" " Fine Art

Sign up for email updates from Utah State Fair Corporation

Buy Tickets
Facebook Instagram TikTok
Home > Utah State Fair > Compete > Competitive Arts > Fine Art

Fine Art

2023 Fine Art Department

Supervisor: Sue Watts

Entry Information

Entries Received
Date Time
Thursday. Aug. 31st 10 am - 5 pm
Friday, Sept. 1st 10 am - 7 pm
Saturday, Sept. 2nd 10 am - 5 pm
Entries Released
Date Time
Monday, Sept. 18th 10 am - 7 pm
Tuesday, Sept. 19th 10 am - 2 pm

Judging Date: Tuesday, Sept. 5th


Entry Fee (Per Entry)

Exhibitors may enter 1 painting and/or 1 bronze, except in Professional where exhibitors may enter 2 paintings or 2 bronze and the division will be juried.

Professional FA1 $10.00
Amateur FA2 $6.00
Young Amateur (ages 12-17) FA3 $4.00
Junior Amateur (ages 6-11) FA4 $4.00
Senior Citizens (ages 62 & over) FA5 $3.00
Disabled FA6 $3.00
Quick Draw FA7 $15.00
Youth Quick Draw FA7 $3.00
Chalk Art FA8 $10.00
Youth Chalk Art FA8 $3.00

ENTRIES

  1. JURIED SHOW - In order to display the entries to their best advantage and avoid overcrowding, the exhibit may be juried before judging. Jurors will decide which entries will be displayed and entered in competition. The decision of the jurors will be FINAL. Jurors will be qualified judges of Fine Art. After they have made their judgement, the entries they have selected will be displayed and judged. The juried show will apply only in the event of a large number of entries.
  2. Exhibitors will be notified if their entry is juried out and advised of a pick-up date.
  3. Entry charge refunds will be made on all exhibits that are juried out of the show.
  4. Because of the family oriented nature of the Fair and this exhibit, objectionable or inappropriate items will not be displayed.
  5. The State Fair will not be responsible for any exhibits left after Sept. 19th, 2023.
  6. For Jewelry, Metal & Wood, Glass, Clay, China Painted Porcelain and Computer Generated Art see the Creative Arts Department. For Fiber Weaving and Fiber-Applied Surface Decorations see the Home Arts Department.

PREPARATION OF EXHIBITS

  1. All pictures must be securely framed and be equipped with screw eyes and wires, no string, cords or clips. The receiving committee is instructed to refuse to accept paintings not meeting this requirement.
  2. Paintings just freshly painted with the paint still wet will also be rejected.
  3. The maximum size limit for all paintings is not to exceed 72 inches in its largest dimension, including the frame.

MISCELLANEOUS

  1. Entry is open to all artists of Utah who are residents, resident students, military residents, or native born. The Utah State Fair will not pay premiums to those who do not qualify under these requirements.
  2. Work must be original and completed within the past three years. Work previously entered at the Fair cannot be entered again.
  3. ENTRY FORMS MUST BE SUBMITTED IN THE NAME OF THE ORIGINAL ARTIST AND MUST BE SIGNED BY THE ARTIST. Exceptions will not be made.
  4. Advertising media will not be allowed to be placed by the exhibits in the show.
  5. Each artist must indicate Professional, Amateur, Young Amateur, Jr. Amateur or Sr. Citizen (the section in which he wishes his entry judged) on his entry form. An entry not so designated will be judged in the classification which seems most likely to the jury. Work done in media other than the listed categories will be placed by the jury into the most closely related category.
  6. Supervisor and Fine Arts employees may enter articles for display only.
  7. Computer assisted entries will not be allowed.
  8. An artist cannot be considered as Sr. Citizen and another classification in the same division and enter both with similar articles (i.e.: Professional sculpture and Sr. Citizen Oil). Artists must determine which classification they wish to enter and designate such.
  9. No text will be allowed in or on the frame.
  10. Art must be family friendly, no political, religious, advertisements, nudity, explicit images or vulgar language permitted.

JUDGING

  1. SIGNED JUDGES SHEETS WILL BE USED AS THE FINAL AUTHORITY ON AWARDS OF WORKS EXHIBITED.
  2. In the event of limited numbers of entries, the judges may use discretion in making awards. They may not award any placing to an inferior item.
  3. In the event there is only one entry in a class and no competition, prize money and/or ribbons may not be awarded.
  4. Judging will be done in the designated divisions and artist must classify themselves in one of those divisions. Judges may move art into a different class if appropriate.
  5. Judges will be allowed to enter exhibits for display only.

ABOUT THE JUDGES

GRAND PRIZE AWARD

A trophy, rosette, and $250 will be awarded to the Best Exhibit in the entire show - selected from the various Best of Show awards. Winner of this award will forfeit the Best of Show Award.

PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARDS

Two awards will be given. A rosette and $30 will be presented to the exhibitor of the favorite painting and the favorite sculpture chosen by the public. Voting will take place September 8th through the 15th and the award will be placed on September 16th. The public may vote for one in each category.

DEPARTMENT FA1 - Professional

Exhibitors will be limited to winning one award per class.

1st place 2nd place 3rd place 4th place 5th place 6th place 7th place
$175 $150 $100 $75 $30 $20 $10

Best Of Show - $225 & Trophy (1 awarded)

Class:
A. Oil Painting and Acrylic
B. Watercolor
C. Graphic Arts (includes charcoal, pencil, ink, etchings, block printing, lithographs, collage, air brush, encaustic (wax), mixed media, items that are highly illustrational and artwork that is produced other than using a brush (this does not include art produced by a computer)).
D. Pastels
E. Sculpture (Bronze)

DEPARTMENT FA2 - Amateur


1st place 2nd place 3rd place 4th place 5th place 6th place 7th place
$50 $30 $20 $15 $12 $10 $5
Honorable Mention - Ribbons

Best Of Show - $175 & Trophy (1 awarded)

Class: A - Oil Painting and Acrylic
Lot No.
1. Landscape
2. People & Animals
3. Still Life

Class: B - Watercolor
Lot No.
4. Landscape
5. People & Animals
6. Still Life

Class: C - Graphic Arts (includes charcoal, pencil, ink, etchings, block printing, lithographs, collage, air brush, encaustic (wax), mixed media, items that are highly illustrational and artwork that is produced other than using a brush (this does not include art produced by a computer)).
Lot No.
7. Landscape
8. People & Animals
9. Still Life

Class: D - Pastels

Class: E - Sculpture (Bronze)

Department FA3 - Young Amateur

(ages 12 to 17 years)

1st place 2nd place 3rd place 4th place 5th place 6th place 7th place
$20 $15 $10 Ribbon Ribbon Ribbon Ribbon
Honorable Mention - Ribbons

Best Of Show - $30 & Trophy (1 awarded)

Class:
A. Oil painting and Acrylic
B. Watercolor
C. Graphic Arts (includes charcoal, pencil, ink, etchings, block printing, lithographs, collage, air brush, encaustic (wax), mixed media, items that are highly illustrational and artwork that is produced other than using a brush (this does not include art produced by a computer)).
D. Pastels


DEPARTMENT FA4 - Junior Amateur

(ages 6 - 11 years)
1st place 2nd place 3rd place 4th place 5th place 6th place 7th place
$15 $10 $5 Ribbon Ribbon Ribbon Ribbon


Honorable Mention - Ribbons

Best Of Show - $25 & Trophy (1 awarded)

Class:
A. Oil painting and Acrylic
B. Watercolor
C. Graphic Arts (includes charcoal, pencil, ink, etchings, block printing, lithographs, collage, air brush, encaustic (wax), mixed media, items that are highly illustrational and artwork that is produced other than using a brush (this does not include art produced by a computer).
D. Pastels

DEPARTMENT FA5 - Senior Citizens

(ages 62 and over)
There will be no division of classes as Amateur and Professional. Senior citizens may enter the regular divisions if they so desire. However, they would be required to pay the regular entry fee. Pastel and Sculpture exhibits must be entered in the regular classes.

1st place 2nd place 3rd place 4th place 5th place 6th place 7th place
$25 $20 $15 $10 $5 Ribbon Ribbon
Honorable Mention - Ribbons

Best Of Show - $50 & Trophy (1 awarded)

Class:
A. Oil painting and Acrylic
B. Watercolor
C. Graphic Arts (includes charcoal, pencil, ink, etchings, block printing, lithographs, collage, air brush, encaustic (wax), mixed media, items that are highly illustrational and artwork that is produced other than using a brush (this does not include art produced by a computer).

DEPARTMENT FA6 - Disabled

1st place 2nd place 3rd place 4th place 5th place 6th place 7th place
$25 $20 $15 $10 $5 Ribbon Ribbon

Honorable Mention - Ribbons

Best Of Show - $30 & Trophy (1 awarded)

Class:
A. Oil painting and Acrylic
B. Watercolor
C. Graphic Arts (includes charcoal, pencil, ink, etchings, block printing, lithographs, collage, air brush, encaustic (wax), mixed media, items that are highly illustrational and artwork that is produced other than using a brush (this does not include art produced by a computer).
D. Pastels

DEPARTMENT FA7 - Quick Draw

We are excited to offer a Quick Draw Competition for art to be created on the Fairpark. We hope it will be fun to create your art in the atmosphere of the Fair.

Competition Date: Saturday, September 9th
Set - up and Registration: 9:00 am - Bonneville Building Patio (northeast corner of building)
Work must take place within the Fairpark and final piece must be submitted by 3:30 pm on the Bonneville Building Patio.
Awards presented by 4:00 pm
Entry Fee: $15.00 - includes admission to Fair on date of competition.
How to Register: Pre-registration is requested. Register online above, or during art receiving dates or on 9:00 am day of competition.

Professional pays:

1st place 2nd place 3rd place
$150 $100 $75

Amateur pays:
1st place 2nd place 3rd place
$125 $75 $50
Young Amateur pays:
1st place 2nd place 3rd place
$50 $30 $20

Jr Amateur pays:
1st place 2nd place 3rd place
$15 $10 $5



Contest Rules:

1. Artist must be 16 years of age or older.
2. Artist will supply their own canvas, supplies, frame and wire for hanging or displaying the art. Maximum width of entry is 30", including frame. The canvas must be blank to begin and must be stamped at registration by an authorized Fine Art department employee. Several canvases may be stamped but only one submitted to the competition.
3. Artist may use any medium that is displayed in the Fine arts department, including oil, acrylic, watercolor, pencil, pen & ink, pastels or sculpture in clay, resin or wood.
4. Work must be completed "en plein aire" (on location outdoors) at the Fairpark. Artists must work from subject matter at the Fairpark or from photos they have taken themselves of the Fair this year as references. Artists may choose to paint out at the Fairpark or on the grass area behind the Bonneville Building. Artists must use caution in setting up their work as to not restrict the flow of Fair traffic. Artists are asked not to paint inside the Fine Art Building, as that is reserved for the Working Artist of the Day.
5. Work will be judged according to all the elements of art.
6. The art will be displayed during the remainder of the Fair which ends September 18th. Art will be released on September 19th and 20th.
7. The art may be labeled for sale at a price the artist chooses. Sale of the art will be up to each artist. The art must remain in the show. If a piece sells, the artist may deliver the art to the buyer after the Fair is over.
8. Work that is deemed inappropriate or is not accepted into the show should be retrieved on the day of competition by the artist.

Lot No.
1. Professional
2. Amateur

Youth Quick Draw *NEW*

Competition Date: Saturday, September 9th10:30 am-11:30 am

Registration:10:00 am-10:30 am on the day of competition at the Fine Art Building Patio (northeast corner of the building), or artists may pre-register at the time of receiving art for the Fair August 31st, September 1st, or September 2.

Entry Fee:$3.00

Young Amateur: Ages 12 – 16 1st Place-$20, 2nd Place-$15, 3rd Place-$10

Jr. Amateur: Ages 6 – 11 1st Place-$15, 2nd Place-$10, 3rd Place-$5 Painting will take place for only one hour from 10:30-11:30.Work will need to be turned in by 11:45

Awards will be presented at 12:00 Contest Rules:

  1. Artist must be accompanied by an adult. Work will need to be turned in by 11:45.
  2. Artist will supply their own materials. The canvas or paper must be blank. Several canvases can be stamped but only one submitted to the competition. Frames will not be required. However, if the artist chooses, they may frame or matte their art. They must bring it with them the day of the competition.
  3. Artist may use any medium that is displayed in the Fine Art Department, including, oil, acrylic, watercolor, pencil, colored pencil, pen & ink, pastel, charcoal, mixed media, and clay for sculpture.
  4. Work must be completed “en plein air” (on location outdoors or indoors) at the Fairpark. Artist must use caution in setting up where to work to make sure it is safe and not restrict the flow of Fair traffic. Artist may not paint in the Fine Art Building, but may use the grass area in back of the Building.
  5. Subject matter must be of the Utah State Fair this year. Artist may work from a photo taken by them at the Fair this year as a reference.
  6. Work will be judged according to all the elements of art and will be on display the duration of the Fair. Art will be released on the Fine Art Release Dates September 18th and 19th .

DEPARTMENT FA8 - CHALK ART

Competition Date: Friday, September 8th & Saturday, September 9th
Entry Fee: $10.00 - includes admission to Fair on date(s) of competition.
Registration: Online pre-registration is recommended, as there are limited spaces. Pre-registration will end August 30th. Artist may then register in person at the Fine Art Building on August 31st (10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.), September 1st (10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.) or September 2nd (10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) If there is space available, artists may register the morning of September 9th beginning at 9:00 a.m. at the Fine Art Building (secure your free tickets at the Administration Building prior to entering)
Check-In: Fine Art Building beginning at 9:00 a.m. each day. Approval of images will take place at check-in.
Location: Image creation location(s) will be specified at a later date.
Judging: Awards announced by 7:00 pm on Saturday, September 9th. If artist is not present, they will be notified if they win an award.

Professional pays:

1st place 2nd place 3rd place
$100 $75 $50

Amateur pays:
1st place 2nd place 3rd place
$50 $30 $20
Youth pays:
1st place 2nd place 3rd place
$30 $20 $10
Contest Rules:
1. Participants bring their own chalk, shade, water and chairs. There are plenty of food options for purchase at the Fair.
2. One or two artists may participate per area. One of the participants must be 18 years or older. The second one may be youth or adult.
3. Area chalked will be 4' x 4' or 6' x 6'. Each artist group will decide and mark off their own square in their designated spot.
4. Artwork may be worked on using one or both days, the artist(s) decide. On September 8th, the artist must leave when the Fair closes at 11:00 p.m. On September 9th, the artist may begin at 9:00 a.m. and end at 7:00 p.m. for judging.
5. White water-based washable paint must be applied before the chalk, as an undercoating on the cement. Each group will supply and apply their own paint.
6. Only chalk based pastels are allowed. No oil based pastels, oil based chalk and no fixatives.
7. Subject matter for chalk art is anything related to the Utah State Fair.
8. Images need to be family friendly and approved before artist begins. We reserve the right to disqualify any artwork that is deemed inappropriate. NO political, religious, advertistement, nudity, explicit images or vulgar language permitted.
9. The Fine Art Deparment encourages original art images but if derived from other sources, please give them credit.
10. Photos of the completed chalk art may be used by the Utah State Fair for advertising purposes without compensation to the artist.

Lot No.
1. Professional
2. Amateur


Youth Chalk Art *NEW*

Competition Date:Friday September 8th and Saturday September 9th

Entry Fee:$3:00

Registration: Ages 6- 17. Online pre-registration is recommended, as there are limited spaces. However artist may register the day of September 8th at the Fine Art Building.

Check In: At Fine Art Building beginning at 9:00 am. Artist must present the image they will be chalking for approval, then receive the number of the space they will chalk.

Judging and Awards at 7:00 pm

Awards: 1st Place $15, 2nd Place $10, 3rd Place $5

Contest Rules:

  1. Artists must be accompanied by an adult
  2. Participants bring their own chalk, shade, water and chairs. There are plenty of food options for purchase at the Fair.
  3. Only one artist will be competing in the youth division. The area will be 2’X2’ .
  4. Subject matter for chalk art is anything related to the Utah State Fair. Images need to be approved at the time of Check In and be family friendly.
  5. White or black water-based washable paint must be applied before the chalk as an undercoating. Artist will mark off their assigned area and supply and apply their own paint. Only chalk based pastels will be allowed.
  6. Artwork may be worked on using one or both days. Artist may start at 9:00 am each day and must leave the Fair when it closes at 11:00 pm. Artwork must be completed by 7:00 pm Saturday, September 9th ready to be judged.
  7. Photos of the completed chalk art may be used by the Utah State Fair for advertising purposes without compensation to the artist.

Special Awards

Logo of the Utah Watercolor Society

Utah Watercolor Society
will offer awards
Logo of the Intermountain Society of Artists

Intermountain Society of Artists
will offer awards
Logo with a paint of the Bilck Art Materials


Blick will offer award prizes to winners in the Fine Art Department
Back to
Top
Buy Tickets