Call for artists to be a part of the Portal Shanty! Design a work of art, an experience, or share your knowledge in a 12” x 12” x 12” space
Art Shanty Projects is a four-weekend winter art festival on a frozen Lake Harriet/Bde Unma in Minneapolis. Artists are selected to create temporary structures and interactive, engaging art experiences and performances, turning a barren, frozen lake into a vibrant, colorful winter village.
We are one of the 2022 Art Shanties! Our shanty is called The Portals. It will be a shanty village made up of three to five structures. Each structure will be covered with doors, or Portals. Once opened, they reveal very different ideas and experiences. Each of the Portals encourages the visitors to explore, experience, and share their reactions and observations within their group. The Portals may ask visitors to create something – a work of art, a train of thought, an expression of joy, or a moment of contemplation.
Each Portal will be programmed by a different artist - hopefully one of them is you!
This call is the first step in getting artists involved. Here’s how that will work:
Requests to participate are on a rolling basis, but finished pieces need to be done by mid December
Participating artists can pick up a 1’ x 1’ x 1’ box (a Portal) on November 1st and work on it in their home studios throughout November.
Portals will be returned on December 1st and assembled into structures.
The Art Shanty program takes place on the ice for four weekends between January 15th and February 6th.
Yes! I’d like to be part of the Portals Art Shanty! APPLY NOW!
(If the Google form doesn’t work for you, please reach out to us by email at gallery@cafac.org)
Important things to know:
A limited number of stipends of $50 are available for each project
Completed application forms are on a rolling basis
General questions can be answered by Jhyle at gallery@cafac.org
Feasibility questions can be answered by Heather at heather.doyle@cafac.org
There is no electricity available on the ice at Lake Harriet/Bde Unma
Wait. This sounds cool, but I don’t quite understand.
The Portals Shanty is a community within a community. Our goal is to amplify many voices, share multiple perspectives, and provide a variety of experiences.
When you approach the Portals Shanty, you will be directed to open a door. You won’t know what to expect behind that door, but maybe you’ll find:
Your own artwork in a tiny display
A cabinet full of musical instruments and ideas for a group song
Vials that contain the smells of winter – campfire, ice, pumpkin spice
A few experiences that kids will especially enjoy – act out a play with stuffed animals or blow bubbles specifically created for the cold
A story or experience to acknowledge those who were on this land and lake before us
A door for dogs, with treats and toys
OR ANYTHING ELSE THAT YOU CAN THINK OF!
Other things that could help the Portals Shanty be inclusive and representative and fun:
Translations into Indigenous, Spanish, Hmong, Somali or other languages; instructions in braille, pictures, or large type
Consider all five senses, varied ages of visitors, and different abilities
Create your portal with friends and family!
We want to share a sense of wonder as you open a door, not knowing what’s inside. And create the community that comes with a shared experience. Typically, Art Shanty visitors come in groups and the activities behind our doors will all encourage connection. Create together, solve together, play together.
Are you in?
Yes! I’d like to be part of the Portals Art Shanty!
Gratefully,
The Portals Shanty Team
ps. feel free to forward to anyone who you think would love to do this!!