Call for Art 2026-2027
Self-Portraiture: Reflections of the Self
Important Dates:
Exhibition Dates: September 28th – December 17th, 2026
Reception: Tuesday, October 20th, 5:00–6:30 PM (Artist Talks at 5:30pm)
Call for Art: July 20th – August 17th, 2026
Artist Notified: August 28th, 2026
To apply: https://lrac4.org/call-for-artists
The Lake Region Arts Council invites artists to submit work for “Self-Portraiture: Reflections of the Self”, a regional exhibition celebrating the infinite ways artists see, interpret, and express themselves.
Theme & Artistic Direction
Self-portraiture can be intimate, symbolic, playful, conceptual, or boldly imaginative. This exhibition embraces the full spectrum of how artists choose to represent their identity, presence, story, or spirit.
We welcome self-portraits that explore:
Realistic, stylized, abstract, or surrealist interpretations
Literal likenesses or symbolic representations of self
Personal narratives, emotional journeys, memory, or inner dialogue
Identity as it relates to culture, place, body, or experience
Invented personas, alter-egos, masks, or mythic forms
Inner worlds expressed through dreamscapes or conceptual imagery
Mixed media explorations that layer material, time, or meaning
Sculptural or 3D works that extend self-portraiture beyond the frame
Every self-portrait is a one-of-a-kind expression—an invitation for the viewer to step into the world of the maker.
What We’re Looking For
Artists are encouraged to push boundaries and consider:
Who am I?
How do I wish to be seen?
What stories, emotions, or symbols shape my identity?
What lies beneath the surface of a portrait?
All visual interpretations of self are welcome—from the personal to the conceptual, from the introspective to the experimental.
Art Being Accepted
2D (painting, drawing, photography, printmaking, digital, etc.)
3D and sculptural works
Mixed media or multimedia
Installation proposals (space permitting)
Eligibility
Open to artists residing in the 9-county region served by the Lake Region Arts Council. Artist must be 18 years and older.
Submission Requirements
Up to 3 self-portraits per artist.
Artist statement encouraged, especially if conceptual or symbolic
Submission deadline:
Call for Art
Magical: A Passage to the Extraordinary
Important Dates
Exhibition Dates: January 11 – March 11, 2027
Reception: Tuesday, January 19, 5:00–6:30 PM (Artist Talks at 5:30pm)
Call for Art: August 31 – September 28, 2026
Artist Notified: October 26, 2026
The Lake Region Arts Council invites artists to submit work for “Magical: A Passage to the Extraordinary”, a regional exhibition exploring the many ways magic appears in our lives, our imaginations, and our understanding of the world around us.
Theme & Artistic Direction
We encourage artists to interpret magical in a personal, nuanced, or unexpected way. Consider sharing work that reflects:
A place, plant, animal, or landscape that evokes wonder or transports the viewer beyond the ordinary
A human or group of people who embody the extraordinary
An object or symbol infused with mystery, transformation, or emotional resonance
Visions that emerge from your inner world, dreams, or intuitive mind’s eye
Reflections on the idea of magic as a tool for understanding our relationship to the universe—its mysteries, beauty, and complexity
Magic as symbolism, myth-making, or meaning-making
Magical thinking—whether viewed as playful imagination, self-deception, or a source of life-enrichment
This call invites a broad range of interpretations, from the literal to the abstract, from the whimsical to the philosophical. All media welcome.
What We’re Looking For
We are seeking artwork that explores concepts such as:
✨ Wonder • Mystery • Transformation • Imagination
✨ The unseen or symbolic
✨ Emotional or spiritual resonance
✨ The extraordinary hidden within the ordinary
Let your work reflect what magic means to you—whether grounded in nature, culture, ritual, memory, storytelling, spirituality, or creative inquiry.
Art Being Accepted
2D (painting, drawing, photography, printmaking, digital, etc.)
3D and sculptural works
Mixed media or multimedia
Installation proposals (space permitting)
Eligibility
Open to artists residing in the 9-county region served by the Lake Region Arts Council. Artist must be 18 years and older.
Submission Requirements
Up to 3 self-portraits per artist.
Artist statement encouraged, especially if conceptual or symbolic
Submission deadline:
Eligibility & Guidelines
Open to artists living in LRAC’s nine-county service region: Becker, Clay, Douglas, Grant, Otter Tail, Pope, Stevens, Traverse, and Wilkin counties in west central Minnesota.
Collaborating teams must consist of two to three artists.
Artist teams may submit 1–3 works for consideration.
One artist will serve as the primary contact and list their collaborator(s) on the application.
The artist statement must describe the collaborative vision for the gallery installation.
Free to Apply
Apply online via the LRAC Gallery webpage: https://lrac4.org/call-for-artists
New applicants must create an account; returning applicants should log in with their existing credentials.
Application Timeline
Call opens: Monday, September 14, 2026
Deadline to apply: Tuesday, October 13, 2026 by 5:00 PM
Notifications sent: Monday, October 26, 2026
Juror: LRAC Gallery Committee
