Calling all artists: Area institutions prepare for summer exhibits

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

After almost a year of limited exhibitions and other art showcases, several local and regional art institutions have announced upcoming exhibits with a call to local, regional and national artists to participate.

Deadlines are fast approaching for all of these, so if you are interested, move quickly to get an application in.

UICA

The Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts will host its first exhibit in its new space at 17 Pearl St. NW. Currently, UICA is accepting submissions for the “Whereabouts: the Influence of Place and Space.”

The exhibit will focus on three parts of the building, the lobby, the corridor, and the display cases. Artists are encouraged to create a dialog between the architecture of the building and work. For the cases, artists are encouraged to draw inspiration from the visual storytelling of department store window displays and dioramas. For specific guidelines, visit www.ucia.org.

Deadline for submissions is March 7 with artists being notified of acceptance by March 19.

Tulip Time

This year, Tulip Time will be hosting a Virtual Artisan Market from April 24 – May 9. The decision was made to support the directives by the Centers for Disease control and State of Michigan, and with guidance from the Ottawa County Health Department.

Artists will have the opportunity get their items in front of thousands of people as the market will be featured on the Tulip Time website, Facebook and Instagram.

Artists interested in participating need to apply by Feb. 28. Those accepted will be notified by March 5. The booth fee is a $100 and must be paid by March 18. For more information, visit https://tuliptime.com/artisanmarket.

Soul Sisters

With the success of its Stay Safe Face Mask Project and exhibit, Mainstee’s Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts has announced it will continue engaging local and regional artists with the exhibit “Soul Sisters.”

Curated by regional artists Lynn Willams and Mary Wahr, “Soul Sisters” is open to anyone how identifies as a woman.

“A soul sister is someone who accepts you — al of you. Let’s be united in our art” is the theme of the show, according to Wahr.

Entires are due by March 5. Up to two pieces of art can be submitted for a $20 fee. The exhibit launches on March 12 and runs through April 16. For more information, visit www.RamdellTheatre.org/SoutSisters-Exhibit.

Lakeshore Art Festival

Muskegon’s Lakeshore Art Festival is accepting applications through Feb. 28 for its juried fine art and craft fair. The 2021 event will take place June 26 and 27 and brings in around 60,000 people featuring more than 300 fine art and craft exhibitors, 20 food vendors, children’s activities, street performers and art installations in downtown Muskegon.

To apply, visit www.lakeshorefestival.org. There is a $35 non-refundable application fee.