Accepted Digital Media

The FAA Digital Gallery accepts the following forms of digital artwork:

• AI and AI-assisted artwork
• Digital painting
• Manipulated photography
• Traditional photography
• Digital collage or compositing
• 3D rendering
• Mixed media incorporating digital elements
• Video (may be excluded depending on display limitations)

All submitted work must be original and created entirely by the entrant.

Traditional Photography

Traditional photography refers to images created with a camera using minimal editing only.

Acceptable adjustments

Acceptable adjustments include:

• Cropping
• Exposure adjustment
• Color correction
• Sharpening

These basic edits do not turn a photograph into manipulated photography. The primary creative act must be capturing the photograph, not digitally altering it.

Digital Painting

A Digital Painting is created entirely by hand using digital tools such as a graphics tablet, stylus, and painting software.

To qualify, a digital painting must:

• Be 100% hand-created
• Use no photographic components
• Contain no AI-generated elements
• Not originate from scanned or photographed traditional art

Work that is partially based on photos, AI, or scanned drawings is not a digital painting.

Hybrid Artwork Policy

(Important)

Artwork created in traditional mediums (painting, drawing, mixed media) that is scanned or photographed does not qualify as digital artwork.

Hybrid digital artwork is accepted only if:

• The traditional artwork is substantially transformed,
• The digital process significantly alters the structure, composition, or meaning,
• The final artwork’s origin is digital, not a lightly retouched reproduction.

Simply photographing or lightly enhancing a traditional piece does not constitute digital artwork.

Styles & Artwork NOT Accepted

The following types of artwork will not be accepted into FAA exhibitions:

Purely Decorative Artwork

Includes work created primarily to “match the room,” such as:

• Commercial décor pieces
• Sentimental scenes or generic landscapes
• “Over-the-couch” (OTC) art

Commercial / Applied Art

Work intended for commercial markets, including:

• Illustration
• Product or character design
• Advertising art
• Branded or client-directed work
• Derivative or Non-Original Artwork

Derivative or Non-Original Artwork

• Copies or imitations of another artist’s work or style
• Art created in workshops, classes, guided demos, or step-by-step lessons
• Work using copyrighted elements or non-original assets
• Lightly edited scans or photos of traditional artwork
•  Nudes and sensitive content: Accepted only if presented in good taste and suitable for community, all-age viewing. 

All entries must be independently conceived, composed, and created.

 Fantasy or Comic-Book Style Artwork

Includes but not limited to fantasy-game imagery, superhero art, and comic-style illustration.

Edition Requirements

All artworks must be:

• One-of-a-kind,
• Not part of an edition, including digital prints or variations.

Originality & Rights

By submitting artwork, the artist affirms:

• The artwork is original as defined under these rules
• The artist holds full copyright
• The work does not infringe upon intellectual property
• The artwork has not previously been shown in any FAA Digital or Physical gallery
• exhibition

If an exhibition makes an exception, it will be clearly stated in the prospectus.

Eligibility

• Open to members and non-members (unless otherwise noted)
• Artists must be 18+ years old
• All submissions must meet FAA’s originality standards

Submission Quantity

The number of allowed submissions per show will be stated in each individual exhibition prospectus.

File Naming (Required)

Use the following format:

lastname,title.jpg

Example: doe,lajollacove.jpg

Rules:

• Use lowercase only
• Remove spaces (use one word or hyphens)
• Remove punctuation (& ! ? . , ’ “ ”)

Improper file names can result in the entry not being shown to the juror.

Image Requirements

• High-resolution JPEG (1200–1500 pixels on longest side)
• 72 DPI
• Properly cropped, clean, and free of background distractions
• Acceptable format: .jpg only
• Files such as .heic, .png, .webp will not be exhibited
• No visible watermarks, borders, or dominating signatures

Artists are solely responsible for protecting their images.

Yuify by Wacom or similar embedded watermark tools may be used before uploading.

FAA is not responsible for misuse of images displayed online.

Exhibition Standards

All artwork must:

• Meet FAA originality requirements
• Represent the artist’s individual creative intent
• Be suitable for all-age community viewing
• Follow the theme of the specific show

Submission does not guarantee display.  Accepted works may be removed at any time for curatorial or technical reasons.

Judging & Awards

• Some exhibitions are non-juried
• Juried shows (e.g., Wildlife in Art) may include awards
• Jury and award decisions are final

Sales

• Digital Gallery sales are conducted directly between artist and buyer
• Artists agree to donate 20% of the sale price to FAA

Send donation to:

Foothills Art Association
P.O. Box 794
La Mesa, CA 91941

Include your name, artwork title, and sale amount.

Submission

Entry Form

Artists must complete the online entry form with accurate contact information.

Deadlines

• All entries must be received by the specified deadline
• Late or improperly formatted entries will not be considered

Permissions

By submitting, the artist grants FAA permission to:

• Display the work in the Digital Gallery
• Use images for FAA promotional purposes including website, newsletters, and social media

FAA will not publish artist email addresses, but will include a website link if provided.

Notifications

• Selected artists will be notified by the posted notification date
• Non-selected artists will not be notified individually due to volume
• Exhibitions may occur online, in the physical gallery, or both, depending on the show structure

Additional Resources for Artist

• Yuify by Wacom provides embedded watermark protection
• com offers free artist webpages and low-cost custom domain setups

FAA Exhibition Rights

The Foothills Art Association reserves the unrestricted right to refuse, relocate, or withdraw any artwork at any time, at its sole discretion, without notice or written justification.

Submission does not guarantee display. Accepted works may be removed at any time for technical or curatorial reasons.