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Art in the West

Fine Art Exhibition and Online Auction

July 5, 2025 - September 26, 2025

Entry Deadline: 4/04/2025 


Art in the West is an invite-only fine art exhibition featuring works representing the High Desert region of the United States by contemporary artists. All accepted works are on display throughout the High Desert Museum, adorning the wall of the Schnitzer Lobby, Collin's Gallery, Desertarium Gallery and Spirit of the West Hall. Additionally, an online gallery guide and auction site, features all works for silent bidding and/or max bid purchases. 

Can we enter a button to submit here?  It will link to  and if possible could we please have some fine print underneath saying something like Please read, completely, the prospectus below before submissions

The High Desert region stretches east from the eastern slope of the Cascade and Sierra Mountains to the Wyoming Basin and Colorado Plateau, and south from southeastern British Columbia to Northern Arizona.  

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About the 

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The High Desert Museum, located in Bend, Oregon, opened in 1982 with the mission to wildly excite and responsibly teach through innovative, interdisciplinary experiences, creating connection to and dialogue about the High Desert. Our exhibits explore the Intermountain West through wildlife, art, cultures and living history. Today, we strive to be the preeminent resource for exploring the historic and contemporary relationship between people and the High Desert landscape. The High Desert Museum is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization funded by visitors, members, donors, sponsors and foundations. 

The High Desert Museum is committed to being a leader in diversity, equity, accessibility and inclusion for both our community and the museum field. We are a place for individuals of all backgrounds, experiences, abilities and cultures through accessible and inclusive practices at all levels of the Museum. 

Any suggestions on how to style the below Values and Dates?  I feel like its hard to visually digest

OUR VALUES

Curiosity: The High Desert Museum evokes wonder to create and inspire lifelong learners. 

Relevance: The High Desert Museum leads by addressing community challenges, encouraging dialogue and building meaningful partnerships. 

Inclusion: The High Desert Museum welcomes everyone and strives to provide accessibility for all. 

Stewardship: The High Desert Museum thoughtfully cares for all that is entrusted to us, being mindful of our responsibility to the past, present and future. 

Cultural Humility: The High Desert Museum respects diverse cultures and perspectives and continually challenges our biases. 

Integrity:  The High Desert Museum is ethical in all that we do. 


Art in the West is a living exhibition, honoring the diverse history of our iconic region and embracing new visions of our shared future. 
With this, the High Desert Museum will prioritize the selection of artwork that promotes originality, authenticity, and honors our values and the values of our community partners. 


Important Dates

*  Deadline for submissions: Friday, April 4, 2025 
*  Notification of acceptance: Friday May 17, 2025
*  Art delivered to Museum by: Friday, June 20, 2025
*  Exhibit Opening: July 5, 2025
*  Exhibit dates: July 5- September 26, 2025
*  Closing Party: September 26, 2025
*  Unsold artwork available for pick-up starting Monday, September 20, 2025
*  Unsold artwork to be shipped back to artist, at artists expense, starting September 29, 2025 
*  Artist payments will be processed and mailed by October 10, 2025 unless otherwise specified 
*  Unsold artwork must be collected by Wednesday, October 29, 2025 or artwork will be forfeited


AWARDS 

Jury’s Choice Award  
Curator’s Choice Award  


RULES FOR ENTRY 

Submission to Art in the West is by invitation only. A submission does not constitute an acceptance of the work for the exhibition.  

Up to five (5) works may be submitted for consideration in the exhibition. To engage the next generation of art enthusiasts, we encourage submission of miniatures or lower price point artwork for consideration. (Please see sales trends below).  

Art submitted for Art in the West must be original and completed within the last three (3) years 

Eligible Media: Oil, watercolor, acrylic, gouache, pastel, pen & ink, charcoal, etching, woodcut/block, stone lithograph, serigraph, photography, bronze/metal sculpture, ceramic sculpture, wood sculpture, stone sculpture, mixed-media works, fiber/textile arts, basketry, beadwork or glass, digital art, non-traditional practices and methodologies. *Digital Art must be original work that is able to be displayed in a physical gallery. Ineligible Works: Fine art prints are allowed, but not giclées, or wet paintings. Any works considered unstable or in poor condition upon delivery are not acceptable, will not be displayed and will be returned to the artist at their cost. 

Size Limitations: Maximum weight for framed artwork is 50 pounds. 

The event is a silent auction wall sale utilizing an online bidding platform that opens with a minimum bid (determined by the artist, not to exceed the declared value). The Museum will offer a “buy-it-now” option throughout the exhibition period for a fixed-price of 200% of the declared value.  

A 50% commission will be retained by the High Desert Museum on all two-dimensional artwork sold.  The Museum will retain 30% of three-dimensional artwork. Artists are given the option to donate 100% of sales.  The same artist commission percentage applies regardless of sales price (starting to 200% value).

All works must be exhibit-ready. Two-dimensional works (except for wrapped canvas) must be framed and completely prepared for hanging with all hardware attached. Please indicate orientation on the back of the artwork if necessary. Glass or Plexiglas must cover works on paper.  

All accepted artwork, regardless of delivery mode, must be boxed and suitable for shipment to winning bidder 

Artist biography must be 150 words or less, include your name, preferred medium, training and/or artistic achievements and cultural background if relevant. Biographies should be written in 3rd person and in complete sentences as these will be published on your artwork bidding site. (This is not an artist’s statement). 

Artwork shipped to the Museum, must be sent in substantial, reusable packing materials. Artists are responsible for insurance during shipment to and from the Museum. Any artwork that is not sold, will be returned at the expense of the artist. Artists must review shipping address, declare insurance value and provide a shipping account or he/she will be responsible to pay provided invoice.  

Artist must arrange for the return of the work within thirty (30) business days from the closing date of the exhibition or the artist forfeits the piece to the Museum 

Unless the artist elects to maintain his/her own insurance, the High Desert Museum will insure the object(s) under its insurance policy for the insurance value indicated in the entry form against all risks of physical loss or damage from any external cause while on location during the period of the exhibition. Entry into this exhibition constitutes the agreement to all conditions set forth in this prospectus. 

By submitting artworks, the artist gives the High Desert Museum permission to publish and exhibit such artworks for publicity and promotional purposes. Artwork(s) may be photographed and reproduced on the Museum’s website and related publications. 

Substitutions will not be allowed. Only the pieces selected through the jury process will be allowed in the show. Any work delivered that has not been selected will be returned at the artist’s cost. 


SALES TRENDS WORK IN PROGRESS


We accepted 102 pieces in 2023.  69 pieces sold with an average sales price of $1,891 with the highest sells price of $8,000. Those sold averaged a 102% of value sales price with 17 selling at 200% the value. The average size of sold pieces was 22” x 22” with the largest being 52 x 40. Animal subjects have the best sales vs value rate with landscapes following.