About the Winona Arts Center
A Place for People…A Home for Art
After seven women spent the summer of 1956 painting together at the Lake Park Lodge, they formed the Winona Art Group. These women planted the seed that was to grow into the Winona Arts Center, which became a non-profit 501-c3 organization in 1964. The Center’s historic 1864 structure, built when Abraham Lincoln was President, was the only non-school facility in the area devoted to the arts. The name was later changed to the Winona Arts Center to signify the inclusion of all art forms.
WAC is committed to increasing community awareness of the arts by featuring work of visual artists, providing space for performances, readings, films and encouraging participation in workshops, demonstrations, and classes for children and adults in our community.
For the benefit of both art enthusiasts and artists, the upper level of the building contains the Frances Prentiss Lucas Gallery, performance stage and screening area. The Arts Centers’ lower level houses a studio for classes including the RiverBed Press print studio, and our administrative office.
The Winona Arts Center (WAC) is now accepting applications for our Community Showcase which takes place Sunday, October 11, 2026 through Sunday, November 22, 2026. The opening exhibit is Sunday, October 11, 2026, 1:00pm – 4:00pm. The Community Showcase opening day also includes the sixth Sunday of our Seven Sundays Art & Music Series at WAC, which includes live music from 2:30-4:00pm. Additionally this Sunday will showcase the capstone event of our Seven Sundays series titled “Fall into Art,” featuring fall bloom art by 6 regional floral artists.
Artist applications will be accepted between July 27, 2026 through September 27, 2026. An artist detail form must be attached to each piece (the back side for wall art). This form is included on the application.
Timeline
- July 27 – September 27, 2026: Accepting applications for Community Showcase
- September 27, 2026: 3-5pm, drop off date for art pieces
- October 4, 2026: 3-5pm, drop off date for art pieces
*if one of these dates does not work, you can schedule an appointment via email - October 11, 2026: Exhibit opening
- November 22, 2026: Exhibit final date
- November 23, 2026: Load out / pick up remaining artwork at WAC
Contact information for questions:
Winona Arts Center
(507) 453-9959
228 East Fifth Street, Winona MN 55987
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://winonaarts.org/
WAC does not accept shipped in artwork; the artist must be available to deliver and pick up their exhibited art. Your artwork must be professionally finished, for wall art that means framing if appropriate, and wire on the back, which is necessary for hanging.
Eligibility
Open to all artists. Work chosen for a show must have been created by the artist within the past 2 years. All artwork must be original works of art and no copies. Artwork must be for sale unless otherwise agreed upon with the Exhibit Committee.
Sales
Winona Arts Center will manage all artwork sales, including collection and payment of sales tax. Artists receive 75% of artwork sales price, WAC retains a 25% commission. Purchased artwork remains in the exhibition until the show closes.
Application Process
Complete the application online and upload your images. Refer any questions to [email protected]
If you are interested in submitting a photo of your artwork for consideration to be shown on the postcard and/or social media and press releases, please email in .jpg format at 72 dpi resolution, saved as: LastName_FistName_Title_Medium_Dimensions_Price