2023 Mackinac Art Exhibition
$5,000 in Cash Prizes
Juried Exhibition Mackinac State Historic Parks announced an Art Exhibition at The Richard & Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum on Mackinac Island, Michigan. Art will be chosen by a juror and displayed to the public from early May, 2023 until closing in early October, 2023.
The juror will select a single Best of Show, second and third place, and three honorable mention awardees from the pieces displayed in the exhibition. Winners will be announced at the June 21, 2023 awards ceremony on Mackinac Island.
Award There will be a single Best of Show award which will be chosen by the juror. The winner will receive The Richard & Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum Gold Medal and $2,500 cash prize. Their name will be on the list of annual Gold Medal winners, which is displayed at the museum. In addition, there will be second and third place cash prizes of $1,000 and $750, respectively, and three (3) honorable mention awards with cash prizes of $250 each. All prizes are donated by the Mackinac Arts Council and Mackinac Associates. Winners will be announced at the June 21, 2023 awards ceremony.
Guidelines The subject of the artwork must conform to the theme A Mackinac Day.
All media of artwork will be accepted from living artists, including photography, paint, sculpture and others. Artwork must have been completed within the last two years. No artwork that has been selected as a finalist in previous juried exhibitions will be accepted. Artists are encouraged to submit more than one artwork, but no more than three will be accepted. Due to space limitation, entries larger than 46″ high or wide (measurements include frame) will not be accepted.
Participation is open to all artists, nationally and internationally, who are 18 years of age or older.
Sales Artwork selected for inclusion in the exhibition may be available for sale with permission of the artist.
Fee There is a non-refundable entry fee of $25 for each entry. There is a limit of three entries.
Procedures The entry form link is at the bottom of this page. All entries are accepted electronically. Entries must be a high-resolution (300 dpi and at least 3 MB but no larger than 5 MB) JPG image of the artwork. Incomplete entry forms will not be considered.
Entries must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, March 3, 2023. Artists will be notified of the juror’s selection by Friday, March 17, 2023. Please do not call or email to inquire.
Preparation Requirements Accepted entries must be ready for presentation. Accepted pieces must be ready for hanging with wire or other appropriate mounting hardware. It is recommended that framed pieces have a glass or Plexiglas front. Additional arrangements may have to be made for three-dimensional objects. Works that are not prepared may cause disqualification from the final judging.
Rights and Reproductions Mackinac State Historic Parks reserves the right to photograph and reproduce all entries accepted for the exhibition, regardless of copyright for the sole purpose of catalog publication and publicizing the show.
Delivery of Accepted Artwork Artwork must be shipped to the Mackinac Island State Park Field Office between March 27, 2022 – April 14, 2023.
Mackinac Island State Park Field Office ATTN: 2023 Art Contest PO Box 370 1856 Fort Service Road Mackinac Island, MI 49757
Liability Mackinac State Historic Parks’ staff will exercise all reasonable care with your original artwork. However, Mackinac Island State Park Commission, its directors, staff, volunteers, and anyone connected with the exhibition will not be responsible for loss or damage, including damages made during the mailing process. It is suggested that artists carry their own insurance.
Agreement Submission of a work shall constitute and agreement to comply with all the conditions set forth in this invitation. The juror reserves the right to reject any work not accurately represented by the digital image. The decision of the juror is final.
Nathan Kemler
Juror Nathan Kemler, Director of Galleries and Collections at Grand Valley State University
Nathan Kemler serves as the Director of Galleries and Collections at Grand Valley State University, which holds the 2nd largest art collection in Michigan with over 27,000 works of art. He also serves on the Michigan Museums Association board of directors and as a peer reviewer for the American Alliance of Museums Assessment Program. Before his appointment at GVSU, he was the Project Curator of Ethnology at the Public Museum of Grand Rapids and Curator of Historic Sites and Collections at the Holland Museum. Nathan received his B.A. in World History with minors in Art History, Archaeology, and Studio Art from Calvin College and received his M.A. from the Historical Administration graduate program at Eastern Illinois University while being awarded the History and Technology assistantship.
“I’m thrilled to be invited to serve as the juror for this year’s Mackinac Contemporary Art Show. Steeped in history and natural beauty, people from around the world journey across the straits to experience and make memories in a place like no other,” Kemper said. “The theme of this year’s show is “A Mackinac Day” and I look forward to seeing these narratives of what this means to our artists, our collective storytellers.”
Important Dates
June, 2022 Mackinac State Historic Parks begins accepting submissions.
March 3, 2023 Submission deadline. Any entries received after 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time March 3, 2023 will not be considered.
March 17, 2023 Artists notified by email of juror results.
March 27 – April 14, 2023 Ship artwork to the Mackinac Island State Park Field Office.
Early May, 2023 A Mackinac Day exhibition opens to the public
June 21, 2023 Awards ceremony announcing the exhibition winners held at The Richard & Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum.
Early October, 2023 Exhibit closes to the public for the season. However, it may reopen during various dates through late October for special group tours and events. All artwork must remain at the museum through October 31, 2023.
After Close of Exhibition 2023 Artwork can be picked up by artists. Appointments for pick-up must be made between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. If artists wishes to have artwork returned via mail, the appropriate packaging and return postage must be included during prior delivery. Please ensure that packaging and postage included for return artwork is of the appropriate dimensions and denomination.
