Art Classic: Call for Entries

36th Annual Fine Art Competition & Exhibit

Welcome to the official entry page for the SCAA Art Classic! This professionally judged competition is our most prestigious event of the year, celebrating our members' technical mastery with high-profile honors like Best of Show and the City of Santa Clarita's Excellence in Art award.
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Exhibition entry is an exclusive benefit for active SCAA members. Not a member yet? Join SCAA Online Today to instantly become eligible to compete and showcase your work!

📅 Important Dates & Timeline
Please review these dates carefully. Late drop-off and early artwork removal is strictly prohibited.

• September 23 (Wednesday) | Midnight: Entry & Submission Deadline
• October 2 (Friday) | 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM: Artwork & Silent Auction Drop-Off (At The Centre)
• October 3 (Saturday) | 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM: Public Awards Presentation & Celebration
• October 4 (Sunday) | 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM: Public Viewing Hours
• October 4 (Sunday) | 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM: Mandatory Artwork Pickup​
• Note: There will be no winners' presentation this year at the General Meeting. 

​🏆 Introducing the Art Classic Winner's Weekend

A Special Showcase at SCAA Gallery (6th Street, Old Town Newhall)
To celebrate our community's top talent, all Art Classic ribbon winners will be given an exclusive opportunity to display their winning masterpieces at the SCAA Gallery for a special encore weekend! This high-profile crossover event features community viewing hours and may include intimate Artist Talks or Live Demonstrations if there is interest from our winning artists.

Participation in the Winner's Weekend is completely optional, though we would love to feature the complete winning line-up! Because this showcase is volunteer-run, participating winners are required to host a gallery shift(s) during the weekend, or arrange for another member to host on their behalf. This schedule will be determined once submissions for the Art Classic have closed.

Winner's Weekend Timeline & Logistics:

• October 6 (Tuesday) | 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM: Winner's Weekend Gallery Drop-Off (At SCAA Gallery)
• October 9–11 (Fri–Sun) | Gallery Hours: Winner's Weekend Gallery Showcase
• October 13 (Tuesday) | 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM: Winner's Weekend Gallery Pickup

Featured Media Categories

Please review the official discipline definitions below to determine the correct entry category for your artwork. The Art Classic Committee reserves the right to reclassify any entry to ensure fair competition.
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1. Acrylic: Artworks created using acrylic paint or acrylic markers as the single medium on any two-dimensional surface.
2. Oil: Artworks created using oil paint, oil sticks, or oil pastels as the single medium on any two-dimensional surface.
3. Watercolor: Artworks created using transparent watercolor or watercolor pencils as the single medium on any two-dimensional surface.
4. Dry Media: Artworks created using a single dry medium, such as soft pastel, charcoal, colored pencil, graphite, or scratchboard on any two-dimensional surface.
5. 💥 Fluid Media (NEW!): Artworks created using a single water-soluble or fluid medium, including gouache, tempera, alcohol inks, and pen and ink on any two-dimensional surface. 
6. 2D Mixed Media & Collage: Artworks created by combining two or more distinct mediums where no single medium dominates, including pastel over watercolor, colored pencil with acrylic, tangible objects, or paper collage on any two-dimensional surface.
7. Photography: Artworks created using a digital or film camera lens as the primary medium on any two-dimensional surface. (Standard color and contrast adjustments are allowed).
8. 💥 Digital Art (NEW!): Artworks created through active human craftsmanship using digital tools, tablets, illustration software, or computer manipulation as the primary medium on any two-dimensional surface. This includes photography heavily manipulated through digital software. Strictly no AI-derived or AI-created artwork permitted.
9. Sculpture & 3D Art: Three-dimensional artworks including free-standing pieces, assemblages, fiber arts, and relief sculptures designed for display on a pedestal or wall panel.
10. ​👑 Masters Division: A restricted, elite category open exclusively to qualifying SCAA artists who have accumulated 10+ lifetime award points from prior Art Classic events. Master qualifiers must compete in this category to participate in the Art Classic.​

Step 1: Review Exhibition Rules & Systems

Click each section below to expand our official competition guidelines before entering. SCAA Membership is required.

Entry Requirements & Eligibility

• Exclusivity: Open to active SCAA members only.
• Originality & Copyright: Artwork must be 100% your own original creation and free of copyright infringement.
  • Reference Photos: If you use a reference photo, you must have express, written permission from the photographer. You are strictly forbidden from using reference images found on the internet, in magazines, or in any published media (including Public Domain images).
  • Collage Exception: For 2D Mixed Media & Collage only, you may incorporate portions of published materials, provided the final artwork is heavily altered and at least 80% originally yours.
  • Prohibited Submissions: No generative AI, classroom projects, instructor-led workshop pieces, stock imagery, or clipart are permitted under any circumstances.​
• Fresh Content: Pieces must have been created within the past three years and cannot have been entered in any previous Art Classic competition.
• Sales Requirement: All entered artwork must be offered for sale. By submitting your entry, you commit to selling your piece at the stated price if a buyer commits to purchase.
• Teardown Policy: All accepted artwork must remain on display through Sunday at 4:00 PM. Early artwork removal or packing up before the official event close is strictly forbidden.

• Presentation & Hardware: All work must be completely dry and ready for judging and retail presentation. 2D works must be wired securely with taut wire appropriate for the weight of the artwork (absolutely no sawtooth hangers or cleats). Sculptors must supply their own professional display pedestals.
• Framing Standards: Any stretched canvas or cradled wood panel less than 1.5" in depth must be professionally framed. Canvas edges on unframed gallery-wrapped canvas (1.5"+ deep) must be neatly painted. Mats and frames must be in pristine condition with no dents, scratches, dust, or smudges, using clean glass/acrylic.

• ​🚨 Note: To maintain a professional standard, any artwork that does not strictly adhere to these guidelines will be refused at the intake desk without refund. Due to tight scheduling and time constraints, there will be no options for on-site corrections on drop-off day. Please audit your presentation carefully before arrival! 

Entry Fees & Size Limits

Artists can choose to enter up to two pieces total, adhering to the standard non-refundable pricing tiers below:

• Option A ($35): Enter exactly one (1) 2D artwork measuring 27" or smaller on its longest side (including the frame).
• Option B ($45): Enter two (2) 2D artworks, each measuring 27" or smaller on their longest side (including frames).
• Option C ($45): Enter exactly one (1) large 2D artwork measuring over 27" up to a maximum of 48" on its longest side (including the frame).
• 3D Art & Sculpture Rule: Artists can enter up to two (2) pieces for the flat $45 tier (either two freestanding, or one freestanding and one small 2D measuring 27" or smaller on its longest side). Freestanding works have no size limits. However, any 3D wall-hanging pieces must not exceed 48" on their longest side.

The Path to Mastery (Points System & The Masters Division)

The elite Masters Category is determined by an artist's historical wins. To qualify as an SCAA Master, you must accumulate a score of 10 points in past Art Classic competitions (calculated since 2009):

• 🏆 Best of Show = 4 Points
• 🥇 Gold Ribbon (1st Place) = 3 Points
• 🥈 Silver Ribbon (2nd Place) = 2 Points
• Note: Merit Ribbons and City Awards do not accumulate points. If you qualify, please select the Masters Category on your entry form! If you are unsure, please email Karen Martinez.

Professional Judging & Awards System

The Art Classic is a premier showcase of our community's talent. To ensure the highest level of integrity, all entries are evaluated anonymously by esteemed, independent master artists and industry leaders.

The competition culminates in an awards presentation, featuring a special civic address and recognition by the City of Santa Clarita.

Exhibition Ribbons & Placements
Judges evaluate entries across all individual media categories to award the following official placements:

• 🏆 Best of Show: The single highest artistic honor of the entire Art Classic exhibition.
• 🥇 Gold Ribbon (1st Place): Awarded to the top scoring artwork in each individual media category.
• 🥈 Silver Ribbon (2nd Place): Awarded to the second-highest scoring artwork in each individual media category.
• ✨ Merit Awards: Multiple Merit Ribbons may be generously awarded by the judges to recognize exceptional technique, unique artistic voice, or creative composition.
• Excellence in Art Award: A prestigious special honor presented live to an outstanding artist by the City of Santa Clarita.

Special Association Service Awards
The Art Classic is also a time to celebrate the heartbeat of our volunteer-run non-profit. During the awards presentation, we proudly honor exceptional dedication, leadership, and community collaboration with two major organizational accolades:

• The SCAA Service Award: Presented to members who have gone above and beyond to support our visual arts community throughout the year.
• The Huff Award: Recognizing extraordinary volunteerism, teamwork, and cheerful collaboration.

Step 2: Support the Silent Auction

Our historic legacy thrives because of your generosity! We highly encourage all competing artists to donate a piece of art, a gift basket, meaningful gift items, or a unique experience to our auction. Proceeds directly fund our High School Student Scholarship program.

Donate an Item to the Silent Auction

Step 3:

• Double-Check Your Data: Official art tags are printed automatically using the exact spelling, titles, and pricing you submit below. No changes can be made after submission.
• Required Paperwork: By submitting the form below, you will digitally agree to our artist waiver. Don't forget to download and print your official Art Classic Tags to attach to your pieces for drop-off day!​

Download & Print Your Artwork Tags

Print Tip: If your signature is small and you prefer a smaller tag to cover it, reduce the % when printing for a smaller design!

👉 Important Reminder: By filling out the Art Classic Official Entry below, you certify that you have read and agree to our full exhibition prospectus, presentation standards, and official guidelines for participation.