Call for Artists
September 8 - October 24, 2026
Read the complete exhibition guidelines HERE.
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Apply HERE by 11:59pm EST on August 12, 2026.
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The ACWL-Nuveen invites artists that live in the Lake Michigan region - MI, IN, IL, and WI - aged 18+ to submit artwork for our juried exhibition, Visual Language, on display September 8 – October 24, 2026. The Visual Language exhibition is a unique call to artists in the Lake Michigan region to submit artwork that somehow incorporates text, words, language and/or poetry. How the text is integrated into the artwork can be subtle, bold or anywhere in between. We are looking for a broad range of approaches using any media to create 2D or 3D artwork or digital media. How are you turning words into art or art into words? A $200 prize will be awarded for outstanding artwork
Juror Bio: Annamarie Buller brings 24 years of experience in the nonprofit and government sectors, along with a long-standing commitment to organizing and curating in the arts. In the early 2000s, she began organizing Free Radical Gallery in Grand Rapids, Michigan, a series of art shows that transformed non-traditional spaces and vacant storefronts into galleries for contemporary artists at all stages of development. Her work on Free Radical Gallery helped lead to the creation of Avenue for the Arts, which celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2024. As an independent curator, Buller continues to work closely with 106 Gallery, part of Avenue for the Arts in Grand Rapids. Through innovative exhibitions featuring contemporary work, she cultivates artistic expression and strengthens connections across the community. Buller is especially passionate about artwork that involves political themes and intentionally seeks out the storytelling of artists from marginalized communities. Her work reflects the vital role of independent curators and community organizers in nurturing a vibrant arts culture and creating space for meaningful public dialogue.
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To prepare for your online application submission we encourage you to have the following ready to go for each piece you plan to submit. You may submit up to two pieces.
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- Title
- Good quality photo or two. Between 2 and 6 MB, with at least 1,200 pixels on the longest side. https://www.aapgh.org/blog/photography-tips
- Medium
- Price
- Dimensions, including frame if applicable
- A brief description of your artwork (250-500 words) to give context to the juror
- Debit or credit card to complete entry fee payment
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The Arts Council of White Lake - Nuveen Center displays artwork by regional artists in their downtown Whitehall location throughout the year. There is a gallery committee made up of ACWL-Nuveen staff and volunteers that determines the artwork displayed in the gallery. Artists interested in displaying their work in the retail gallery and becoming an Artist Member at the ACWL-Nuveen should first read the current contract and then complete the Artist Member Application. Applications will be reviewed each summer with new artists invited to join in November. Please be aware that applications will not be reviewed until late summer/early fall and artists will only be contacted after applications have been reviewed. If you have questions, please call (231) 893-2524.