56th Annual Smoky Hill Art Competition & Exhibition > Register & Apply
SHAE 2025

The Hays Arts Council announces the 56th Annual Smoky Hill Art Competition & Exhibition.  The "Smoky Hill" is open to Kansas artists (in both 2-D & 3-D media).  A minimum entry fee of $30 allows for submission of two (2) works - two (2) additional works may be entered for a fee of $5 each.

EXHIBITION DATES - 

April 26 through June 7, 2025

AWARDS - 

Multiple cash awards totaling $3,000 will be awarded at the juror’s discretion. The HAC promotes a purchase program among its patrons.

JUROR - 

Jay Nelson is an art curator and former owner and director of the Strecker Nelson Gallery. Curatorial and collection projects include those for the Kansas Masters Biennial traveling exhibit; Flint Hill Masters at the Flint Hills Discovery Center Manhattan, KS; Art Kansas at McPherson College; and the permanent Meadowlark Hills Art Collection, Manhattan KS. He served as a commissioner for the Kansas Arts Commission and an advisory board member of Manhattan Arts & Humanities. With his wife Barbara, he received the 2008 "Kansas Governor's Award" for arts advocacy.

ENTRY FEES -

A $30 entry fee provides for the submission of two (2) works. Two (2) additional works may be entered for a fee of $5 each. ENTRY FEES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE. In addition to online payment, the Hays Arts Council will accept checks or cash for entry fees. If you prefer to pay by check or cash, contact us for a payment code to complete entry submission.

Entry submission closes Wednesday, March 19 at 11:59pm.

A maximum of three (3) images will be accepted for each submitted work (2-D or 3-D).

For tips on photographing your work for use in an online call visit:  https://artcall.org/pages/tips-for-photographing-artwork-for-digital-submissions

SPECIFICATIONS - 

- All entries must be of original design and personal execution, completed within the last two years, and not previously exhibited in a Smoky Hill Exhibition.

- An artist may submit up to four (4) works.

- Work must be able to pass through a standard doorway (approx. 36”x78”) - otherwise, there are NO size restrictions.

 - All accepted works must be finished works of art ready for installation as follows:

  1. Works on paper must be mounted and secured in professional frames under glass or acrylic and ready for installation. Please no plastic frames or clip style frames. Collage elements must be secured or protected behind glass.
  2. Paintings or photographs on canvas need to have a finished edge whether clean, painted or with wood stripping. Paintings or photographs on canvas boards need to be framed. Work should be dry and fixed. No wet paint.
  3. All 2-D artworks must have a hanging device - screw eyes or D-rings with braided picture wire securely wrapped. Works under 14” (outside dimensions) in both height and width may use saw tooth hangers.
  4. Wall hanging fabric works will need to include a hanging device, such as an embedded sleeve along with a dowel or rod.
  5. Photographs mounted on acrylic or aluminum are fine as long as the hanging device is incorporated in a professional manner.  Photographers must submit finished artworks at the size listed in submission entry.
  6. Heavy sculpture that is to stand on the floor (rather than placed on a pedestal) must include a pad or cushioning elements to protect the wood floor.
  7. Artists may not substitute another work for an accepted work, alter a work, or withdraw or remove a work after it has been accepted.

- Commercial duplication of a work not accepted.

- Selected work must remain during the entire exhibition.

NOTIFICATION - 

Notification of works accepted or declined will be sent by March 31, 2025. The juror reserves the right to remove an unacceptable entry during the final judging. Accepted works which differ significantly from the submitted images will also be disqualified.

DELIVERY - 

All shipped works are to be sent in reusable packaging.  Allow ample time for entries to reach us. Accepted works will be received at the Hays Arts Center Monday, April 14 - Friday, April 18.  Hand-delivered works will be accepted Monday through Friday, 10am to 4pm

FINAL SELECTION -

The juror reserves the right to remove an unacceptable entry during the final judging. Accepted works which differ significantly from the submitted images will also be disqualified.

SALES - 

The sale price of works must be noted with entry information. If work is not for sale, the price is to be listed as 0.00

The Hays Arts Council will retain a one-third (33 1/3%) commission on sales of all accepted works. Payments for all works sold will be made to the artist on or before June 15, 2025.

RETURN - 

Artists are responsible for all shipping costs of accepted work using FedEx, UPS or USPS. Include a paid return shipping label in the package (do not include stamps). Confirm that your shipping provider will refund the return shipping label in the event your work is sold.  Hand-delivered works can be collected beginning Monday, June 9.  Return shipments will be completed & shipped by June 14.  The Hays Arts Council will NOT be responsible for works left after July 1, 2025.

CATALOG - 

Print and/or digital catalog of awards, accepted works, and complete exhibition list will be available at the Hays Arts Center and/or through our website (www.haysartscouncil.org)

OPENING RECEPTION - 

The opening of the 2024 Smoky Hill Art Exhibition will be Saturday, April 26, from 10am to 4pm, serving as the anchor of the Hays Arts Council 2025 Spring Art Walk. The exhibition will close June 7, 2025.

LIABILITY - 

The Hays Arts Council (HAC) shall, upon possession of the artist’s work(s), exercise due care in handling. The artist is responsible for packing, shipping, insurance and other handling expenses and the risk of loss or damage incurred in the delivery of the artworks. The HAC shall not be responsible for any loss or damage to the artist’s artwork while in the HAC’s possession unless loss or damage is, or can be, directly attributable to intentional or negligent acts by HAC employees or volunteers. The artist is responsible for the return of all unsold work(s).

The Hays Arts Council shall assume the right to reproduce the image of any accepted entry for catalog or promotional purposes related to this exhibition.

The completion of entry submission constitutes the artist’s agreement with this prospectus.

SCHEDULE SUMMARY - 

March 19:  Entry deadline 
March 31:  Selection notification (by email)
April 14-18:  Delivery of accepted works (shipped or hand-delivered)
April 26:  Exhibit opens
June 7:  Exhibit closes
June 9-13:  Collection of hand-delivered work
June 13:  Return shipments completed

Gallery and individual works images from the 2023 and 2024 Smoky Hill Exhibitions at Smoky Hill (haysartscouncil.org)

The 56th Annual Smoky Hill Art Competition is sponsored by Jeter Law Firm, Emprise Bank, Vyve Broadband, and Northwestern Printers.

shae 2 pics

TIPS FOR USING THIS SITE - 

- You will need to create a profile with a user login and a password. 
- You will receive a prompt that says you have 24 minutes to complete your registration. Don't worry. Your information will be saved. You can log in again to edit, change or complete your information at any time prior to the submission deadline.
- Artcall.org will send you a confirmation email once you register for the 2025 Juried Exhibition. Check your "spam" or "junk" folder if you don't receive confirmation.
- When you are ready to submit, have your artwork information ready to enter, including your image file(s).

- Below is a quick tutorial you can watch to help with the submission process.  (open this video in YouTube for better viewing quality)