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CALL FOR ART // 2025

Hey local artists! You could be one of four winners in the annual Art in the Door 2025 contest and win $2,000, plus have your work featured in Destination Door County’s marketing throughout the year. Check out all of the details and learn how to enter.


SUMMARY

Destination Door County is looking for 2D artwork submissions that celebrate the natural beauty and character of Door County’s beloved state parks, listed below. From sun-dappled shorelines to forested trails and breathtaking bluffs, each park offers a unique atmosphere waiting to be expressed through your creativity.


PROMPT - Choose one Door County state park to inspire your submission

  • Newport State Park
  • Peninsula State Park
  • Potawatomi State Park 
  • Rock Island State Park 
  • Whitefish Dunes State Park

Entry Fee: $0.00

AWARDS

Eight (8) finalists will be selected by a discerning jury, and their works will be displayed on Destination Door County’s social media channels and website to be voted on by the general public.

Each finalist will receive:

  • A highlight and recognition on the Destination Door County website

  • A care package of Destination Door County goodies

Winners: Four (4) pieces of original artwork will be selected through a public vote to represent Art in the Door in Destination Door County’s marketing for one year. 

Each winner will receive:

  • $2,000 payment for the original piece

  • A feature on the Destination Door County website & other owned media channels

  • The opportunity to be included in our artist-focused video series


COMPETITION TIMELINE

May 15 to June 30, 2025 • Call for artwork is open

June 30, 2025 11:59 PM CST • Digital artwork submission and application due at DoorCounty.com/artinthedoor  (Google Form)

July 31, 2025 • Finalists notified

August 4- August 8, 2025 • Public voting period on DoorCounty.com/artinthedoor 

August 13, 2025 • Announcement of the winners on Destination Door County’s Instagram

August 30, 2025 • Winning framed, original artworks due to Destination Door County 

September 8, 2025 • Live Auction on DDC website - need to confirm with Lightburn


COMPETITION GUIDELINES

  • Digital portfolio of up to 5 representative works will be accepted. All portfolio works must be dated 2020 or later. 

  • One of the entries must be noted in the file name as the artist’s single “Entry Piece” to be considered for judging. The entry piece MUST be clearly stated as such. **We will have to disqualify art if we do not clearly understand which is your entry piece for the competition.

  • An artist statement (max 500 words) and a short statement about the piece, including which Door County state park it represents and its relevance to the call (max 200 words) will be required. This is required only for the single piece being entered for judging.

  • Submissions to be considered by the jury must be an original, ready to hang (no metal frames), 2D, vertical (portrait format) or square with a minimum dimension of 8”x10”. Finished canvas edges are acceptable. 

  • Digital portfolios will be evaluated by a jury.

  • The jury will use the following criteria:

    • Artistic excellence and workmanship

    • Appropriateness of theme

    • Appropriateness for intended use on marketing materials

  • The winning artworks, including the frame, title and copyright, will become the property of Destination Door County.


COMPETITION REQUIREMENTS  

  • Artists must reside in Door County, Wisconsin

  • Artists must be ages 15+. For entrants under 18, a consent form signed by a parent or legal guardian will need to be signed if their entry is chosen as a finalist giving Destination Door County the right to use their name and likeness in advertising and marketing materials.

  • A parent or legal guardian will have to sign for the prize money for any winner under the age of 18.  

  • Accepted mediums include watercolor, oil, pastel, pencil, acrylic, collage, and multimedia.

  • Original artwork only, no prints or editions.

  • Original artwork must have a minimum size of 8"x10” and be in either a vertical (portrait) or square format.

  • The subject of the artwork must visually adhere to one of the state parks as stated in the summary above.

  • The initial digital submission must provide a clear indication of the final artwork.

  • No significant changes may be made to the artwork following digital submission. Any unapproved or significantly altered physical artwork will be disqualified.

  • Please clearly indicate which image you would like to be considered in the file name. Entry cannot contain trademark symbols, words, flags, or military or governmental insignia.

  • Winning artworks must be delivered ready to hang, with secure hanging hardware. No metal frames.