2026 Lone Tree Art Expo

Call for Entry is open for the 2026 Lone Tree Fine Art Expo. Artists may submit up to three images via CaFÉ™ (www.callforentry.org). Categories include: Painting, Drawing, Watercolor, Mixed Media and Sculpture. Prize money will be awarded to 1st and 2nd place winners in each category as well as Best of Show and Commissioners’ Choice. Entry deadline is September 17th, 2026.

Details:

The 2026 Lone Tree Fine Art Expo is presented by the City of Lone Tree and the Lone Tree Arts Commission. This juried exhibition runs October 28th, 2026 – January 4th, 2027 at the Lone Tree Arts Center, 10075 Commons Street, Lone Tree, Colorado, 80124.

Categories:

Painting

Drawing 

Watercolor / Watermedia

Mixed Media 

Sculpture 

Materials Guide: 

Painting: Oil, acrylic, alkyd, and encaustic on canvas, panel, or board.

Watercolor: Transparent watercolor, gouache, and egg tempera on paper or board.

Drawing: Graphite, charcoal, colored pencil, silverpoint, pen and ink, and pastel.

Mixed Media: Artworks combining two or more distinct mediums (e.g., watercolor and collage).

Sculpture: Three-dimensional works in wood, stone, metal, clay, or found objects.

Framing & Presentation Rules:

Artwork must be gallery ready and have appropriate hardware that is compatible with our Arakawa Hanging System. This hanging system uses a clip in mechanism which requires that all wall mounted work have D-rings AND hanging wire. Wall mounted work may not exceed 45 pounds.

Watercolor and Drawing: Must be framed under glass or plexiglass. Art must be completely dry. Paper edges must not touch the glass; use an acid-free mat or spacers.

Painting (including Encaustic): Canvas edges must be painted or framed. No glass allowed. Encaustic panels must be fully cured and stable.

Mixed Media: Can follow either framing style depending on the dominant surface material.

Sculpture: Must be structurally sound and free-standing. Must include its own stable base if it cannot stand safely on a flat tabletop. Max. height is 48 inches and max. base width is 14 inches. 

Hanging Hardware: All flat artworks must have secure D-rings and a hanging wire attached to the back. No sawtooth hangers or clips allowed.

A label must be attached to the back of artwork identifying artist, title, category, and price. Entries not meeting specifications, or which are fragile or damaged will not be hung.

Acceptance:

Artists will receive an email notification from CaFÉ™ stating artwork that is “Invited” or “Not Invited” to the Art Exhibition by September 22nd, 2026. (Artists may receive up to two emails as artwork categorized as Invited and Not Invited will appear in separate notifications.)

Important Dates:

Drop-off:

October 26th, 2026

Lone Tree Arts Center

3pm – 6pm

Opening Reception:

October 29th, 2026

Lone Tree Arts Center 

6:30pm – 8:30pm

Pick-up:

January 5th, 2027

Lone Tree Arts Center 

3pm – 6pm

2026 Juror: TBA

Awards:

Selections for the exhibition are made via callforentry.org (CaFÉ™) from JPEG images. Awards are made by the juror in person and include the final presentation of the artwork. Prize money will be awarded to each winner. Awards include: Best of Show and Commissioner’s Choice award, Painting First Place and Second Place, Drawing First Place and Second Place, Watercolor First Place and Second Place, Mixed Media First Place and Second Place, and Sculpture First Place and Second Place. 

Sales:

A 20% sales commission will be applied to all sales. Accepted artists may sell bin work at the opening reception ONLY. Artists may provide their own bin or request a bin from the Lone Tree Arts Center prior to the opening reception. Our bins are limited so they will be given out on a first come first serve basis so put your request in early. Artists must bring bin work on the day of the reception, October 29th, 2026. We ask that all artists provide a bio and details on how attendees can view additional works and get in contact with them. A 3-ring binder will be made available with this information throughout the exhibit. Artwork may not be removed by the artist or the purchaser prior to the end of the exhibition.

Questions and Information:

For Art Exhibition questions, please contact the CaFÉ™ Technical Support team at 303.629.1166 or contact Bailey Dunning at 303.909.2422 or bailey.dunning@cityoflonetree.com 

Requirements:

Artists are eligible to submit up to three pieces of artwork in the following categories: Painting, Drawing, Watercolor/Watermedia, Mixed Media & Sculpture.

A non-refundable entry fee of $36 is required. Fees may be paid via credit card on CaFÉ™

(1) digital image per piece of artwork submitted. 

Must be local or within driving distance. No work will be accepted by mail or delivery service. 

Eligibility:

• The artwork must be original in concept and designed and executed by the artist.
• Dimensions of artwork provided must be the final size of the artwork, including the frame (if it has one).
• The artwork should be non-offensive to a general audience of all ages.
• Artwork must have been completed within the last three years (2023-2026) AND not shown previously in a Lone Tree art exhibition.
• Artwork must be available for purchase.
• Accepted works of art must remain on display through the duration of the exhibit. They cannot be picked up earlier than the listed pick-up date.
• Three dimensional artwork cannot exceed 48" and not weigh more than 75 pounds.
• Two dimensional media cannot exceed 48", must be a minimum of 12" and cannot weigh more than 45 pounds.
• All work must be dropped off in person, no shipments will be accepted. You or someone you designate must be able to drop-off your work on Monday, October 26th between the hours of 3pm – 6pm; pick-up your work on Tuesday, January 5th between the hours of 3pm – 6pm.