To Be Completed Below:

1. Name, Email, Phone & Address
2. Rules & Liability Release/Photo Release, Review & Signature
3. Payment of $50 Registration Fee

Note:  Your Payment of the Registration Fee assures your place in the Competition. Festival Events also included at no additional cost. Once registered you will receive an email with instructions on how to RSVP for Festival Events.  

Link to a list of all Festival Events you are eligible to participate in:
Festival of Events - Plein Air Big Bear

By signing below I acknowledge I have read and agree to:

1. Painting Dates: Painting begins September 12, 2026 and the last day to submit is October 10, 2026. 
2. Begining September 12 you can bring your blank substrates to the Big Bear Lake Visitor Center, 40824 Big Bear Boulevard, Daily 9am-5pm for stamping. Submit your finished artwork back at the Visitor Center. We will store your artwork prior to the Gallery at Destination Big Bear's Event Room, 713 Stocker Rd, Big Bear Lake. 
3. I understand that my submitted artwork will go on display at Destination Big Bear's Event Room, 713 Stocker Rd, Big Bear Lake, CA from October 14-17, 2026. The Awards Ceremony is at the Gallery (same location), Sunday Oct 18, 10:00am.
4. Maximum Artist Participants: 75 - Each artist can submit one piece of artwork.  
5. You must be 18 or older to enter.
6. Blank Substrate/s (canvas/panel/board/paper) must be stamped at the Big Bear Lake Visitor Center, 40824 Big Bear Boulevard, Daily 9am-5pm. No unstamped art will be accepted. 
7. Each art piece must be painted in open air, “en plein air” and contain any scene or subject he/she chooses provided it is painted in the Big Bear Valley. We have provided a map; however, this map is used to represent the entire Big Bear Valley for purposes of defining the qualified region of the Big Bear Plein Air Competition. Please disregard any markings on the map; they are not relevant to our competition, Map:  Big Bear Valley Map
8. All finished artwork must be framed with a wire secured to the back for hanging.  Please note the requirement of a Wire, our hooks can only accomodate a wire backing, no sawtooth please. 
9. Only the following mediums will be accepted: oils, acrylics, pastels, gouache and watercolor.
10. Only the following substrates will be accepted: canvas/panel(board)/paper.
11. Artwork submitted must be two dimensional only.
12. Size of artwork: Size of unframed artwork must be at least 9x12 and not to exceed 18x24.
13. It is highly recommended that watercolors and pastels be presented under glass for their protection.
14. Participants shall not sign the front of the Artwork.
15. Cash Awards, described here, will be determined by a Jury of 1-3 Judges. Jurors will consider composition, originality, technique, skill and the spirit of the work.  
16. The decision of the jurors is final. 1st Place: $2000, 2nd Place: $ 1500, 3rd Place: $ 500 
17. People's Choice voting will take place once artwork is on display and more details will be shared closer to the date.  People's Choice $2000
18. PRICING/SALES: If you are selling your artwork, price your artwork in round numbers. The gallery takes 25%. The buyer will pay a 2.5% credit card fee and sales tax. 
19. IMPORTANT: All art sales over $600, the artist will complete and sign a W-9. This will be made available when you drop your artwork off, it is your responsibility to make certain you complete and sign the W9 and leave it when you drop your artwork off. If artwork is sold, a check will be mailed (to the address shared herein) within 4 weeks of the gallery closing; Oct 18. If a W-9 is required the check will not be mailed until form has been received.
20. ​If your artwork does not sell, or you decide not to sell, you must pick up your artwork directly following the Ceremony, Sunday, October 18, and no later than 2:00pm. We will keep you informed should your artwork sell during the Competition Gallery time period, Oct 14 - Oct 17.
21. The Image of the artwork awarded First Place will be used the following year for marketing purposes for Big Bear Plein Air Art Competition 2027.
22. Photography, AI, digital, printed or painted over photographs are PROHIBITED. Entries produced using manipulated photographic processes, computer enhanced imagery orother non-plein air means will not be accepted.
23. Authentication of artwork location is required by means of a photograph taken in situ of both the artist, your landscape and artwork entry “in work”; think of it as a selfie with your landscape during your painting process on site. We provide an easy method of uploading a photo or the use of a camera app to take your photo, all shared with registered artists.  Note: Touch up and/or completion of artwork off site is acceptable and at the artist's discretion.
24. Awards Ceremony Attendance: We highly encourage artists to attend the Awards Ceremony (we want to celebrate you!), Sunday, October 18, 10:00am-12:30pm, Destination Big Bear's Event Room, 713 Stocker Rd, Big Bear Lake. Artists need not be present to win.  If you are unable to attend the Awards Ceremony please arrange to pick up your submitted work by emailing: pleinairbigbear@gmail.com
25. I acknowledge that all submitted work will be photographed and possibly videographed and/or displayed online.
26. Artwork not picked up by Saturday, October 31, 2025 will be considered abandoned property and will be disposed of in accordance with applicable state and local abandonment laws.

By signing below I agree to the ACCIDENT WAIVER AND RELEASE OF
LIABILITY and the PHOTOGRAPH RELEASE shared here:

I HEREBY ASSUME ALL OF THE RISKS OF PARTICIPATING IN ANY/ALL ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATED WITH THE 2026 Big Bear Plein Air Art Competition & Festival. This includes, by way of example and not limitation, any risks that may arise from negligence or carelessness on the part of the persons or entities being released, from dangerous or defective equipment or property owned, maintained, or controlled by them, or because of their possible liability without fault.

I certify that there are no health-related reasons or problems which preclude my participation in this activity.

I acknowledge that this Accident Waiver and Release of Liability Form will be used by the event holders, sponsors, and organizers of the activity in which I may participate, and that it will govern my actions and responsibilities at said activity.

I hereby take action for myself as follows:

(A) I WAIVE, RELEASE, AND DISCHARGE from any and all liability, including but not limited to, liability arising from the negligence or fault of the entities or persons released, for personal injury, property damage (including my submitted artwork), or property theft (including my submitted artwork), THE FOLLOWING ENTITIES OR PERSONS: The Arts Council of Big Bear Valley, The Big Bear Theatre Project, The City of Big Bear Lake, Visit Big Bear and/or their officers, officials, employees, agents, directors, activity holders, sponsors, and volunteers.  (B) INDEMNIFY, HOLD HARMLESS, AND PROMISE NOT TO SUE the entities or persons mentioned in this paragraph from any and all liabilities or claims made as a result of participation in this activity, whether caused by the negligence of release or otherwise. Although the utmost care will be taken in handling artwork, we cannot be responsible for damage or loss, whatever the cause. Artists can elect to carry their own insurance.

I acknowledge that The Arts Council of Big Bear Valley, The Big Bear Theatre Project, The City of Big Bear Lake, Visit Big Bear and/or their officers, officials, employees, agents, directors, activity holders, sponsors, and volunteers, are NOT responsible for the errors, omissions, acts, or failures to act of any party or entity conducting a specific activity on their behalf. Although the utmost care will be taken in handling artwork, we cannot be responsible for damage or loss, whatever the cause. Artists can elect to carry their own insurance.

I understand while participating in this activity, (which includes all activities of the Big Bear, California Plein Air Art Competition & Festival), I may be photographed and/or my artwork may be photographed. I agree to allow such photos, videos, or film likenesses to be used for any legitimate purpose by the activity holders, producers, sponsors, organizers, and assigns. I understand and give permission for these photos to be used in any of our marketing, social media, and promotional materials, both in print and digital formats. I understand that my photos may be used at the discretion of Visit Big Bear and Plein Air Big Bear, and I will not receive any monetary compensation for the use of these images. I acknowledge that Visit Big Bear and Plein Air Big Bear may modify the images for marketing purposes while maintaining the integrity of the content.

The Accident Waiver and Release of Liability Form shall be construed broadly to provide a release and waiver to the maximum extent permissible under applicable law.

I CERTIFY THAT I HAVE READ THIS DOCUMENT AND I FULLY UNDERSTAND ITS CONTENT. I AM AWARE THAT THIS IS A RELEASE OF LIABILITY AND A CONTRACT AND I AGREE TO IT OF MY OWN FREE WILL.