Fine Art Competition

Display of paintings in the competition at Showcase 2023

Enter your pictures into our judged competitions. We welcome entries from everyone, whether you are a beginner or have more experience. You may enter up to three framed pictures across the three competition categories. Any subject or style is welcome.

See below for the full competition rules and guidance for entrants.

Entry Level

Enter up to three items.

You can enter across a choice of three competitions. See below for full competition rules.

There are three competitions within the Fine Art discipline:

Botanical Art / Illustration
Dorset Life, Land or Seascape
Open

You may enter up to a maximum of three entries, which may be in the same or different competitions.

Trophies and certificates are awarded for each competition, at the discretion of the judge.

We prefer you to enter your work online. You will be asked to enter details of your entries at checkout.

If you are unable to complete an online form, paper forms are available from the Entries Secretary entries@dorsetartsandcrafts.org

Presentation requirements for fine art

Entries must be securely framed with eyelets or “D” rings and a substantial taut cord about 1/3 from the top of the frame.
Clip frames are not accepted.
Pictures which are inadequately framed will not be accepted.
Pictures must not have a perimeter larger than 300cm.
Labels will be supplied by us, using the information from your entry form. The label must be attached with white thread to the hanging cord, such that it will hang below the bottom right corner of your work when hung. This is the display label for your work.

Anyone resident in Dorset can enter the judged competitions, whether they are a DACA member or not.

Anyone resident outside Dorset must be an Associate Member to enter work.

Entries must be your own unaided work.

Entries must not have been entered into a previous judged DACA competition.

Presentation and finish, including any information provided, will be taken into account by the judge.

Items entered into the judged competition will not be for sale.

DACA welcomes entries from those with any form of disability or additional need.

If the nature of your disability or additional need influences your ability to create your work and you would like the judge to take this into account, please tell us when submitting your entry details.

We encourage you to provide relevant details with your entry to assist the judges when it is handed in. This information will not be displayed to the public.

Here’s everything you need to know once you have submitted your entry, including delivering your work, how it is judged and displayed, and collection arrangements.

Labelling your work

Once you have submitted your entry form, whether online or by post, you will receive, by post,

labels for your work
a printed copy of your entry form (needed for hand-in and collection)
flyers for your use to publicise Showcase

It is your responsibility to check that the information on the labels and entry form is correct, including the price for work for sale. The labels for judged Craft and Fine Art entries do not include your name; this will be added after the work has been judged. If any information is incorrect, please contact the Entries Secretary entries@dorsetandcrafts.org immediately.

Attach the labels securely to your work, in accordance with the guidance for your competition. Please ensure that you attach the correct label to each entry.

If you are entering a multiple batch of items (e.g. a multi pack of cards), you will receive a single label for the pack. We recommend that these are packaged as a single pack in cellophane with the label attached to the pack.

Handing in your work

On your chosen handing-in day / time, bring your work to Purbeck School, Worgret Road, Wareham, BH20 4PF. Please remember to bring

every item you are entering, labelled correctly
the printed copy of your entry form

Your entries will be checked against your entry form, and any discrepancies will be resolved. The entry form, signed by a member of the DACA team to confirm receipt of your work, will be returned to you. This will be needed when you collect your work.

If someone is delivering your work on your behalf, please ensure that they have the printed copy of your entry form.

We are unable to store wrappings, boxes or other materials.

If you have difficulty delivering your exhibits, please contact the Entries Secretary for guidance.

See list of Trophies up for grabs!

Enter your work

Consider becoming

a DACA member

Members tell us they value lots of things – the inspiration, the opportunities, the sense of community – but here are some of the highlights:

Free entry to Showcase – visit as often as you like throughout the event.
Discounted entry fees for submitting work to the Showcase competitions.
Sell your work in the Showcase Sales Gallery.
The opportunity to apply for a craft stall at Showcase
Exclusive access to the Members’ Design Challenge – an annual creative project designed to spark original thinking.

Discounts from selected local suppliers.
Free listing for your art or craft business on the DACA website.
Regular newsletters – packed with news, inspiration, and opportunities.
Have your say – full members can vote at our General Meetings.

Become a DACA Member