SYRCL’s Wild & Scenic Film Festival and the Nevada County Arts Council Open Artist Submissions for the 2026 Wild & Scenic Art Exhibition
The South Yuba River Citizens League’s Wild & Scenic Film Festival (WSFF) and the Nevada County Arts Council (NC Arts) invite artists to submit their work for consideration in the 24th annual Wild & Scenic Film Festival Art Exhibition, taking place from February 19-23, 2026. This exhibition will showcase visual art that, like the festival’s award-winning films, sparks dialogue, fuels activism, and ignites the imagination.
This year’s WSFF theme, Mobilize, is a rallying cry. It honors the energy of collective action and the momentum of big and small movements that shape a better world. WSFF and NC Arts are seeking artwork that explores the environment in its many dimensions: natural, cultural, and political. Artists are especially encouraged to reflect on themes of resistance, progress, and community-led change. Whether inspired by Indigenous land defense, youth-led climate action, or everyday acts of courage, this is an opportunity for artists to help move individuals and mobilize communities to act.
“Our community is lucky to have such a vibrant and robust artistic community that values and embraces the power of the arts to communicate, educate, and uplift. Each year many dozens of artists harness this power and bring attendees their vision for the joint exhibition presented by Wild & Scenic and the Arts Council. We are grateful to be able to continue to bring this artistic inspiration to Wild & Scenic attendees and the community at large and I can’t wait to see another great exhibition embracing the 2026 Mobilize theme this coming year,” says Festival Director Eric Dunn.
The Programs and Membership Coordinator of the Nevada County Arts Council, Hannah Mosby, adds, “Artists are powerful catalysts for change. Wild & Scenic Film Festival and the accompanying visual art exhibition is a powerful demonstration of how art can inspire new perspectives and ignite a shared commitment to a better future. We are honored to partner with the festival again for this year’s exhibition, to present artworks that foster appreciation of our world and inspire us to protect it.”
Between Feb. 19 and March 15, juried art will be showcased at the Granucci Gallery, located at The Center for the Arts in Grass Valley. Additionally, between January 16 and May 1st other juried artwork will be on display at the Rood Center in Nevada City. The inclusion of the Rood Center creates the opportunity for a longer engagement between the selected art and the public, providing more opportunities for experiencing the art. The featured artwork in this exhibition contributes to the immersive nature of the February festival experience. Artists passionate about the environment can showcase their best work and share a meaningful message through their unique artistic visions.
“This year’s partnership with Wild & Scenic is a particularly exciting one, opening up more opportunities for artists to show their work for an extended period at the Rood Center in Nevada City. Our Art in Public Spaces program, a partnership with the County, will be a perfect complement to this year’s temporary art display at the Center’s Granucci Gallery in Grass Valley,” said the Executive Director of the Arts Council, Eliza Tudor,
Western Nevada County is home to over 100 arts-related organizations producing upwards a thousand events per year, scores of annual festivals, street fairs, art walks, studio tours, and a generous base of artists and makers. This vibrant cultural scene is centered in the Grass Valley-Nevada City Cultural District, designated by the California Arts Council as one of only 14 cultural districts in the state, highlighting our thriving cultural diversity and unique artistic identity.
Art submissions for the WSFF Art Exhibition are accepted in three categories: 3-Dimensional, 2-Dimensional, and Photography. Artists can submit up to 3 pieces per entry in a single category.
The jury will be looking for standout pieces that embody the broader theme of the festival, which serves as a vital fundraiser for the South Yuba River Citizens League, a nonprofit dedicated to uniting the community to protect and restore the Yuba River watershed. Award-winners will be recognized and presented with certificates at the Exhibition Opening Reception on Thurs. Feb. 19th at the Granucci Gallery. Additionally, there will be an exhibition opening at the Rood Center on January 30th.
Submission Deadlines & Important Dates:
- September 30 – Early Bird Deadline, $25
- October 28th – Regular Deadline, $35
- November 30th – Final Deadline, $45
- December 15 – Notification Date
- January 16 – Rood Center Art Exhibition begins
- January 30 – Rood Center Exhibition Opening Reception
- February 19 – Granucci Gallery Art Exhibition opening reception/Film Festival begins
- March 15 – final day of Granucci Gallery exhibition
- May 1 – final day of Rood Center exhibition
If you have any questions about submitting your art, please go to SYRCL’s Wild & Scenic Film Festival website:
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