NEVADA COUNTY, CA (MPG) – Artists have until Nov. 30 to submit work for the 2027 Wild & Scenic Film Festival Art Exhibition, which will coincide with the environmental film festival’s 25th anniversary in Grass Valley and Nevada City.
Nevada County Arts & Culture and the South Yuba River Citizens League’s Wild & Scenic Film Festival opened the call for art in partnership with Nevada County’s Art in Public Spaces program. Organizers will select original works for a juried exhibition at two locations in the Grass Valley-Nevada City Cultural District.
The exhibition will feature work at the Granucci Gallery at The Center for the Arts in Grass Valley and the lower lobby of the Nevada County Government Center in Nevada City.
“The Wild & Scenic Film Festival Art Exhibition is a much-loved tradition showcasing the incredible talent of local and regional artists,” said Hannah Mosby, Art in Public Spaces program manager for Nevada County Arts & Culture. “We are thrilled to present artworks that center care and appreciation of our natural world at two venues in the Grass Valley-Nevada City Cultural District.”
Mosby said the partnership also provides a way for artists to draw attention to environmental issues.
“Our partnership with the festival is a powerful example of how art can bring attention to environmental issues and inspire change,” she said.
Organizers selected “Momentum” as the theme for the 2027 exhibition, tying it to the festival’s 25th anniversary. Artists may interpret the theme broadly, with organizers describing momentum as the cumulative effect of years of environmental advocacy and collective action.
While organizers will consider artwork outside the theme, they encourage submissions that explore the environment or interpretations of momentum.
“The opportunity to partner with Nevada County Arts & Culture again is a chance to incorporate art and artists beyond film within our festival,” Film Festival Director Michael Huth said. “It is a longstanding part of SYRCL’s Wild & Scenic Film Festival.”
Huth said the exhibition gives festival visitors another way to experience art during the event.
“We love to support the community of artists and give the festival goers another element of enjoyment when here with us in person,” he said.
Artists may submit up to three pieces, and all submitted artwork must be available for sale. The festival’s Artwork Selection Committee will judge entries based on relevance to the theme, originality and skill. Artists selected for the exhibition will receive notification in mid-December.
Awards will recognize the best two-dimensional work, three-dimensional work and photography, along with Best of Theme: Momentum, Emerging Artist and judges’ awards. Organizers will present the honors during an opening reception and awards ceremony Feb. 18, 2027, at Granucci Gallery.
Submission fees increase as the deadline approaches. Artists who submit by the Sept. 30 early bird deadline will pay $25. The fee increases to $35 through Oct. 28 and $45 through the final deadline Nov. 30.
Submission guidelines and the online application are available at http://nevadacountyarts.org/wsff-art-exhibition.
The Granucci Gallery exhibition will run Feb. 18 through March 14, 2027, at 314 W. Main St. in Grass Valley. The opening reception and awards ceremony will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. Feb. 18.
The Nevada County Government Center exhibition will run Jan. 18 through April 30, 2027, at 950 Maidu Ave. in Nevada City. Organizers plan a reception in February, with the date to be announced.
The Wild & Scenic Film Festival will mark its 25th year Feb. 18-22, 2027, in Nevada City and Grass Valley. The South Yuba River Citizens League hosts and produces the annual festival, which focuses on films involving nature, conservation, community activism, water, wildlife and other environmental topics.
Questions about art submissions or the exhibition may be directed to art@wildandscenicfilmfestival.org or 530-264-7031.