accepting submissions
Now - June 6th, 2025 by 11:50 p.m. (EST)
About the Exhibition
Celebrating 150 Years of Otsego County
This exhibition is all about celebrating Otsego County's Sesquicentennial Year in partnership with the Otsego County Historical Museum's History Matters Steering Committee.
It is nearly impossible to walk through Gaylord, Johannesburg, Elmira, Waters, or Vanderbilt without noticing the deep and rich history that permeates from our beloved towns. This history is held in structures such as barns, homes, and buildings - as well as in remembrance of the industries that made Otsego County what it is today. This exhibition aims to celebrate all of what Otsego County was, is, and will continue to be. Let's bring history to life!
It is nearly impossible to walk through Gaylord, Johannesburg, Elmira, Waters, or Vanderbilt without noticing the deep and rich history that permeates from our beloved towns. This history is held in structures such as barns, homes, and buildings - as well as in remembrance of the industries that made Otsego County what it is today. This exhibition aims to celebrate all of what Otsego County was, is, and will continue to be. Let's bring history to life!
Invitation
Gaylord Area Council for the Arts is inviting entries for the Then and Now Exhibition, subject to the conditions of this call to entry. Artwork can be in any art medium and style, both 2-D and 3-D, and up to 4 pieces are accepted.
Examples of entries might be paintings or photos of historic buildings and structures still standing (such as Mt. Carmel, Johannesburg Company Store, barns, etc), recreations of buildings gone but not forgotten (reconstructed from archived photos), or depictions of events or activities uniquely tied to our region such as ice-fishing, making maple syrup, going to the fair. Entries should aim to celebrate all things Otsego County!
Examples of entries might be paintings or photos of historic buildings and structures still standing (such as Mt. Carmel, Johannesburg Company Store, barns, etc), recreations of buildings gone but not forgotten (reconstructed from archived photos), or depictions of events or activities uniquely tied to our region such as ice-fishing, making maple syrup, going to the fair. Entries should aim to celebrate all things Otsego County!
Ribbons & REcognition
- First Place Award $150, Second Place Award $75, Third Place Award $50
- Student Category: First Place Award $50, Second Place Award $25, Third Place Ribbon
Eligibility
- Must be a Michigan resident (including seasonal residents) 14 years or older.
- Entries must be original works of the artists 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 pieces to be displayed must remain in place for the duration of the exhibit, June 11 - August 26, 2025
Conditions of Entry:
- All artwork must be ready to hang or display and professional attention to detail is required (ie. if framed, frame is in good condition, back of piece is finished and clean).
- 2-D artwork must be wired at the time of submission - sawtooth hangers will not be accepted.
- 2-D pieces must be clearly labeled on the back and 3-D in an inconspicuous place with
- Artists name
- Title
- Medium
- Price or not for sale "Exhibition only"
- Entry fee: Members $20.00, Non-members $30.00, Students (18 and younger) $10.00
- The entry fee covers up to a maximum amount of 4 pieces of artwork. Artwork will be accepted on a first-come-first-served bases, as space allows.
- Gaylord Arts reserves the right to reject any artwork for any reason.
- A completed entry form, payment and art submissions must be received no later than June 6, 2025 (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 loss or damage to artwork appearing in the show.
- You agree to leave accepted entries on display in Gaylord Arts for the duration of the show. If the 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: August 26-28, 2025 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. All entries that are for sale will be featured on Gaylord Arts' on-line Art Market Store: gaylordarts.org. It is the responsibility of the artist to supply photographs of artwork for the on-line store. If a photo of the piece has not submitted, it will not appear in the on-line store. Digital only entries will not be eligible for sale.
Submission Procedure
- Complete entry form (on-line see below or download, print and submit via mail or in-person at the gallery. Must be received no later than June 6th, 2025 by 2:00 p.m. Entries with missing information will not be accepted.
- Submit Entry Fee Payment (on-line 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 June 6th, 2025 by 2:00 p.m. to be accepted. Checks payable to: "Gaylord Area Council for the Arts."
- Drop off art pieces between June 4th-6th, 2025 to Gaylord Area Council for the Arts gallery | 125 E. Main St., Gaylord, MI. 49735 during open hours
