The Wild & Scenic Film Festival, in collaboration with Nevada County Arts Council, is once again inviting artists from far and wide to submit their environmental artwork for possible inclusion at the 19th annual event, happening virtually January 14-24, 2021.

“This year’s exhibition will look a little bit different” says Festival Director, Jess Swigonski, “as it will take place entirely online! This will allow us to reach newer and wider audiences than ever before while prioritizing the health and safety of our beloved community, and supporting talented artists who are hoping to have their work seen.”

Wild & Scenic uses environmental and adventure film to inspire activism and we are seeking art submissions that do the same. Eliza Tudor, Executive Director for the Nevada County Arts Council, remarked “Never before has the mission of Wild & Scenic Film Festival been more critical. Globally we stand at a crossroads in terms of our relationship to nature and the future of our planet. Wild & Scenic seems to work in two ways. It engages us as active participants in a giant adventure through film and discourse, and it offers filmmakers, naturalists, scientists, artists and ordinary people the opportunity to lend our voice to this critical conversation. Through the festival’s accompanying art exhibition each year we challenge visual artists to share personal perceptions of the wild, whether intimate habitats close to home or wild tracts of nature untouched […] We can’t wait to share the best of these submissions, for we all need to feel the pulse of hope and fortitude.”

Artists are encouraged to submit pieces that will inspire environmental activism through art and highlight the beauty of the natural world. We are thrilled to provide an opportunity for artists who are passionate about the environment to showcase their best and share a meaningful message conveyed through their unique artistic visions.

Exhibition Information

The virtual exhibition will be free and open to the public. Accepted artists will have a page on the Wild & Scenic platform dedicated to them and their works, with opportunities for extended patron engagement, including sales and video messages from the artist. There will also be a gallery of all selected works for attendees to virtually stroll through during the event. Artists who would like to sell their work through our online platform will receive a 70/30 (artist/Wild & Scenic) commission split (limited to sales within the US).

Submission & Award Information

Submissions will be accepted in two categories this year, 2-Dimensional and Photography. Artwork may be submitted from anywhere in the world as the exhibition will take place entirely online. While all artwork will be considered, we are especially interested in pieces that interpret our theme this year, Resilient by Nature. It is a reminder that, as individuals and communities, we are inherently resilient, drawing on our strengths, talents, and lived experiences to innovate and inspire positive change for a better world. Our theme is also a call to look to nature as a model for resiliency and seek to create solutions to environmental challenges through nature-inspired designs and strategies.

Selected artists will have the opportunity to exhibit their work in front of a wide virtual audience of environmental filmmakers, celebrities, social activists and thousands of attendees from around the world. Selected artists will be eligible for top three awards in each category, 2-Dimensional and Photography, as well as a Best in Theme award. Award-winners will be recognized and presented with certificates at the virtual Artists Opening Reception and Awards Ceremony. The final deadline to apply is November 16, but discounts are available for earlier submissions.

Submission Categories

Artists can submit up to 3 pieces per entry in a single category. The two categories are:

2-Dimensional: All paintings, collages, mixed media, and panels with 1.5 inches or less of depth variation

Photography: All photography, including digital and film, color, black and white

Submission Deadlines & Important Dates:

September 1 – Call for Art opens
October 1 – Early Bird Registration Deadline, $20
November 4 – Regular Registration Deadline, $30
November 16 – Extended Deadline, $45
December 15 – Jury Notifications Sent
January 14 – Virtual Art Exhibition/Film Festival launches
January 15 – Virtual Artists Opening Reception & Award Ceremony