Artist Opportunities
Survivor Art Exhibition
Deadline to Apply: March 11, 2025
On Display March 21 - May 17, 2025
Healing is a journey and for some, that journey is taken through or with art. Where words may fail us, art has the magic of expressing even the most difficult topics. This exhibit is in partnership with Underground Railroad, Inc. and features artwork created by survivors of domestic abuse.
For more information and application, please visit undergroundrailroadinc.org/survivor-art-exhibit.
Michigan Sugar Farms Collaboration
Studio 23 is collaborating with Michigan Sugar and their farmers to create an exhibition of artwork highlighting the histories and family legacies of their local farms. Artists will be paired with farmers and their families to learn more about these legacies and create artwork based on them.
Artist and farmer pairings will be assigned in early 2025, with the exhibition scheduled for summer of 2026 (exact dates TBD).
Artists interested in participating should submit an artist statement and a portfolio of relevant artworks including 6 or more images in PDF format. These portfolios will be reviewed by Studio 23 and Michigan Sugar representatives and shared with farm families to find the best matches. Matches will be made on a first-come first-serve basis as appointments are made to review portfolios.
Studio 23 Visiting Artist Program
Deadline to Apply: May 4, 2025
On Display September 26 - November 22, 2025
The mission of the Studio 23 Visiting Artist Program, through selection of an annual visiting artist, is to enhance the experience of Art for our community via exposure to a greater diversity of artists, art media, and artistic styles.
Application is open to artists of all media and styles, with preference for those that will meet the program’s mission of bringing more diversity to our community. Please see application below for application requirements, requirements of the selected artist, and details on funding.
This opportunity is made possible by the C Joanne Grabinski Visiting Artist Fund.
Painters & Potters 2025
Deadline to Apply: July 3, 2025
On Display July 17 - August 23, 2025
Students, Faculty, and The 100 Day Project members of Studio 23 are invited to submit up to five pieces of artwork for Painters and Potters 2025 exhibit. Must have been enrolled in a class between July 2023 - July 2024. All artwork must have been created during that time and not exhibited in Painters and Potters before.
50 Artists of the Great Lakes Bay Region
Deadline to Apply: June 1, 2025
On Display October 16- November 29
50 Artists of the Great Lakes Bay Region + Art Around the City is a showcase of the works of 50 artists who live and/or work in the Great Lakes Bay Region and neighboring counties. A panel of experts in the visual arts and community leaders from the region will select the artists. Fifty original artworks will be displayed in the Rowley Gallery at Studio 23/The Arts Center from October 16 to November 29, 2025. In addition, 50 images from the selected artists will be installed and displayed as part of Art Around the City on the Bay City Riverwalk and downtown Bay City for two years.
The exhibition is open to artists 18 years and older living or working in the Great Lakes Bay Region and neighboring counties. Eligible counties include Saginaw, Bay, Midland, Isabella, Gratiot, Clare, Gladwin, Arenac, and neighboring Clinton, Shiawassee, Genessee, Tuscola, Roscommon, Ogemaw.
Works in all media are eligible. No giclées, reproductions, or copies of original artwork will be accepted. Digital files submitted must be non-altered representations of the actual works to be considered for exhibition. Artwork created within the last five years is eligible for submission. Artwork previously exhibited in juried exhibits at Studio 23 is not eligible.
Ongoing Opportunities
Submit an application or contact our Curator of Exhibits for the following opportunities any time. Applications are reviewed throughout the year as needed.
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Studio 23’s Collegiate Spotlight program features the work of area college students and recent graduates with a developed portfolio of artwork. Students selected for exhibit will install artwork under the guidance of Studio 23’s Curator of Exhibits, gaining valuable hands-on experience in a gallery setting.
Applications are reviewed and selected by Studio 23 Curator of Exhibits throughout the year.
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Studio 23 partners with local businesses to bring a rotating display of artwork to lobbies, conference rooms, seating areas, and more within our community. We currently partner with six area businesses with a variety of spaces and needs.
For information on displaying your artwork with one of our partnering businesses, contact Curator of Exhibits & Membership Amy Gibas at agibas@studio23baycity.org.
Click the link here to learn more about our partner’s spaces.
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Studio 23 hosts six exhibits per year, including solo, group, and juried and student exhibitions. We are currently planning for the 2025 exhibition season. For information on how to submit an application for exhibition, follow the link below.
Click here for Application for Exhibition at Studio 23/The Arts Center
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Members of Studio 23 are eligible to display artwork for sale in the Studio 23 Off the Wall Member Gallery Boutique. Purchases made from the Off the Wall Gallery may be taken home the same day, or placed on layaway to be taken home once payment is complete. The Off the Wall Gallery is continuously updated as artwork is sold and new art is delivered.
For information on becoming a member, visit our membership page.
To schedule an appointment to discuss displaying your work, contact Curator of Exhibits & Membership Amy Gibas at agibas@studio23baycity.org.
Upcoming Opportunities
Check back for applications to these annual and biannual opportunities.
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The mission of the Studio 23 Visiting Artist Program, through selection of an annual visiting artist, is to enhance the experience of Art for our community via exposure to a greater diversity of artists, art media, and artistic styles.
Application is open to artists of all media and styles, with preference for those that will meet the program’s mission of bringing more diversity to our community. Please see application below for application requirements, requirements of the selected artist, and details on funding.
This opportunity is made possible by the C Joanne Grabinski Visiting Artist Fund.Application to the Studio 23 Visiting Artist Program is available in the section above.
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Students, Faculty, and The 100 Day Project members of Studio 23 are invited to submit up to five pieces of artwork for Painters and Potters 2025 exhibit. Must have been enrolled in a class between July 2023 - July 2024. All artwork must have been created during that time and not exhibited in Painters and Potters before.
Registration for Painters & Potters is available in the section above.
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50 Artists of the Great Lakes Bay Region is a bi-annual juried exhibition which showcases the works of 50 artists who live and/or work in the Michigan counties of Saginaw, Bay, Midland, Isabella, Gratiot, Clare, Gladwin, and Arenac. Each of the 50 artists featured in this exhibit is also included in our Art Around the City project. Art Around the City is an outdoor exhibition that you can view in Downtown and Uptown Bay City, Veterans Park, and Bigelow Park around the Bay City Railtrail.
Deadline for entry has passed. Application for 50 Artists of the Great Lakes Bay Region and Art Around the City will be available again in 2025.
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This juried exhibition shines a spotlight on the current artwork created by artists from across the state of Michigan. The body of work displayed is an energetic blend of abstraction and realism from our state’s talented and accomplished artists.
Michigan artists 18 years of age or older are invited to enter MI Artists All-State Juried Exhibition at Studio 23/The Arts Center. Applicants may enter up to three pieces of work for consideration.
MI Artists will return to Studio 23 in 2026.