2026 Lodi Sandhill Crane Festival
433 Hutchins Street Square
Lodi, California 95240
The Lodi Sandhill Crane Association (LSCA) is soliciting original artwork for its 2026 Sandhill Crane Festival art show, which will be displayed at Hutchins Street Square during the 2026 Festival.
If you need more information or have specific questions, please email art@lodisandhillcrane.org.
Exhibition Dates:
- Friday, November 6, 2026 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
- Saturday, November 7, 2026 from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
- Sunday, November 8, 2026 from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Entry dates:
Applications open: September 1, 2026
Final Deadline: October 1, 2026 by Midnight PST
Entry Fee:
There is a non-refundable fee of $10 for each entry. Artists will donate 25% of any sales of their art to the Lodi Sandhill Crane Association.
Who may enter:
The contest is open to all people of all ages.
What to enter:
There are two DIVISIONS of art: Fine Art and Photography
All artwork submitted must fit into one of two subject categories:
- Sandhill Cranes in CALIFORNIA; or
- Other California wildlife and their natural habitats.
Artwork which includes a person does not qualify.
Each artist may enter up to 4 pieces in each subject category and may submit work within the two divisions.
Fine Art
Any 2-dimensional or 3-dimensional art medium is acceptable, including oil, acrylic, watercolor, or pastel paintings; pencil, pen & ink, and charcoal drawings; original prints; mixed media; sculpture and ceramics. Each piece may not exceed 48” in width or 36” in height, including frame. Artwork must be the original work and property of the artist submitting the work. If using a photo for reference it must have Copyright Permission: You must obtain explicit, written permission from the copyright owner (usually the photographer); You may use a photo that you took; or be in Public Domain: Photos created before 1931 (or those officially dedicated to the public domain) are free to use.
Photography
Modern cameras use digital mechanisms to produce original digital files. Because in-camera manipulation is now standard, we accept internal adjustments to sharpness, contrast, exposure, depth-of-field, and cropping.
Post-exposure edits are strictly limited to cropping and cleaning up minor visual artifacts like dust marks. Artificial intelligence (AI) cannot be used to replace backgrounds or add replicated wildlife and environmental features. We place equal value on the authentic wildlife and its natural environment.
The artist certifies that he/she is the sole creator and copyright owner of the submitted photograph.
Each piece may not exceed 48” in width or 36” in height, including frame.
Photography and Fine Art
- Two-dimensional artwork must be suitably framed, wired, and ready to hang, with no unfinished canvas edges, protruding nails, staples, or saw-tooth hangers. Gallery-wrapped canvases with painted edges are acceptable. Use braided wire and flat brackets to attach wire, and tape over wire ends. Diptychs, triptychs, etc. must be connected, wired and ready to hang.
- Three-dimensional artwork must have a firmly attached base and may not exceed 50 pounds. If the artwork requires any special hanging hardware, stands, or display directions, they must be included with the artwork and artist may be called upon to assist.
- Every entry must have a label securely attached to the back and include:
- artist’s name
- title of work
- medium (s) used
- artist’s phone number and email address
- asking price or Not for Sale (NFS)
Please Note: Titles and prices may not be changed after entry
What is Not Allowable:
Limited-edition prints and airbrush, crafts, computer-generated or computer-manipulated work, and images generated using Artificial Intelligence (AI) are not permitted. The Festival Art Committee retains discretion as to what constitutes suitable or appropriate artwork to be included in the show. Artwork that contains objectionable or inappropriate content, as determined by the Lodi Sandhill Crane Association in its sole discretion, are ineligible for all categories.
Artwork NOT properly wired for hanging will NOT be accepted
How to enter:
Artists must submit online @ https://lodisandhillcrane.org/art–show/artist–entry–form/:
- a completed application form;
- an entry fee ($10) for each piece submitted; and
- a digital image (TIFF or JPEG file) of each piece submitted. (For 3-dimensional works or for certain 2-dimensional works where detail is essential, two digital images per entry will be allowed.)
Using the contact information provided at the time of entry, artists will be notified by Midnight, October 10th, 2026 if their art has been selected for the art show. Please note that substitutes for artwork that was accepted will NOT be allowed.
Drop Off
If your work is selected for the Art Show:
Accepted artwork should be delivered to the Cottage Room of Hutchins Street Square on either Wednesday, November 4 or Thursday, November 5, 2026, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM.
Utmost care will be taken in the handling and security of your artwork. By participating, you agree to hold harmless the Lodi Sandhill Crane Association Board of Directors and associates, the Lodi Arts Commission, and Hutchins Street Square for any damage or theft that may result from your participation. Insurance is suggested and is the responsibility of each artist.
Artwork accepted for the show will be hung during the day on Friday, November 6th, with the first opportunity for viewing on Friday, November 6th, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. The show will be open on Saturday, November 7th from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM and Sunday, November 8th from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM Unsold artwork can be picked up on Sunday from 3-5 PM.
Judging and Awards
Fine Art and Photography will be selected for monetary awards by professional artists and photographers chosen in advance. In addition, visitors to the exhibit hall from Opening Night through Saturday at 2 PM may vote for their favorite artwork via “People’s Choice Awards” in each division.
Pickup
At the end of the Festival on Sunday, November 8th, unsold artwork must be picked up between 3:00 PM and 5:00 PM. If the artist will not be able to pick up unsold art during those hours, other arrangements should be made in advance.
**Artwork not picked up by Sunday, November 8th, 5:00 PM, becomes the property of the Lodi Sandhill Crane Association.
Art Show information and the entry form can be found at https://lodisandhillcrane.org/
If you need more information or have specific questions, please email art@lodisandhillcrane.org.
