2023 ART & PHOTOGRAPHY SHOW RESULTS & ENTRIES BELOW
The Historic Wilber Barn is the site of the Art and Photography Show during the Meeker Classic – the winning artwork from the year before is used on the banner out front.
2024 Art & Photography Contest
Applications for the 2024 Meeker Classic Art & Photography Contest will open March 1, 2024 and close July 15, 2024.
All entries will be processed through the Meeker Classic website. You can download the 2024 Prospectus by clicking the button below. On this page you can enter through our entry submission form. This form will be clearly identified as a BUTTON on this page and will be active for submission on March 1, 2024.
The contest is open to all artists aged 15 years and older and limited to artwork following the theme of sheepdog trials.
Specifically, the theme of artwork entries must reflect sheepdog trials (Sheep, dog and/or Handler). In order to be eligible for the judging for the contest, the theme must have two of the three subjects (sheep, dog and or handler) in the work.
All entries must be original artwork not previously entered in a Meeker Classic Art Contest. Any reproducible medium is acceptable. Sculptures and digital art are not eligible. Photography Class: Digital enhancement of images to improve photographic quality and impact is allowed. Professional jurors will select the top 65 entries to be exhibited in Meeker for the show. The show will be on display at the Wilbur Barn at the trial site in early September and will be on exhibit starting September 4, 2024 and close Sunday, September 8, 2024 at 2 pm. All work will will remain until the conclusion of the 2024 Meeker Classic. Dates of 2024 Meeker Classic Art & Photography Show are September 4 thru 8, 2024.
YOU CAN ENTER THE ART SHOW BY CLICKING THE BUTTON BELOW. If, for any reason, you have difficulty doing so please email us at meekerclassicsheepdogart@gmail.com Thank you!
About the Meeker Classic Sheepdog International Art & Photography Contest
A favorite among Meeker residents, spectators and handlers. Diverse in its origins and rich with creativity, the show presents some of the finest original sheep dog artwork to be found. Open daily during the Meeker Classic, the art show has grown over the 36+ years since its inception and now fills the historic Wilbur Barn located at the trial site. Lite appetizers and refreshments are served at the Art Reception located at the Wilbur Barn on Thursday evening, September 5, 2024, 5:30 – 7:30 pm. Spectators will vote on People’s Choice winner during the Art Reception while treated to local music and western hospitality. Additionally all artwork is available for purchase through a silent auction which closes on Sunday, bidders do not need to be present to win. 2023 will be the 37th year of the International Art Contest. The 2024 Winning artwork will be the POSTER artwork used for the 2025 Meeker Classic poster, official apparel and souvenir items. A separate PHOTOGRAPHY Contest is included in the show. The winner of the 2024 Photography Contest will be used in 2025 Meeker Classic publicity material.
History of the Art Show
The origination of the Art Contest at the Wilbur Barn is simple and built from need. “To publicize the first trials, organizers had simple flyers printed up but when Malcolm Bricklin, who’d put up the $15,000 purse, saw them, he snorted, “If I’m gonna’ put up that kind of money you’re not gonna use those!” He got out his checkbook again and commissioned Elisa Love to create a painting for use on a promotional poster.”* This was the first, of many, connecting the Meeker Sheepdog Trials to art. “In 1989 it became a contest. Entry fees would pay the prize and the winner would be next year’s poster.
“It was a trial and error thing every year,” says (Melinda)Parker. Three entries for the first contest swelled to more than thirty within a couple of years. Open only to Rio Blanco County residents at first, organizers soon welcomed all comers and entries came in from all over, even international artists.”* That’s how it all started, of course it has transformed along the way, including the addition of a silent auction and a professional artist as the judge.
In response to numerous requests over the years, the Meeker Classic has added a Photography Contest to their art show. Beginning in 2017, the Photography Contest has complimented to the existing art show. All photography entries will be judged separately from the other work. The winning entry for the photography contest will be utilized in the 2024 Meeker Classic publicity material.
Awards:
All other Media Except Photography
(Selected by Juror except for People’s Choice & Children’s Choice)
- 1st place and image for select 2025 marketing materials and souvenirs – $1,500.00
- 2nd place – $650.00
- Shirlee Coy Best of Northwest Colorado -$250.00 (comprised of artists residing in Rio Blanco, Moffat, Routt, Mesa and Garfield counties)
- People’s Choice Award – $300.00 (voted by attendees at Art Reception and during public venue show)
- Children’s Choice Award in Memory of Johnny Wix -$100 voted by children
Photography:
- 1st place and image for 2024 marketing materials – $500.00
- 2nd place – $300.00
- People’s Choice Photography – $300
- Children’s Choice Photography in Memory of Johnny Wix – $100 voted by children
About Johnny Wix
Johnny Wix was an aspiring young artist when his life was cut short in 2012. Johnny saw beauty and imagery in nature around him and in the people that came into his life. His creativity was unsurpassed, and he had a bright future in art as evidenced by this large portfolio of creations now held by family and friends. Johnny volunteered painting signs at the Meeker Classic and competed in the show. We pay tribute to Johnny and honor his love of art by dedicating this award in memory of him.
About Shirlee Coy
Shirlee Coy, an accomplished artist and resident of Meeker had the winning artwork for our 1991 and 1996 Meeker Classic posters. Shirlee loved her animals and the outdoors. Sadly, she passed in December 2011. We honor and remember Shirlee for her dedication and support of the Art Show with an award in her name.