Can you create an image of an American Paint Horse that captures the emotion that Paint enthusiasts feel for their breed? Or is your innovative use of color and technique one breath away from leaping off the canvas?

Then you may be a perfect fit for APHA’s next official World Championship Paint Horse Show Series artist. The Series consists of two premier horse shows held in Fort Worth, Texas. The Summer World Championship Show is set for June 23–July 3, 2010, and the Fall World Championship Show will be held November 4–13. The winning artist will receive $1,000 and a free booth at the Show their work is chosen for, plus the original work will be reproduced as a commemorative fine art print and appear on the cover of the official World Show Program.

Cindy Price of Bellaire, Michigan, won the inaugural competition in 2008 with a pastel drawing of 1987 palomino over stallion Robins Jag of Gold. Linda Massey, of Cottage Grove, Wisconsin, won the 2009 art challenge. Her finished artwork consisted of a two-part mural featuring Paint Horses competing in different disciplines.

“Understanding equine body language can speak volumes, and I believe that in becoming a horseman to these great creatures, we have to learn to listen,” said APHA Art Director Art Vasquez. “We need an artist who can convey the communication we share with the American Paint Horse in their art—from the alert eyes and ears of a proud stallion to the calm and willing demeanor of a show horse.

“A old horseman’s saying goes, ‘A good rider can hear his horse speak to him, a great rider can hear his horse whisper, but a bad rider won’t hear his horse even if it screams at him.’ We need an artist who not only knows the subtle cues that comprise equine communication, but also how to capture them in an artistic medium.”

To enter artwork or a portfolio into the contest to become APHA’s newest official World Show artist, provide the artist’s name and contact information, including e-mail, the art media used and the dimensions of the final artwork. The deadline for all submissions is January 22, 2010. Questions and digital submissions smaller than 3MB may be e-mailed to Patricia Hellam at [email protected]. Larger or non-digital submissions may be mailed to:

American Paint Horse AssociationAttn: Patricia Hellam P.O. Box 961023 Fort Worth, Texas 76161

APHA will notify the winning artist and other entrants on February 5, and all mailed submissions will be returned shortly thereafter. The final World Show artwork is due April 16.

About APHA Since APHA was founded 47 years ago, it has registered nearly 1 million American Paint Horses at a rate of around 30,000 horses per year. The Association currently serves approximately 83,000 active members in 40 nations and territories. APHA works not only to record Paint Horse pedigrees, but also to preserve and promote the history, breeding, training, racing, showing, sales and enjoyment of American Paint Horses. For more information, visit apha.com or call (817) 834-2742.