Plateau creative arts center
2026 Judged and Juried Open Show
17th Annual Open Show
April 3 through April 30, 2026
Opening reception and awards presentation Friday, April 3rd, starting at 5:00 PM
Artist Guidelines & Rules for Submissions
Show Dates: The show will run from April 3 through April 30, 2026. The opening reception and awards presentation will be on Friday, April 3, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. at the Plateau Creative Arts Center, 451 Lakeview Drive in Fairfield Glade.
Eligible Artists: All artists, 18 and older.
Artwork Guidelines: Entries on paper & canvas, mixed media, photography, 3-D artwork (fiber, glass, metal, wood), jewelry & pottery, are eligible. Maximum number of three entries is allowed.
Maximum size for hanging artwork: A total of 75” (width + height, including the frame). Pieces must have full wire and be ready to hang (no sawtooth hangers). Display pieces on paper must have glass, Plexiglas, or a protective coating and must be framed. Canvas pieces must be framed unless gallery wrapped. Limit one large artwork – 51”-75” (width + height, including the frame).
Maximum size for three-dimensional artwork: Not to exceed 24″W by 36″H & no heavier than 35 lbs.
Prizes: Cash prizes will be awarded for Best of Show ($500.00), 1st Place ($300.00), 2nd Place ($200.00) and 3rd Place ($150.00); additional awards will be available. Cash prizes and ribbons will be awarded at the sole discretion of the show judge. All selected artworks will compete for these prizes.
Rulings: Originality, eligibility of artwork submitted, and selection of artwork are at the discretion of the juror. Submitting artists irrevocably accept the juror’s decision as final and binding upon him/her.
Entry Form & Fees (Non-Refundable): MUST BE RECEIVED BY MARCH 23, 2026
MEMBERS: $35 for one to three entries.
NON-MEMBERS: $45 for one to three entries. You will also need to submit a completed release form when bringing in your art pieces.
Accepted Artwork: Accepted artwork must be ORIGINAL to the artist, OWNED by the artist, created within the last TWO years, and must not have been exhibited in a previous Art Guild judged art show. All works must be submitted in person at the Plateau Creative Arts Center, 451 Lakeview Drive, Fairfield Glade, Tennessee.
Artwork Submission/Delivery Date: Tuesday, March 31, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (CST).
Declined Artwork: Artists will be contacted if any of their artwork is not selected for the show; those pieces must be picked up on Thursday, April 2, 2026 from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Show Artwork Pickup: Art may be picked up on Thursday, April 30, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (CST). The Art Guild will not be responsible for artwork left after that date.
Sales: All sales are subject to 25% (members), 35% (non-members) commission & TN State sales tax payable to the Art Guild at Fairfield Glade. A check will be payable to the artist within 2 weeks after the Show. If the artwork is not for sale, indicate with NFS (Not for Sale) on the Entry Form.
Liabilities: The Art Guild at Fairfield Glade and the Plateau Creative Arts Center accept no liability for damage or loss to works of art submitted and/or selected for this Show. All artists must sign a Photo, Video & Bio Information Release Form.
OPENING RECEPTION
FRIDAY, APRIL 3rd from 5-7PM
Sponsord by
Juror-Judge, Wyatt Waters
Wyatt Waters is a nationally recognized watercolorist celebrated for his luminous plein air paintings that capture the character of people and places with spontaneity, color, and soul. A native Mississippian, Waters paints exclusively on location, often working outdoors to translate real moments into expressive visual narratives. In addition to his acclaimed body of work, Wyatt is the author of The Watercolor Road: Painting and Writing Through the American South, a deeply personal collection of paintings and essays reflecting his travels and artistic journey across the region. He has published seven successful books, including Another Coat of Paint, Painting Home, and An Oxford Sketchbook, each showcasing his ability to translate the familiar into something extraordinary.
His collaborations with chef Robert St. John have produced four additional titles, blending watercolor, storytelling, and Southern cuisine. Their creative partnership also inspired the PBS series Palate to Palette.
In 2025, Wyatt and his wife, Kristi, opened the Wyatt Waters Gallery in Natchez, Mississippi, a new space dedicated to his interpretations of the river city and the surrounding region. It joins his flagship gallery in Clinton, MS. Most recently, Wyatt completed an extended painting trip through France, creating more than 100 works on location. He is currently developing a new plein air book chronicling his travels, offering a painter’s- eye view of French culture and countryside. Whether capturing a quiet back porch in Mississippi or a bustling Parisian café, Wyatt Waters continues to paint life as he sees it—one brushstroke at a time.
