CoPA + Art★Bar | 2026 - CoPA Milwaukee

Sunshine, Lollipops & Rainbows

Doorway to the Light Discovered, Jack Kleinman

CoPA + Art★Bar 2026 Juried Exhibition | July 10 – August 26

Opening Reception: Friday, July 10 | 5:30 PM

Comments and awards | 7 PM

“In photography there is a reality so subtle that it becomes more real than reality.” — Alfred Stieglitz

Don’s challenge invites the most compelling creative voices to pause, observe, and respond to the mundane.

As photographers, we live in the light—
in the shadows cast, the contrast invoked, and the quiet moments revealed. We are attuned to the subtleties others pass by: the glow of a sunrise, the fade of a sunset, the softness of bokeh, the fleeting arc of a rainbow, the geometry of reflected light, the stillness of shadow. These are not rare phenomena, but daily occurrences—often overlooked, yet rich with possibility.

“It isn’t until we stop and look that the moment becomes significant—because of the creative eye.” – Don Krause

PRIZES

Don’s Prize: $100 in gift cards to Art★Bar, Wonderland, and Two Bar
CoPA Board Prize: 1-year membership to CoPA Milwaukee

ENTRY OPEN | Wednesday, April 1 | 12P

ENTRY CLOSE | Sunday, May 10 | 11P

NOTIFICATIONS

Artists will be notified by Monday, May 18, via email provided on the entry form, and will be listed on the event post. These are the only forms of notification that will be issued for selections juried into the exhibition.

SUBMISSION CRITERIA

By submitting to this exhibition/competition, you agree to meet the exhibition criteria as explained below and to be responsible for the delivery and collection of your work within the appointed dates and times.

CoPA and Art★Bar reserve the right to disqualify images that condone hate speech, racism, and gratuitous violence.

By submitting work, you agree to allow the use of your submitted images for promotional purposes.

SUBMISSION SPECIFICATIONS AND RULES

Final Selections must be “Gallery Ready” for exhibition and sale as follows:

You must be a CoPA member to participate in this exhibition.
There is an entry fee of $10.
CoPA Members may submit up to five (5) entries.
Work may not have previously shown in a CoPA exhibition.
At least (3) pieces must be work made in the past 24 months; (2) pieces may be older than 24 months.
You MUST follow the naming convention for submission; any submission not meeting this requirement will be disqualified from the competition and all fees forfeited. Read How to Submit to CoPA+Art*Bar Exhibition for instructions. (Example: EMaddox_Sunshine_LaserBeam)
- Limit your image size to 1200px on the longest side; images larger than this may not be accepted by the form.
- 32MB Max File Size
- JPEG / JPG files only, please. No other file type will be accepted.

DELIVERY OF ARTWORK

DO NOT take your work to Art★Bar – it will not be accepted there.

As per last year, work will be collected by Erin and delivered to Art★Bar, per the updated protocol

After the exhibition, work may be collected either on site at Art★Bar on Wednesday, August 26. If you are unavailable that day, you may set an appointment to collect work from Erin.

Erin’s Place | 929 E. Townsend St. 5321

Google Map | Apple Map

Erin will take the utmost care of your work while storing, transporting, and delivering work. Neither Erin nor Art★Bar is responsible for damage incurred by poorly packaged and prepared items. Please keep your packaging minimal, but effective. Based upon the inaugural experience, corner protectors, light wrapping that is easily removed, and a foam pad over the glass are ideal.

Photographers juried into this exhibition may set an appointment with Erin via Google Calendar for delivery; the link will be included in notification emails.

SALES

Artists are encouraged but not required to offer their work for sale. The Art★Bar retains a 20% commission on sales.

FRAMING GUIDELINES FOR ARTWORK EXHIBITED

All artwork submitted for exhibition shall adhere to the following framing guidelines. Failure to do so may impact participation in the exhibition. Be mindful that this gallery is also a bar and make your framing and mounting selections appropriately.

Glass or Plexiglas is preferable if the artwork is framed. The product should be of sufficient thickness to prevent visible warping or waving. If the glass is broken upon arrival, new glass will be fitted and the artist billed for the cost of the glass.
All framed works shall be securely fitted within their frames.
All mats are to be clean and white.
No plastic poster frames.
All framed works are to be wired for hanging.
- No saw-tooth hangers.
- No unwired D-Rings.
- No clips.
- No fishing line.
Hanging wires are to be no closer than 2” to the top of the frame when pulled taut.
Wires are not to be attached to the clips that are holding the back of the frame together, but should have their own support attached to the frame and not the picture backing. Taping or gluing the wire to the frame or board is insufficient.
CoPA and Art★Bar are not responsible for pieces that are damaged due to improper hanging hardware or poor craftsmanship.
If framed, images must be framed in clean, plain white or black frames. If matted, mats must be clean white. No exceptions. You may print professionally on other surfaces, such as aluminum, canvas, linens, and wood.
Maximum Width: 32″ – contact [email protected] if you need an exception to this.
Maximum Height: 60″

PICK-UP DATES | Wednesday, August 26 & by Appointment

Complete details on pick-up arrangements will be included in acceptance notifications. Be advised that any work unclaimed by Monday, September 28, will be donated to Ronald McDonald House.