Event Link: https://www.prairiewetlands.org

FEE: NO FEE

The Friends of the Prairie Wetlands Learning Center are excited to again sponsor a prairie-themed photography contest! Thank you to all who participated in the previous years.

Nature photography is one of the many enriching activities available on our public lands. Photography is inexpensive, fun, and easy to do. In celebration of the plentiful opportunities to find and capture the beauty of the prairie, the contest is open to all amateur photographers.

Photos will be grouped into one of four categories: Prairie Wildlife, Prairie Plant Life, Prairie Scenic Views and Recreation, and Prairie Pollinators and Other Invertebrates. Individual photographers will be able to submit up to 5 prairie-themed photos taken on public lands in 2024/2025. The contest will accept submissions from September 14, 2024 through September 12, 2025. The Grand Prize Winner will receive a large metal print of their photo after it is displayed at the PWLC for one year! Other prizes will be available too, including gift certificates, award certificates, and more.

Please stay tuned for more announcements and visit our Facebook page for more information. We are anxious to see all the beautiful photographs captured on our region’s prairies!
Please visit our webpage for our entry form and contest rules, https://www.prairiewetlands.org/  Questions may be called in to our Friends phone line at (218) 998-4488 or email

Event Link: https://www.artofthelakes.org/prairie-lakes-plein-air-2025.html

FEE: Go to link for various fees

The Prairie Lakes Plein Air art series is a festival of art education, exhibition, and competition open to professional and non-professional artists of all skill levels. Enjoy your summer painting in the idyllic setting of Otter Tail County, situated in West-Central Minnesota lakes country. Delve into the pristine landscape of gently rolling hills and fertile farmland amongst clear blue lakes and streams for an inspirational painting experience. Attend Plein Air demos & workshops (artists to be announced soon). 

Artists and collectors will enjoy many activities including the Opening Reception, Plein Air Competition, Workshops & Demonstrations, and Quick Paint competition. The concluding Collectors' Preview and Award Ceremony will showcase a variety of Plein Air motifs and styles of artwork.

Schedule of Events
Opening Day for Artists June 21, 2025 10 am - 12 pm
Artists meet at the Creative Arts Center, 112 Main St W, Battle Lake, MN​

• Pick up your welcome packets. 

• Mark Windahl will present on plein air concepts and history. 

• Shanna Cramer will cover some of what to expect with PLPA 25.

• Bring your questions! 

We'll paint out following the presentations. Bring your supplies and paint along! 

Plein Air Competition June 21- August 28, 2025
Throughout the summer, artists will be painting Plein Air in and around our Battle Lake community and Otter Tail County. Visitors will have the opportunity to observe as the artists seek to represent the shifting light, extraordinary colors and textures of our varied rural landscape. We ask that participants and observers do not block entrances/traffic ways to businesses. Free to the public; artists must register.

ARTIST REGISTRATION

Demonstrations/Workshops
To explore a variety of en Plein Air styles and techniques, artists and community members will have the opportunity to attend a range of art classes and artist talks with our featured artists.

CLASSES

Classes and Workshops will be announced soon

​Weekend Festivities August 29 & 30, 2025
Our Prairie Lakes Plein Air art series will be capped off with a full weekend of enjoyable events all happening in or near Battle Lake.

Collector's Preview Reception and Award Ceremony 
​Friday evening, 6-8 pm, August 29, 2025 TICKETED
The Collector's Preview and Award Ceremony will be an art-lovers' social event and a rare opportunity to view artworks from prominent plein air painters from around the Midwest. This exhibition of works by the competition participants will be held in the Art of the Lakes Gallery in Battle Lake. Grand Prize winners will be announced in a special award ceremony by oil and pastel painter and this year's judge, Cheryl LeClair-Sommer. Come and be inspired! 
Tickets purchased in advance: $8 AOTL members, $10 non-members 
Tickets purchased at the door: $20

TICKETS

Tickets will be available soon

Quick Paint Saturday, 9:30 - 11:30 am, August 30, 2025
Participating artists will be found painting throughout Battle Lake within earshot of the CAC. Vote for your favorite from 12pm to 2:45 pm. People's Choice and Artists' Choice awards are announced at 3 pm. 

Plein Air Demonstration with Cheryl LeClair-Sommer
Saturday, 1 - 3 pm, August 30, 2025
To inspire those who want to know more about Plein Air painting, join judge Cheryl LeClair-Sommer in or near the CAC as she provides a demonstration and shares tips and answers your questions. 

Quick Paint Awards Saturday, 3 pm, August 30, 2025
Our Prairie Lakes en Plein Air festival concludes at the CAC where Quick Paint Awards will be presented and competition paintings will be on display. 

Competition Exhibition August 30 - September 27, 2025
The Art of the Lakes Gallery will be open for the general public to view paintings from this event and make purchases.

Competition Judge
Cheryl LeClair-Sommer

Competition Class
$1000 - Best in Show
$500 - 2nd Place Award
$250 - 3rd Place Award
$150 - People's Choice Award
$50 - 3 Honorable Mentions

Quick Paint (Must be painted at the August 30 event)
$75 - People's Choice
$75 - Artists' Choice

Open Class
​Recognition Award and Judge's Feedback

About Our Judge
Cheryl LeClair-Sommer is a Minnesota based representational painter working mainly in oils, featuring works that highlight the natural world. Her main focus, painting landscapes directly outside, originates from her spiritual connection to the land and reverence for nature's raw beauty. Studio paintings feature the natural world as observed through the human imprint. 

Event Link: https://www.chalkinsauk.org

FEE: Event is free. There is a booth fee for artists ($125 single/$250 double)

Sauk Centre Festival of the Arts combines a chalk festival, "Chalk in Sauk" with an art fair, "Art on the Avenue" and also includes a free concert with Robbie Vee in the Sauk Centre Bandshell on Saturday night. The event will be held at Sinclair Lewis Park in Sauk Centre, where Main Street meets Sauk Lake. Last year's event attracted approximately 2,000 people. We are looking for artists in any of the following areas: painting, drawing, pottery, wood, fabric, glass, jewelry, and mixed media. Cost for a 10x10 booth is $125 after that. Double booths are available for $250. No electricity. Link to apply directly is: https://form.jotform.com/250276299668170.

Event Link: https://lrac4.org/call-for-artists

FEE: FREE to Apply!

“ART of Toys”

Exhibition Dates: Monday, October 7th – Tuesday, December 16th, 2025

Call for artists Monday, July 21st - Monday, August 18, 2025

https://lrac4.org/call-for-artists to apply

Reception Tuesday, October 7, 2025 - 5:30-7pm – Artist Talk 6pm

Toys are a part of our lives at a very young age and help us to use our imagination! You can build with toys, create with toys, play with others and be inspired by toys. We ask artists, “how toys have inspired you, and how they “played” a role in your life?

Eligibility & Guidelines

This Call for Art is open to all artists living in the nine counties served by the Lake Region Arts Council:
Becker, Clay, Douglas, Grant, Otter Tail, Pope, Stevens, Traverse, and Wilkin counties in west central Minnesota.

• Artists may submit 1 to 3 works of art for consideration.

• All mediums, styles, and themes are welcome!

• 2D artwork must be framed and/or ready to hang.

• Pedestals will be provided for 3D artwork.

How to Apply

The online application portal opens on Monday, July 21, 2025.
Apply here: LRAC Online Application

• New applicants will need to create an account.

• Returning applicants should log in using their previous credentials.

Important Dates

Call Opens: Monday, July 21, 2025
Application Deadline: Monday, August 18th, 2025 | 5:00 PM
Artist Notification: Friday, August 29th, 2025
Exhibition Dates: October 6th – December16th, 2025
Opening Reception: Tuesday, October 7th, 2025 | 5:30 – 7:00 PM

For more information, please visit the LRAC Gallery website or contact:
Naomi RaMona Schliesman, Gallery Curator: gallerycurator4@gmail.com

All Artwork needs to be framed and/or ready to hang for 2D pieces with hanging wire. We have pedestals for 3D artwork. Please fill out the online application located on the LRAC Gallery website page.

Call for Art Information: 888-735-9622

https://lrac4.org/call-for-artists

***New applicants will need to create an account, and returning applicants should use their previous credentials to log on.

https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=lakeregion

 “These activities are made possible by the voters of Minnesota through Lake Region Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.”