Calls for Artists

AMERICANA: A Call for Art

What does America look like through your eyes?

For generations, the idea of Americana has been represented through familiar images—rolling farmland, front porches, Main Streets, county fairs, music, family traditions, open roads, and iconic landscapes. Yet America's story has always been larger, richer, and more complex than any single narrative.

Crooked Tree Arts Center invites artists to explore the many meanings of Americana through contemporary and traditional works that celebrate, question, reinterpret, or expand our understanding of American identity.

This exhibition seeks to honor the diversity of experiences that together form the American story—past and present, familiar and unexpected.

All media are welcome.

Ekphrastic Call for Summer Exhibits 2026
Calling all writers—and anyone curious about trying their hand at writing!
We invite you to visit the Summer Exhibits at Crooked Tree Arts Center–Traverse City and choose an artwork (or artworks!) as inspiration for your writing. You are welcome to respond in any form: a poem, short story, song, screenplay, or any style that speaks to you.
Can’t make it in person or live far away? Read on for options to participate remotely.
All participants are invited to share their work at an Ekphrastic Reading on Thursday, August 20, from 5:30–7:00 pm.

Gallery Writing Hours
You are welcome to write in the galleries during the following times:
Monday–Friday: 10:00 am–5:00 pm
Saturday: 10:00 am–4:00 pm

For more information please contact:
Brian- brian@crookedtree.org 231-941-9488

AND if you can’t make it to the reading either we’d be glad to have another writer or staff read it for you.

CTAC PAINT OUT LITTLE TRAVERSE BAY

For the Plein Air on the Plaza: Wet Paint Sale

Regional plein air artists are invited to participate in a 10-day Paint Out during which regional artists paint on location throughout the Little Traverse Bay area. Depicting local landscapes, architecture, waterfronts, and community landmarks, the artwork offers a vibrant portrait of the region.

Then, join us on Crooked Tree Art Center’s Bidwell Plaza for an evening of original art, live music, and a cash bar during Petoskey’s annual Sidewalk Sales weekend festivities. Plein Air on the Plaza: Wet Paint Sale features original artwork created by regional plein-air artists during the last week of July. Visitors can meet the artists, enjoy live music, and purchase paintings inspired by the landscapes, waterfronts, and charm of the Little Traverse Bay region. Original paintings created by regional artists will be on display and available for sale.

Artist Requirements

• All painting and drawing media are eligible.

• Paintings should depict outdoor scenes in the Little Traverse Bay area.

• Up to three works may be submitted. Completed paintings must be delivered to Crooked Tree Arts Center - Petoskey between 10:00 am-noon on Friday, July 31, 2026.

• All artwork must be framed and hang ready. Each piece must have an identification label securely attached to the back. Labels should include the artist’s name, title of the work, medium, price, and contact information. Labels will be provided by CTAC and must be completed by the artist.

• All work must be for sale. All sales are split commission: 60% artist / 40% CTAC.

• Artists set sales prices. Prices may not be changed once the work is consigned.

• All consigned works must be the artist’s original work and design.

• Artwork not sold during the exhibit may be picked up at the conclusion of the sale between 8:00pm and 8:45pm on Friday, July 31, 2026. Artwork not claimed by 8:45pm, and for which no alternate arrangements have been approved, will be considered a donation to CTAC.

• Artists must come into Crooked Tree Arts Center – Petoskey during open hours to get their substrate stamped. Open hours: Tuesday-Friday 10:00am-5:00pm & Saturday 10:00am-4:00pm

Artists can paint in any public space, as well as their own private property, anywhere in the Little Traverse Bay region, July 22-31, 2026. Artwork is due to the check-in station at Crooked Tree Arts Center, 461 E. Mitchell Street, Petoskey, MI, from 10:00 am-noon on Friday, July 31, 2026 for a Wet Paint Sale. The work will be on display, and for sale from 4:00pm-8:00 pm. An independent juror will award prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places. Artists must pick up any unsold artwork following the Wet Paint Sale at 8:00pm on July 31, 2026. Artwork not claimed by 8:45pm, and for which no alternate arrangements have been approved, will be considered a donation to CTAC.

Artwork Check In
Artists may submit up to three pieces. Completed and ready-to-hang artwork must be turned in at CTAC – Petoskey on Friday, July 31, 2026, from 10:00 am-noon. Work may be turned in earlier in the week. Please complete the artwork ID tag at delivery.

Artist Awards

• An independent juror will award prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place.

• Awards will be announced at 4:00 PM.

• Awards are as follows: First Place: $500, Second Place: $300, and Third Place: $200.

Plein Air on the Plaza: Wet Paint Sale Information

Join us during the event:

• Location: CTAC–Petoskey’s Bidwell Plaza

• Friday, July 31, from 4:00pm–8:30pm.

• 4:00pm-8:00pm | Wet Paint Sale

• 5:30pm-8:30pm | Live music by Lee Fayssoux and Whiskey Wranglers

• Artists must pick up unsold artwork on Friday, July 31 at 8:00pm

Please click the link below to complete the application forms and review event rules, regulations, and other important information. Printed copies of the forms will also be available at the front desk at CTAC - Petoskey

Application Link

For additional questions, please contact CTAC at - 231-347-4337