The Mestizo Institute of Culture and Arts (MICA) invites artists to participate in Vanishing Waters, Rising Voices, a multidisciplinary event combining visual art, performance art, and community dialogue to raise awareness about the conditions of the Great Salt Lake and the communities affected by its decline. This event will take place at Mestizo Arts Gallery, located at The Gateway (95 S. Rio Grande Street, Salt Lake City, Utah), from May 16 to June 21, 2025. Special events and receptions are currently being scheduled.
We are seeking visual and performance artists to create new work and contribute to this crucial conversation, with a specific focus on amplifying voices from BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and other historically marginalized communities. MICA’s mission is to highlight diverse perspectives while offering financial resources to support participating artists.
MICA is proud to be one of 12 local artists and organizations selected to participate in Wake the Great Salt Lake, a temporary art project supported by the Salt Lake City Arts Council, the Salt Lake City Mayor’s Office, and the Bloomberg Philanthropies Public Art Challenge. The project aims to raise awareness about the decline of the Great Salt Lake by showcasing several temporary public artworks created by a diverse group of local, regional, and internationally recognized artists. These works are designed to engage and educate the public on the challenges facing the lake, inspiring both residents and visitors to take action.
Visual Arts Open Call
The Vanishing Waters, Rising Voices exhibition will run for six weeks, featuring works that explore critical topics such as:
- Water conservation
- Air quality and pollution
- Industry and the economy
- Ecology and ecosystems
- Cultural heritage and identity
- Climate anxiety
Artists are encouraged to use recycled, found, or natural materials in their work to reflect the themes of sustainability and environmental impact.
Important Dates:
- Open Call Begins: January 21, 2025
- Submission Deadline: February 21, 2025
Selected artists will be notified by March 15, 2025. Works will be displayed during the exhibition’s six-week run at Mestizo Arts Gallery. Funds from works sold during the exhibition will be split to support the artist 40%, the Mestizo Gallery 40%, and a non-profit organization working on the preservation of Great Salt Lake 20%.
Performance Arts Opportunities
During the opening and closing receptions, performance artists will enhance the exhibit’s messaging through dance, poetry, and physical performance, in collaboration with local activist groups:
- SISTER SLC will curate a lineup of LGBTQ+ and BIPOC poets to share works reflecting on these pressing issues.
- Plumas Colectiva will create a physical performance exploring the impact on wildlife and ecosystems dependent on the Great Salt Lake.
Submission Guidelines for Visual Artists
MICA is looking for artist proposals, each selected artist will be awarded a making stipend to create a new work for the exhibition. Old work is accepted but must be discussed in depth with MICA curators. Upon selection artists will be notified and awarded their making stipend as well as have an opportunity to discuss with MICA’s curatorial team the artwork submission and technicalities.
- Eligibility: Open to all artists, with special outreach to BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and marginalized communities.
- Mediums: Visual art in any form, with a preference for works incorporating recycled, found, or natural materials.
- Submission Requirements:
- Artist bio and statement (250 words max)
- Up to 5 high-resolution images of work or project proposals
- Description of the submitted work (including dimensions, materials, and relevance to exhibition themes)
- Contact information
Apply Here by Friday, February 21, 2025.
Join Us in Amplifying This Urgent Message
MICA is proud to partner with Wake the Great Salt Lake, SISTER SLC, Plumas Colectiva, and other local activist groups to foster a community-centered conversation on the decline of the Great Salt Lake. This event centers the voices and stories of those most impacted by this crisis, celebrating the power of art as a catalyst for change.
For more information, contact mestizoartsslc@gmail.com. We look forward to seeing your powerful contributions to this important dialogue.
