Artist Opportunities

Black & White Affair Art Auction and Gallery Exhibit

Seeking Artist Donations

Deadline to Apply: August 10, 2025

On Display August 23 - September 13 , 2025

The 24th annual Black & White Affair benefiting Studio 23/The Arts Center is a fundraising tradition that is known for the high quality art auction and 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 major fundraiser will feature two opportunities to bid on artwork:

  • We will continue our virtual art auction, available to everyone from August 23 - September 13.

  • A select number of artworks will be held for an exclusive pen-and-paper silent auction held during the Black & White Affair event.

Artwork featured in the virtual auction will also be displayed in the Tabor Gallery of Studio 23. Artwork reserved for silent auction may be held 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.

Follow the link here for registration and full details.

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 2023 - July 2024. 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.