31st Annual Gateway to the Rockies Art Show

The Aurora Artists Guild, a non-profit arts organization, joins the City of Aurora, Aurora Public Library, and Central Library to present the 31th Annual Gateway to the Rockies Art Show & Sale. The Central Library is located at 14949 E. Alameda Ave, Aurora, Colorado 80012.

The categories are photography, two-dimensional art and miniatures. Artists are invited to submit up to three images per category. All two-dimensional art work and photography will need to be hand delivered to the Central Library. Miniature art work may be mailed. Mailing instructions for the miniatures is in the prospectus. Please read our prospectus carefully.  There are awards for all three categories. A reception will be held Saturday, November 7th, from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Light snacks will be available during the reception. Please read the entire prospectus for all the important information.

Please read the entire prospectus for changes this year.
Please note: Only Miniature artwork artists are allowed to mail in their artwork. Mailing instructions for the Miniatures are in the prospectus.
All 2-D and Photography artwork must be delivered in person to the City of Aurora, Central Library, 14949 E. Alameda Parkway, Aurora, CO 8001231st Annual Gateway to the Rockies Art Show & Sale
November 6, 2026, through December 4, 2026
Aurora Central Library
14949 E. Alameda Parkway
Aurora, CO 80012
Entry Deadline: September 14, 2026
Requirements: This juried art show is open to all artists as described below.  Artists must be at least 18 years old to participate.
2-D – (no less than 3 with a maximum of 3)
Miniatures – (no less than 3 with a maximum of 3)
Photography – (no less than 3 with a maximum of 3)
Maximum entries would be a total of nine, three from each category.
Any entrant with more than three in one category will have the entries in that category reduced to the maximum number of three by the Gateway Committee prior to the juror viewing the images.
Entry Fee: $45.00 for 3 images, for each additional image after the first three the charge is $5 per image.
AAG members are eligible for a $10.00 discount coupon; the $10.00 is deducted from the $45.00 entry fee upon entering the eligibility code. An eligibility code will be emailed to all current AAG members. To receive this discount a new member must join Aurora Artists Guild before submitting their Gateway registration. To join or renew your Aurora Artists Guild membership dues, your payment may be made at our website; auroraartistsguild.com using PayPal or mail a check or money order to Aurora Artists Guild, P.O. Box 440392, Aurora CO  80044.
All entry fees are non-refundable; no exceptions.

Key Dates for Artists
Entry to the art show through Café™ Call for Entry starts on July 1, 2026
Entry Deadline - September 14, 2026 (no exceptions)
Acceptance Notices Emailed - On or before, September 30, 2026
Take-in Accepted Artwork:  October 31, 2026, 10 am – Noon
Show Opens - November 6, 2026
Reception & Awards - Saturday, November 7, from 3:00-5:00 pm with Awards Ceremony at 4:00 pm.
Take-in for Bin Work - Saturday, November 7, 10:30 am to 2:30 pm prior to the reception
Please see the section on Bin Work for additional important information.
Exhibit Closes: December 4, 2026
Pick-up for Artwork: December 5, 2026, Noon – 2 pm
There will be no exceptions to pick up; artwork cannot be stored at the library
The Aurora Artists Guild and the City of Aurora Central Library are not responsible for any damaged or stolen artwork. Please have your artwork insured if this is a concern for you.A

Artist Commitment
By submitting your work for consideration, you agree that the work will be available during the exhibition dates listed on this prospectus, and you will hand deliver and pick up your work on the dates specified (mailed Miniatures exempt). Artwork that has been accepted by the juror may not be changed (in any way or after take-in) after entry to café™.  All invited/not invited letters will be sent by email on or before September 30. If you do not receive notification of being invited or not invited via email, it is your responsibility to contact joan@joanheinen.com. Artists can also find the invited/not invited information through their CaFE TM account. Please make sure your email address will accept all incoming emails from gatewaytotherockiesartshow@gmail.com. By entering you grant the Aurora Artists Guild and the City of Aurora permission to use images of accepted works for public relations, marketing and archival purposes.

Juror for 2-D, Miniatures and Photography: Janet Schreiner
Awards for Two-Dimensional and Photography will be best show, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and honorable mentions. Awards for Miniatures will be 1st, 2nd and honorable mention. The number of entries and sponsor contributions will determine monetary awards and gifts.

 Rules of Entry
All artwork will be judged according to fine art and photography principles and presentation.
The decision of the juror is final. The Aurora Artists Guild reserves the right to reject any work deemed unsuitable.

Eligibility
All artwork must have been completed within the last five (5) years. Works shown at any previous Gateway Art Show will not be accepted. Artwork must be original and not copied from any copyrighted material or photographs, except those taken by the artist. Accepted artwork must be in the categories of Two-Dimensional, Photography, or Miniatures.

Submitting Entries
All entries must be made through the CaFE TM website, www.callforentry.org. There is no cost for the artist to enter through CaFE TM. The only cost for the artist is for the Entry Fees for the Gateway Art Show. Payment is by credit card or PayPal. Other costs for the artists would be shipping and return shipping costs for Miniatures.

Criteria for submitting files - READ CAREFULLY PLEASE
File Format – JPEG only
File Dimensions – 1200 pixels or greater on the longest side
File Size – Under 5 MB
Each image must be of the image only; no frames or mats can show in the image.
Any image that contains a frame or mat will not be viewed by the juror.

Categories
Artists may submit artwork in three distinct categories: 2-D, Miniatures, and Photography.  Be sure to choose the correct category for your artwork. Three images maximum may be entered in any single category for a total of nine images.   All 2-D and Photography pieces must be hand delivered. Miniatures can be mailed according to specifications under Miniature category.

Two-Dimensional Artwork
Only original artwork in any two-dimensional fine art media will be accepted. Artwork that is not allowed: work completed in a classroom, computer graphics, crafts (including stained glass, mosaics, beads, sewing, fiber art or artwork by AI, etc.) 3-D work, or sculpture. (3-D is defined in terms of its height, width, and depth, it is not flat like 2-D). The frame must be around the perimeter of the artwork, Gallery wrapped pieces are acceptable, with no staples on the sides. (No other configurations will be accepted.) 

Minimum image size: 8” x 10”.
Maximum outside dimension including frame size: 30“any side.
Three (3) images, maximum, may be entered.
2-D artwork must be hand delivered.

Photography
Only original traditional, digital, or computer-enhanced photography accepted.
Minimum image size: 8” x 10”.
Maximum outside dimension including frame size: 30” any side
Canvas and aluminum prints are acceptable without a frame.
Three (3) images, maximum, may be entered.
Photographs must be hand delivered.

Miniatures
Two-dimensional rules apply; Traditional miniature rules do not apply.
Maximum image size: 5” x 7”
Maximum image plus frame size: 8” x10”
Three (3) images, maximum, may be entered.
Minis can be mailed to Joan Heinen, 4131 S. Andes Way, Aurora, CO 80013 or hand delivered to the library at Take-in on October 31. Minis that are mailed need to include return postage and return address. Please only use the United States Post Office for your art or the postal service in your country (No Fed X or UPS). AAG is not responsible for artwork damaged in transit.

Other Specifications
Artwork must be suitably framed and wired with flat clips. The ends of the wire must be wrapped with no sharp ends protruding. No saw tooth hangers, unframed glass, or clipped-in hangers. Gallery wrapped canvas must have finished edges. Artwork with smudges or poorly cut mats, and artwork with marred mats, glass, or frames will not be accepted. The artwork must match what was submitted for entry, i.e., title of art, and price. No price or title changes are allowed after entry.
(No exceptions.)
Artwork must have an identification label attached to the lower back left hand side of each entry with Artist name, email, phone, title, medium and price
A commission of 20% of sold work will go to the Aurora Artists Guild. All sales will be managed by a representative of the Aurora Artists Guild. All gallery artwork sold will be released to the buyer on December 5, 2026.
Bin Work may be released at the time of purchase.

Bin Work
Gateway artists may bring in bin work to the Reception, November 7, 2026. All artists who enter the 2026 Gateway show are eligible to submit bin work. Artists may bring their artwork between 10 am and 2:30pm· The artwork will be on sale to the public from 10:30 am to 2:30 pm. It is not necessary for the artists to stay with their bins.  AAG will manage the sales, collect sales tax and apply the 20% commission.  There will be no restrictions on what is in artist’s bins in terms of size, etc.; however, all artwork must be family friendly. Artist statements may also be placed in with your bin work.

Bin Work Criteria
Bin work must be labeled with the artist’s name and price on the back upper right-hand corner of the piece. Labels must be on the artwork when it is brought in. Be sure to protect your artwork with clear sleeves or other protection. Bring a typed inventory sheet listing the Artist’s name, phone, and email as well as title, medium, and price of each artwork. Only 25 pieces are allowed to be in the bin.
Bring a black canvas sling-type floor bin. AAG has a limited number of bins available for members to share.

New and Reception Information
To add additional interest in the art show this year, we will have two Artist Demonstrations on November 7th. From 11 am to Noon, Jo Ann Nelson will present a lively demonstration of a Mixed Media painting. From 1 pm to 2 pm, Jill Quillian will do an entertaining demonstration of Silk Painting.

The Gateway Reception will be from 3 pm to 5 pm. Please invite your family and friends to attend the Gateway show and members reception.

Presented by
The Aurora Artists Guild
 www.auroraartistsguild.com
For questions or general information contact: Joan Heinen, joan@joanheinen.com
All Gateway artists, members of AAG or non-members are encouraged to volunteer to assist with some tasks.
For those artists that would like to volunteer please contact Pegi Taylor, pegit1@comcast.net.

None

Artists must be over 18 years of age.