60th National Mother Lode Art Exhibition
Submit 1-10 images of two- or three-dimensional artworks for consideration in this national juried exhibition.
Does this fit your work? 5 questions score every call to your medium, location and budget. Free.
Get matched →- Deadline
- 39 days left
- Entry fee
- $25
- Award
- $4,250
- Location
- Placerville, California
- Exhibition window
- Nov 5, 2026 → Nov 21, 2026
- Applicants notified
- Oct 4, 2026
- Size cap
- ≤ 72" max dimension
About
Overview
The 60th National Mother Lode Art Exhibition is a prestigious juried exhibition sponsored by Placerville Arts Association (PAA). Now hosted at Mills Station Arts and Culture Center (MACC) in Rancho Cordova, California, for the fifth consecutive year, this dynamic exhibit features artworks from across the United States with an open theme. The selected art includes painting, sculpture, photography, textiles, jewelry, and mixed media. Juror: Debra Kreck-Harnish.
Key Dates
- Entries open: Monday, June 8, 2026
- Submission deadline: Friday, September 16, 2026 at 10:59pm PDT
- Online jury process: Monday, September 21 through week of October 4, 2026
- Accept/decline notices: Week of October 4, 2026
- Artwork arrival: Monday, October 12 through Saturday, October 24, 2026
- Hand-deliver option: Tuesday, October 27, 2026, 10am-6pm
- Exhibition: Thursday, November 5 through Saturday, November 21, 2026 (Thu & Fri 2pm-7pm, Sat 11am-4pm, Sun & Mon closed, Tue & Wed by appointment)
- Pickup: Monday, November 23, 2026, 10am-6pm
Eligibility
Open to artists nationwide.
Media & Format
- Submit 1-10 images of your work
- Accepted media include painting, sculpture, photography, textiles, jewelry, and other media
- Two-dimensional work must not exceed 48" wide by 72" tall by 6" deep, including mat and frame; hanging pieces may not exceed 30 pounds
- Three-dimensional work: sculptures on pedestals must fit safely on a 24" x 24" space; free-standing sculptures must fit within a 4-foot x 4-foot footprint
Submission & Shipping
Submit artwork online via the application platform. Accepted work must be shipped via FedEx only to residential address in Placerville, CA 95667, arriving between October 12-24, 2026. Artwork shipped via U.S. Postal Service or UPS cannot be accepted. Alternatively, hand-deliver on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, 10am-6pm at MACC. Plexiglass is strongly recommended for shipped artwork.
Awards
- Awards total over $4,250
- Best of Show: $700
- PAA members have an opportunity to garner awards not open to non-members
Rules & Conditions
Entry into the exhibition constitutes agreement with all conditions in the prospectus. Accepted work must remain for the duration of the show. Do not submit the same art in two overlapping shows. Accepted artwork withdrawn due to sale or otherwise will take a spot from another potential artist. All work must be picked up by Monday, November 23, 2026 at 6pm; work left after this date becomes the property of PAA.
Contact
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 530-558-0638
- Award
- Awards total over $4,250, including a $700 Best of Show; additional awards available to PAA members.
- Entries per artist
- Up to 1
- Theme
- An open-theme juried exhibition showcasing a diverse array of classic and contemporary art from across the United States.
- Eligibility
- Open to artists nationwide.
- Size & format
- Two-Dimensional Work - Must not exceed 48" wide by 72" tall by 6" deep, including mat and frame if applicable. Diptychs and triptychs are considered one piece and are not to exceed the above dimensions. Each hanging piece may not exceed 30 pounds. Canvas greater than or equal to 1-1/4" deep may be unframed but all edges must be neatly painted or image must continue around all sides. Cradle boards greater than or equal to 1-1/4" deep may be unframed and may be left unpainted. Canvases and cradle boards less than 1-1/4" must be framed.
- Also worth noting
- Two-Dimensional Work - Must not exceed 48" wide by 72" tall by 6" deep, including mat and frame if applicable. Diptychs and triptychs are considered one piece and are not to exceed the above dimensions. Each hanging piece may not exceed 30 pounds. Canvas greater than or equal to 1-1/4" deep may be unframed but all edges must be neatly painted or image must continue around all sides. Cradle boards greater than or equal to 1-1/4" deep may be unframed and may be left unpainted. Canvases and cradle boards less than 1-1/4" must be framed.
- Contact
- [email protected]
Every listing links to the organizer's official page. Always confirm deadlines, fees, and entry rules there before you apply.