The Fine Arts Exhibition is one of the longest-running and finest traditions of the Colorado State Fair. The Fine Arts Exhibition provides an unmatched opportunity for both Emerging Artists and Professional Artists from around the state to participate in a quality exhibition. We strive to meet our mission of “Quality, Quantity, and Diversity.” The Colorado State Fair Fine Arts Exhibition serves to offer the arts community a special, annual show that is a direct result of the passion and hard work of many loving employees, students, and volunteers. Thank you! We hope your experience with us is a memorable one.
“And there should be no lagging or hanging back by anybody who has anything worth exhibiting” Pueblo Chieftain, Sept. 15, 1887 (in regard to entering the CSF Fine Arts Exhibition)
In-person entry registration Office Hours 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays between June 15th and July 22nd.
In-person entry registration will be in the General Entry & Fine Arts office in the Northeast corner of the Palace of Agriculture.
If your artwork is on the list above, it was juried into the show and will be on display during the 2025 Colorado State Fair. Congratulations!
If you submitted your work to be judged from uploaded images and it was accepted into the show, you must bring your work to the Gallery by August 8th, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. Any artwork on the ‘Accepted’ list that is not received by this date and time will not be accepted into the show.
Gallery hours are 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. August 5th-8th, 2025.
You may drop off your artwork that was accepted and submitted digitally during this window.
Artwork that was not accepted may also be picked up in this timeframe. We will not accept artwork or release artwork outside of this timeframe. Any artwork not accepted and not picked up by 2:00 p.m. on August 8th will then be held until the set pick up times, after the fair, listed below.
2026 Fine Arts Important Dates
| June 15 | Entry Registration Opens |
| July 22 at 4:00 pm | Entry Form & Fee Deadline |
| August 1, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm | Entry Drop-off, Fine Arts Building |
| August 7 at 5:00 pm | Accepted/Not Accepted Posted Online |
| August 14 at 2:00 pm | Accepted Electronically-Submitted Artwork Drop-off Deadline |
| August 27, 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm | Public Reception |
| August 31 at 5:00 pm | Full Judging Results Posted Online |
| September 9, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm and September 12, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm | Entry Pick-up |
Important Information
2026 Colorado State Fair - Fine Arts Competition Judges
Thomas “Detour” Evans
Thomas “Detour” Evans is a multidisciplinary artist whose work spans murals, sculpture, installation, technology, and community engagement. Rooted in themes of connection, identity, and shared experience, his practice transforms public spaces into vibrant reflections of the people who inhabit them. Through bold color, dynamic composition, and the incorporation of community narratives and repurposed materials, Evans creates artwork that invites participation, sparks conversation, and celebrates collective belonging.
Raised as a military brat, Evans spent much of his childhood moving every few years, an experience that exposed him to diverse cultures, communities, and perspectives. This constant movement fostered a lifelong fascination with how people connect to place and to one another. A pivotal moment in his artistic journey came while volunteering in Tanzania, where he witnessed the power of art to reveal stories, strengthen community bonds, and create meaningful dialogue. That experience ultimately inspired him to pursue art full-time upon returning to Denver.
Since launching his professional career in 2014, Evans has created large-scale public artworks in more than ten countries across four continents. His murals, some reaching over 300 feet in width, have become landmarks in cities around the world. Along the way, he has completed artist residencies in Argentina and France, exhibited in numerous solo and group exhibitions, and collaborated with organizations including UNICEF, the U.S. Embassy, Red Bull, Amazon, Netflix, the Denver Nuggets, and the Denver Broncos.
As his practice has evolved, Evans has expanded beyond murals into ambitious public art installations and sculpture. His most notable project to date is It’s Not What You Take, It’s What You Bring Back, a monumental permanent sculpture at Denver International Airport constructed from 183 pieces of donated luggage sourced from Colorado residents. The work, developed over two years in collaboration with architects, engineers, fabricators, and city stakeholders, exemplifies his commitment to community participation and storytelling through unconventional materials.
Evans holds both a BA and an MBA from the University of Colorado, combining artistic vision with strategic leadership and project management expertise. Today, he leads complex public art projects that integrate community engagement, fabrication, engineering, and large-scale installation. Whether creating murals, sculptures, or immersive public experiences, his goal remains consistent: to inspire curiosity, foster connection, and create artwork that leaves a lasting impact on the communities it serves.
Doug Kacena
Doug Kacena is a Denver-born artist, curator, gallerist, and arts advocate whose career has been rooted in creating opportunities for artists and expanding the way audiences experience contemporary art. He is the founder of K Contemporary, a contemporary art gallery with locations in Denver and Santa Fe, whose program has been presented at major international art fairs including The Armory Show, ZⓈONAMACO, and Untitled Art Miami Beach. The gallery and Kacena’s work have been featured in publications including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Artsy, and The Denver Post. Kacena’s own artistic practice has been the subject of a PBS special, and he has designed official mission patches for NASA and SpaceX launches to the International Space Station. He currently serves on the board of the Clyfford Still Museum, is a former board member of RedLine Contemporary Art Center, and is on the Contemporary Collections Committee of the Denver Art Museum.