Paintings produced during this year's Celebration of Art are available for purchase online and in store at Kolb Studio through January 20, 2025. Proceeds from the sales support the goal of funding an art venue at the Grand Canyon's South Rim.
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Grand Canyon’s awe-inspiring beauty has called to artists for centuries. But, once a year, that call is amplified by Grand Canyon Conservancy, which invites artists to set up their easels on the canyon’s rim and create art en plein air as part of Grand Canyon Celebration of Art.
Celebration of Art (CoA) is a wonderful tradition at Grand Canyon National Park, providing a vibrant experience for visitors, a venue for artists inspired by the canyon, and a successful fundraiser to benefit a dedicated art venue at the park.
Founded in 2009, CoA invites participating artists to paint "en plein air" (outside on location) for a week at the South Rim of Grand Canyon. Artists are tasked with capturing the ever-changing colors and light as the sun moves across the intricate layers of the canyon. Paintings produced during this special event are shared with the public during a four-month sale and exhibition online and at Historic Kolb Studio.
Proceeds from Celebration of Art will go towards creating a dedicated art venue at Grand Canyon. This location will be the hub of art activity at the canyon, displaying current collections and providing room for future acquisitions.
Grand Canyon Conservancy is currently accepting applications from artists who want to participate in the 2025 Grand Canyon Celebration of Art, which will take place September 13-20, 2025. For the first time in its 16-year history, this prestigious event is open not only to landscape painters but to artists who work in collage, charcoal, pastel, and graphite.
Artwork created en plein air during the event will be featured in both onsite and online exhibitions, with proceeds funding vital initiatives, including the development of a permanent art venue at Grand Canyon.
“Grand Canyon Celebration of Art has grown into a cherished tradition that highlights the incredible talent of artists and gives them a rare opportunity to make a deep connection with Grand Canyon,” said GCC Chief Communications Officer Mindy Riesenberg. “This year we are expanding that opportunity to artists in more mediums. This is truly a one-of-a-kind event that allows artists to showcase their skills while supporting a dedicated art venue at Grand Canyon.
Grand Canyon Celebration of Art is open to artists with previous experience in capturing the beauty of the Grand Canyon, the desert Southwest or other national parks in the West. Prior onsite painting experience at Grand Canyon is not required.
The deadline for artists to submit their application is January 15, 2025. Interested artists can find more details and apply here. Submissions must include a completed application form as well as a portfolio. There is no fee to apply.
Grand Canyon Conservancy is the official nonprofit partner of Grand Canyon National Park, raising private funds, operating retail shops within the park, and providing premier educational programs about the natural and cultural history of the region. Our donors fund projects including trails and historic building preservation, educational programs for the public, and the protection of wildlife and their natural habitat. We exist to support Grand Canyon National Park in its goal to provide enriching and fulfilling visitor experiences and protecting the park for future generations.
Don't miss your chance to apply to the 17th Annual Celebration of Art! Applications to participate as an artist are open now through January 15, 2025. The event is open to all artists 18 years and older with plein air experience and expertise in representing the Grand Canyon, desert Southwest, or National Parks in the Western U.S.
The Grand Canyon Celebration of Art is an invitational and juried event. A panel of three to five jurors will review all applications and will select four to six artists who, together with returning and invited artists, will comprise the participants in the 2025 event. Notification of acceptance will be emailed to each applicant no later than February 7, 2025.
