A competitive exhibition of paintings, drawings, mixed media, sculptures, ceramics, glass and more.
2017 San Diego County Fair, June 2 - July 4, Del Mar, California
Kate FitzSimons, Coordinator Shea Brandt and Kathy Thompson, Assistant Coordinators
ENTRY ASSISTANCE
The Entry Office is open Monday through Friday, 9:00am to 5:00pm, to answer questions and provide
assistance with entering. Call (858) 792-4207 for help during these hours or email [email protected].
Additionally, the Entry Office will be open for “Extended Hours” until 7:00pm on the following dates: Friday,
April 14 and 21.
2017 CALENDAR
All entrants in Division 1001 (2-D) and Division 1002 (3-D) must upload digital images of their work online.
Entry Registration at www.sdfair.com/entry
Deadline for Entry Registration: Friday, April 21, 11:59pm (Pacific Time).
Digital Image Upload Support: Need assistance with photographing your fine art project? Please see our
instructions on the Fine Art web page, www.sdfair.com/entry, to upload your photos from a cell phone or, make
an appointment and bring your project to be digitally photographed at the San Diego County Fair Entry Office.
A staff member will take a digital photo of your project and assist you with the online entry process.
Accepted Entries: Notification of accepted entries from Tier 1 online judging in Division 1001 (2-D) and 1002
(3-D) will be sent via email by Wednesday, May 3, using the WEN Number listed on your confirmation receipt.
Delivery of Accepted Entries: Noon – 7:00pm Tuesday, May 9, and Wednesday, May 10.
Judging Results: Results will be posted online, Saturday, June 3. Notifications will be delivered via email.
Entry Give Back: Pick up your entries on Thursday, July 6. Specific instructions will be available at entry
delivery and e-mailed to exhibitors.
For information about the 2017 San Diego County Fair, check our website at www.sdfair.com
Read the entire brochure. Print a hard copy of this PDF for your reference.
EVENTS & CONTESTS
Plein Air Painting Contest - Online registration required!
Registration Deadline: Thursday, June 15, by 11:59pm
Contest Date: Thursday, June 22, 10:00am - 4:00pm
Judging: 4:15pm Awards: 5:15pm
Sidewalk Chalk Art Festival: Saturday, June
17 and Sunday, June 18, 10:00am - 5:00pm
Contact Fine Art at: [email protected] for
more information
Small Image Contest - No preregistration required!
Contest Date: Thursday, June 8, 11:00am - 2:00pm
Judging: 2:15pm Awards: 3:15pm
Individual Art Demonstrations
Daily at Noon & 3:00pm
Art Association Demonstrations
Daily at Noon
Docent Tours
Daily at 1:00pm
2017 Exhibition of Fine Art at the San Diego County Fair
CONDITIONS OF ENTRY
Who can enter?
The Exhibition of Fine Art is open to all interested living artists, 18 years and older. Artwork must be original
and have been executed and owned by the artist whose name appears in the online entry registration.
Artwork must have been completed within the last two years. Group work (done by two or more) will not be
allowed.
How many entries can I submit?
A maximum of two works per class may be submitted per entrant. You may enter as many classes as you
like. Artwork previously displayed in this show or so similar as to be almost identical, regardless of title, is
not eligible. Identical work may not be shown in more than one department of the Fair.
Is there a fee?
The processing fee is $20.00 per entry. Processing fees are non-refundable.
How do I enter? Online registration is required. Late entries will not be accepted.
 Registration deadline: Friday, April 21, 11:59pm (Pacific Time).
 Entries must be registered and images (photos) uploaded online at time of registration at




www.sdfair.com/entry. Entrant will receive confirmation receipt via email. Technical support will not be
available after 7:00pm on the entry deadline date.
Enter your information carefully and proofread your name, title of the artwork and sale price.
Please check punctuation, capitalization and spelling to ensure accuracy on exhibit labels and artist
brochures.
Review your entry before completing registration to ensure that you have entered the correct division and
class for each piece of art and titles that match the uploaded images.
Contact the Entry Office if you do not receive an email confirmation receipt of registration after completing
your online transaction.
What is the judging procedure?
The Exhibition of Fine Art is a two-tier, juried show. Tier 1 judging, from digital images, determines which
artwork will be accepted for Tier 2 on-site judging and eligibility for awards. Accepted work may be
disqualified by the juror in Tier 2 judging if misrepresented or not ready for display. It is important that you
submit the best quality digital image of your artwork for the judging process. A professional image will be the
best way for you to present an accurate representation of your work. Flat artwork should be photographed
with no “hot spots” or reflections. Sculptures should be photographed with proper lighting to show depth,
texture and shape of the subject at the best angle. Each piece of artwork will be evaluated on its own merit
by art professionals. The decision of the judges is final.
Judging Criteria: Visual Impact; Composition; Technical Quality; Creativity and Presentation
When do I bring my artwork?
Entries selected for Tier 2 on-site judging, in both divisions, will be notified via email on Wednesday, May 3.
All accepted artwork for Tier 2 judging from Division 1001 and 1002 must be delivered Tuesday, May 9,
Noon – 7:00pm, or Wednesday, May 10, Noon – 7:00pm, at the Del Mar Fairgrounds in the Fine Art Show
(East Grandstand, Clubhouse, first floor). Access the Fairgrounds through the Solana Gate off Via de la
Valle. Entrants must bring the same artwork as the images submitted during online registration. Classes,
titles or prices cannot be changed. Claim checks will be issued when you bring your entries. Keep your claim
checks, because they must be presented in order to pick up your exhibits.
Shipping Instructions: Accepted 2-D artwork may be shipped to the Fairgrounds and must arrive by
Wednesday, May 10, 2017. The Fair is not responsible for lost or delayed shipments.
Ship to: San Diego County Fair
Attn: Fine Art Exhibit
2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd.
Del Mar, CA 92014
For return shipping of entries, a pre-paid return label from the shipper (UPS or USPS) must be included
with your entry. The San Diego County Fair assumes no responsibility for damage to shipped artwork.
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2017 Exhibition of Fine Art at the San Diego County Fair
How can I sell my artwork?
All artwork on display will be considered for sale at the price indicated in the online registration. Artwork not
for sale must be registered with price field blank. Work not priced will be considered Not for Sale (NFS).
Listing a sale price in the online registration authorizes the Fair to give your phone number to interested
buyers. All sales are the responsibility of the exhibitor. As a courtesy to our exhibitors, we allow sale prices
to be displayed during the Fair. However, the San Diego County Fair has absolutely no involvement in any
sales or purchases of any entries displayed at the Fair. Purchased artwork may be picked up by the buyer
on the pick-up date, provided the buyer presents a signed, written authorization from the exhibitor and a
claim check. No sales are allowed on the Fairgrounds during the run of the Fair.
When do I pick up my artwork?
All entries must be picked up Thursday, July 6. You will be advised on take-in day as to the location and
time for pickup. A claim check is required for pick-up. Exhibits may be picked up by another person if they
present the claim checks and a signed written authorization from the exhibitors. Exhibits not picked up at this
time become the property of the Fair and will be disposed of promptly.
Contact Information
If you have a change of address, phone number or email address, you are required to update this information
with the Entry Office so we can contact you regarding awards.
What else do I need to know?
No entry will be accepted should the exhibitor describe conditions under which he/she will exhibit. All display
decisions are the responsibility of the Coordinator. The San Diego County Fair (22nd DAA) will not be
responsible for any loss or damage of any kind. Work must be in good taste and suitable for family viewing
as determined by Fair management. Images of accepted work may be used by the Exhibition of Fine Art in
print/web promotional material. Local and State Rules apply to this department. Copies are available at
www.sdfair.com/entry or by contacting the Entry Office.
REQUIREMENTS
All artists must submit digital images of their entries at the time of online registration. Judging will be
done initially from these digital images (see Guidelines for Photographing Artwork at the end of this document).
Division 1001 (Two – Dimensional): Please upload (1) digital image of your artwork. Digital images of
your artwork should show only the image, no frame or mat, and must be correctly oriented (vertical or
horizontal). Digital images should give the whole impression of the artwork. No digital enhancement is
allowed. The resolution should be a minimum of 1,000 pixels on the longest side, in JPEG format. File size
must be smaller than 6MB per image.
Artwork Specifications for accepted 2-D work:
Artwork shall have no dimension over 5 feet (60 inches) in any direction excluding the frame or supports. The
total size of multiple-related panels must conform to the size stated above and shall be submitted and judged
as one entry. Multiple-part works must have each part labeled along with a diagram for hanging or assembly.
A photograph of the final set-up is recommended.
All artwork must be securely framed and ready to hang. Museum-wrapped, boxed canvases with finished
painted sides (no staples visible) are acceptable. Artwork on paper must be framed and under protective clear
acrylic sheeting (i.e. plexiglass). Glass will not be accepted except on charcoal or pastel entries. Frames must
be equipped with wires for hanging (sawtooth hangers are not acceptable). Frames without wire for hanging
will not be accepted. Recycled Art (Class 26) must contain at least 80% recycled materials.
Division 1002 (Three – Dimensional): Please upload up to (3) separate images of your artwork for each
item entered in Division 1002. It is suggested that you submit a front view, side view and a close-up (macro)
image of each art piece. This will give the judges the best view of your work from all angles and any details.
No digital enhancement is allowed. The resolution should be a minimum of 1000 pixels on the longest side, in
JPEG format. File size must be smaller than 6MB per image.
Artwork Specifications for accepted 3-D work:
Artwork shall be no more than 6 feet (72 inches) tall and 5 feet (60 inches) wide or deep. Artwork must be
original, one of a kind. Other 3-D not listed (Class 29) may include bas-relief and stained glass that is viewed
primarily from one side. Recycled Art (Class 30) must contain at least 80% recycled materials.
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2017 Exhibition of Fine Art at the San Diego County Fair
Labeling and Display:
Each piece of artwork must be marked on the back or base with a label or a securely attached card with the
artist’s name, title of artwork and class entered. The artist’s name and title of artwork must be the same as it
appears in the online registration. Artwork that does not adhere to the requirements specified will be
disqualified.
Fair Theme – “Where the West is Fun” The theme is inspired by the west.
DIVISIONS AND CLASSES
Division 1001: Two - Dimensional
(Must submit digital images with online registration)
Class
Fair Theme “Where the West is Fun”
001
Acrylic - Representational, People
002
Acrylic - Representational, Animals
003
Acrylic - Representational, Landscapes
004
Acrylic - Representational, Cityscapes
005
Acrylic - Representational, Still Life & Florals
006
Oil - Representational, People
007
Oil - Representational, Animals
008
Oil - Representational, Landscapes
009
Oil - Representational, Cityscapes
010
Oil - Representational, Still Life & Florals
011
Watercolor - Representational, People
012
Watercolor - Representational, Animals
013
Watercolor - Representational, Landscapes
014
Watercolor - Representational, Cityscapes
015
Watercolor - Representational, Still Life & Florals
016
Non-Representational - All Media
017
Collage
018
Drawing - Black & White
019
Drawing - Color and Printmaking
020
Asian Brush
021
Pastel - People & Animals
022
Pastel - Land/Cityscapes, Still Life, Florals
023
Mixed Media
024
Other 2-D not listed & digital art
025
Recycled Art - 80% recycled materials
026
Division 1002: Three - Dimensional
(Must submit 3 digital images with online registration)
Class
027
028
029
030
Sculptures
Ceramics
Other 3-D not listed (including glass art)
Recycled Art- 80% recycled materials
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NON REPRESENTATIONAL - Unrecognizable
as a person or thing.
REPRESENTATIONAL - Recognizable as a
person or thing.
TWO-DIMENSIONAL - Artwork that is to be
hung and viewed primarily from one side.
THREE-DIMENSIONAL- Artwork that is free
standing and viewed from all sides.
AWARDS
The following will be awarded in each class:
1st Place
$200 and Rosette
2nd Place
$175 and Rosette
3rd Place
$150 and Rosette
A Best of Show will be awarded in each Division, all
classes combined.
Best of Show
$250 and Rosette
Special Awards
San Diego Award
$250 and Rosette
Coordinator’s Award
$250 and Rosette
Don Diego Award
$250 and Rosette
Fair Theme Sculpture Award $250 and Rosette
In addition, Honorable Mention ribbons may be
awarded at the discretion of the judges.
A People’s Choice Special Ribbon will be
awarded each day of the Fair by popular votes.
Award checks will be available on entry pick up
day. Checks not picked up will be mailed within
30 days.
The Fair assumes no responsibility for awards
donated by clubs, firms or individuals nor
endorses any organization or individuals.
2017 Exhibition of Fine Art at the San Diego County Fair
Thank You 2017 Donors
Andy O'Leary Memorial Award
North County Society of Fine Art
Be Happy With Glenda
Blick Art Material
Pastel Society of San Diego
Rancho Santa Fe Art Guild
California Center for the Arts Escondido
Sakura of America
Carlsbad-Oceanside Art League
San Diego Art Institute
Chartpak, Inc.
San Diego Museum of Art Artists Guild
Cheap Joe's Art Stuff
SD Colored Pencil Society of America
Chicken Charlie
SD Watercolor Society
Chula Vista Art Guild
SDAG - Off Track Gallery
Creative Catalyst Productions
Spanish Village Art Center
Carl Burger Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram World
The Art Stash
East County Artists Association
The Westlake Memorial Award
Fallbrook Art Association
Twins Travel Club
Julian Arts Guild
Lung Hsiang
UCSD Extension - Arts, Humanities,
Language, & Digital Art
Museum of Photographic Arts
MINGEI International Museum
GUIDELINES FOR PHOTOGRAPHING ARTWORK
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Avoid using a flash. Natural daylight on an overcast day, or shade on a sunny day, is the best
light for photographing artwork.
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If your 2-D artwork is framed with glass or plastic, be sure to remove it before photographing
to avoid reflections (Glass is not accepted except on charcoal or pastel).
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Set the camera on a tripod or other solid surface for stability (Most important when using a
slow shutter speed or a low f-stop).
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Aim the camera level with the artwork. To avoid distortion, don’t photograph from a higher or
lower angle.
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Check your camera settings to verify you are using the largest size (resolution) and highest
quality (low or no compression) that your camera supports. This is also a good time to
double-check that your flash is set to OFF.

Check for the depth of field. If using manual settings, an f-stop of 5.6 or higher is best.
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Take several photos at different settings and look at them on your computer screen to select
the best image.
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For 2-D work, be sure your entry fills the frame of the photo with no framing showing.

For 3-D pieces, you can submit up to (3) images for each item entered. It is suggested that
you submit a front view, side view and a close-up (macro) image of each art piece. This will
give the judges the best view of your work from all angles and any details.

For photographing your 3-D artwork, use a neutral-toned matte background such as grey,
black or ivory. Be sure your entry fills the frame of the photo with some, but minimal, backdrop
showing.
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