Calling All Artists!
Accepting Submissions: August 23 - 26, 2023
Gaylord Area Council for the Arts is inviting entries for the 22nd annual Juried Fine Arts Exhibition, subject to the conditions of this Call to Entry. Awards will be given for two separate categories: 2-D and 3-D. Artwork can be in any fine art medium, except photography. 3-D artwork is defined as "that which is designed to be viewed at all angles"or at the discretion of the juror. Each artist may submit up to 4 pieces in each category for a total of 8 submissions
|

Awards will be given in each Category of 2-D and 3-D:
- 1st Place: $125
- 2nd Place: $100
- 3rd Place: $75
- Honorable Mention & People’s Choice Awards
About the Juror

Valerie Allen is a visual artist working in Michigan. She received her BFA from University of Cincinnati. She is a certified working artist for Golden Artist Colors of New Berlin, New York. Allen is a podcast co-host of Art Ladders: The Creative Climb with Valerie Allen and Armin Mersmann. Valerie has worked in museum and art nonprofits management roles and most recently was curator of Studio 23 in Bay City, Michigan. She now is pursuing her career as a full- time artist and educator.
Allen has exhibited nationally including the Chicago Biennial, New American Drawing in Santa Fe, New Mexico and the National Collage Society in Massachusetts. Recently her work was exhibited at Site: Brooklyn in New York and her paintings were included in the American Abstract Painters exhibit for the 25th anniversary of the Lore Degenstein Gallery at Susquehanna University, Pennsylvania. In June of 2022, she was awarded Great Lakes Bay Region All-Area Artist award from the Saginaw Enrichment and Arts Commission.
Allen has juried exhibits in the Midwest, including Anton Art Center’s Michigan Annual XLVIII, Ann Arbor Women Artists Summer Show, Midwest National Abstract Art Exhibition by Indiana’s Southside Art League and was the juror for the 2021 Great Northern International Art Explosion.
She attended artist’s residencies at the Atlantic Center for the Arts, New Smyrna Beach, Florida, Wave Pool Gallery in Cincinnati, Ohio and Sam and Adele Golden Foundation in New Berlin, New York. In 2022, Valerie completed a residency with the Port Huron Artist in Residence Program and Golden Apple Artist Residency, in Maine.
Allen has exhibited nationally including the Chicago Biennial, New American Drawing in Santa Fe, New Mexico and the National Collage Society in Massachusetts. Recently her work was exhibited at Site: Brooklyn in New York and her paintings were included in the American Abstract Painters exhibit for the 25th anniversary of the Lore Degenstein Gallery at Susquehanna University, Pennsylvania. In June of 2022, she was awarded Great Lakes Bay Region All-Area Artist award from the Saginaw Enrichment and Arts Commission.
Allen has juried exhibits in the Midwest, including Anton Art Center’s Michigan Annual XLVIII, Ann Arbor Women Artists Summer Show, Midwest National Abstract Art Exhibition by Indiana’s Southside Art League and was the juror for the 2021 Great Northern International Art Explosion.
She attended artist’s residencies at the Atlantic Center for the Arts, New Smyrna Beach, Florida, Wave Pool Gallery in Cincinnati, Ohio and Sam and Adele Golden Foundation in New Berlin, New York. In 2022, Valerie completed a residency with the Port Huron Artist in Residence Program and Golden Apple Artist Residency, in Maine.
Eligibility & Agreement
Submitting an entry into the Gaylord Arts 2023 Juried Fine Art Exhibit constitutes agreement by the artist to the conditions and requirements as stated in this Call for Entries. Michigan artists 14 years of age and older may enter. Part-time Michigan residents are eligible. All entries must be original works of the artist's own creation and have been completed in the last five years. Artwork accepted in previous juried Gaylord Arts' shows is not eligible for this exhibit. Gaylord Arts reserves the right to photograph accepted entries for publicity or archival purposes. The juror determines which entries will be displayed and given awards in the exhibit, but Gaylord Arts reserves the right to reject any work for any reason. All accepted works will remain as placed throughout the show (unless sold).
Sales, Conditions & Fees
Gaylord Arts will retain a 30% commission on the sale of any item displayed in this exhibit. Up to eight entries (max of four in each category) may be submitted. A nonrefundable entry fee of $20 for Gaylord Arts' members or $30 for non-members must accompany each entry form. 2-D art must be framed and wired for hanging at the time of submission. No sawtooth hangers. Clearly print on the back of each piece:
- Artist's name,
- The title of work,
- medium
- price or "not for sale".
Important Dates
- September 6 - October 28, 2023 - Exhibit on Display
- August 23 - August 26: Accepting submissions (form, entry fee and submission must be received by August 26th at 2:00 p.m. (EST).
- August 31 - Jurying
- September 1 - Artists notified via email of acceptance into the show
- September 6 - Exhibition opens
- September 9 - Opening Reception and Award
PICKUP DATES:
- *September 9 - All Artwork not accepted for the show must be picked up from the gallery.
- *November 1 - 4 All artwork from the show must be picked up.
Submission Procedure
4 pieces in each category (2D and 3D) for a total of 8 pieces may be submitted. Completed entry form, fee and physical artwork must be received no later than August 27, 2022 by 2:00 pm (EST). Late entries will not be accepted. Artists will be notified by email regarding acceptance of artwork into the show.
Entry Form and Fee submission procedure
In an effort to meet the needs of everyone, three options are available
In an effort to meet the needs of everyone, three options are available
- Submit form and payment online (see below).
- Download the form by clicking on the "download button below" and mail the form and a check to 125 E. Main St., Gaylord, MI 49735
- In-person at the Gaylord Arts Exhibit Gallery during open hours.

2023_jfa_cfe_form.pdf | |
File Size: | 90 kb |
File Type: |
PLEASE NOTE: YOU MUST CLICK THE "SUBMIT" BUTTON TO SAVE THIS ENTRY FORM BEFORE LEAVING THIS PAGE. FAILURE TO DO SO WILL RESULT IN YOUR FORM NOT BEING SUBMITTED OR SAVED. AFTER CLICKING THE "SUBMIT ENTRY FORM" BUTTON, YOU WILL RECEIVE A CONFIRMATION MESSAGE. THIS MAY TAKE SEVERAL MINUTES DEPENDING ON YOUR INTERNET SPEED. DO NOT CLOSE YOUR BROWSER OR LEAVE THIS PAGE BEFORE RECEIVING THE CONFIRMATION, DOING SO WILL RESULT IN FORM NOT BEING SUBMITTED AND ALL FORM INFORMATION WILL BE LOST.