Call for Entries
“Under a Dark Sky”
Mackinaw City Area Arts Council in conjunction with the Headlands International Dark Sky Park is pleased to announce our 2024 Under a Dark Sky Art Contest.
This is a call to artists working in all mediums for an online juried show that explores human interaction with the protected night sky. The theme will allow the artist to explore their personal experiences with the night sky and illustrate the rich beauty of the constellations.
The night sky is a mesmerizing canvas that unfolds above us, adorned with countless stars that twinkle like distant diamonds, creating a celestial tapestry of awe-inspiring beauty.
We are seeking all approaches both traditional, contemporary or abstract as long as the main subject includes the night sky. Art Work must be original and created in the past 3 years.
Open to all artists 18 years and older. Mediums to be considered but not limited to: Oil, Acrylic, Pastel, Watercolor, Mixed Media, Scratchboard, Gouache, Airbrush, Pen, Ink, Pencil, Charcoal, Graphite, Markers and Colored Pencil, Digital Art, Photography, Sculpture, Fiber. All subject matter and styles are allowed.
Cash awards for three winners totaling $1,000 will be distributed. First prize $500, 2nd prize $300, 3rd prize $200. All winning work will be printed by the arts council and displayed in the art walk trail in Mackinaw City with a bio of the artists.
Entries are open from March 1, 2024 to Sept 30, 2024. Fee of $20 per image with up to 5 images allowed for competition. Work will be judged by a panel of 5 local artists and Dark Sky Park representatives.
We like to stress the importance of taking high-quality images of your work for submission. Poor quality or low-resolution images make it difficult to see and judge the work and may result in rejection. Do NOT include images of the framing or the surrounding room. Images of the work should be free from glare. No text should be on the image. Professional cameras or a clear iPhone image that has not been previously sent through the internet is preferred. The winning artists retain ownership of the original artwork and may sell it at their discretion. By signing the entry form Mackinaw City Area Arts Council will have non-exclusive rights to the artwork digital images. Winners grant the Mackinaw City Area Arts Council permission to display their winning artworks in promotional materials, and as an Art Walk installation. By submitting to this contest, all artists are agreeing to have their artwork and name posted online.
You warrant that your entry is your original work, which does not infringe on the rights of any third party, and that you have all the rights necessary to submit the entry and is independently created, composed and executed. Artwork that originates from a workshop or a class under the direction of a teacher or instructor is not eligible. No copies from other artists’ works or paintings/drawings from other artists’ photographs or from published material will be allowed. Source material must be original. For artworks based on reference photographs, eligibility requires that the artists must have taken the photographs (artwork must be created on your own photography).
Headlands International Dark Sky Park reserves the right to reproduce entries, with full credit to the artist, for display within the park.
All artists must complete the online submission form, an artist bio, artist statement for their piece, and a $20 entry fee.
You will receive confirmation of your entry by email once we receive your submission fee and images. If you have any questions at all or need assistance with your submission, please feel free to call us at 231-412-2787.