American Wildlife Art Competition and Exhibition 2025

The Arcadian Gallery in Cumberland, Maryland, is excited to announce the American Wildlife Art Competition & Exhibition, a celebration of nature-inspired art. This event highlights the beauty of wildlife through both original 2D art and prints. It offers artists a chance to showcase their work in an online as well as brick-and-mortar gallery. A unique aspect of the event is its focus on conservation, with 10% of all proceeds donated to a conservation cause selected by the juror.

Juried by renowned wildlife artist Carel Pieter Brest van Kempen, submissions will be evaluated on merit, originality, and alignment with the wildlife theme. Prizes include $2,500 for First Place, with additional awards such as Best Endangered Species Art, which includes a donation to a conservation cause chosen by the winning artist and Best Paleoart.

Key dates:

• Submission Deadline: July 31, 2025
• Exhibition: October 1–31, 2025
• Location: The Arcadian Gallery, Cumberland, Maryland

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Overview
The Arcadian Gallery is proud to announce its inaugural American Wildlife Art Competition and Exhibition, a celebration of nature-themed original art and prints. This unique competition showcases the beauty of wildlife and provides artists with the opportunity to exhibit their work in both an online exhibition as well as an elegant, brick-and-mortar gallery setting in the heart of downtown Cumberland, Maryland. 

This exhibition is unusual in that it welcomes fine art print submissions in addition to original artwork. Artists may also submit digital files which, if accepted into the exhibition, the Gallery will print for the show. The goal of the show is to highlight conservation and environmentally-themed art and inspire appreciation of the natural world. We apologize, but this year we will only be accepting two-dimensional artwork.

Our Gallery Director, Christopher P. Sloan, former National Geographic Magazine Art Director, and celebrated award-winning wildlife artist Carel Pieter Brest van Kempen, our juror, bring unmatched expertise to this event, ensuring that winners and participants gain recognition in the field of wildlife art. Their passion for nature makes this exhibition especially attractive to conservation-minded artists since the Gallery will donate 10% of proceeds to a conservation cause of the juror's choosing. 

Key Dates

• Submission Deadline: July 31, 2025
• Notification: August 15, 2025
• Work delivery: September 15-20, 2025
• Exhibition Dates: October 1-31, 2025
• Location: The Arcadian Gallery, 47 Baltimore Street, Cumberland, Maryland

Awards
Whether or not you win a prize, this competition establishes your work among the top tier of wildlife artists, given the esteemed credentials of the juror and Director. The Director and juror, both of whom are passionate about nature, have created a special category for this year's competition. The winner of the Best Endangered Species Art Award wins $250 and another $250 will be donated by the Gallery to the conservation cause of the artist's choice.

First Place: $2,500
Second Place: $1,250
Third Place: $500
Best Endangered Species Art Award
—$250 awarded to both the artist and a conservation cause of artist's choice

Best Paleoart Award
—$500 awarded to both the artist and a conservation cause of artist's choice

Jurying
The competition will be juried by Carel Pieter Brest van Kempen, whose expertise and accolades in wildlife art bring his unparalleled credentials to this event. Each artwork submitted will be judged on artistic merit, originality, and alignment with the American wildlife theme. Be sure to read the Eligibility section for what qualifies as "American" wildlife.

About the Juror
Carel Pieter Brest van Kempen: A Visionary in Wildlife Art
Carel Pieter Brest van Kempen is celebrated as one of the leading wildlife artists of our time. His career, spanning decades, has elevated wildlife art into an intricate form of storytelling, blending scientific precision with artistic excellence. His breathtaking works explore not only the beauty of wildlife but also the delicate ecological relationships and behaviors that define the natural world.

Brest van Kempen’s work has been exhibited in renowned galleries and museums worldwide, including the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum’s celebrated "Birds in Art" exhibition. A recipient of numerous accolades, including the Society of Animal Artists’ "Award of Excellence," his accomplishments affirm his status as a leader in wildlife art.

An advocate for conservation, Brest van Kempen highlights lesser-known and endangered species, raising awareness about biodiversity through his art. As an educator, juror, and lecturer, he inspires others by sharing his expertise in the intersection of science and art. His legacy is one of passion, precision, and an unwavering dedication to celebrating the beauty and complexity of nature.

About the Arcadian Gallery and Gallery Director
Christopher P. Sloan: Visionary Artist and Art Director
Christopher P. Sloan, an accomplished artist, educator, and art director, brings a wealth of experience and a visionary approach to his role as owner and Director of the new Arcadian Gallery in Cumberland, Maryland. With a career spanning decades, Sloan has established himself as a leading figure in the art world, particularly in science-related art. Sloan’s career is deeply rooted in his role as Art Director for National Geographic Magazine, where he worked for two decades. At National Geographic, he collaborated with a diverse range of artists and illustrators, shaping some of the most iconic visuals in scientific and natural history publishing. Sloan's discerning eye and creative leadership earned him recognition as a mentor and collaborator who elevated the standards of visual storytelling in science and nature.

Sloan's own artistic practice ventures into conceptual realism, where he explores delivering messages through distortions and juxtapositions. He is a member of Artists for Conservation and teaches animal anatomy at the Academy of Art University. Sloan is the founder of the "Art for Our Sake" movement which encourages artists to use art to engage the public on important topics such as extinctions, climate change, and fear of science and technology.

The Arcadian Gallery in Cumberland, Maryland represents a bold new chapter in Sloan’s career. Cumberland is located in the scenic hills of Western Maryland, just two-and-a half-hours from the busy metropolitan areas of Washington, DC; Baltimore; and Pittsburgh. The Gallery is on the main street of the newly renovated historic downtown. As Director, Sloan envisions the Gallery as a space where artists and audiences can connect over their shared appreciation for the beauty and complexity of the natural world, as well as a concern for the environment. The Gallery’s inaugural event, the American Wildlife Art Competition & Exhibition, exemplifies this mission, offering a platform for artists to showcase their work and for the public to engage with exceptional wildlife art.

Artist Feedback Option
Entrants may take the opportunity to receive professional feedback on their submissions from the Juror and Gallery Director. This service is available free to any artist who submits five entries or, alternatively, for a fee of $100. Artists interested feedback must notify us by emailing info@arcadiangallery.com.

Submission Guidelines

• Platform: All entries must be submitted through the CaFE system.
  Artists may submit up to five artworks.
• Image Specifications: Upload high-resolution images for each piece with the following parameters:
  • Minimum 1200 pixels on the longest side.
  • File format: JPG/JPEG.
  • Color space: RGB.

Each submission must include the following details:
 

• Artist Information:
  Provide your name and contact information.
• Title:
  Include the title of the artwork.
• Medium:
  If submitting an original artwork, indicate the medium/media used  (e.g., oil, acrylic, watercolor, etc.).
  Important: If you plan to submit your own fine art print or your artwork instead of an original artwork for the exhibition, select "Print" as the medium.
• Dimensions:
  For original artwork or your own fine art print, provide the dimensions of the artwork excluding any frame, matting, or border. Submissions must be no large than 48" x 48", including frame.
• Digital submissions: If submitting a digital file with the intent of having the gallery print a digital file if your work is accepted for the exhibition, indicate "Digital submission."
• Sale Price:
  Provide the sale price for the piece. Prices must be $4000 or less. Important: See Pricing and Sales Policy below.
• Creation Date: Indicate when the piece was created. Only art created within the last seven years is accepted.

Important Notes:
Incomplete or incorrect submissions will not be considered.
For additional details about print policies or digital submissions, refer to the Fine Art Print Policy section below.

Framing and Presentation Standards for Accepted Artwork
To ensure a professional and cohesive exhibition, all accepted framed artwork must adhere to the following presentation standards:

Framing and Mounting:

• Framed Artwork: All original artwork and prints accepted for display in the exhibition must be professionally framed and ready to hang with securely attached hanging hardware (e.g., D-rings or wire). Sawtooth hangers are not permitted.
• Glass or Acrylic: With the exception of oil and acrylic artwork, all artwork must use frames with clear glass or museum-quality acrylic to protect the artwork. Non-glare or UV-protective options are recommended but not required.
• Matting: Mats, if used, must be clean, securely placed, and in a neutral color (e.g., white, off-white, grey, black). Colored or patterned mats are not allowed unless integral to the design of the artwork.

Dimensions:
The total size of accepted artwork, including the frame, must not exceed 48” x 48”.

Labeling:
Each artwork must include an identification label securely affixed to the back with the artist’s name, title of the work, medium, dimensions, and price.

Condition:
Artwork must arrive clean, undamaged, and in exhibition-ready condition. The Gallery reserves the right to refuse works that do not meet these standards.

Non-Compliance:
Even if accepted into the exhibition, any accepted artwork received at the Gallery that does not meet the above standards will not be included in the exhibition. No exceptions or refunds of entry fees will be made for disqualified work. The Gallery has the final say on what is non-compliant.
 
 

Eligibility
This competition is open to all artists aged 18 and older. Artworks must align with the theme of American wildlife and adhere to the following guidelines:

• Media Accepted: Original art, fine art prints, or digital files suitable for fine art printing (See Fine Art Print Policy below)
• Size Limitations: No piece larger than 48” x 48” (including the frame)
• Pricing Requirements: Artists must provide a sale price for each entry. No pieces priced over $4,000 will be accepted.
• Theme: See Defining American Wildlife immediately below for an explanation of what wildlife will qualify as "American" wildlife.
• Creation Date: Art must have been created within the last seven years.

Defining "American Wildlife" for Eligibility

Artwork must feature species native to the Americas, including North, Central, and South America. This includes terrestrial, avian, and aquatic species in these regions. Since what is "native" can be a complicated question to answer, the competition will adhere to the following guidelines in special cases.

Migratory Species
Migratory species that spend part of their life cycle in the Americas, such as certain birds, whales, or butterflies (e.g., the monarch butterfly or arctic tern), are eligible. The artwork should reflect the species in a context relevant to its life in the Americas.
 

Endemic Species
Special emphasis is placed on species endemic to the Americas—those exclusively found in this region (e.g., bison, Andean condor, or axolotl).

Non-Native/Invasive Species
Artwork featuring invasive species (e.g., European starlings, Burmese pythons, or kudzu) is eligible only if the depiction explores their impact on American ecosystems. This provides an opportunity to address ecological challenges through art.

Global Species
Species found in the Americas and other regions (e.g., humpback whales, peregrine falcons) are eligible if the artwork explicitly portrays their life in an American habitat or ecosystem.

Domesticated Animals and Human Contexts
Domesticated animals (e.g., cattle, chickens) or wildlife in overtly human-centered environments are not eligible unless depicted in a way that highlights their impact on or relationship with natural American ecosystems.

Horses
Horses are compelling because they highlight the intersection of natural history, human influence, and environmental issues. While not native, their role in shaping American ecosystems and their iconic status in American culture makes them a meaningful addition to the exhibition when depicted thoughtfully. Here are the eligibility parameters for horses.

Wild Mustangs and Feral Horses
Artwork depicting wild mustangs and feral horse populations is eligible if the depiction emphasizes their role within American ecosystems or their cultural significance in the Americas. 

Domesticated Horses
Artwork featuring domesticated horses (e.g., farm or ranch settings) is not eligible unless the depiction directly relates to the interaction between human-modified landscapes and wildlife.

Historical or Cultural Context
Artwork portraying horses in historical or cultural contexts, such as their use by Native American communities or their role in American history, is eligible if it ties into the broader theme of wildlife and its relationship to human history in the Americas.

Wild Horse Conservation Themes
Submissions that address wild horse conservation, controversies around their management, or their environmental impact are eligible and strongly encouraged as they engage with ongoing ecological and cultural discussions.

Hybrids 
Hybrid species (e.g., crosses between native and non-native species) are not eligible unless they play a recognized ecological role in the Americas. 

Extinct Species
Depictions of extinct species (e.g., passenger pigeons, woolly mammoths, 
dinosaurs) are eligible and encouraged if they are clearly contextualized within the Americas.

Examples for Clarity
Eligible Subjects:

• A bald eagle soaring over the Grand Canyon (native and iconic)
   
• A blue whale in the Pacific Ocean along the California coast (migratory, global but relevant to American waters)
   
• An Andean bear in its high-altitude South American habitat (endemic)
   
• A lionfish depicted in a Florida reef with its invasive impact highlighted (non-native, ecological context)
   
• An Albertosaurus in a Sequoia forest

Ineligible Subjects:
 

• A panda bear as it is not naturally found in the Americas.
   
• A generic depiction of a mallard duck without contextual elements linking it to the Americas.
   
• A domestic cat unless tied to its effect on local wildlife.