, JUNE 27, 2025
LIABILITY:
The Eccles Art Center does not accept responsibility for works damaged due to incorrect or poor framing. Every reasonable precaution will be taken to protect work submitted. Work not accepted for exhibit left after JULY 5, 2025 and accepted work left at the Art Center after AUGUST 1, 2025 are left at artist’s own risk and storage charges may accrue. Works left at the Center for over 60 days will be deemed abandoned and disposed of at the Board’s discretion. There will be no exceptions.
SALES:
Sales will be encouraged, but are not required. The Eccles Art Center will retain a 35% commission on sales.
AWARDS:
BEST OF SHOW $1,000
2D Category:
1st Place - $500
2nd Place - $300
3rd Place - $200
3D Category:
1st Place - $500
2nd Place - $300
3rd Place - $200
Photography Category:
1st Place - $500
2nd Place - $300
3rd Place - $200
Ogden Pioneer Days Award - $500
People’s Choice Award - $500
Desiree Cooper Larsen Award - $200
PICK-UPS:
Work not accepted must be picked up on or before July 5, 2025 between the hours of 9:30 a.m. & 2:30 p.m.
Works accepted for exhibit and not sold must be picked up August 1, 2025 between the hours of 9:30 a.m. & 4:30 p.m.
See LIABILITY section for insurance restrictions and storage charge notice.
OPENING RECEPTION & EXHIBIT
A reception for artists, friends and the community will be held on Friday, JULY 4, 2025 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Art Center. Awards will be posted at the reception.
The exhibit will be on exhibit from JULY 4, 2025, through JULY 26, 2025.
This project has received funding from Ogden Pioneer Days, Weber County RAMP, Ogden City, and is supported by the Utah Arts Council, with funding from the State of Utah and the National Endowment for the Arts.
ENTRY FEES & FORMS
$10.00 per entry
$5.00 per entry for members of the Art Center
* Members with an "Artist Membership" will receive one free entry into this competition
Entry fees are used for prize money and publicity and are non-refundable.
The artist must clearly identify entries with title, medium, and price/insurance value. Identification tags will be provided at the time of entry.
Notification of jury results will be emailed to the address you provide.
Traces of the West 2025 Competition Registration Form
The Eccles Art Center grants the undersigned artist permission to display their artwork in the Eccles Art Center at 2580 Jefferson Avenue, Ogden, Utah, from July 4 to July 26, 2025.
The Eccles Art Center cannot accept responsibility for works damaged due to shipping and incorrect or poor framing.
I acknowledge that artwork left over 60 days at the Eccles Art Center is deemed abandoned and may be sold or disposed of at the board of Director's discretion.
