Midwest
What does the Midwest mean to you?
Paint Creek Center for the Arts invites artists to reflect on their own experiences and interpretations of the Midwest. Draw inspiration from midwestern culture, community, and your own lived moments that define the true spirit of the region. Artwork may explore themes such as resilience, nostalgia, labor, isolation, community, and more. Whether it’s the sweeping landscapes, rich history, blue-collar grit, or quiet stillness of a rural town, we want to see the Midwest through your eyes.
Dates
Applications Open: October 16, 2025
Application Deadline: January 25, 2026
Acceptance Announcements: February 6, 2026
Artwork Drop-Off: February 23 – March 8, 2026
Opening Reception: March 20, 2026 from 5pm – 8pm
Final Day of Show: April 9, 2026
Artwork Pick-Up: April 13 – 26, 2026
Sponsors
Reception Sponsors
Teckla Rhoads, PCCA Board President
Applications
Applications closed on January 25, 2026.
Featured Artists
Emily Adelman
Suzanne Allen
Sandra Anderson
Cassidy Barnett
Robert Bridenbaugh
Rob Burnard
Diana Carnahan
Winnie Chrzanowski
Kevin Clifford
Reyna Colombo
Kayla Cooper
Kathleen Doyle
Mirela Durakovic
Douglas Elbinger
Karen Elder
Laura Gabriel
Garth Glazier
Joel Grgurich
Bryan Grose
Beth Guest
Christina Haylett
Ryan Herberholz
Denice Hildebrandt
Paul Hilpert
Nancy Hirsch
Trish Houtteman
Nicole Jendrusina
Donna Kraft
Albert Krakosky III
Maggie Laycock
Ty Lentz
Angela Lewis
Betsy Marsh
Sarah Maynard
Donna Mazur-Abeare
Dave McDermott
Madison Memering
Scott Newport
Andrea Novak
Rebecca Roberts
John Ryan
Jarie Saad Ruddy
Marusa Sanchez Ruiz
Janet Sandison
Olivia Schmick
Gary Sevek
Jackie Shields
Carolyn Shoemaker
Lyn Sieffert
Amy Smith
Carol Socks-Parker
Iggy Sumnik
Jill Teats
Sharon Toms
James Williams
Suzanne Wilson
Susan Young
Ruth Zarger
Selection Process
Submissions will be juried by PCCA’s current exhibition committee members. Committee members review all entries via slideshow and submit their individual scores for each piece. Artwork is randomly presented in the slideshow, with the following information displayed alongside the image: title, size, medium, artist statement about the work. Once all scores have been submitted, the highest scoring artwork will be accepted for display.
Artwork that does not meet the Exhibit Submission Requirements will not be accepted into the exhibit. Artwork that scores an average of two (2) or lower is automatically declined for display.
Artists whose work is accepted into the exhibit will receive an email with an artist packet (contract, inventory sheet) and a list of accepted artwork on February 6, 2026. Artist names will also be featured on the exhibition web page, along with the monitor outside the gallery entrance.
If your work is accepted, you will receive an acceptance letter (email body) along with an artist packet that includes a contract for display and exhibit inventory sheet. These documents must be completed and returned to PCCA no later than the time of artwork delivery.
All accepted works must arrive to PCCA between February 23 and March 8. Work that does not arrive by the deadline will not be included in the exhibition.
Artists must bring only the accepted artwork to the gallery for the exhibition. PCCA will not accept or display any work that was not part of the jury process for selection or was not accepted into the exhibit.
Accepted artwork must be ready for display at the time of art drop off. PCCA follows a strict NO WET WORK policy for exhibitions. Wet paintings or clay, frames without hanging wire, broken hanging wire, broken frames, etc., will not be accepted by PCCA staff. Please contact Catherine Gillespie at [email protected] if you have any questions or concerns about displaying your accepted artwork.
Sales, Commission, and Pickup
All artists may choose whether or not to list their work for sale during the exhibition. This decision, along with the price that you determine for your piece, will not effect the selection process.
If your artwork is listed for sale, you must complete a Michigan w9, if one has not previously been completed, for PCCA to issue payment. PCCA will follow up directly if your artwork sells.
PCCA keeps a 30% commission on pieces sold by our members, and a 40% commission on pieces sold by non-members. Membership dues are non-refundable and must be purchased prior to the opening reception. Membership commission rates will not be retroactively applied when a membership is purchased after a sale has already been made. Click here to purchase a membership today.
Unsold artwork will be available for pick up by the artist or an artist’s representative April 23-26, 2026. Any work that is not claimed 30 days after the final day of the exhibition may be considered abandoned and become the property of PCCA.
Opening Reception
Our opening receptions serve as an opportunity for artists to invite friends and family, while socializing with other art enthusiasts in our community. The opening reception for Midwest will take place on Friday, March 20, 2026 from 5pm – 8pm. PCCA staff will make brief announcements at 6pm.
Attendance is free to the public. PCCA will provide light refreshments. Featured artists will receive a nametag to wear during the exhibition.
Attendees can purchase any of the art listed for sale during the opening reception and throughout the duration of the show. Find a PCCA staff member in the building to notify them that you’d like to make a purchase.
Parking is available but limited along Pine Street outside of PCCA. Free parking is also available at Rochester Municipal Park, a short walk north of our building. Parking at the deck at 4th Street and Walnut is free for the first hour and $1.25 for each additional hour. ATTENDEES OF THE RECEPTION SHOULD NOT park in the lots of neighboring businesses, or on the lawn at PCCA.