PAINT HISTORIC WAXAHACHIE – 2026
19th ANNUAL PLEIN AIR SHOW

PROSPECTUS Sponsored by:
ELLIS COUNTY ART ASSOCIATION

Exhibition Venue:

Ellis County Women’s Building
407 W. Jefferson St.
Waxahachie, TX. 75165

Event Co-Chairpersons: Austin Rucker, Claudia Parsons, Faustina Gallagher, Patti Holloway

www.EllisCountyArt.net

ecaa@elliscountyart.net

Welcome to the 19th Annual Paint Historic Waxahachie!

About the Event:

This event will take place in Waxahachie, Texas located 30 miles south of Dallas, Texas. It is known as the Gingerbread City and Crepe Myrtle Capital of Texas. It’s full of historical buildings, parks, shopping venues, walking trails, new housing editions, multiple eating establishments, a beautifully preserved downtown area and one of the most beautiful courthouses in Texas.

The show includes an early painting opportunity that includes all of Ellis County.

Venue:

The host of the art show is Ellis County Women’s Art Club and will be held at The Ellis County Women’s Building, a 1925 Waxahachie structure exuding history and charm where many special events are held.

AWARDS: Best in Show $3,000, 1st Place $2,000, 2nd Place $1,500, 3rd Place $1,000, Honorable Mentions (4) $250 each, plus merchandise and products from art supply sponsors.

This year introduces a new hometown artist category: the Ellis County Regional Laureate Award. Open exclusively to Ellis County painters, the award includes a $1,000 prize, with the winning artwork displayed in a prominent Waxahachie location. This award is presented independently and is not eligible for additional honors.

Publicity & Promotions:

The Waxahachie Chamber of Commerce, Conventions & Visitors Bureau, and Downtown Merchants Association all support this Paint Out and will be promoting this event through local print and social media.

IMPORTANT DATES, DEADLINES AND EVENT SCHEDULE

INFORMATION AND GUIDELINES

Eligibility Requirements:

Applicants must be at least 18 years of age. Applications are processed through onlinejuriedshows.com. Log in and click Enter This Show above to begin your submissions.

Jury Fee:

To be considered for participation in this event, artists must pay a non-refundable $75 jury fee and submit 3 images representative of their best plein air work. Images must be jpg and under 4 mb.

For best results, images should be at least 800 pixels on the longest side @ 72 dpi. For help with your entries, contact onlinejuriedshows@gmail.com

Deadline to enter: MIDNIGHT, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2026

Jury Panel:

A panel of three will ‘blind jury’ the applications. Acceptance in the 2026 PHW Plein Air Show is based on the overall quality of work submitted.

Event participation will not exceed 60 artists with an alternate list of 15 in the event of artist cancellation.

Note: Submission of application and entry fee constitute agreement with all conditions set forth in this prospectus.

JUROR OF AWARDS: PATRICK SAUNDERS

PARTICIPATION RULES, DEADLINES & PAINT OUT WEEK ACTIVITIES

Artist Check-In & Event Information

Artist Event Packets

Artist Event Packets will be available at check-in and will include:

•        Name badge

•        Rules & prospectus

•        Invitation to the awards ceremony

•        Maps and recommended painting locations in Waxahachie

•        Additional event information

Canvas Stamping & Eligibility Requirements

•        Canvases must be stamped by ECAA Event Staff prior to painting to be considered eligible for judging and awards.

•        A maximum of five (5) pre-stamped canvases, panels, or paper surfaces may be submitted for judging and sale.

•        Blank canvas, panels, and paper surfaces are acceptable for awards eligibility.

•        Surfaces may be primed in advance in any color.

Artwork Submission Deadlines

Framing & Presentation Requirements

All submitted artwork must be for sale.

•        All artwork must be presented in gallery-quality frames and ready to hang using screw eyes and wire - Sawtooth hangers are not permitted.

•        Paintings may be no smaller than 8” on any side (excluding frame). No exceptions.

•        Unframed paintings must be gallery wrap or museum wrap with painted edges.

•        Gallery wrap/museum wrap canvases must:

o   Be a minimum of 1½” thick and have no staples visible on the sides

o   Have fully painted and dry edges prior to submission

Exhibition Display Requirements

•        Each artist will be provided one display panel measuring approximately 7’ tall × 38” wide.

•        Artists may hang up to five pieces on their designated panel.

•        All framed and gallery wrap paintings must fit entirely within the assigned panel space without overhanging the edges.

•        Space permitting, additional paintings may be accepted for exhibition and sale after judging has concluded.

•        Artists are requested not to remove unsold paintings prior to the closing of the exhibition on November 8, 2026 at 4:00 PM.

Paint Out Week Guidelines

•      Artists must paint within the Waxahachie city limits during Paint Out Week:
October 30 – November 8, 2026

•      Artists are encouraged to paint throughout the historic downtown Waxahachie area during the event week.

AWARD RECEPTION & PATRONS PREVIEW EVENT

- Appetizer Buffet –

Friday- NOV 6,2026, 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM

For Artists, Guests & invited Patrons at:

ELLIS COUNTY WOMEN’S BUILDING

407 W. JEFFERSON ST WAXAHACHIE, TX 75165

Art Sales & Exhibition for the Public

Sat & Sun- NOV 7-8, 2026- 9:00AM to 4:00PM at:

ELLIS COUNTY WOMEN’S BUILDING

407 W. JEFFERSON ST WAXAHACHIE, TX 75165

Sales:

All sales will be processed through the Ellis County Art Association.

Commission on sales –

•          65% paid to an artist

•          35% ECAA for community art programs

Insurance Notice:

The artist is responsible for insurance of their own artwork. The Ellis County Art Association assumes no responsibility for theft, damage, or liability.