West Michigan Area Show 2023

The West Michigan Area Show 2023 is open to all artists 18 years or older residing in the following Michigan counties: Allegan, Barry, Berrien, Branch, Calhoun, Cass, Eaton, Ionia, Kalamazoo, Kent, Muskegon, Ottawa, St. Joseph, and Van Buren. Only original work of the artist's own design, completed within the last 2 years should be entered. Digital media, 2-D, and 3-D works in any medium will be accepted. Work may not exceed six feet (72") on any side and must be on view the entire duration of the exhibition.

Entry fee is $20 per work with a maximum of 3 works submitted. Work samples may include up to 3 images and/or 3 videos, with a minimum of 1 total sample required. All wall-hung works must be framed with proper hanging devices (wires and/or "D"-rings) attached. Art quilts must be free-hanging (unframed), fabric-based, original compositions formed by stitched layers. Printmaking award entries must illustrate a hand worked element as part of the process (no exclusively digital prints eligible). Glass award entries must be over 50% glass but may include sculptural components in metal or other media. Mixed media/intermedia works combining traditional and/or non-traditional media are eligible.

Awards include a $1,000 Helen Sheridan Memorial Grand Prize, $500 Second Place, $400 Third Place, $300 Fourth Place, $200 Fifth Place, and $500 Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo's People's Choice Award. Additional category-specific awards are available for ceramics, fiber, printmaking, glass, and other media. Artist notification is February 14, 2017. Exhibition dates are March 4 - May 28, 2017, with a reception on March 3, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. and awards announced at 6:30 p.m. All work is submitted at the owner's risk; the KIA will not insure works during transit or while on its premises.