Visual artists who live in Eagle County are invited to apply to compete in the Second Annual Vail Art Studio Challenge taking place Thursday, Aug. 13. This will be a high-energy, live art challenge on the patio of Avanti Vail, located at Golden Peak. Selected artists will have three hours from 4 to 7 p.m. to create a work from start to finish.  

At the conclusion of the challenge, a panel of guest jurors will award a $5,000 grand prize stipend, sponsored by Vicki and Kent Logan, and the opportunity to create in the Vail Art Studio for a two-week period this fall. Each participating artist will receive a $50 food/beverage gift card for use at Avanti.  

Space is limited, with applications due by 9 a.m. July 13. Selected artists will be announced at the Vail Art Studio reception for regional artist MarSha Yi Robinson taking place at 4 p.m. Thursday, July 23. The studio is located at the lower bench of Ford Park, near the Manor Vail bridge. Artists will also be notified by email on July 24. 

Applicants must be current residents of Eagle County, Colorado and be at least 18 years of age. All traditional 2D and some 3D visual art forms will be considered, including painting, drawing and mixed media. Artists are asked to email artinvail@vail.gov with the following:  

• A brief letter of interest including current Eagle County address and contact information, artist statement, proposed medium, previous art experience and a resume if available.   

• A proposed concept sketch and/or description of the planned art piece. Vail’s Art in Public Places program seeks to create an inclusive, neutral space for the community, free from divisive or polarizing subject matter.  

• Contact information for two references.   

• Examples of previous work and accompanying detail including medium, scale and year, shared via website link or attached photos with 5 images maximum, not to exceed 8 MB. Please note that ZIP files are not accepted. If files are too large, a Dropbox link can be used. One of the submitted artworks should be in the artist’s possession so it can be displayed as a completed work during the challenge.   

Artists will be responsible for their own supplies, easels, pop-up tents and other materials and will be required to sign a liability waiver prior to the event. Parking will be available at Avanti Vail or in the Vail Village parking structure.  

The winning artist will enter into an agreement with the Town of Vail prior to occupying the Vail Art Studio at an agreed upon date this fall for a two-week duration. Overnight stays are not permitted in the studio, and the artist must adhere to guidelines regarding studio usage. 
 
Questions can be directed to artinvail@vail.gov or by calling Art in Public Places Coordinator Molly Eppard at 970-479-2344. For more information about Art in Public Places and the Vail Art Studio visit vail.gov/artinvail. 

Last year’s Vail Art Studio Challenge winner Christopher “Gus” Gruner (center). He was the first artist-in-residence at the Vail Art Studio.