Submissions open for 80th Art Annual exhibit

The Neville Public Museum is accepting submissions now through Aug. 28 for its 80th Art Annual — an all-media, juried exhibition of current artworks produced by artists living in the counties of Northeast Wisconsin and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

The Art Annual exhibition began in the 1940s and has, for the past eight decades, celebrated local artists and provided an avenue for them to exhibit their work.

“The director at the time, Earl Wright, decided it would be a wise idea to have a juried art competition in Northeast Wisconsin…” said Beth Kowalski, executive director at the Neville. “It was a way for artists to submit artwork and be selected by a juror outside of the area and then we’d have their artwork on display.”

And over the years, the Neville Public Museum has been purchasing art from the Art Annual exhibit to build its permanent collection.

“As part of that, the Neville has been purchasing from the show pretty much on an annual basis, so it reflects our permanent art collection of about 2,500-2,800 pieces of art…” Kowalski said. “Our mission includes history, science and art. So by acquiring contemporary art, it allows future us to be able to utilize that art in a meaningful way, learn from it, understand it and see what was happening at the time that it was created.”

All work submitted to the 80th Art Annual should be completed within the last two years, ensuring the exhibit will feature contemporary art and reflect the artists’ current experiences.

“Contemporary art is sometimes a sign of what’s happening in our lives and in our community,” Kowalski said. “Sometimes it’s a reflection of what’s happening at a national level or a state level in Wisconsin and how artists are reacting or working through their creative process.”

This year’s exhibit will be juried by Scott Epeseth, a professor of art at Beloit College.

Financial prizes will be awarded for first, second and third place, as well as an honorable mention, and the winning artist will also be granted the opportunity to hold a solo-directed exhibit in the museum’s Community Room.

“New in 2025-26, the first place artist will have a window of time to utilize our Community Room space for a solo show or a collaborative show — something they can help curate with our exhibition manager,” said Kowalski.

The complete guidelines for submission, as well as instructions for submitting artwork for consideration can be found at nevillepublicmuseum.org/plan-your-visit/exhibits/upcoming-exhibits/80th-art-annual/.