In "Adam and Eden," BDAC's 6th Annual Plein Air Competition, BDAC challenges artists to depict their observations of situations where humans interact with the land. The landscape of Utah is rich with sites where humans act as stewards, neighbors, and parasites. At times the land even commands submission from humans. Whether the interaction is worshipful or exploitative, we want to see your observations through art.

Artists may work outdoors anywhere in the state of Utah. Both traditional painting and non-traditional media may be entered in the competition.  Embroidery, collage, sculpture--the sky is the limit to how artists may define plein air.  The guest juror will judge traditional paintings in a separate category from non-traditional media and award cash prizes to the winners.

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Rules:

Art must be created primarily outdoors, ON-SITE
Location depicted may be anywhere in the state of Utah
Art must be created between the dates of March 5 and April 6, 2020
Artists in the traditional category must stamp surfaces at BDAC before beginning painting
Art should demonstrate the artist's interpretation of the theme
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Traditional participants must bring their unpainted canvases and surfaces to BDAC during gallery hours between March 5 and April 6 for stamping.  Bring completed pieces in both categories to BDAC between March 5 and April 6.  Entry fee is $10 per painting.  Artists may enter up to 5 pieces.  Payments will be accepted online, at BDAC, or by calling BDAC at 801.295.3618.
Completed pieces must be delivered to BDAC no later than April 6. They must be ready to install, with all required hardware. Flat, wall-mounted work in either category must have D-rings and wire. The D-rings should be near the top of the frame (usually no more than 2") to accommodate our hanging system. Excessively fragile or poorly-framed work (ex: flimsy metal frames, sawtooth hangers...) may be rejected at the discretion of BDAC staff. Due to glare and handling concerns BDAC does not recommend framing with glass, especially for fresh oil paintings.

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CHANGES TO JURYING THIS YEAR: BDAC will accept all pieces conforming to the rules unless the number of total paintings exceeds the museum's spatial capacity.  At that point BDAC will accept at least one (1) painting from each artist.  If one painting from each artist still exceeds BDAC's spatial capacity, works will be juried into the exhibition.  Artists will be notified of acceptance or rejection by April 9.  A list of accepted works will be sent by email and posted on this webpage. Any work not accepted must be picked up April 10 - 13 during gallery hours.

For more information contact BDAC at 801 295-3618 or support@bdac.org

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WINNERS OF THE 5TH ANNUAL PLEIN AIR COMPETITION
Traditional Painting

1st Place: Allen Brockbank, "Crossroads" Oil

2nd Place: Steve Stauffer, "Shadows" Oil

3rd Place: B. Rex Stewart, "Barn" Oil

Honorable Mention: Wm Conrad Bowen, "Neil Tams Farm" Watercolor

Honorable  Mention: Stephen Henry, "Provo Bend" Watercolor and Metal Leaf

Honorable Mention: Jan Boardman, "One More Winter" Watercolor

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Non-Traditional Media

1st Place:  Justin Watson, "Smelter" Photogram Pigment Print

2nd Place: Nancy Andruk Olsen, "Fenced In" Mixed Media

3rd Place: Trent Alvey, "Garden of Earthly Delights" Photography

Honorable Mention: Hope Walker "Mount Olympus Sunrise" Embroidery

For more information contact BDAC at 801 295-3618 or