Traces of the West 2026

Hosted by the Eccles Art Center and sponsored by Ogden Pioneer Days, Traces of the West celebrates the enduring spirit, landscapes, and stories of the American West through original works in a variety of mediums. From sweeping vistas to quiet, personal moments, the exhibition invites artists to reflect on the people, places, and traditions that continue to shape the West. In recognition of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, artists are also encouraged to explore themes of history, resilience, and the evolving identity of our nation through a Western lens.

Exhibit dates and hours
- Traces of the West will be on exhibit July 3 through July 31, 2026.
- Opening reception: Friday, July 3, 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Eccles Art Center. Awards will be posted at the reception.
- Gallery hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Entry deadline and drop-off
- ENTRY DEADLINE: Friday, June 26, 2026.
- ENTRY DROP OFF: Monday through Friday, June 22 to June 26, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Drop-off location: Eccles Art Center, 2580 Jefferson Avenue, Ogden, UT. Work will not be accepted after 4:30 p.m. on Friday, June 26, 2026.

Competition guidelines
- The Ogden Pioneer Days—Traces of the West Statewide Competition is open to all artists. Entries must be Western-themed (examples include Western landscapes, Native American and Indigenous cultures, cowboys and cowgirls, ranch life, rodeo scenes, frontier history, Western folklore and mythology, and indigenous wildlife and domestic animals).
- All forms of Western art media are welcome: 2D (painting, drawing, photography, printmaking), 3D (sculpture, ceramics), metalwork, jewelry, leatherwork, textile and fiber arts, mixed media, and digital painting.
- Artists may enter up to two pieces. Works consisting of multiple parts (e.g., diptych/triptych) will not be accepted.
- Original works in any medium are eligible. Reproduction prints such as giclée are not eligible for entry.
- Size limitations: 3D entries may not exceed 60 inches in length or width. 2D clip or front-loading frames will not be accepted.
- Digital art definition and restrictions: For this competition, digital art is artwork created directly by the artist using digital tools (tablets, styluses, art software). All entries must be original and conceived and produced solely by the submitting artist. Photography (filtered, manipulated, or otherwise), scanned images, found graphics, stock imagery, and AI-generated content are not considered digital art. Artwork generated wholly or in part by artificial intelligence (AI) will not be accepted.
- Entries must have been created within the last two years and must not have been previously exhibited in a juried exhibit sponsored by the Eccles Art Center.
- Non-local artists are welcome. Artwork may be shipped to the Eccles Art Center (artists are responsible for all shipping costs, including return shipping if the piece remains unsold).
- Entries must be ready to hang, mounted, gallery wrapped, matted and framed, or otherwise ready for display. ALL WORK MUST INCLUDE WIRE OR A SIMILAR HANGING SYSTEM. Works will not be accepted with only alligator hardware, D-ring, V-ring, or keyhole hangers under any circumstance. Review the Eccles Art Center’s framing guidelines if needed.
- Artwork left unclaimed after 60 days from the end of the competition will become the property of the Eccles Art Center and may be disposed of or sold at the center's discretion.

Liability and storage
- The Eccles Art Center does not accept responsibility for works damaged due to incorrect or poor framing. Every reasonable precaution will be taken to protect work submitted.
- Work left beyond pickup deadlines is at the artist’s risk and may incur storage charges. Works left at the Center for over 60 days will be deemed abandoned and disposed of at the Board’s discretion.

Sales and commissions
- Sales are encouraged but not required. The Eccles Art Center will retain a 35% commission on sales.

Awards
- Best of Show: $1,000
- 2D Category: 1st Place $500; 2nd Place $300; 3rd Place $200
- 3D Award: $500
- Photography Award: $500
- Ogden Pioneer Days Award: $500
- People’s Choice Award: $500
- Susie Van Hooser Award: $500

Pick-ups
- Work not accepted must be picked up on or before Friday, July 3, 2026 between 9:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
- Works accepted for exhibit and not sold must be picked up August 5, 2026 between 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Entry fees and forms
- Entry fee: $10.00 per entry; $5.00 per entry for members of the Art Center. Members with an "Artist Membership" will receive one free entry into this competition.
- Entry fees are used for prize money and publicity and are non-refundable.
- Entries must be clearly identified by the artist with title, medium, and price/insurance value. Identification tags will be provided at the time of entry.
- Notification of jury results will be emailed to the address you provide.

Funding
- This project has received funding from Ogden Pioneer Days, Weber County RAMP, Ogden City, and is supported by the Utah Arts Council, with funding from the State of Utah and the National Endowment for the Arts.