BELLAIRE PUBLIC ART PROJECT
Exhibition Description
Selected artworks will be displayed in outdoor public locations throughout downtown Bellaire, like previous DDA-led exhibitions such as Unique Art of Antrim County and Color Bellaire.
Artworks may be placed near businesses, public buildings, gathering spaces, or along pedestrian corridors to create an accessible, walkable art experience for residents and visitors.
The exhibition will be free and open to the public and will be on view during peak tourism months, offering artists high visibility within the community.
Exhibition Theme
Artists are invited to submit original work inspired by the historical significance of the 250th birthday of the United States, and how it pertains to Antrim County, broadly and inclusively defined. Interpretations may be personal, cultural, environmental, or community-based and may reflect individual memory, shared history, or the evolution of place overtime.
(No partisan political pieces will be accepted).
Artwork MUST have a red, white & blue Americana theme, and may draw inspiration from, but is not limited to:
● People, portraits, and community members
● Family or community stories
● Rural landscapes, waterways, and natural environments
● Architecture, farms, downtown spaces, or historic sites
● Agriculture, fishing, tourism, or local industry
● Change over time, memory, continuity, or place
Both literal and conceptual interpretations are welcome. Artwork may be representational, abstract, documentary, or experimental, provided it meaningfully connects to the theme.
Eligibility
● Open to artists of all ages
● Student, amateur, and professional artists are encouraged to apply
● Artists living in Antrim County and the surrounding Northern Michigan region are encouraged to participate
● Artists may submit multiple works; each submission must be submitted individually
Artwork Format & Display
● Artwork may be 2D or 3D
● Selected works must be suitable for outdoor public display
● The DDA will work with selected artists regarding display methods,
placement, and installation considerations
● Artwork will be reproduced for outdoor display as part of the exhibition
Submission Requirements
Each submission must include:
● Images of the artwork (or representative images for proposed works)
● A brief artist statement describing how the work connects to the theme
Bellaire: Past and Present
● A short description of the artist’s connection to Bellaire or Antrim County
(if applicable)
● Any relevant dimensions, materials, or installation considerations
Jury Process
Submissions will be reviewed anonymously by a juried panel.
Artwork will be evaluated based on:
● Artistic quality and craftsmanship
● Strength of concept and interpretation
● Relevance to the exhibition theme
● Suitability for outdoor public display
The decision of the jury is final.
Important Dates
● Call for Artists Opens: March 10th, 2026
● Submission Deadline: April 17th, 2026
● Artist Notification: May 4th, 2026
● Exhibition Installation: Memorial Weekend
● Exhibition On View: Memorial Weekend through Mid-October 2026
Recognition
Selected artists will receive acknowledgment and recognition in promotional materials and exhibition-related communications.
Disclaimer
By submitting artwork for consideration in Bellaire: Past and Present, artists acknowledge and agree that any artwork selected, reproduced, and displayed
as part of the outdoor public art exhibition becomes the property of the
Village of Bellaire Downtown Development Authority (DDA).
Following the conclusion of the exhibition, reproduced artwork may be auctioned or otherwise transferred by the DDA as a fundraising opportunity to support future public art and arts and culture programming in downtown Bellaire. Artists will receive acknowledgement and recognition in promotional materials associated with the exhibition and any related fundraising activities.
Artists retain attribution for their work, and it is the intent of the DDA to seek media and press coverage highlighting both the artists and the exhibition. Selected artists may be contacted for comments regarding their artwork and participation in the exhibition.
Student submissions must include the signature of a parent or legal guardian, acknowledging and agreeing to the terms of this disclaimer.