Venue
Scottsdale Artists’ School
3720 N. Marshall Way
3720 N. Marshall Way
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Jurors of Selection
Tom Conner, tomconnerstudio.com
Tom grew up in North Carolina and was drawing and painting from an early age. He graduated from North Carolina State University's School of Design with a degree in architecture while continuing to pursue drawing and painting in his free time. It was after moving to Arizona that his true arts education began, in the deserts and forests of the southwest. Developing a love of great open spaces, hiking, camping and rock climbing soon filled his free time, where he absorbed the beauty of nature and learned to observe his surroundings. Since then he has explored his love of the natural world through painting, both plein air and studio works, always in the pursuit of capturing greater truths. The essential quest for him in both painting and architecture are similar; light and form are in partnership to reveal the nature of one another. Every painting seeks to explore this dynamic.
Tom Conner is a long time member of Arizona Plein Air Painters, served on the Board, and received numerous awards in juried APAP shows. In recent months he has participated in and received awards at the 2026 Oil Painters of America National Show in May 2026, the Prescott Plein Air Festival 2025 and 2026, the NC Plein Air Festival 2025, and judged the recent Sedona Plein Air Festival.
Melanie Harman, melanie-harman.pixels.com
Tom grew up in North Carolina and was drawing and painting from an early age. He graduated from North Carolina State University's School of Design with a degree in architecture while continuing to pursue drawing and painting in his free time. It was after moving to Arizona that his true arts education began, in the deserts and forests of the southwest. Developing a love of great open spaces, hiking, camping and rock climbing soon filled his free time, where he absorbed the beauty of nature and learned to observe his surroundings. Since then he has explored his love of the natural world through painting, both plein air and studio works, always in the pursuit of capturing greater truths. The essential quest for him in both painting and architecture are similar; light and form are in partnership to reveal the nature of one another. Every painting seeks to explore this dynamic.
Tom Conner is a long time member of Arizona Plein Air Painters, served on the Board, and received numerous awards in juried APAP shows. In recent months he has participated in and received awards at the 2026 Oil Painters of America National Show in May 2026, the Prescott Plein Air Festival 2025 and 2026, the NC Plein Air Festival 2025, and judged the recent Sedona Plein Air Festival.
Melanie Harman, melanie-harman.pixels.com
Originally from England, Melanie Harman has lived in Arizona since 1987. She works in watercolor and acrylic on paper and her work can be found in collections in the USA, United Kingdom, and Australia. She is a juried artist with Arizona Artists Guild and Arizona Art Alliance, and is a signature member of Arizona Watercolor Association, Contemporary Watercolorists of Arizona, and the Western Federation of Watercolor Societies. She was voted Artist of the Year for the 2022-23 season at Arizona Artists Guild. She is currently Exhibitions Co-Chair for Contemporary Watercolorists of Arizona and is VP Exhibitions for Arizona Artists Guild. Melanie is also a Juried Member of APAP and most recently in our 2026 Annual Juried Member Show at the Shemer Art Center, Phoenix.
Judge of Awards
Barbara Mulleneaux, barbaramulleneaux.com
Barbara Mulleneaux moved from southern California to Arizona in 1994. She joined the Tucson Plein Air Painters Society in 2002 and was hooked! She continued following trails, swatting bugs and chasing light. Barbara served as president of the Sonoran Plein Air Painters (formerly TPAPS) and is currently a Signature member.
Barbara's works are very expressive with color and texture. Her subjects are most often landscapes but she loves painting the charm of old architecture, an occasional still life and recently, abstracts! "I want to capture light and express my feeling about the subject. Hopefully the viewer will feel as if they are there with me during the experience." Barbara teaches classes and workshops in acrylic and oil mediums. She enjoys participating in plein air competitions and art shows, regionally and nationally.
Barbara is a member APAP, AIS, SPAP, PAPNM, NOAPS. She exhibits and is recognized in numerous exhibitions and plein air events around the USA.
Barbara Mulleneaux moved from southern California to Arizona in 1994. She joined the Tucson Plein Air Painters Society in 2002 and was hooked! She continued following trails, swatting bugs and chasing light. Barbara served as president of the Sonoran Plein Air Painters (formerly TPAPS) and is currently a Signature member.
Barbara's works are very expressive with color and texture. Her subjects are most often landscapes but she loves painting the charm of old architecture, an occasional still life and recently, abstracts! "I want to capture light and express my feeling about the subject. Hopefully the viewer will feel as if they are there with me during the experience." Barbara teaches classes and workshops in acrylic and oil mediums. She enjoys participating in plein air competitions and art shows, regionally and nationally.
Barbara is a member APAP, AIS, SPAP, PAPNM, NOAPS. She exhibits and is recognized in numerous exhibitions and plein air events around the USA.
Awards
Over $1500 in awards.
Cash Awards for First, Second, Third Place, Special Recognition Water Media, and Special Recognition Pastel. Honorable mentions will be gift certificates or merchandise.
Cash Awards for First, Second, Third Place, Special Recognition Water Media, and Special Recognition Pastel. Honorable mentions will be gift certificates or merchandise.
Entry Fee
- APAP Members only: $40 for up to 4 pieces.
- A maximum of two can be selected.
Eligibility
- Artist must be 18 years or older and have a paid membership in apap.
Become a member. - You may submit up to 4 pieces of artwork for $40. A maximum of two can be selected. You may not exchange or fail to provide a painting once selected.
Image Requirements
- Submit high quality JPG format.
- ShowSubmit will resize and rename image files. Fill in all other information required.
- The image must be art only, no gaps, mat, or frame showing.
Artwork Requirements
- Eligible work executed in Arizona in last two years (2025-2026) and not previously shown in an APAP exhibition.
- As is standard, work painted 80% in plein air with maximum 20% touch up in studio.
- Accepted Mediums: Oil, Acrylic, Watercolor, Gouache, Pastel, Wax, Mixed media.
- Size: Minimum - without frame. 48 sq in (ex: 6x8) Maximum 288 sq in, (ex: 12x24)
- Artwork must be ready to hang.
- Framing: Frame must be in excellent condition, no sawtooth hangers. Neutral mats and non glare glass where applicable. Please see online tutorials if you have questions.
- Label your artwork on the back with your name, dimensions, and artwork title.
- Delivery/Shipping instructions provided upon selection.
- All work must be for sale.
- Minimum sale price $300.
- Works delivered must exactly match the submitted image or will be disqualified.
Sales
All work must be for sale. All sales are thru SAS with 20 % commission to School 80% to artist and paid approximately two weeks after close of exhibition. If you might wish to “pre sell” then arrangement can be made by having buyer contact Scottsdale Artist School on the opening day of exhibition.
Note: work cannot be removed until end of Show. SAS can make arrangements for pick up or shipping with a buyer.
Note: work cannot be removed until end of Show. SAS can make arrangements for pick up or shipping with a buyer.
Terms
By entering this event you acknowledge acceptance of all rules and guidelines stated here.
Image and Filename Specifications
- File Format: Submit original, high-quality JPEG image files. Other formats (e.g., PNG, TIFF) are not accepted.
- Crop Your Image: Ensure only the artwork itself is visible in the image. Do not show any visible matting, frames, or background distractions.
- Orientation: Make sure your image is oriented correctly (right side up) so that the artwork appears in its intended viewing direction.
- Image Size: You do not need to resize your image files before uploading. The system will automatically resize them. Smaller images cannot be enlarged to meet the requirements, so ensure your images are high resolution before uploading.
- File Names: You do not need to rename your files before uploading them. The system will handle any file naming requirements.
- File Size: There is a 30MB maximum file size limit. Larger image files will take longer to upload and process.
Additional Entry Information
- You will pay for your entry by credit or debit card using our secure checkout system.
- After your entry is submitted and paid for, you may log back in to review your entry, edit artist and image information, and add or substitute images up until the entry deadline (December 10, 2026.)
- Entry fees are not refundable and must be submitted and paid by the entry deadline.
- Entries cannot be accepted or changed after the deadline. Incomplete entries will be disqualified.
Notifications Are Posted in Your Account
Results will be posted in your ShowSubmit account by the end of the day on December 15, 2026. You will also receive an email.
Log in and check your account. We are unable to answer individual inquiries about results.
Support
Questions about this exhibition?
Contact APAP President, Kathleen Lawrence-Davis ([email protected]) for questions about the prospectus, APAP, eligibility, artwork requirements, drop-off, pick-up, sales, etc.
Need help with ShowSubmit?
Visit our Help Center or Entry Guide for guidance on image uploads, payments, and managing your entry. If you still need help, email ShowSubmit Support ([email protected]). We respond Monday–Friday, 9am–6pm Eastern.