Starry Night
Deadline: August 12 at 11:59pm CT
Call Details
The Dakota Center for the Arts (DCA), producers of the Eagan Art Festival, invites Dakota County visual artists to submit finished work for a featured exhibition during Eagan Art House’s Starry Night Soirée on Friday, 28! Join us as a featured artist during a community-wide evening celebrating the summer season, complete with live music, hands-on art-making, and local treats. We are looking for artists of all experience levels to share their personal interpretation of a "starry night."
The Theme: What does a "starry night" mean to you?
We are seeking your personal interpretation of what a starry night is or feels like. We are not looking for Van Gogh tributes, replicas, or swirling blue-and-yellow copycats (unless that happens to be your authentic personal style!). Whether your piece is a literal nocturnal landscape over Dakota County, an abstract exploration of light and darkness, a quiet atmospheric photograph, a celestial ceramic, or a moody textile—we want to showcase your unique artistic voice.
Who Can Submit: Visual artists living, working, or creating in Dakota County (emerging to established).
Accepted Mediums: Open to all ready-to-show visual arts, including painting, woodwork, metalwork, drawing, textile, fiber arts, paper arts, glasswork, ceramics/pottery, sculpture, printmaking, mixed media, book arts, photography, etc. (Digital art MAY be considered depending on equipment capabilities at the venue, but cannot be guaranteed).
Existing Works Encouraged: Because of the short turnaround time, we strongly encourage you to submit a completed piece from your existing portfolio.
Family-Friendly Curation: This is a family-friendly event featuring attendees of all ages. Please ensure that all exhibited work is original, appropriate, and accessible to all ages.
PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS & BENEFITS
Artwork Preparation: All pieces must be finished and ready for display/hanging.
Artist Presence: Selected artists MUST be present at the exhibition on Friday, August 28, from 5:00 PM – 8:30 PM. Our audience loves getting to know the artists, and our focus is sharing the personal stories behind the art!
Fee: $0
Artist Benefits: Selected artists will be featured on the DCA website with interactive QR codes placed alongside their work at the show, as well as opportunities for various awards including Vox Populi (People’s Choice) and other recognitions during the event.
KEY DATES & EXHIBITION DETAILS
Submission Deadline: Wednesday, August 12, 2026 at 11:59 pm
Jury Notifications: Monday, August 17, 2026
Exhibition Event: Friday, August 28, 2026 | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Location: Eagan Art House, 3981 Lexington Ave S, Eagan, MN 55123
SELECTION PROCESS
Submissions will be evaluated by a local jury seeking a diverse showcase of artistic styles, mediums, and backgrounds across Dakota County. Final selection decisions will also depend on the physical display equipment available at the Eagan Art House for this exhibition.
HOW TO SUBMIT
Please submit your application by August 12, 2026.
Include a high-resolution photo of your artwork, dimensions, medium, title, and brief responses to the following standard submission questions:
The Inspiration: What is the story behind this piece, and how does it express your personal vision or feeling of a "starry night"?
Your Process: What materials, techniques, or moments shaped the creation of this work?
Your Dakota County Connection: How has living, working or creating in Dakota County influenced your journey as an artist?
*If there are barriers to this application being completed online, please contact us at events@eaganartfestival.org.