Spring Open Capture
A Call for Kansas City Artists
The City of Fountains Foundation invites local artists to help us celebrate the fountains that make Kansas City unforgettable. Through Spring Open Capture, you’ll create original artwork inspired by three of the city’s most beloved fountains—helping us build awareness around Kansas City’s cultural landmarks while spotlighting the local art community.
This is more than an art challenge—it’s a community celebration. It’s your chance to create meaningful work that contributes to the city’s cultural narrative while raising awareness for the preservation of our beloved fountains.
Mark Your Calendar for a Chance to Win $500
Spring Open Capture is a two-month-long art challenge inviting Kansas City-based artists to create original works inspired by three historic fountain sites. Artists are free to work in their own medium—paint, sketch, mixed media—and interpret the fountains through their personal creative lens.
One artist will be awarded $500 for each of the three featured fountain locations. This is your chance to express how these public spaces reflect the character, beauty, and spirit of our city.
In addition to the cash award, winning artwork may be reproduced on City of Fountains Foundation merchandise and used in future campaigns to promote our mission. Artists will always be credited, offering long-term exposure and recognition as part of a growing platform for public art in Kansas City
EVENT DATES: April 19th – June 15th, 2025
FOUNTAIN LOCATIONS: Meyer Circle Seahorse Fountain | Henry Wollman Bloch Fountain | Loose Park Lake Fountain
Details & Important Dates
Artists Spring Open Capture
This flexible option allows you to create at your own pace, painting en plein air or in your studio.
- Open to amateur and professional artists of all ages.
- Use any medium and style; artwork must be 16″x20″ or smaller.
- Depict a fountain from the provided list.
- Work must be new and created between April 19th and June 15th, 2025.
- Studio or plein air pieces are accepted.
- No stamping of substrates is required. You may work in your own time and submit digitally.
Important Dates
Make sure to mark your calendar—these deadlines are final, and late registrations or submissions will not be accepted.
Registration Dates
- March 1st – April 18th, 2025
Event Dates
- Saturday, April 19th, 2025 – Sunday, June15th, 2025
Submission Deadline
- Sunday, June 22nd, 2025 by 11:59 p.m.
Award Email Announcements
- Monday, June 30th, 2025 by 7:00 p.m.
Artists Spring Open Capture
Guidelines for Participating in the Event
How to Participate
- Preregistration Required: Register and pay on the COFF website by 11:59 p.m. on April 18th, 2025.
- Stamps: No stamping of substrates is required. You may work in your own time and submit digitally.
- Participation: Open only to paid, registered artists.
- Artwork: Must be 2D and depict a fountain from the provided list.
Entry Fee & Payment Methods
- Open Capture: $35
- Payment: Must be made by debit or credit card on the COFF website during registration.
Submission Requirements
- Submission Date: All completed artwork for the Spring Open Capture must be submitted by Sunday, June 22nd, 2025 by 11:59 p.m.
- Submission Link: Submit your work at the designated link provided on the COFF website.
- Art Submission: Artists may submit 1 painting of each fountain (3 total).
- Include: Full name, email, medium, size, price, created en plein air or in a studio
- Image Specifications:
- Minimum size: 10″
- Maximum size: 30″
- File format and Size: JPEG at 72 dpi (no larger than 3 MB).
Jury Process
- Juror: Jeff Osborne, with over 30 years in the art community and 4 years curating at the Jones Gallery in the Crossroads Arts District.
- One winning piece will be selected from each fountain location.
- Submissions will be judged on quality and originality, with all styles welcomed equally.
Awards & Prizes
- Winners will be notified by email on Monday, June 30th, 2025, by 7:00 p.m.
- One winner per fountain location will receive $500.
- COFF will own reproduction rights to the winning pieces, including rights to sell prints and merchandise.
- Winning artwork will be featured on a dedicated page on the COFF website with links to purchase requests.
- Winners will be credited in promotions and merchandise sales.
Participation Rewards
- Non-winning pieces will also be displayed on the COFF website with purchase request links.
- Artists will contribute 25% of the sale price to COFF if their artwork is sold.
- COFF will coordinate purchase approvals and email donation receipts to artists.
- Artists will be credited in all promotions.
Questions & Answers
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Artists Spring Open Capture
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Fountain Partners
Agenda:USA
KC Bier Co.
Helen S. Boylan Foundation
Mason L. Dean Testamentary Foundation
Estelle S. and Robert A. Long Ellis Foundation
Alex Hamil
Roy Inman
Kansas City, Missouri Parks and Recreation
The Kansas City Royals
Made in Kansas City
Rally House
Seen Merch
Irma Starr
Map Us Out
Contact Us
ADDRESS:
P.O. Box 8912
Kansas City, MO
64114
PHONE:
816-842-2299