Artist Opportunities

Studio 23 Visiting Artist Program 2026: Fiber/Textile Artist

Funded by the C Joanne Grabinski Visiting Artist Fund

Deadline to Apply: Sunday, April 5, 2026, 11:59 p.m.

The mission of the Studio 23 Visiting Artist Program, through selection of an annual visiting artist, is to enhance the experience of art for our community via exposure to a greater diversity of artists, art media, and artistic styles.

Studio 23 is currently accepting applications for our 2026 visiting artist. An exhibit of new work created by the selected artist will be held at Studio 23 from August 27 to October 24, 2026.

Application is open to artists of all styles working in fiber/textile arts, with preference for those that will meet the program's mission of bringing more diversity to our community.

Follow the link here for full requirements and application.

Studio 23 Collegiate Spotlight

Studio 23’s Collegiate Spotlight Program will feature the artwork of area college students with a developed portfolio of artwork. Applicants must be currently enrolled in a college or university, or have graduated within the past 2 semesters at the time of exhibition.

Students' applications will be reviewed and approved by the Curator of Exhibits. Students will be required to install their own artwork under the guidance of the Curator of Exhibits.

The following date ranges are available for Collegiate Spotlight exhibits at Studio 23 in 2026.

  • February 20 - March 21, 2026

  • July 10 - August 8, 2026

Follow the link here for application and full list of requirements.

Handmade Jewelry Show

Join us on Friday, May 8 from 2–6pm at Studio 23/The Arts Center for a handmade jewelry show, celebrating creativity and craftsmanship!

We will be inviting 10-20 vendors to join us in sharing their wonderful handmade jewelry in our gallery and classroom from 2-6 p.m on Friday, May 8. Items must be of your own design. Tables, chairs, and electricity are available upon request. Set up is available at 12 p.m. the day of the event.

For registration email Amy Gibas at agibas@studio23baycity.org.

Bay City Players Productions

Bay City Players
1214 Columbus Ave, Bay City, MI 48708

Studio 23 partners with the Bay City Players to display artwork by local artists during production weekends, matching the theme or mood of the play being performed. Please email Amy at agibas@studio23baycity.org if you are interested in displaying during any of the listed productions.

Upcoming opportunities at the Bay City Players:

  • Morning After Grace, February 20-22, 2026

  • Anastasia, April 23-26 & April 30–May 3, 2026

For more information on productions, visit baycityplayers.org.

Ongoing Opportunities

Submit an application or contact our Curator of Exhibits for the following opportunities any time. Applications are reviewed throughout the year as needed.

  • Studio 23’s Collegiate Spotlight program features the work of area college students and recent graduates with a developed portfolio of artwork. Students selected for exhibit will install artwork under the guidance of Studio 23’s Curator of Exhibits, gaining valuable hands-on experience in a gallery setting.

    Applications are reviewed and selected by Studio 23 Curator of Exhibits throughout the year.

    Follow the link here to apply.

  • Studio 23 partners with local businesses to bring a rotating display of artwork to lobbies, conference rooms, seating areas, and more within our community. We currently partner with six area businesses with a variety of spaces and needs.

    For information on displaying your artwork with one of our partnering businesses, contact Curator of Exhibits & Membership Amy Gibas at agibas@studio23baycity.org.

    Click the link here to learn more about our partner’s spaces.

  • Studio 23 hosts six exhibits per year, including solo, group, and juried and student exhibitions. We are currently planning for the 2025 exhibition season. For information on how to submit an application for exhibition, follow the link below.

    Click here for Application for Exhibition at Studio 23/The Arts Center

  • Members of Studio 23 are eligible to display artwork for sale in the Studio 23 Off the Wall Member Gallery Boutique. Purchases made from the Off the Wall Gallery may be taken home the same day, or placed on layaway to be taken home once payment is complete. The Off the Wall Gallery is continuously updated as artwork is sold and new art is delivered.

    For information on becoming a member, visit our membership page.

    To schedule an appointment to discuss displaying your work, contact Curator of Exhibits & Membership Amy Gibas at agibas@studio23baycity.org.

Upcoming Opportunities

Check back for applications to these annual and biannual opportunities.

  • The mission of the Studio 23 Visiting Artist Program, through selection of an annual visiting artist, is to enhance the experience of Art for our community via exposure to a greater diversity of artists, art media, and artistic styles.

    Application is open to artists of all media and styles, with preference for those that will meet the program’s mission of bringing more diversity to our community. Please see application below for application requirements, requirements of the selected artist, and details on funding.

    This opportunity is made possible by the C Joanne Grabinski Visiting Artist Fund.

    Application to the Studio 23 Visiting Artist Program will become available again in 2026.

  • Students, Faculty, and The 100 Day Project members of Studio 23 are invited to submit up to five pieces of artwork for Painters and Potters 2025 exhibit. Must have been enrolled in a class between July 2025 - July 2026. All artwork must have been created during that time and not exhibited in Painters and Potters before.

    Registration for Painters & Potters has passed and will be available again in 2026.

  • 50 Artists of the Great Lakes Bay Region is a bi-annual juried exhibition which showcases the works of 50 artists who live and/or work in the Michigan counties of Saginaw, Bay, Midland, Isabella, Gratiot, Clare, Gladwin, and Arenac. Each of the 50 artists featured in this exhibit is also included in our Art Around the City project. Art Around the City is an outdoor exhibition that you can view in Downtown and Uptown Bay City, Veterans Park, and Bigelow Park around the Bay City Railtrail.

    Deadline for entry has passed. Application for 50 Artists of the Great Lakes Bay Region and Art Around the City will be available again in 2027.

  • This juried exhibition shines a spotlight on the current artwork created by artists from across the state of Michigan. The body of work displayed is an energetic blend of abstraction and realism from our state’s talented and accomplished artists.

    Michigan artists 18 years of age or older are invited to enter MI Artists All-State Juried Exhibition at Studio 23/The Arts Center. Applicants may enter up to three pieces of work for consideration.

    MI Artists will return to Studio 23 in 2026.