Call for Art! Due January 31
The River Speaks: Art of the Estuary
The St. Louis River Alliance invites artists and community members to take part in The River Speaks: Art of the Estuary, a community 2D art exhibition celebrating the deep ecological, cultural, and personal connections people hold with the St. Louis River Estuary. This exhibition will be hosted throughout March 2026 at Wussow’s Concert Café.
Not a 2D artist? No problem! Come support and share…
On Thursday, March 5 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. we will celebrate the opening of The River Speaks: Art of the Estuary. Meet artists and experience this community-centered exhibition honoring our shared watershed.
Following the reception, stay for an Open Mic Night featuring river-inspired poems, music, and stories. All ages, experience levels, and creative voices are welcome. There will be a first come, first served sign-up available on site and each artist will have 5-minute performance slots.
Call for Art Proposals
Art Submission Deadline: January 31, 2026
Artist Notification: Early February
Artwork Drop-off: Early March (details provided upon acceptance)
Opening Reception & Open Mic: March 5, 2026
Exhibition Dates: March 1-31, 2026
Location: Wussow’s Concert Café (324 N Central Ave, Duluth, MN)
General Information
Artists are invited to submit existing 2D visual artwork inspired by the St. Louis River Estuary—its landscapes, wildlife, history, communities, and restoration efforts. Submissions may be literal or abstract, personal or ecological.
A full Call for Art Proposal document is available as a PDF with complete submission guidelines. Learn more & submit artwork
Exhibition Themes
Artists are encouraged to explore one or more of the following themes:
St. Louis River History
Community Connections
Stories of the River
Landscapes and Ecology
Restoration and Environmental Concerns.
Who Can Apply
Open to artists of all backgrounds, ages, and experience levels
Emerging, established, and student artists welcome
Regional artists working in any 2D visual medium (painting, photography, mixed media, fiber, digital art, printmaking, and more)
Individual artists, teams, and collaborative groups welcome
Artists under 18 must have parent/guardian consent
Artwork Details (At a Glance)
Existing work completed prior to submission
Maximum size: 24” x 32”, ready to hang with wire backing
Artists may submit up to 3 images (1 artwork will be selected)
All submissions collected through an online form
About the Hosts
St. Louis River Alliance
A community-based organization dedicated to protecting, restoring, and connecting the community to the St. Louis River and its watershed through education, events, and community partnerships.
Lake Superior Headwaters Sustainability Partnership
This event is supported through generous financial contributions from the Lake Superior Headwaters Sustainability Partnership, a collaborative group connecting over 80 individuals from 30 different agencies, organizations, local governments, and tribal entities to intentionally work to protect, restore, and steward the natural resources of the St. Louis River Estuary and surrounding watersheds towards a vision of a thriving estuary landscape and community.
Wussow’s Concert Café
A beloved Duluth gathering space supporting local artists, musicians, and creatives, featuring rotating monthly gallery exhibitions.
Questions?
Alyssa Johnson
Project Manager, St. Louis River Alliance
Outreach@StLouisRiver.org
