Artist Opportunities
Black & White Affair
Virtual Art Auction 2026
Virtual Art Auction Gallery Exhibit
Join us as we celebrate the 25th annual Black & White Affair benefiting Studio 23/The Arts Center! The Black & White Affair Art Auction is a fundraising tradition that is known for high quality art and as a gallery showcase for regional artists. This is an opportunity to grow your visibility in the community of art collectors in the Great Lakes Bay Region while helping to support Studio 23 in our mission of making the arts relevant and accessible to all.
This year's virtual fundraiser will focus on small works, with a size limit of 20" on the longest side for 2D and 3D artwork.
Artwork featured in the virtual auction will also be displayed in the Tabor Gallery of Studio 23. Artwork may be reserved for silent auction at the Black & White Affair and displayed separately. Placement of artwork is at the discretion of Studio 23 staff.
Artists donating one artwork for the Black & White Affair art auction will have the option of presenting another piece of artwork for sale at the usual gallery split of 60% to artist and 40% to Studio 23 (listed as "Buy it now" artwork). All "Buy it now" artwork will be included on the virtual art auction webpage.
Deadline to register is Sunday, November 15, 2026, or until space is filled. Space is limited, so please apply early.
Making Impressions
A Printmaking Showcase
On display January 21-February 27, 2027
Studio 23/The Arts Center is celebrating the diverse art of printmaking with an exhibition to kick off 2027! We are looking for a wide range of techniques, methods, and styles to create a well-rounded representation of the medium. Artists are invited to apply with up to five (5) images to be considered for exhibition.
Follow to link here for application and full details.
Deadline for entry is December 6, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.
Artist will be notified of acceptance or decline by December 22, 2026.
Please email Amy at agibas@studio23baycity.org with any questions.
Member Artist Chats
Members of Studio 23 are invited to present a casual artist talk or demonstration to fellow artists and Studio members.
Presentations will be scheduled in 15- and 30-minute intervals and registration is open to members of Studio 23.
Artist lectures will take place in the gallery beginning at 5:30 p.m. followed by casual conversation from 6 to 6:30 p.m.
Artists are encouraged to bring family and friends, and to bring artwork and prints to sell through the Studio.
Presentations are open to the public with a special invitation sent to members of Studio 23.
For available dates and to schedule a presentation, follow the link here.
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 upcoming productions.
Click here to check out the Season 109 schedule!
For more information on productions, visit baycityplayers.org.
Studio 23 Collegiate Spotlight
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 exhibition will install artwork under the guidance of Studio 23's curator of exhibits, gaining valuable hands-on experience in a gallery setting.
The following date ranges are available for Collegiate Spotlight exhibits at Studio 23 in 2027.
February 19 - March 20, 2027
May 14 - June 12, 2027
June 25 - July 24, 2027
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.
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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.
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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.
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Studio 23 hosts six exhibits per year, including solo, group, and juried and student exhibitions. We are currently planning for the 2027 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
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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.
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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 2027.
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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 will be available again in 2026.
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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.
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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.