ELIGIBILITY
All artists with a disability causing physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major daily life activities are eligible. Examples of major life activities include walking, seeing, hearing, breathing, personal care, learning or working.
ART CATEGORIES
- Graphic & Print – charcoal, chalk, crayon, pastel, pencil, or pen and ink, woodcuts, stencils, engraving, etching and lithography, or screen-printing, foil imaging, digital art, computer graphics
- Oils & Acrylics – oils, gouache, acrylics, tempera, or encaustic paints
- Watercolor Painting watercolors, alcohol, ink and wash
- Sculpture – 3-D art, bronze, stone, marble, wood, glass, jewelry, or clay
- Photography – all types and styles of photography
- Mixed Media – hanging art with variety of materials, hanging fiber art
NOT ACCEPTED: Predesigned craft kits, paint-by-number, AI-generated art, bead or diamond-dot kits are not allowed. Art must be an original creation and design of the artist.
ART ENTRY SPECIFICATIONS
- Four entries per artist.
- Entries must be summitted under artist name and contact.
- Group entries should be noted by the alternate contact and entries submitted under artist name and contact.
- Artist must have a disability at the time of art creation.
- Art must be the original work of the artist (no art craft kits or AI) and created within the past three years.
- Previous entries are NOT accepted.
- Art must be the same as the online entry image – NO SUBSTITUTIONS.
- Art must be for sale at a fair market price. Art priced more than $2,000 may not be accepted.
- Plexiglas is highly recommended. AOP is not responsible for damage during shipping or while in our possession.
- Hanging art must not exceed 36 inches in any one direction and must be framed with an attached wire hanging that is at minimum 6 inches wide for the hanger.
- Sculpture must not exceed 20 pounds and measure less than 18” width, 11” depth, 24” h eight.
- All art must include a label with artist's full name, title, medium and price.
- AOP has the right to refuse any artwork.
- Any artwork that differs significantly from the digital entry, arrives after the deadline, is an art kit of any type, AI generated, or is sub-standard quality may be disqualified.
ARTIST STATEMENT
Directions for Artist Statement/Artist Story:
All artists are required to submit an artist statement, "the artist story", of approximately 200 words. This artist story will display near their art and on the online gallery. The story is as important as the art. Well-written stories help sell the art by making a connection between the art buyer and the artwork.
Artist stories may include information about the artist’s background, interest and experience with art, motivations, techniques, their philosophy, and personal connection to art. CKRI may edit biographies. Although not required, we encourage artists to include their disability and any special adaptations they use to create their work. Artists are in control of how their story is told and what is disclosed in their biography.
Please do not list art organizations or list awards. Our mission is to highlight the artist. We want to hear the artist story not a resume of work (even if it's very impressive!).
Example Statement/Artist Story:
Jane Doe is a self-taught artist based in Phoenix, Arizona. Her journey into the world of art began as a therapeutic outlet, allowing her to express emotions and experiences that words could not capture. Jane's work primarily features vibrant landscapes and abstract pieces, inspired by the natural beauty of the Southwest. She uses a combination of acrylics and mixed media to create textured, dynamic compositions that invite viewers to explore and interpret their own stories within her art.
Jane believes that art is a universal language that transcends barriers and connects people on a deeper level. Her philosophy is rooted in the idea that every piece of art has a soul, a unique essence that resonates with different individuals in different ways. Despite facing physical challenges with fibromyalgia and chronic pain, Jane has adapted her techniques to sit while she paints and limits her time at the easel to continue creating, proving that art is not just a skill but a passion that can overcome any obstacle.
HELPFUL TIP: Save your statement/artist story to make the application process easier next year!
JURY AWARDS
A jury will review all art online and present $4,500 in monetary awards. A $500 award will be presented to one artist as “Best of Show”. A $100 award will be presented as an "Encouragement Award." First, second, third and honorable mention monetary awards and ribbons are presented in all six categories – Oil & Acrylic, Watercolor, Graphic & Printmaking, Sculpture, Photography and Mixed Media. Winners receive $250, $175, $125, and $100, respectively. All artist award payments will be issued at the conclusion of the show - August 2025.
JURY PROCESS
Artists may submit one digital image of each piece of artwork up to four entries. Images should be in JPEG format. Please take care in photographing your work to ensure a quality image. All art must be for sale for a reasonable price. Artists will be notified with an entry status of INVITED for art to be art invited to be displayed in the show. In 2025, there will not be an online-only show option.
- INVITED: Art that is invited will be displayed in-person AND online for the show. This art will be available for sale during the show.
SHOW FORMAT
In 2025, we are returning to the traditional art show format. Artists will be invited to participate in Art of Possibilities to have their art displayed in-person at Courage Kenny and will be viewable online. All art will be available for sale and coordinated by Art of Possibilities.
ART SHIPPING AND LOCAL ART DROP-OFF
Art should be shipped to be received between May 5 – May 14, 2025.
SHIP ARTWORK TO:
Art of Possibilities Art Show & Sale
Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute, Mail Route 78414 3915 Golden Valley Road Minneapolis, MN 55422
Shipped artwork must be packed in a quality container. Unsold art will be returned in the same packaging at the conclusion of the show. If the art is sold, shipping materials will be reused/recycled. Empty containers will not be returned.
Art of Possibilities operates as a shared-cost show, meaning artists are responsible for shipping their work to the exhibition venue. However, we are pleased to cover the return shipping costs for any unsold artwork.
Please do not use: Styrofoam, peanuts, popcorn, or coins as packing filler.
LOCAL ART DROP OFF:
May 14, 15, and 16, 2025 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
AOP will hang it as it is delivered. Artists should plan to keep packing materials until the end of the show for art pick up if the art is not sold.
Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute
Attn: Laura Brooks
3915 Golden Valley Road, Mail Route 78414
Minneapolis, MN 55422
ART SALES
Art must be for sale. The goal of Art of Possibilities is to celebrate the talents of artists living with disability through the sale of their art. AOP will promote all art for sale and Artists are encouraged to price artwork at a fair market price. Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute returns 100% of the sale price to the artist. Please price work to sell, and consider quality, technique, framing and experience. Currency exchange rates will be based on rate, on the day of sale. All artist sales payments will be issued at one time after the conclusion of the show in August 2025.
SOLD ART
100% of the sale price goes to the artist! Please price artwork at a reasonable market price. AOP will coordinate the sales process and ship/deliver artwork to buyers.
LIABILITY
Art is handled with professional care; Art of Possibilities is not responsible for damage or loss during shipping. Artists assume all risk for loss or damage of artwork submitted. AOP is not responsible for glass breakage. The value of any one piece of artwork must not exceed $2,000.
MEDIA RELEASE
By submitting entries to the Art of Possibilities Art Show & Sale (AOP), I hereby consent to my Art, Photograph, Biography and Disability Information and/or an Interview for the purposes of AOP promotion for publication in CourageArt.org, newspapers, magazines, the Internet, social media or other printed media or broadcast by television/radio transmission. By submitting my café application, I understand I am in control of how my Art and Biography are presented.
I recognize that Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute (CKRI), part of Allina Health, is acting only as an intermediary, making it possible for said publication or broadcast. As such, I hereby agree to hold Allina Health, CKRI and AOP free and harmless from all liability arising out of the Art, Photograph, Biography or Interview and subsequent publication or broadcasting.
I assume full responsibility for my submitted Art, Photograph and Biography. I agree to the media release of use of my Art, Photo and Biography for the use of Allina Health and Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute to promote the Art of Possibilities Art Show & Sale.
ABOUT COURAGE KENNY REHABILITATION INSTITUTE
Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute (CKRI), part of Allina Health, provides a full continuum of exceptional rehabilitation services for people with short and long-term conditions, injuries, and disabilities. CKRI empowers all people to live, work, and play to their full potential.
For more information on our programs and services, visit www.allinahealth.org/couragekenny