FEE: Free | Call for Artists

Emerging Artist Exhibition Opportunity

Submissions Accepted Now

The New York Mills Regional Cultural Center and Continental Divide Brew Pub invite emerging artists from rural Minnesota to submit artwork for exhibition and sale at the Continental Divide.

This opportunity is designed to help artists expand their audience, build their exhibition experience, connect with fellow creatives, and become part of a growing regional arts community. Artists are encouraged to submit samples of original artwork along with a brief exhibition proposal for consideration.

To Apply:
Submit artwork samples and a brief exhibition proposal to:

• Megan Shirley-Ross, Artistic Director: megan@kulcher.org

• Cyrus Bickell, General Manager: cyrus@cdbpnym.com

Continental Divide Brew Pub
32 N Main Ave, New York Mills, MN 56567

FEE: $25 Booth Fee

Call for Vendors: Black Antler Night Faire

Vendor Applications Now Open

Artists, makers, energy readers, and creative businesses are invited to apply as vendors for the 3rd Annual Black Antler Night Faire on Friday, October 9, 2026, in downtown New York Mills.

The event features a festive evening market celebrating art, creativity, and the mysterious spirit of the season. Indoor booth spaces (approximately 6' × 6') and outdoor booth spaces (10' × 10') are available for $25 each on a first-come, first-served basis. Vendors are responsible for providing their own display materials.

To apply or learn more, contact:

• Emily: emily@kulcher.org

• Cyrus: cyrus@cdbpnym.com

Event Location:
New York Mills Regional Cultural Center & Main Avenue
24 North Main Avenue
New York Mills, MN 56567

FEE: Free

The Blind Mind: Artwork by Dawn Rossbach

August 4–September 19, 2026

The New York Mills Regional Cultural Center presents The Blind Mind, a solo exhibition by Minnesota artist Dawn Rossbach exploring creativity through the lens of aphantasia—a neurological condition in which a person is unable to voluntarily visualize mental images.

Developed with support from a Minnesota State Arts Board Creative Individuals Grant, the exhibition features more than 30 original paintings, diptychs, and "memory apparitions" that investigate memory, observation, and artistic creation without mental imagery. Through these compelling works, Rossbach invites visitors to reconsider assumptions about the creative process while increasing awareness of the diverse ways people experience and interpret the world.

A free Artist Reception will be held on Saturday, September 12, from 1:00–3:00 PM, offering an opportunity to meet the artist, learn more about the exhibition, and enjoy light refreshments.

Gallery Hours:

• Tuesday: 10:00 AM–5:00 PM

• Wednesday & Thursday: 10:00 AM–7:00 PM

• Friday: 10:00 AM–5:00 PM

• Saturday: 10:00 AM–3:00 PM

Please note: The gallery remains open during building construction. Visitors should use the accessible back entrance.

Location:
New York Mills Regional Cultural Center
24 North Main Avenue
New York Mills, MN 56567

FEE: Free

Life Drawing – Open Studio

Fridays | 10:00–11:30 AM

Artists of all experience levels are invited to Life Drawing – Open Studio at the Historic Holmes Theatre in Detroit Lakes.

Life drawing, also known as figure or gesture drawing, focuses on drawing the human form in a variety of poses and levels of detail. These informal Friday morning sessions offer an opportunity to practice your skills, connect with other artists, and learn alongside Artist Facilitators from the Holmes Artist Collective.

Bring your own art supplies. All mediums and experience levels are welcome. No registration is required.

When: Fridays, 10:00–11:30 AM
Location: Holmes Art Cellar, located in the basement of the Historic Holmes Theatre
806 Summit Ave., Detroit Lakes, MN 56501

Free and open to all. No registration required.

FEE: Free

Jenny Junker: Somewhere Between Then and Whatever

Exhibition Dates: August 14–September 27, 2026

The Rourke Art Gallery + Museum presents Somewhere Between Then and Whatever, a solo exhibition by Fargo–Moorhead printmaker Jenny Junker in the Katherine Kilbourne Burgum and Gustavian Galleries.

Originally from Mandan, North Dakota, Junker creates hand-pulled screen prints under the name Yellow Chair Press. Each layer of her prints is hand-drawn and printed in small editions, drawing inspiration from everyday observations, memories, humor, and nostalgia.

In Somewhere Between Then and Whatever, Junker explores the space between memory and imagination through whimsical, thought-provoking imagery. The exhibition invites viewers to bring their own experiences and interpretations to the work while celebrating the joy of creativity, play, and making art for its own sake.

Public Opening Reception:
Sunday, August 16, 2026 | 1:30–3:30 PM
Artist Gallery Talk: 2:00 PM

Location:
The Rourke Art Gallery + Museum
521 Main Avenue
Moorhead, MN

FEE: Red Door Art Gallery Membership Required | 30% Commission on Sales

Bold and Playful | Call for Art

Exhibition Dates: September 29–October 31, 2026

The Red Door Art Gallery in Wahpeton presents Bold and Playful, an exhibition featuring vibrant, exciting, and whimsical works by regional artists.

Artists are invited to explore the theme through subject matter, color, or both. The exhibition may include painting, drawing, sculpture, photography, printmaking, mixed media, wood carving, textiles, and other creative media.

Participating artists must currently reside in North Dakota, Minnesota, or South Dakota, or have a hometown or other local connection to Wahpeton, ND, or Breckenridge, MN. All exhibiting artists must be members of the Red Door Art Gallery.

Exhibition Dates: September 29–October 31, 2026
Artist Reception: Thursday, October 15 | 5:00–7:00 PM
Submission Deadline: September 19, 2026
Artwork Arrival Deadline: September 26, 2026

Artists may submit approximately 3–5 works or up to 10 feet of wall space. All artwork must be available for sale, with a 30% gallery commission included in the listed price. Preference will be given to work that has not previously been exhibited at Red Door Art Gallery.

Location:
Red Door Art Gallery
418 Dakota Avenue
Wahpeton, ND

To Submit: Send images and descriptions of proposed work to director@reddoorgallerywahpeton.com.

Questions: 701-591-1010 | director@reddoorgallerywahpeton.com

FEE: Free

Between Two Continents | Kar-Keat Chong & Night Shift | Erika Frikken + Jess Torgerson

September 1–October 24, 2026

Kaddatz Galleries welcomes two new exhibitions this fall, featuring the work of Kar-Keat Chong in the Charles Beck Gallery and collaborating artists Erika Frikken and Jess Torgerson in Studio K.

Charles Beck Gallery: Between Two Continents | Kar-Keat Chong

Between Two Continents brings together work by Kar-Keat Chong reflecting his experiences, influences, and connections across cultures and continents.

Studio K: Night Shift | Erika Frikken & Jess Torgerson

Collaborating artists Erika Frikken and Jess Torgerson present Night Shift, an exhibition inspired by bats, liminal spaces, and the ways we navigate through darkness.

Exhibition Dates: September 1–October 24, 2026

Artist Reception: Thursday, September 10 | 5:00–7:00 PM

Location:
Kaddatz Galleries
111 W. Lincoln Avenue
Fergus Falls, MN 56537

The exhibitions are free and open to the public during regular gallery hours.

Thank you to Naomi RaMona Schliesman Artistry and Consulting for sponsoring these exhibitions.

FEE: FREE

Call for Artists: Lanesboro Arts Sales & Exhibition Galleries

Application Deadline: December 31, 2026

Lanesboro Arts is accepting applications from visual artists in Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin for two upcoming gallery opportunities: the 2027 Juried Sales Gallery and 2028 Exhibition Gallery. Artists working in all visual arts media, including both 2-D and 3-D work, are encouraged to apply.

The Juried Sales Gallery currently represents more than 80 artists, with a select number of new artists added each year to exhibit and sell their work. The Exhibition Gallery typically presents five solo or group exhibitions annually, with each exhibition running approximately eight weeks.

Artists are selected based on artistic vision, quality craftsmanship, thought-provoking qualities, diverse representation, and alignment with Lanesboro Arts’ organizational values. A regional artist jury will review applications in January, with applicants notified of decisions in March.

Deadline: December 31, 2026
Eligibility: Visual artists from Minnesota, Iowa & Wisconsin
Location: Lanesboro Arts, 103 Parkway Ave. N., Lanesboro, MN

FEE: Free

Jim Burger & Alayna Eldred Exhibit

September 4–26, 2026
Evansville Art Center | Evansville, MN

September’s exhibition at the Evansville Art Center features the work of Jim Burger and Alayna Eldred, bringing together two distinct perspectives and mediums.

Jim creates rustic works combining wood and metal, often using reclaimed materials or transforming new materials to give them the character and feel of something aged. Alayna, a photographer from Osakis, draws inspiration from creativity and her love of the outdoors, using photography to capture fleeting moments, places, people, and experiences.

Artist Reception: Wednesday, September 23, 6:00–8:00 PM. Meet the artists, learn more about their work, and enjoy light refreshments.

Exhibition Dates: September 4–26, 2026
Location: Evansville Art Center, 111 Main Street, Evansville, MN 56326
Admission: Free
Phone: (218) 948-2787

FEE: Free to Apply

Call for Art: 2027–2028 Fergus Falls Sculpture Walk

Application Deadline: Monday, September 21, 2026

The City of Fergus Falls Public Arts Commission is seeking regional artists for the 2027–2028 Fergus Falls Sculpture Walk, a rotating outdoor exhibition bringing public art to downtown Fergus Falls.

Seven new sculptures will be selected for display from May 2027 through May 2028 along Lincoln Avenue and near the Fergus Falls Public Library. Selected artists will receive a $2,000 honorarium per sculpture, and works may also be available for sale during the exhibition.

The call is open to artists residing in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, or Wisconsin. Artists may submit up to three sculptures at no cost. Works will be selected by the Fergus Falls Public Arts Commission based on conceptual strength, originality, and craftsmanship.

Application Deadline: Monday, September 21, 2026
Artist Notification: By October 26, 2026
Exhibition: May 2027–May 2028
Honorarium: $2,000 per selected sculpture
Eligibility: Artists residing in MN, ND, SD, IA or WI
Submission Limit: Up to 3 sculptures per artist
Application Fee: Free

Questions: Naomi RaMona Schliesman, Sculpture Walk Manager | 320-288-5369 | infosculpturewalk@fergusfalls.gov

FEE: Free

Exposed: 2,4,5-T Applied Along Infrastructure | Heidi Lynn Adelsman

September 8–October 3, 2026 | Opening Reception: Friday, September 11 | 5:30–7:00 PM

WholeHeart Collective Community Gallery presents Exposed: 2,4,5-T Applied Along Infrastructure, an exhibition of collage work by Heidi Lynn Adelsman, a former pipefitter and Veterans Affairs nurse whose professional experiences have shaped both her artistic practice and debut novel.

Drawing from her experiences in the skilled trades and healthcare, Adelsman creates layered collages that combine text and imagery to explore connections between work, health, environment, infrastructure, community, and place. Her work invites viewers to look closer, make connections, and consider the stories embedded in the systems and landscapes that surround us.

Join WholeHeart Collective for an Opening Reception on Friday, September 11, from 5:30–7:00 PM, with refreshments and snacks. Adelsman will speak at 6:00 PM about her artwork, creative process, and book.

Exhibition: September 8–October 3, 2026
Opening Reception: September 11 | 5:30–7:00 PM
Artist Talk: 6:00 PM
Location: WholeHeart Collective Community Gallery
210 W. Cavour Ave., Fergus Falls, MN 56537

FEE: FREE

Call for Art: Magical: A Passage to the Extraordinary

Call Opens: September 14, 2026 | Application Deadline: October 13, 2026 at 5:00 PM

What if magic is already around you—not the pulled-from-a-hat kind, but the kind that hides in plain sight?

Lake Region Arts Council is accepting submissions for Magical: A Passage to the Extraordinary, a regional exhibition exploring wonder, mystery, transformation, imagination, symbolism, and the extraordinary hidden within the ordinary.

Artists are invited to interpret “magical” in personal, nuanced, unexpected, whimsical, philosophical, or deeply meaningful ways. Inspiration might come from a landscape that evokes wonder, an extraordinary person, an object infused with meaning, dreams and inner worlds, mythology and storytelling, or the possibilities of magical thinking and imagination.

The call is open to artists ages 18+ living in LRAC’s nine-county service area. All media are welcome, including 2D, 3D and sculptural work, mixed media, multimedia, and installation proposals as space permits. Artist teams of two or three may also apply.

Call Opens: September 14, 2026
Deadline: October 13, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Exhibition: January 11–March 11, 2027
Opening Reception: January 19, 2027 | 5:00–6:30 PM

FEE: $10 | youth ages 16 and under are free

Metro Quilt Expo

September 25–26, 2026
Veterans Memorial Arena | West Fargo, ND

The Fargo Moorhead Quilters invite quilt lovers and admirers to the biennial Metro Quilt Expo! Spend the weekend surrounded by quilts, see award-winning work, vote for your favorites, enjoy demonstrations, shop a variety of quilting vendors, and explore special exhibits, raffles, and a silent auction.

Friday, September 25: 9:00 AM–6:00 PM
Saturday, September 26: 9:00 AM–4:00 PM
Admission: $10; youth ages 16 and under are free
Location: Veterans Memorial Arena, 1201 7th Ave E, West Fargo, ND
Phone: (701) 429-4716

FEE: Exhibition Free | Collectors’ Preview Ticketed ($20 at the door)

2026 Prairie Lakes Plein Air
Competition, Exhibition & Sale

September 26–October 24, 2026

See Otter Tail County through the eyes of plein air painters during the 2026 Prairie Lakes Plein Air Competition Exhibition & Sale at Art of the Lakes Gallery in Battle Lake.

Throughout the summer, approximately three dozen outdoor painters have explored, discovered, and interpreted scenes across Otter Tail County as part of the 2026 Prairie Lakes Plein Air Festival. Their freshly created works will be brought together for this special fall exhibition featuring plein air artists from throughout the Midwest.

Visitors are invited to explore and purchase original paintings capturing the landscapes, communities, and character of Otter Tail County at the height of the fall season.

The exhibition begins with a special Collectors’ Preview Reception and Award Ceremony on Friday, September 25, from 6:00–8:00 PM. This ticketed art-lovers’ social offers an early opportunity to view the competition artwork before the exhibition opens to the general public. Grand Prize winners will be announced by this year’s judge, oil and pastel painter Michelle Combs.

Collectors’ Preview Reception & Award Ceremony: Friday, September 25 | 6:00–8:00 PM
Preview Admission: Advance tickets available | $20 per person at the door
Competition Exhibition & Sale: September 26–October 24, 2026

Location:
Art of the Lakes Gallery
108 Lake Avenue S
Battle Lake, MN

The Competition Exhibition & Sale is free and open to the public.