Call Description

Crooked Tree Arts Center - Petoskey is accepting submissions for the juried art exhibition At Home/On Ice. Selected artworks may relate to this theme broadly and in many ways. 

Artists residing in the Great Lakes Region (Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and the Canadian province of Ontario), who are at least 18 years old, are invited to submit up to 4 original works to At Home/On Ice. The exhibition will run from January 16 through February 28 2026, in the Bonfield Gallery, at the Crooked Tree Arts Center, in Petoskey, Michigan. 

Submissions must be original, works of art created within the past two years, on the theme of “indoor comfort during the cold, dark months of winter.” Quilts, handwoven rugs, ceramics, furniture, painting, woodwork, ironwork, and works in all media are eligible. Broad interpretations of the theme, and experimental approaches, are welcome.

Applicant Calendar:

• Call Dates: October 1, 2025- Tuesday, December 2, 2025
• Deadline for submission: midnight EST, on Tuesday, December 2, 2025
• Notification: Sunday, December 7, 2025
• Delivery window: Monday, December 15, 2025- Monday, December 22, 2025 and Monday, January 5, 2026 - Wednesday, January 7, 2026 during posted business hours, or by arrangement. Artists are responsible for transporting work to and from Crooked Tree Arts Center - Petoskey, either through shipping or in-person drop-off and pick-up. Works destined for return shipping, must include a pre-paid shipping label.
• Exhibition Dates: Friday, January 16, 2026 - February 28, 2026
• Public Reception: Saturday, January 17, 2026, 3-5 pm
• Unsold art pick-up window: Tuesday, March 2, 2026 - Saturday, March 7, 2026, during posted gallery hours, or by mutual arrangements. Unsold works, destined for return shipping, will be shipped, via pre-paid label, the week of March 9, 2025.

The exhibition will be on view in the Crooked Tree Art Center - Petoskey's Bonfield Gallery, from January 16, 2026 – February 28, 2026, from 10 am to 5 pm, Tuesday through Saturday.

Awards
$1000 in prizes will be awarded. Three cash prizes will be awarded: First Place $500, Second Place $300, Third Place $200.

Application Requirements

Eligibility
The opportunity is open to artists residing in the Great Lakes Region (Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and the Canadian province of Ontario) who are at least 18 years old. Work must have been created in the past two years. All physical media will be considered except for video works, and works that are primarily AI generated.

Image File Size and Format Guidelines:
Must meet CaFE image format requirements.

Terms and Conditions

• The call is open to U.S. residents residing in the Great Lakes Region (Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and the Canadian province of Ontario) who are at least 18 years old.
• Submissions must be original works created by the artist submitting the work.
• Artists may submit up to 8 slides of 4 works (details are optional).
• Works must not have been previously exhibited at Crooked Tree Arts Center- Petoskey.
• Accepted two-dimensional canvas artwork or works on paper must be framed and wired for hanging.
• Accepted works must be "installation ready", and include specific instructions if necessary.
• Crooked Tree Arts Center galleries are sales galleries, and works can be for sale. Sales prices are set by the artists. Crooked Tree Arts Center will retain a 40% commission on all sales. Works do not have to be for sale.
• A non-refundable fee of $25.00 per artist is required for entry (CTAC members' fee is $15.00, and Guild Members may enter for free. CURRENT CTAC members, please use the coupon code WINTER26 to receive the member discount. CURRENT CTAC Guild Members will receive Coupon codes via email.  Should you have questions about your membership status or are interested in becoming a member, please call CTAC at (231) 347-4337.
• Accepted work may NOT be removed until after the close of the show.
• Work not picked up by specified pick-up dates becomes property of Crooked Tree Arts Center unless prior arrangement has been made with Crooked Tree Arts Center staff. The artist forfeits any claim to the work and Crooked Tree Arts Center cannot be held responsible for any method of disposal arising from forfeiture.
• By submitting work to this exhibition opportunity, the artist agrees to all terms and conditions described in the exhibition prospectus.

Submission Procedure:

• Submit photographs of up to 4 works, which may be represented by up to 8 photographs (details are optional).
• Entries must be submitted online via CaFÉ, and file formats must meet CaFÉ specifications.
• Complete the required entry forms, including medium/process, title, size, and retail price or NFS.
• Please make sure that your email address in the application form is accurate, as all exhibit communication will be delivered via email.

Accepted/Invited works

• You will receive an email from CaFÉ (check your spam too) on or before Sunday, December 7, 2025, with a contract, inventory, and request for high-resolution images.
• Accepted works can be shipped or hand delivered. All included works must be clearly labeled with the artist's name, artwork title, and medium; the label should be secured to the back of the work. ​
• Labels for accepted works are generated from the data collected on the form, so be sure to include the correct RETAIL prices (60% to the artist + 40% to CTAC) or NFS, and the titles as you would like them to appear on your labels- with attention to capital and lower case letters. Retail prices will be taken from the café entry, not the subsequent contract.
• Completed contracts and inventory are due by Sunday, December 7, at noon.
• You may receive an email request for high resolution images for print. Please be prepared to share these images. 
  
  
   

Eligibility Criteria

​Eligibility
The opportunity is open to artists residing in the Great Lakes Region (Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and the Canadian province of Ontario) who are at least 18 years old. Work in any media, except video and primarily AI generated work may be submitted.