Festival of the cranes art contest

2026 Winner: macey sigaty

My name is Macey Sigaty and I am a Colorado-born interdisciplinary artist focusing mostly on photography, drawing, and print-making. I use many different mediums with an aim to appreciate the ordinary manner of miracles, to see beauty in the banal, and dabble in whimsy. My work is often focused on small moments otherwise easily missed, or a collage of symbols weaving disparate elements together . Nature often finds its way into my work. I come from a line of artists and grew up with art as a center point. I use it not only as a way to honor those who came before me but as the language needed to connect with the world. You can often find me at The Church Project Community Art Center in Monte Vista, CO, where I am using my hands to make real things and encouraging others to do the same.

Fun bonus fact about the selected artwork: My son was born during crane season, so on the drive home from the hospital we saw a flock of them in the fields. This is the first drawing I created after he was born.

Congratulations, Macey!

Could YOUR beautiful, crane inspired work of art be selected as our next Festival of the Cranes featured art?

Each year Friends of Bosque del Apache hosts an art contest as part of Festival of the Cranes. Submissions for 2026 are now closed. We will begin accepting submissions for the 2027 contest on January 14, 2027. The submission deadline is June 1, 2027.

The winning piece is featured as one of the faces of our event and will be released on apparel, notecards and much more! Read on for more details.

why enter?

featured festival artwork

The winning piece becomes one of the official faces of Festival of the Cranes and is featured on promotional materials, merchandise, and event marketing.

$500 cash prize

The winning artist receives a $500 cash award in recognition of their creativity and contribution to the festival.

sell your work at the festival

Receive a complimentary Nature Fair booth during Festival of the Cranes, providing an opportunity to showcase and sell your artwork to thousands of attendees.

contest guidelines

Before submitting your artwork, please review the following requirements and guidelines.

eligible artwork

Original artwork only
Any medium welcome, including painting, digital art, printmaking, mixed media, sculpture, and photography
Edited photography is permitted
AI-generated artwork is not permitted

artwork format

Because Festival of the Cranes materials are designed in a vertical (5.5″ × 8.5″) format, artwork should ideally accommodate a portrait layout. However, artists are encouraged to submit work of any shape or orientation. Our design team has experience adapting artwork for publication, and a brochure mockup is not required.

submission requirements

Submit JPEG files
File size: 1–5 MB
Up to 15 entries per artist
Contest entry is free

winning artwork

Winning artist must provide a high-resolution file (300 dpi minimum)
Artwork may be featured on festival marketing materials and merchandise
Winning artist receives a $500 cash prize and complimentary Nature Fair booth

copyright & usage

By entering the contest, artists grant Friends of Bosque del Apache a non-exclusive right to use submitted artwork, including edited versions, for festival promotion and related commercial activities. Winning artwork may appear on merchandise sold during the festival and until inventory is exhausted. Artwork that is not selected may still be featured on festival websites, publications, or promotional materials. All published artwork will be credited to the artist.

Download Contest Guidelines