Cowboy Tales Prospectus

2026 5^th Annual “Cowboy Tales” Art Exhibition

Presented by Winnsboro Center for the Arts (WCA)

Submission Deadline: Midnight September 3, 2026

Exhibition Dates: September 23 – November 14, 2026

Important Dates

• Tuesday, July 8: Opening date for submissions.
• Thursday, Midnight –September 3: Entry Deadline.
• Wednesday, September 16: Artists will be notified of acceptance or non-acceptance. Please check spam folder before calling for status.
• Monday, September 21: (preferred drop-off date) 10am-12 noon, WCA at 200 Market St., Winnsboro, Texas.
• Tuesday, September 22: drop-off 10am-12 noon, WCA at 200 Market St., Winnsboro, Texas.
• Wednesday, September 23: Exhibition is open.
• Thursday, October 1: Artist Reception and Awards from 4-6pm.
• Saturday, November 14: Last full day of exhibition.
• Monday, November 16: (preferred pick-up date), 10am-12 noon, WCA at 200 Market St., Winnsboro, Texas.
• Tuesday, November 17: pick up artwork 10am-12 noon, WCA at 200 Market St., Winnsboro, Texas.

Theme

“Cowboy Tales” is a juried art exhibit held each year in conjunction with Winnsboro Cowboy Music and Poetry Gathering. The “Cowboy Tales” exhibition exemplifies the theme of western culture and imagery, including but not limited to, “The Wild West,” southwestern traditional, Native American art and imagery, American history art and imagery, ranch art, cowboys/farming, wild America, and landscapes/flora/fauna. The theme is open to interpretation. Artwork must stay within the western theme.

Eligibility

• Open to all artists 18 years of age and older who are legal residents of Texas.
• Eligible media includes drawing, painting, mixed media, oil/chalk pastels, block/ink print, collage, metal work, textile, wood, jewelry, glass works, leatherwork and 2D ceramics. No photography or work created with AI allowed.
•  3D work will be accepted.
• Eligible artwork does not have a minimum size requirement but the maximum with frame must not exceed 40 inches x 40 inches.
• Please submit hi-res images of your artwork on your entry form. 300 DPI is preferred.
• The artists’ entries must be available for sale in the “Cowboy Tales” exhibition. WCA receives 30% of every sale and the artist receives 70% of every sale. (Refer to the consignment agreement included on your entry form). NO NFS (not for sale) ARTWORK is allowed. 
• Entries must have been produced in 2024 – 2026. Artwork made in 2023 or sooner will not be considered.
• Entries must not have been previously exhibited at WCA.
• WCA reserves the right to reject any works not meeting eligibility requirements or deemed inappropriate to hang at WCA.

Entry Categories

• Oil Painting
• Acrylic
• Dry Media includes charcoal, oil/chalk pastel, graphite, etching, drawing, pen & ink, leatherwork.
• Wet Media / Mixed Media/Collage includes watercolor, mosaics, mixed media, collage, 2D assemblage and 2D ceramics, glass works
• 3D includes assemblage, mosaics, ceramics, Jewelry, 3D work

Entry Fees

• An entry fee of $35 allows up to three entries per non-member artist.
• A discounted entry fee of $30 for current WCA members allows up to three entries per artist. Become a member.
• Entry fees are nonrefundable. Entrants will be notified of acceptance or non-acceptance by email by September 16, 2026.

Framing Presentation

• Artwork must be framed or on a minimum one-inch gallery wrapped canvas/cradled panel with all edges painted.
• Work must be wired with screw eyes or D-rings, ready to hang, and with backing. No saw tooth hangers.
• Improperly framed or damaged works will not be accepted or hung.
• An index card with the following information must be attached to every entry upon delivery to WCA: title, artist name, dimensions, price, artist address, artist phone number, and artist email address.
• If requesting return shipping (whether artwork is shipped or dropped off), the artist must provide boxes, packing materials, and return shipping label(s).

Important Specifications

• Artwork created in a workshop, from an art kit, or derivative work is prohibited.
• Artwork not picked up within thirty days after the end of the exhibit will become the property of WCA to be auctioned off at a future event.
• WCA has the right to print, copy or reproduce images of artwork for promotional purposes.
• WCA will use reasonable efforts to protect the artwork, but WCA shall not be responsible in any way for loss or damage to the artwork while in its custody. WCA shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, special, incidental, or consequential damages that may in any way relate to the artwork.

Judging Categories

• Theme Clarity – interpretation and the clarity of the work in relation to the theme.
• Originality – creativity and originality of work. Artwork must be done by the artist alone and not copied from any other artworks.
• Overall composition – quality of artistic composition and overall design.
• Overall impression of work – originality and uniqueness.

Awards – $2100 in Total Prizes

• Best of Show $500
• Prize money for each of the five categories is as follows:
• • 1^st Prize $250    
  • 2^nd Prize $100   
  • 3^rd Prize $50