Art Contest Application

Calling all artists! The 2026 art contest is now open! Submissions must be received no later than July 31, 2026.

Show us your expressive interpretation of the Ramona area to include a theme of Wine, Music and Art.

 


We are pleased to invite you to participate in the 2026 Art Contest sponsored by the Ramona Art, Wine & Music Festival and the Ramona H.E.A.R.T. Mural project.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:
Anyone 21 or older residing in Ramona, CA or surrounding areas may enter. You need not be a professional artist.

Medium
Art may be painted using any medium (oil, acrylic or mixed media). Final art should be varnished for protection.

Size
Artwork must be 16” x 20”, portrait orientation, on gallery wrapped canvas.

Subject
We are seeking subjects with a dominant representation of wine, music and art.
Entries may also include representations of Ramona area such as the terrain, equine industry, history or other Ramona, CA related items.

Original Works
Original works of art only.
Artificial Intelligence generated entries will not be accepted.

Deadline
Applications must be received by July 31, 2026.
The winner will be announced in August.

IF YOU WIN:
The winning artist must donate their original art and design for fundraising purposes. All rights to the winning art and design will become the property of the Ramona Art & Wine Festival and the Ramona H.E.A.R.T. Mural Project for promotion and fundraising.

  • The winning artist is entitled to:
  • The winning artist becomes the “Featured Artist” for the year and all previous winners become a permanent member of our “Artist Hall of Fame”.
  • The artist and winning artwork will be prominently displayed on the cover of our official festival program and promoted on our website, home page, and social media.
  • Your original artwork will be framed (by a professional framer and displayed at a sponsor location one month prior to the festival.
  • Your original artwork will be auctioned at the festival during our Live Auction. Limited edition signed and numbered prints and other items featuring the design may be sold at the festival and thereafter.

HOW TO APPLY:
Read and understand the Terms and Conditions on this page

Complete the online application below and upload a picture (or pictures) of your original art no later than the deadline. Note: A maximum of 3 entries may be submitted per artist.

You will receive an acknowledgement that your entry has been received via email and results are announced in August.

All proceeds from the contest support the Ramona H.E.A.R.T. Mural Project Corporation, a non-profit, 501(c)(3) entity. The mission is to encourage economic vitality of Ramona by increasing tourism, promoting community pride, and celebrating our rich cultural heritage through an outstanding visual arts program.

2026 Ramona Art Contest Schedule:

  • Applications Open: May 2026
  • Applications Close: July 31
  • Winner Announced: August
  • Original Artwork provided to Festival Committee: August
  • Artwork Displayed in Ramona (location TBD): October
  • Artwork displayed at Festival: November 7, 2026

Regards,
Art Contest Coordinators
Ramona Art & Wine Festival Committee
apply@festival.ramona.town

All Art Contest Participants must read and agree to the following terms and conditions in order to participate in the Festival.

Entry Requirements

  • The size of the final artwork must be 11″ x 14″.
  • Art entries MUST include a dominant representation of wine, art and music.
  • Entries MAY also include representations of Ramona area such as the terrain, equine industry, history or other Ramona related items.
  • Art may be painted using any medium. Photography entries are also accepted.
  • Artist must be from the Ramona area or surrounds.
  • Artist have a booth (at no charge) at the Festival.
  • Artist agrees to waive rights to art for exclusive use by the Ramona Art, Wine & Music Festival and the Ramona H.E.A.R.T. Mural Project.

Festival Entry: The Art Contest Winner will be allocated 2 regular festival tickets per booth (1 per person if booth sharing).  All others must purchase a ticket.

This is a 21 and older event.  No pets are allowed on the premises during the event.

Selection Process:  Please note that submitting your application does not guarantee acceptance to the event. Approvals will be at the sole discretion of the Festival committee.

Cancellations:  The Festival will proceed rain or shine. There will be no refunds for cancellations for any reason. Fees will be donated in support of the Ramona H.E.A.R.T. Mural Project.

Safety: The safety of everyone is of utmost importance. No moving vehicles are allowed within the venue between 10:15 am and 5:30 pm. Report any emergencies or incidents to the Registration Desk or a Festival representative.

Booth Requirements:

  • Live Auction Artists and Art Contest Winners will be allocated a free 10×10 space at the festival.  All items must fit within this 10×10 space
  • Artists will provide a 10×10 pop-up canopy with vertical legs.  White canopies are preferred, but other solid colors are acceptable
  • All setups and breakdowns are the responsibility of the Live Auction Artist
  • No electricity is provided
  • Booths must be attended by a representative at all times during the event
  • This location can be very windy. Canopies must be weighed down to avoid property damage or injury
  • No food or beverages may be served at the festival except by approved food providers. Food for personal consumption within the booth is allowed.

Booth Locations: Booth space assignments are made at the discretion of the Festival Committee. If you have special needs that may impact booth placement, please let your festival coordinator know. Booth locations cannot be guaranteed.

Booth Sharing: Live Auction Artists and Art Contest Winners are not allowed to share a booth.

Setup and Breakdown:
 Please note that due to the venue layout (one-way, single lane traffic) we are required to use a strict unloading schedule. Details on your booth assignment and setup time will be provided a few weeks prior to the event.

Setup: On the day of the event, you will be assigned a 15-minute window between 7:30 – 9:30 a.m. to drive near your space and unload your vehicle. Once unloaded, please park your car in your designated lot to allow unloading by other Live Auction Artists before completing the setup within your booth space. All setups should be completed no later than 10:30 a.m. (30 minutes before the event begins).

Early Setup (Optional): The venue will be open for set-up of hardware only (no products), on Friday, November 1st, 2024, from 2:00 – 4:00 pm. Note that no overnight security is provided.

Breakdown: You may begin breaking down within your space at 5 pm. Vehicles will be allowed into the venue area starting at 5:30 p.m. to allow time for our guests to exit safely. Under no circumstances are artisan exhibitor breakdowns to occur prior to 5 pm.

Exhibitor Parking: Your designated parking area will be assigned based on your booth location. Details will be provided along with space assignments and setup windows a few weeks prior to the event. Our capacity plan requires that you park in your assigned lot.

Other:

Silent Auction: Silent Auction items from Live Auction Artists and Art Contest Winners are encouraged, but not required. Items should be delivered in person or shipped to Hatfield Creek Vineyards & Winery, 1625 Highway 78 in Ramona, CA by Sunday, September 22nd. You will be asked to complete a short Silent Auction form describing the items donated and an approximate retail value to assist us in our silent auction preparations.

Loss or Damage: The Ramona H.E.A.R.T. Mural Project, Board of Directors, and Ramona Art & Wine Festival committee, are not liable for any damage to person or property or for lost or stolen items in relation to the Festival.

Collections, Permits & Taxes: Exhibitors are responsible for any and all licenses, permits, taxes and insurance related to this event. Failure to comply may result in disqualification from the Festival. Exhibitors are responsible for establishing their own merchant accounts and are solely responsible for collecting payments for items sold and for filing all sales taxes as required by the State of California. Exhibitors must have all legally required permits to participate in the Festival and should have proof of permits onsite during the festival.

Publicity: All photos or videos taken of exhibitors, booths, staff and/or products or submitted as part of the application or participation in the Festival may be used at will by the Ramona Art & Wine Festival and/or the Ramona H.E.A.R.T. Mural Project as needed for promotional purposes.

To enter our annual Art Contest please complete the following form

  • Read and understand the Exhibitor Terms and Conditions (view pdf)
  • Complete the online application below
  • You will be contacted by a festival representative with instructions on how to complete your entry