2025 Plein Air Competition

The competition is OPEN.

Competition Rules Entry Form Artwork Entry Form

About The Competition

The Brigham City Museum of Art and History invites painters of all levels to share their vision of Utah in the 2025 Plein Air Competition.

Plein Air competitions are community challenges for artists of all ages, backgrounds, skills, and experience levels to celebrate the beauty and wonder of Utah’s natural world. The spirit of plein air requires artists to paint their entries entirely “out in the open air,” with only a very short time to paint, frame, and submit their entries.

Judges place a high value on pieces with strong design, defined focal points, balanced use of darks and lights, and a feeling of presence.

The juror will award 5 cash prizes, with first place taking $500. An additional Audience Choice award will be announced at the end of the exhibition. Prize winning submissions may be considered for an additional Purchase Prize, for which the piece would be acquired by the Museum’s permanent collection. Purchase Prize amounts equal the cost of the piece minus commission, are based on alignment with the collection scope and the availability of funds, and are not awarded every year.

Timeline

  • 15 November 2025, 1:00 PM MST
    Competition Opens (Stamping Begins)
  • 6 December 2025, 5:00 PM MST
    Entry Deadline (Artwork Due)
  • 8 December 2025
    Judging Begins
  • 13 December 2025
    Exhibition Opens
  • 21 March 2026
    Award Ceremony, Noon (In-person & Streaming)
  • 21 March 2026
    Exhibition Closes
  • 25 April 2026, 5:00 PM MST
    Deadline to Pick Up Artwork

Brigham City Museum’s 2025 Plein Air Competition

Rules

  • Entry Fee is $35 per artist, payable upon painting surface/canvas stamping.
  • Up to three works can be submitted per artist.
  • Fill out the online Entry Form.

All Submissions Must:

  • Have the authentication stamp on the back of the actual painting surface/canvas and be created outside in the open air between 11/15/2025 and 12/06/2025.
  • Not exceed 40” in width.
  • Be ready to hang with strong hanging wire attached using D rings, O rings, or similar (The use of claw/sawtooth hangers will result in an automatic disqualification)
  • Have an accompanying high-resolution image for marketing and publicity efforts (Images can be sent via Google Drive, Dropbox, or another large file-sharing tool to museum@bcutah.org. We also accept USB thumb drives)
  • Include a title, artist statement, medium used, and site location (Complete the online Artwork Submission Form)

Support the Museum

While getting your canvas stamp, you can pick up a 5×7 Petite Plein Air canvas to work on. Use this canvas to create a miniature plein air piece as a donation.

Petite Plein Air pieces are available for purchase during the Exhibition for $50. The proceeds support the programs and staff at Brigham City Museum of Art, History, and Nature.

While not required, this year we encourage you to paint Brigham City Main Street on your Petite Canvas! We would love to see all of your different interpretations of the community’s beloved Main Street.

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Map and Directions

The museum is located in Brigham City’s Community Center at the corner of Forest Street and 3rd West.

Address

24 North 300 West
(lower level)
Brigham City, UT 84302

Mailing address:

PO Box 583
Brigham City, UT 84302-0583