American Wildlife Art Competition & Exhibition 2027

The Arcadian Gallery in Cumberland, Maryland, invites entries for our second American Wildlife Art Competition & Exhibition 2027. This event highlights the beauty of wildlife through original 2D art, sculpture, digital art, and fine art prints. Approximately 70 works will be selected for exhibition in our elegant brick-and-mortar gallery in Cumberland’s revitalized downtown Arts & Entertainment District, an emerging East Coast arts destination near Washington, D.C., Baltimore, and Pittsburgh. About 50 additional works will be selected for an online exhibition; all physically exhibited works will also appear online. Juried by renowned wildlife artist Carel Pieter Brest van Kempen. Awards include $2,500 First Place, Endangered Species Art, Paleoart, and more. Ten percent of Gallery sales commission supports conservation.

Deadline: Feb. 1, 2027
Exhibition: May 7–June 26, 2027
Location: Arcadian Gallery, Cumberland, Maryland
Fees: $30 first entry; $20 each additional entry, up to five total...

The Arcadian Gallery is proud to announce its second American Wildlife Art Competition and Exhibition, a celebration of nature-themed art. This year we are welcoming 2D art, fine art prints, digital art, and sculpture. (No photos, please. We have a separate nature photo competition for that.) This unique competition showcases the beauty of wildlife and provides artists with the opportunity to exhibit their work in both an elegant, brick-and-mortar gallery setting in the heart of downtown Cumberland, Maryland, as well as an online exhibition. Cumberland is an up-and-coming East Coast arts destination that draws audiences from the Washington, DC; Baltimore, and Pittsburgh metropolitan areas.

PHYSICAL AND ONLINE EXHIBITIONS

The juror will select approximately 70 works for the physical exhibition at the Arcadian Gallery. These works will also be included in the Gallery’s online exhibition.

In addition, approximately 50 additional works will be selected for the online exhibition only. This allows the juror to recognize and exhibit a broader group of outstanding entries than can be accommodated within the physical Gallery.

All works selected for either exhibition will be available for viewing and purchase through the online exhibition. Artists will be notified whether their work has been selected for the physical exhibition or for the online exhibition only.

This exhibition is unusual in that it welcomes digital art and fine art reproduction/giclée print submissions in addition to traditional 2d media and sculpture. Artists may also submit digital files; if accepted, the Gallery can print the work for a fee as part of a sign-and-return process described in the Rules and Terms to Apply section, so that every exhibited piece carries the artist’s original signature. The Gallery recognizes digital painting as an art and also recognizes that artists can generate more revenue from an artwork if they are able to sell reproduction prints. The goal of the show is to highlight conservation and environmentally-themed art and inspire appreciation of the natural world, and if there are great digital artworks and reproduction prints out there that can help do this, that's great. 

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 its sales commission to a conservation cause of the juror's choosing. 

Key Dates

• Submission Deadline: February 1, 2027
• Notification: March 1, 2027
• Work delivery: April 1-15, 2027
• Exhibition Dates: May 7 to June 26, 2027
• Location: The Arcadian Gallery, 47 Baltimore Street, Cumberland, Maryland

Fees: $30 for the first entry. $20 for each additional entry up to five total.

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 of San Francisco. 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 is emerging as a leader in nature art and photography exhibitions on the East Coast. 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 Arts & Entertainment District. 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 American Wildlife Art Competition & Exhibition, which exemplifies this mission, drew artists from around the world. The winners of the 2025 competition were:

First Place: Terry Miller

Second Place: Kim Diment

Third Place: Samantha Gallagher

Best Endangered Species Award: Lyuba Kroll

Best Paleoart: Rudolph Hima

The CaFE system requires that a digital image be submitted for every entry. So, whether the artwork you want to enter into this competition was created using 2D media, digital tools, or if it is a sculpture or a fine-art reproduction/giclée print of your work, you will need to enter a digital image of it using the CaFE system. See the specifications for entry images immediately below. For additional details about guidelines for entering these different types of art, please see the Rules and Terms to Apply Section below.

• Platform: All entries must be submitted through the CaFE system.
  Artists may submit up to five artworks.
• CaFE Image Specifications: Upload 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 you are entering an original 2D artwork, indicate the medium/media used  (e.g., oil, acrylic, watercolor, etc.).

—If you are entering sculpture, indicate the materials used (marble, bronze, etc.). 
 

—If you are entering fine-art reproductions/giclée prints, indicate "Print" as the medium. Read the Accepted Prints Guidelines below carefully.

—If you are entering digital art, please indicate "Digital" as the medium. Read the Accepted Digital Art Guidelines below carefully.

• Sale Price:
  Provide the sale price for the piece. Prices must be $4000 or less. See Pricing and Sales Policy below.
• Creation Date: Indicate when the piece was created. Only artwork created on or after January 1, 2022, is eligible.
• Animal identification: When you describe your work in the application process, please identify the species and its American context, if that is not already in the title.

Important Note:
Incomplete or incorrect submissions will not be considered.

This competition is open to all artists aged 18 and older. Artworks must align with the theme of American wildlife (this means North, Central, and South America) and adhere to the following guidelines:

• Media Accepted: Original art, sculpture, fine-art reproductions/giclée prints, or digital files suitable for fine art reproduction printing (See Rules and Terms to Apply section below for details about each type of entry).
• Photography, including digitally manipulated photography, is not eligible.
• Size/weight limitations: No 2D art larger than 48” x 48” (including any frame, mount, or other presentation structure). Sculpture must not exceed a 14" × 14" base or 14" in overall height. Total weight, including the packing crate or shipping container, may not exceed 50 pounds.
• 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 on or since January 1, 2022.

DEFINING "AMERICAN WILDLIFE" FOR ELIGIBILITY

 As a general rule, artwork should feature wildlife native to North, Central, or South America. The exceptions and special cases described below—including migratory, invasive, non-native, domesticated, extinct, and feral species—may also qualify when depicted in an appropriate American ecological or historical context. When you describe your work in the application process, please identify the species and American context.

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 (European starlings, Burmese pythons, etc.) 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 lion fish depicted in a Florida reef with its invasive impact highlighted (non-native, ecological context)
   
• A Giganotosaurus depicted in its Cretaceous South American environment.

Ineligible Subjects:
 

• A panda bear as it is not naturally found in the Americas.
   
• An elephant in an American zoological park.
   
• A domestic cat unless tied to its effect on local wildlife.