Fine Art

YOUR ART ON DISPLAY

Competition Timeline

Eligibility

• Exhibitors must be 18 years old by the Entry Deadline listed above.
• Entries must be original work of the exhibitor and created in the last four (4) years.
• Work by two (2) or more artists is not eligible.
• Work, or nearly identical work, previously shown at the Fair, regardless of title, is not eligible.
• Work created by generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), either partially or completely, is not eligible.

CONTACT US

2025 LOCAL RULES

1. Completion of online entry registration shall be deemed acceptance of all rules. Acceptance includes permission to use your name, photograph, and exhibit for the news media.
2. Online registration is required in all departments and for one-day contests. Online entries are accepted until 8:00pm (Pacific Time) on the deadline day for online entry registration, unless otherwise stated.
3. Once registered, the description, title, and price may not be changed. Substitutions will not be allowed. Fair Management is not responsible for errors on entry forms which may lead to elimination or disqualification of an entry.
4. Processing fees must be paid online at the time of registration. Processing fees are non-refundable.
5. Exhibitors must be living at the time the entry form and/or online entry is submitted.
6. All non-livestock entries must be the creative work of the exhibitor (whose name appears on the entry registration), be in good taste, and suitable for family viewing. Fair Management reserves the right to disqualify any entry/exhibit it deems objectionable or not in accordance with competition standards.
7. If an entry is disqualified after judging is complete, no changes will be made to the status of awards given for other entries.
8. Exhibitors are responsible for obtaining necessary permission from models and/or to use material in their entry that is considered copyrighted.
9. No entry will be accepted should the exhibitor describe the conditions under which he/she will exhibit, or the exhibit will be displayed.
10. Judges are qualified in the medium(s) they are judging. New judges may be chosen each year, and judges may be assigned to different divisions/classes from year to year.
11. If a coordinator or judge deems an entry to be in the incorrect category, division, class, etc., he or she may direct the Entry Office to move that entry as appropriate. The Entry Office may combine divisions or classes to create an adequate judging pool.
12. Fair Management reserves the right to limit entries, and display thereof, to facilities available and to cancel any division or class in which, in its judgment, the entries are insufficient to secure adequate competition.
13. Entries must be delivered on the date(s) and times specified. Entries will not be accepted before or after the stated entry delivery date. All accepted exhibits must remain on display and shall not be removed until the stated entry pick up date. Any exhibit not picked up on the specified date becomes the property of the San Diego County Fair and will be disposed of promptly.
14. All exhibits are entered and shown at the owner’s risk. Reasonable care will be taken to prevent loss or damage to exhibits, but in no event will the 22nd District Agricultural Association (San Diego County Fair) be responsible for any injury or loss which may occur or for the actions of third parties. Insurance, if desired, should be obtained by the exhibitor at his/her own expense.
15. Any person who violates any Local, State, or Department rule or displays unethical conduct will forfeit all privileges and premiums and be subject to such penalty as the 22nd District Agricultural Association (San Diego County Fair) may order.
16. To ensure reliable award notification, exhibitors are responsible for submitting all address, phone number and email address updates promptly in writing to entry@sdfair.com or Entry Department, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd, Del Mar, CA 92014.
17. Premium money will be paid per the recorded placings in the official judging books rather than the ribbon attached to the exhibit.
18. Donated Award recipients will be selected per the instructions given on the Donated Award Confirmation Form submitted by the donor.
19. Premium, donated cash award, and auction checks will be made payable to the exhibitor as listed on the online entry registration. Checks will be mailed within 30 days after the close of the Fair to the address shown on the online entry registration, or as updated by the exhibitor via written notification to the Entry Office. Auction checks may be held longer if the buyer has not paid. Checks not cashed within 6 months from the date of issue will be forfeited. Replacement checks may be subject to a $35 stop payment fee.
20. The 22nd District Agricultural Association (San Diego County Fair) is required by the Internal Revenue Service to report any premiums paid totaling the amount of $600 or more. Exhibitors may be required to submit a W-9 form.
21. The 22nd District Agricultural Association management reserves the right to amend or add to these rules; the 22nd District Agricultural Association (San Diego County Fair) assumes no liability or responsibility not herein expressed.

California State Rules apply and are available here.

ENTRY LIMIT

Three (3) entries per exhibitor per class.

Exhibitors may enter as many classes as desired.

ENTRY FEES

FAIR TICKETS

Each exhibitor will receive two (2) Exhibitor Access Passes.

How to Enter

1. After reading all entry materials, click the “Enter Now” link below to go to the ShoWorks Entry Homepage.
2. Register as an Exhibitor.
3. Select the appropriate division and class and input the required information. (See “Divisions and Classes” below for a list of all divisions and classes.)
   • In the Subject Matter field, include an image description. For example, “Baby with dog” or “Purple house.” The character limit is 100 and includes spaces.
   • In the Materials/Methods field, include only the medium(s) and method(s) used. For example, “Acrylic paint and fabric on Masonite substrate,” or “Assembled, embossed porcelain clay with high-fired glaze finish.” Character limit is 100 and includes spaces.
4. Review your entry before completing registration to ensure that you have entered the correct division and class for each entry.
5. Click the check-out button and pay for all entries.
6. Read the confirmation statement and type YES. Do not click multiple times, as it will charge you each time.
7. You will be prompted to upload your image(s) AFTER you pay. Digital image(s) of entries must be submitted before the entry deadline. Ensure uploaded images match the entry division, class and title for each entry. (See Photographing Your Entry for Upload.)

If you plan to make changes to your entries or need to leave ShoWorks at any time, SAVE YOUR CART before exiting out.

For additional help with entering and uploading images, review this detailed step-by-step guide: Entry Tutorial

Still have questions?
Please call or email the Entry Office.
Phone: (858) 792-4207, Monday-Friday, 10am-4pm

Photographing Your Entry for Upload

Digital photo submission of your entry is required before the entry deadline.

Image Format

• Acceptable file formats are .jpeg, .jpg, or .png of 6MB maximum file size.
• iPhone users must change default HEIC camera setting to JPEG or convert the image.
• RGB color space (CMYK files will be converted to RGB by the system)
• Make sure the images are rotated to the upright position/orientation.
• Images may be in horizontal or vertical orientation.
• No digital enhancement allowed.

Two-Dimensional Artwork Entries

Upload one (1) high quality digital image of each entry piece, showing only the image (no frame or mat) in the correct orientation, (vertical or horizontal) that gives a complete impression of the artwork. Your uploaded digital image will be used for Tier 1 judging.

Three-Dimensional Artwork Entries

Upload three (3) separate high quality digital images of each entry piece including a front view, side view and close-up (macro) view to provide a complete impression of the artwork. Your uploaded digital images will be used for Tier 1 judging.

Sale of Entries

Exhibitors wishing to sell their entry must enter the sale price and preferred contact information on the online registration form. Exhibit coordinators will provide the preferred exhibitor contact information to potential buyers upon request.

Purchase Interest Forms will be available in the exhibit and may be completed by potential buyers. Exhibit coordinators will mail interest forms to corresponding exhibitors on a weekly basis.

No business cards or personal advertisements will be displayed in the exhibit.

If no price is listed during registration, the item will be marked NFS (Not for Sale).

All sales must be negotiated and completed directly between the exhibitor and the buyer.

Judging

The Exhibition of Fine Art is a two-tier, juried competition that uses the American system of judging.

• Tier 1 Judging of exhibitors’ uploaded digital images determines which entries will advance to Tier 2 judging. Exhibitors will be notified via email with the results of the Tier 1 judging per the Entry Timeline. Entries advancing to Tier 2 judging must be prepared and delivered per the requirements described herein.
• Tier 2 Judging takes place onsite, where judges view the entry in person and select award winners.

Judging Criteria
Entries are judged on composition, technical quality, visual impact, creativity, and presentation.

Judging Results
Results will be announced at the Exhibition of Fine Art Awards Reception and posted on the San Diego County Fair’s website by the second week of the Fair.

Entry Delivery & Pickup

Only entries accepted to Tier 2 judging may be delivered to the Fairgrounds. Please refer to the Exhibition Timeline for in-person delivery and shipping acceptance dates. If accepted to Tier 2, exhibitors will be emailed additional delivery and pick up instructions including a map showing access to the Fairgrounds.

A claim check will be issued to each exhibitor upon entry delivery and must be presented at the time of entry pick up. If an exhibitor is unable to pick up their artwork, they may arrange for another person to bring in their claim check with a signed written authorization from the exhibitor.

Entry Shipping - The 22^nd DAA (San Diego County Fair) is not responsible for lost or delayed shipments and assumes no responsibility for damage to shipped artwork. For return of shipped entries, a pre-paid return label from the shipper (UPS or USPS) must be included with the entry.

Ship to:
San Diego County Fair
Ag & Ed Department • Exhibition of Fine Art
2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd.
Del Mar, CA 92014

How to Prepare Your Entry for Delivery

Affix the digital tag included in your acceptance e-mail on the back of your entry. The tag has a thumbnail of the accepted image - it should be placed in the orientation that the work should hang.

Accepted 2-D work:

• Artwork shall be no more than 5 feet (60 inches) in any direction excluding the frame or supports (including total size of multiple-related panels).
• Multiple-part works shall be submitted and judged as one entry and must have each part labeled, along with a diagram for hanging or assembly (photograph recommended).
• All artworks must be securely framed and ready to hang. Frames must be equipped with wires for hanging (sawtooth hangers are not acceptable). Frames without wire for hanging will not be accepted.
• Gallery-wrapped, boxed canvases with the image painted, wrapped around the edge of the stretcher frame, and stapled on the backside, are acceptable.
• Artwork on paper must be under protective clear acrylic sheeting (i.e. plexiglass). Glass will not be accepted, except for charcoal or pastel entries.

Accepted 3-D work:

• Artwork that is independent, freestanding, and viewed from all sides shall be no more than 7 feet (84 inches) tall and 5 feet (60 inches) wide or deep.

Awards

Award checks will be available at entry pick up. Checks not picked up will be mailed within 30 days.

The following will be awarded in each class:

Special Awards

Awards

Award checks will be available at entry pickup. Checks not picked up will be mailed within 30 days.