West Michigan Art Competition 2025

The 39th Annual Lowell Arts West Michigan Art Competition is open to visual artists 18 years and older who reside in one of 25 eligible lower West Michigan counties: Allegan, Barry, Berrien, Branch, Cass, Calhoun, Clare, Clinton, Eaton, Gratiot, Ionia, Isabella, Kalamazoo, Kent, Lake, Mason, Mecosta, Muskegon, Montcalm, Newaygo, Oceana, Osceola, Ottawa, Saint Joseph, and Van Buren. Artists may submit one original work completed in the last three years that has not been previously exhibited at Lowell Arts. Artwork in any visual art media is accepted, though commercial reproductions and giclée prints are not eligible. Traditional print media, photography, and digital art must be from a limited edition. Two-dimensional entries may not exceed 62 inches in any direction including frame width. Three-dimensional entries must fit through a standard door frame and not exceed 62 inches in any direction; only artwork easily handled by two people will be accepted.

The entry fee is $40 ($30 for Lowell Arts members and students 18+ with valid college ID). Artists must submit 2-5 digital images of the same piece: Image #1 showing the piece in its entirety (without frame if applicable), Image #2 showing scale alongside a common household object placed in the bottom left corner (with frame if applicable), and optional Images #3-#5 highlighting details or alternate angles. All entries must be submitted digitally through the CaFÉ website by January 15, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. MST. Artists will be notified of acceptance on January 28, 2025.

Accepted artwork must be hand-delivered or shipped to Lowell Arts, 223 W Main St, Lowell, MI 49331 by February 14, 2025. Hand-delivery is accepted February 12-15 during specified hours. The exhibition runs February 22 to April 12, 2025. Cash awards totaling $3,500 will be presented: six awards of $500 each and five honorable mention awards of $100 each. Lowell Arts requires a 30% commission on all artwork sold during the exhibition. Accepted work must remain on display for the duration of the exhibit and may be picked up April 15-19, 2025. For technical assistance or questions, contact Lowell Arts at 616-897-8545 or [email protected].