MOTHER LODE ART ASSOCIATION’S 71ST ART SHOW AND SALE
OCTOBER 2-4, 2026
at the Sonora Elks Lodge, 100 Elk Drive, Sonora, CA
2026 PROSPECTUS
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Open to all artists 18 years of age and older. Artists under 18 see the Community Art Prospectus below.
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Work must be original, conceived, and created entirely by the artist and completed within the last three (3) years. Work shown in previous MLAA exhibits is ineligible.
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No classwork accepted where images provided by the instructor.
ELIGIBILITY
SIZE AND WEIGHT LIMITATIONS
Wall art: maximum width 40 inches, framed and wired for hanging. No sawtooth hangers. Outsize items and 3D entries, supply own support if needed.
FEES (NONREFUNDABLE)
Up to four (4) entries per person
MLAA members: 1st entry $20; each additional entry $10
Non-members: 1st entry $30; each additional entry $15
Entries by artists under 18, see Community Art Prospectus
CATEGORIES
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Acrylics and Oils
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Water Color
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Pastels
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Mixed Media and Graphics. Includes printmaking, lithography, linocut, serigraph, monoprint, woodcut, collage, encaustic, etching.
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3-Dimensional
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Wood
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Metal
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Clay
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Textile
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Other
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Foothill Favorites. Any medium, subject matter related to the Sierra Foothills region.
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Drawing. Includes charcoal, graphite, pen/brush & ink, colored pencil.
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Community Art (ribbon awards). See Community Art Prospectus for guidelines.
AWARDS
Best of Show: $300 Diane Sanguinetti Honorary Award: $100 Categories 1-4 & 7: 1st prize $100, 2nd prize $75, 3rd prize $50 Category 5: $50 1st prize in each sub-category Category 6 (Foothill Favorites): $100 People’s Choice: $100
ENTRY
Entries will be accepted online August 1, 2026 to September 1, 2026. Go to mlaa.org to complete the entry form and submit entry fees.
NOTE:
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MLAA reserves the right to refuse any entry upon review
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Artists can either designate a selling price for their work, or indicate NFS (Not for Sale)
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For sales made at the show, MLAA is required to collect sales tax from the buyer and remit the sales tax to the state
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75% of sales price (net of sales tax) will be paid to the artist and 25% retained by MLAA as fundraising proceeds.
SHOW CALENDAR
Tuesday, September 29:
Wednesday, September 30:
Thursday, October 1:
Friday, October 2:
Saturday, October 3:
Sunday, October 4:
Monday, October 5:
Deliver art to Sonora Elks Lodge, 10 am – 1 pm, 5 pm – 7:30 pm
Closed for judging
Closed for hanging. Art not accepted for show listed at mlaa.org
Artists Reception, 5 pm – 8 pm, Awards Presentation 7 pm.
Exhibit open 10 am – 8 pm
Exhibit open 10 am – 8 pm
Pick up art at Sonora Elks Lodge, 10 am – 1 pm, 5 pm – 7:30 pm
Community Art Prospectus
ELIGIBILITY
Open to all artists of WATCH, Sonora Photo Club, young artists (7th to 12th grades)
CATEGORIES
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WATCH
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The Sonora Photo Club
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Youth Art (7-12th grades)
FEES
None
AWARDS
Ribbons for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place.
ENTRY (Label format / guidelines for art available on mlaa.org)
WATCH entries will be coordinated and hung by WATCH. Sonora Photo Club entries will be coordinated and hung by the Club. Youth Art will be accepted, reviewed, and submitted by school art teachers. Limit one entry per youth. Work will be hung by MLAA.