Artist Opportunities

Call for Artists: Exhibit Your Work in the Williston City Commission Room

In partnership with the City of Williston, the James Memorial Art Center is pleased to announce an open call for local and regional artists to submit original artwork for display in the Williston City Commission room.

This is a unique opportunity to showcase your work in a prominent public space. All artwork selected will be on display for a four-month rotation period:

• July – October

• November – February

• March – June

Submission Deadlines:

• February 15

• June 15

• October 15

Guidelines:

• Artists may submit up to 2 pieces per cycle.

• Artwork must be ready to hang with sufficient hanging hardware.

• Artwork can be no larger than 3x4 feet, framed.

• Depending on the size of the selected works, 3–6 pieces will be chosen for each rotation.

• All artwork must remain on display for the full rotation, even if sold.

• Artwork may be for sale — artists will retain 100% of the sale price.

• Artists must provide the title, Framed dimensions, medium, and price (if for sale) with each submission.

• ARTWORK THAT IS RELEVANT TO NORTH DAKOTA (OR THE REGION) AND THE SEASON OF DISPLAY WILL BE GIVEN GREATER CONSIDERATION.

We encourage artists working in all styles and mediums to apply. This collaboration is part of our ongoing effort to bring art into public spaces and support the creative community of Williston.

For questions, please contact the James Memorial Art Center at JmpsWilliston@gmail.com or 701-774-3601. For submissions, hit the button below!

Let your art become part of the everyday conversation at City Hall!

The James Memorial Art Center is currently booking exhibits for 2026 in both galleries.

The James Memorial Art Center strives to offer art opportunities for local and regional artists as an integral piece of our mission: To share art and culture with the community of Williston, North Dakota while preserving the historic building known as The James Memorial Art Center. 

The James Memorial Art Center places great importance on featuring both up-and-coming artists and experienced local and regional artists for several key reasons that reflect the center's commitment to fostering a dynamic, inclusive, and evolving art community.

Support for Emerging Talent: By showcasing up-and-coming artists, the James Memorial Art Center provides a vital platform for new voices in the art world. Emerging artists often struggle to gain visibility and recognition, and the center’s commitment to highlighting their work helps propel their careers. It offers them an opportunity to present their fresh perspectives, experimental techniques, and innovative ideas to a broader audience.

Featuring experienced local and regional artists allows the James Memorial Art Center to celebrate the depth of artistic growth and skill that exists within the community. These seasoned artists often have years of experience that inform their work, and their inclusion provides a rich, multifaceted narrative of the local and regional art scenes. Their work can inspire emerging artists, while also sparking conversations about the evolution of art and culture within the region.

Fostering Dialogue and Collaboration: The combination of emerging and established artists creates an environment ripe for dialogue and collaboration. When new and experienced artists interact, it fosters cross-generational conversations about techniques, inspirations, and artistic journeys. This exchange not only enriches the creative process but also strengthens the community’s shared cultural understanding.

By emphasizing both up-and-coming and experienced artists, the center ensures that a broad range of artistic styles, mediums, and perspectives are represented. This diversity enriches the overall experience for visitors, offering them a wide array of artistic expressions from different points on the artistic journey. Whether through the bold, experimental work of emerging artists or the refined, often more contemplative pieces of seasoned creators, the center encourages an appreciation for art in all its forms.

Community Engagement and Cultural Enrichment: Featuring a variety of artists contributes to the cultural vibrancy of the community. Local and regional artists, whether emerging or established, often have deep ties to the area, and their work reflects the nuances, stories, and identity of the region. By engaging with these artists, the James Memorial Art Center helps to preserve and celebrate local culture, while also fostering a sense of pride and connection within the community.

Ultimately, the James Memorial Art Center's dedication to showcasing both emerging and experienced artists underscores its belief in the transformative power of art. By supporting a diverse array of artists, the center enriches the local art scene, stimulates creative expression, and creates a space for growth, discovery, and cultural dialogue.