Category Archives: Blog

Coronavirus effecting Gallery Events and Exhibits

MICA had  great plans for this year to seek out new artists using a Themed format with our Call For Artists as shown on our page here:

http://www.micagallery.org/events/calls-for-artists-mica-gallery-2020

This was slated to begin in May but due to the Coronavirus State of Emergency restrictions we’ve had to put things on hold. We are still seeking to develop a list of artists so that we may pursue this plan in the future. So by all means, if you are an artist, consider filling out the form and submitting your information.

Moving Forward

We are looking at the feasibility of doing online virtual events.  Especially as an alternative for our local JazzFest and BluesFest performers that have taken part in these favorite summer festival events over the years.

Meanwhile we are in the process of submitting grants and developing new promotional brochures and booklets to use in seeking sponsors to support MICA operations.  We would really appreciate the help of our patrons and past participants in disseminating this information and encouraging others to make  donations in support of our efforts.

MICA’s mission – to create open spaces where people can come together, meet old friends, make new friends, and in the context of the arts take action to bring about positive community transformation.

We are also working on our websites to update them to meet the new Internet security requirements that have evolved over the last 2 years. The Michigan BluesFest and JazzFest sights require a complete rebuild. We are seeking volunteers to assist us in the project of collecting in an organized manner as much as possible of the catalog of information and images of the many artistic works and performances that have occurred over the years. If you or someone you know is willing to volunteer and gain experience in working on a major web design project please have them contact us at mica@micharts.org

When will MICA Gallery Reopen?

Michigan Governor Whitmer has issued 102 executive orders so far. Buried in the latest orders are details about which sectors can reopen – with new precautions.

The MI Safe Start plan – A plan to Re-Engage Michigan’s Economy  is a 15 page PDF file  which can be found here:

https://www.michigan.gov/documents/whitmer/MI_SAFE_START_PLAN_689875_7.pdf

On page 2 you will find an outline that shows 6 phases.  Conditions will likely need to be in the 5th phase with good potential to reach phase 6 for opening to the public.  At the time of this publication we are in phase 3.

Following is a link to an interactive web page that is tracking the risk phases of COVID-19 indicators called the MI Safe Start Map

https://www.mistartmap.info/

We can use this to monitor what is going on in various regions of the state to help determine when we are on the path to open for the public thou keep in mind that there will likely be new limitations on the number of people that can attend events.

Calls For Artists: MICA Gallery Themed Exhibits

To submit your application http://www.micagallery.org/submissions click here Indicate which month’s event you are submitting for.

NOTICE: Corona virus restrictions has required us to cancel and  reschedule some planned exhibitions and events. However, we will continue to accept Artist Submissions as listed below with the plan to schedule these themed events when allowed.

MAY: Graduating College Students Exhibition

Title: “A Fresh View: Graduating Artists of Michigan”
Entry Deadline: Wednesday, April 1st @ 5:00pm

Description:
The MICA Gallery of Old Town Lansing, MI announces a Call for Artists for graduating seniors attending a Michigan University or educational institution to submit to our juried exhibition, “A Fresh View: Graduating Artists of Michigan.” Michigan-based artists working in all media are welcome to submit. MICA Gallery seeks to exhibit works of artists emerging into the Michigan arts scene that encompasses the culmination of their education and training in the Fine Arts.

JUNE: LGBTQ+ Pride Show Exhibit

Title: “Colors of Pride”
Entry Deadline: Saturday, April 18th @ 5:00pm

Description:
The MICA Gallery of Old Town Lansing, MI announces a Call for Artists for works with a theme depicting the observance of Pride Month. Exhibits displayed in the gallery are works of emerging Michigan-based artists working in all media types. Accepted submissions will be displayed at our juried exhibition, “Colors of Pride.”

JULY: Cultures Around the World (non-Western artworks)

Title: “Cultures Around the World”
Entry Deadline: Saturday, May 16th @ 5:00pm

Description:
The MICA Gallery of Old Town Lansing, MI announces a Call for Artists for our juried “Cultures Around the World” exhibit. Michigan-based artists working in all media are welcome to submit. MICA Gallery seeks to bring representation to ways of creating fine artworks from drawing inspiration from cultures around the world.

AUGUST: Music

Title: “And the Beat Goes On: Jazz Edition”
Entry Deadline: Saturday, June 20th @ 5:00pm

Descripton:
The MICA Gallery of Old Town Lansing, MI announces a Call for Artists for our juried “And the Beat Goes On” exhibit. Michigan-based artists working in all media are welcome to submit. With the Lansing JazzFest taking place right outside our doors, MICA Gallery is catching the groove and exhibiting music-themed works for the month of August! Preference will be given to works that explore the themes surrounding the culture and music of the Jazz genre.

SEPTEMBER: Music

Title” “And the Beat Goes On: Blues Edition”
Entry Deadline: Saturday, July 18th @ 5:00pm

Description:
The MICA Gallery of Old Town Lansing, MI announces a Call for Artists for our juried “And the Beat Goes On” exhibit. Michigan-based artists working in all media are welcome to submit. With the Michigan BluesFest taking place right outside our doors, MICA Gallery is swaying along with the beat and exhibiting music-themed works for the month of September! Preference will be given to works that explore the culture and music of the Blues genre.

OCTOBER: Wildlife Art

Title: “Leave Only Footprints (and Brushstrokes!) Behind”
Entry Deadline: Saturday, August 15th @ 5:00pm

Description:
The MICA Gallery of Old Town Lansing, MI announces a Call for Artists for our juried Wildlife Artwork exhibit, titled “Leave Only Footprints (and Brushstrokes!) Behind”. Michigan-based artists working in all media are welcome to submit. MICA Gallery seeks to celebrate the sublime beauty of our natural world through the lens of Fine Arts.

NOVEMBER: Mixed Media Show

Title: “Visual & Actual Space”
Entry Deadline: Saturday, September 19th @ 5:00pm

Description:
The MICA Gallery of Old Town Lansing, MI announces a Call for Artists for our juried “Visual & Actual Space” exhibit. Michigan-based artists working in all media are welcome to submit. MICA Gallery seeks to bring a wide array of media dealing with both 3D “actual” space and 2D “visual” space together, to examine the different ways artists can utilize and manipulate our perception in their work.

DECEMBER: MICA Gallery Holiday Show 2020

Title: “MICA Gallery Holiday Show 2020”
Entry Deadline: Saturday, November 1st @ 5:00pm

Description:
The MICA Gallery of Old Town Lansing, MI announces a Call for Artists for our juried “MICA Gallery Holiday Show 2020.” Michigan-based artists working in all media are welcome to submit fine art pieces that are priced at or below $250. MICA Gallery seeks to bring the works of local artists under the tree this year, with an array of Michigan-made fine art pieces.

To submit your application http://www.micagallery.org/submissions click here Indicate which month’s event you are submitting for.