Gaylord Area Council for the Arts is inviting entries for the Emotions & Moods Exhibit, subject to the conditions of this call to entry. Artwork can be any creative style, medium and subject, both 2D and 3D, and up to 4 art pieces are accepted.
ABOUT THE EXHIBIT
"Art's power lies not in what it shows us but how it makes us feel."
Edgar Degas
Edgar Degas
How do we illustrate the powerful feelings we experience?
What does an emotion look like? How does it feel? How do you react to it? What triggered it?
They are complex. They go beyond happiness, sadness, fear...they are deep. They are innate. They are part of our soul. Or...are they fleeting, temporary, a gut reaction that happened without thought? What caused it? Were you frightened? Maybe you burst out laughing or perhaps you were plunged into a beautiful state of calm.
How do we convey those feelings?
Consider utilizing some of the elements below to enhance feelings in your art:
Color: Color is one of the most effective tools to convey emotion. Generally, warm colors suggest passion or joy while cool tones can suggest serenity or melancholy.
Saturation: Pure color will add energy to your art while neutral colors appear more somber.
Contrast: Use of light can give art an ethereal feel while bold, dark colors can add drama, in addition to line shapes and composition.
Shapes: Circles can be soft and welcoming, squares are seen as stable and solid, triangles and points can be exciting or dangerous.
Perspective: This can alter mood and add drama, looking up can give a sense of awe while looking down can give a sense of remoteness.
Other considerations: Fast brush strokes can add energy and smooth blending can add tranquility. Body posture can emote without facial features. Lack of detail can add mystery.
There are so many factors that can influence the feelings you are trying to invoke! We invite you to explore these concepts and participate in this insightful and thought provoking exhibit with us at Gaylord Arts.
What does an emotion look like? How does it feel? How do you react to it? What triggered it?
They are complex. They go beyond happiness, sadness, fear...they are deep. They are innate. They are part of our soul. Or...are they fleeting, temporary, a gut reaction that happened without thought? What caused it? Were you frightened? Maybe you burst out laughing or perhaps you were plunged into a beautiful state of calm.
How do we convey those feelings?
Consider utilizing some of the elements below to enhance feelings in your art:
Color: Color is one of the most effective tools to convey emotion. Generally, warm colors suggest passion or joy while cool tones can suggest serenity or melancholy.
Saturation: Pure color will add energy to your art while neutral colors appear more somber.
Contrast: Use of light can give art an ethereal feel while bold, dark colors can add drama, in addition to line shapes and composition.
Shapes: Circles can be soft and welcoming, squares are seen as stable and solid, triangles and points can be exciting or dangerous.
Perspective: This can alter mood and add drama, looking up can give a sense of awe while looking down can give a sense of remoteness.
Other considerations: Fast brush strokes can add energy and smooth blending can add tranquility. Body posture can emote without facial features. Lack of detail can add mystery.
There are so many factors that can influence the feelings you are trying to invoke! We invite you to explore these concepts and participate in this insightful and thought provoking exhibit with us at Gaylord Arts.
Famous Artists that exemplify emotion and mood:
Matisse
Monet
Van Gogh
Matisse
Monet
Van Gogh
Important Dates
- Exhibit on-display: April 22 - June 10, 2026
- Call for Entry through April 17th, 2026
- Artwork Drop-off: April 15 - 17th, 2026, 1:00 - 5:00 pm (Form and artwork must be delivered to Gaylord Council for the Arts, 125 E. Main St., Gaylord, Michigan)
- Opening reception: April 25th, 2026, 5:00 - 7:00 pm.
- Pickup all artwork from the show: June 10 - 12th, 2026, 1:00 - 5:00 pm
Awards
- First Place: $50
- Second Place: $30
- Third Place: $20
- People's Choice: Entry Fee waived to exhibit of choice (good for one year)
Eligibility
- Must be a Michigan resident (including seasonal residents ) 14 years or older.
- Entries must be original works of the artist own creation of good condition and not accepted into any Gaylord Arts Exhibitions within the last 3 years.
- Artwork of any medium is allowed.
- Accepted art pieces to be displayed must remain in place for the duration of the exhibit, April 22 - June 10th, 2026.
Conditions of Entry:
- All artwork must be ready to hang or display and professional attention to detail is required (ie, if framed, the frame is in good condition, front and back is finished and clean.)
- 2D art pieces must be clearly labeled on the back and 3D art pieces in an inconspicuous place with:
- Artists name
- Title
- Medium
- Price or NFS (not for sale, exhibition only)
- 2D artwork must be wired at the time of submission. No sawtooth hangers.
- Entry fee: Students $10/Member $20/Non-member $30
- Gaylord Arts reserves the right to reject any artwork for any reason.
- A complete entry form, payment and art submissions must be received no later than April 17th, 2026. (See submission procedure below for more details.)
- Gaylord Arts will take reasonable precautions to ensure the protection of artwork in the show, but you are exhibiting at your own risk. You may obtain insurance on your own artwork for this show, however, Gaylord Arts does not insure exhibitor's art and is not responsible for the loss or damage to artwork appearing in the show.
- You agree to leave accepted entries on display in Gaylord Arts gallery for the duration of the exhibit. If any art piece is sold during the show, the buyer has the option to remove the piece at the time of sale.
- All unsold pieces must be picked up by the deadlines. Artwork not retrieved within 30 days becomes the property of Gaylord Area Council for the Arts, unless other arrangements are made.
- Pickup pieces: June 10 - 12th, 2026 during gallery open hours.
- Entering the show constitutes giving Gaylord Arts permission to photograph artwork for publicity or archival purposes.
Sales
Gaylord Arts will retain a 30% commission on sales of work sold during the exhibit. The sale price must include any matting and framing if applicable.
Gaylord Arts will retain a 30% commission on sales of work sold during the exhibit. The sale price must include any matting and framing if applicable.
Submission procedure
- Complete entry form: online below, download, print and submit via mail or in person, or obtain form in person at Gaylord Area Council for the Arts. Must be received no later than April 17th, 2026. Entries with missing information will not be accepted.
- Submit Entry Fee Payment: (online payment, click "Entry Fee Payment" below or pay with check via mail or in-person at the gallery). Payment must be received no later than April 17th by 2:00 p.m. to be accepted. Checks payable to: "Gaylord Area Council for the Arts."
- Drop off art pieces: Drop off art pieces between April 15 - 17th, 2026 to Gaylord Area Council for the Arts gallery, 125 E. Main St. Gaylord, MI 48735 during open hours.
