NEVADA CITY, CA — Nevada County Arts & Culture and SYRCL’s Wild & Scenic Film Festival, in partnership with the County of Nevada under Art in Public Spaces, have opened the Call for Art for the 2027 Wild & Scenic Film Festival Art Exhibition, happening concurrently with the 25th anniversary celebration of the Wild & Scenic Film Festival in Grass Valley and Nevada City from February 18 to 22. Artists are invited to submit original works for consideration in a juried exhibition that will be displayed in the Grass Valley-Nevada City Cultural District during the festival’s landmark 25th anniversary season.
The 2027 Art Exhibition will be displayed at two venues, Granucci Gallery at The Center for the Arts in Grass Valley and the lower lobby of the Nevada County Government Center in Nevada City, bringing the work of regional and national artists to thousands of festival attendees alongside filmmakers, social activists, and environmental leaders.
Art in Public Spaces Program Manager at Nevada County Arts & Culture, Hannah Mosby, adds, “The Wild & Scenic Film Festival Art Exhibition is a much-loved tradition showcasing the incredible talent of local and regional artists. We are thrilled to present artworks that center care and appreciation of our natural world at two venues in the Grass Valley-Nevada City Cultural District. Our partnership with the festival is a powerful example of how art can bring attention to environmental issues and inspire change.”
The Theme: Momentum
This year’s art exhibition is guided by the 25th anniversary Wild & Scenic Film Festival theme of “Momentum,” a word that captures both the spirit of the environmental movements the festival has championed for a quarter century and the forward force of the festival itself. “Momentum” recognizes that meaningful change is cumulative, built from years of collective action that compound over time into something lasting. While all artwork will be considered, artists are especially encouraged to submit work that speaks to a broad interpretation of the environment and to the theme of Momentum.
“The opportunity to partner with Nevada County Arts & Culture again is a chance to incorporate art and artists beyond film within our festival,” says Film Festival Director, Michael Huth. “It is a longstanding part of SYRCL’s Wild & Scenic Film Festival. We love to support the community of artists and give the festival goers another element of enjoyment when here with us in person.”
Awards
Selected works will be eligible for the following awards, presented at the Opening Reception and Awards Ceremony on February 18, 2027, at the Granucci Gallery at The Center for the Arts in Grass Valley:
- Best of 2-Dimensional
- Best of 3-Dimensional
- Best of Photography
- Best of Theme: Momentum
- Emerging Artist
- Judges’ Awards
Submission Guidelines
Artists may submit up to three pieces. All artwork must be for sale. Artworks are selected by the Festival’s Artwork Selection Committee and scored based on relevance to theme, originality, and skill. Selection notifications will be sent in mid-December 2026.
Submission Deadlines and Fees
- Early Bird Deadline: September 30, 2026 — $25
- Regular Deadline: October 28, 2026 — $35
- Final Deadline: November 30, 2026 — $45
To submit, artists should first review the Artwork Submission Guidelines and then complete the digital submission form found at nevadacountyarts.org/wsff-art-exhibition.
Exhibition Dates
Granucci Gallery, 314 W Main St, Grass Valley:
- Display: February 18 – March 14, 2027
- Opening Reception and Awards Ceremony: Thursday, February 18, 2027, 5:00 – 7:00 PM
Nevada County Government Center, 950 Maidu Ave, Nevada City:
- Display: January 18 – April 30, 2027
- Reception: February 2027 (date TBA)
For questions about submission guidelines or the exhibition, please contact art@wildandscenicfilmfestival.org or call 530-264-7031.