Wildlife Art Shows

February 24, 2024 Sarah Soward

This is my running list of wildlife art shows. I decided to make a public-facing post about them for a few reasons.

I want it to be easier to track this stuff down for myself and my community
This will remind me to apply to more of these in a timely fashion (I hope!)
Wildlife artists need more resources

Disclaimer: I have not applied to all of these. I do jury/have juried some of these, and I own and run Wild Heart Gallery. This list is subject to change as opportunities change. I will try to keep it updated and accurate, but I offer no guarantees about that. I'm one artist trying to make a difference, and there is only so much I can accomplish. Enjoy and good luck to each of us!

Wildlife Art Exhibitions, Competitions, and Memberships

Gallery and Museum Exhibitions

David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation: Wildlife Artist of the Year

Annual juried exhibition

Location: Usually at the Mall Galleries in London
Entry fee: Yes
Deadline: March 29, 2023

Prix de West

Annual juried/invitational exhibition
Western Art

Location: National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, Oklahoma, U.S.
Entry fee: Yes
Deadline: March 1, 2023 for the 2024 exhibition

Society of Animal Artists (SAA)

Juried membership with art exhibition opportunities (often in museum venues?) for members
Society of Animal Artists Annual Exhibition and Special Shows

Location: United States
Entry fee: Yes
Deadlines: January 15 and June 15 each year for Membership, not sure of deadlines for Annual Exhibition or Special Shows

Artists For Conservation (AFC)

Juried invitational membership with art exhibition opportunities for members
Conservation-specific
In-person and virtual exhibitions

Location: AFC is based in Canada
Entry fee: Yes
Deadlines: ?

Birds In Art

Annual juried exhibition that is notoriously difficult to get into
Birds only

Location: United States
Entry fee: Yes
Deadline: April 17, 2023

Kentucky National Wildlife Exhibition

Biennial juried exhibition (even years)
North American Species only
Organized by Ohio Valley Art League (OVAL)

Location: Kentucky, United States
Entry fee: Yes
Deadline: Fall? for 2024 show

Animals In Art

Annual juried exhibition
Organized by Louisiana State Univeristy School of Veterinary Medicine

Location: Louisiana, United States
Entry fee: Yes
Deadline: Summer? for 2023 show

American Academy of Equine Art

Multiple juried exhibitions per year.
Membership is an option but not required.
Horse-specific subject matter.

Location: United States
Entry fee: Yes
Deadlines: Various

Queensland Wildlife Artist Society

Member exhibitions
Australia-specific wildlife encouraged (not sure if it's mandatory)

Location: Australia
Entry Fee: Yes
Deadlines: Various

Coors Western Art Exhibit and Sale

One big exhibition and pop-up events
Western art specific, wildlife/animal art welcome.

Location: Denver, Colorado, USA
Entry Fee: Yes
Deadlines: The 2022 entry was through CaFE with an April 2021 deadline for entries. Will update this entry when I have details about the 2023 show.