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250 Years in the Making
Freedom
Rising.
An 18-Month Community Art Calendar · July 2026 – December 2027

America didn't become free in a day. It became free one stubborn inch at a time. For 250 years, ordinary people made extraordinary things with their hands, their voices, and their refusal to quit.

Submission Deadline: May 31, 2026  ·  All Ages  ·  All Mediums

One Community. 18 Months. One Big American Moment.

We're calling on artists of every age and ability to submit original artwork inspired by freedom — what it looks like, what it cost, what it means to you right now.

"18 winning pieces. 18 months of beauty on someone's wall. One community telling its own story."

Open to all ages, all mediums, all skill levels. Amateur, student, emerging, or just someone who makes things with their hands. This is your invitation.

Painting
Drawing
Photography
Digital Art
Collage
Mixed Media
All Mediums Welcome
🖨 Print Contest Flyers →

What You Need to Know

Open to all ages and skill levels. If you make things, this is for you.

Format

18-Month Wall Calendar

July 2026 through December 2027 — timed to the America 250 celebrations.

Winners

18 Winning Pieces

One artwork featured per month, with full artist credit on every calendar printed.

Theme

Freedom

What it looks like. What it cost. What it means to you right now, in this place, in this moment.

Who Can Enter

Everyone

All ages, all mediums, all skill levels. Amateur, student, emerging, or just someone who makes things.

Key Dates

Full Timeline

  • May 31 — Online submission deadline
  • June 1–4 — 36 finalists selected & notified
  • June 5–8 — Finalists submit original artwork
  • June 15 — 18 winners announced
  • July 1 — Calendars available
  • July 4–15 — Art exhibits
Accepted Mediums

All Mediums Welcome

Painting, drawing, photography, digital, collage, printmaking, mixed media — and whatever else you call it.

Ready to Enter?

Submit your artwork online. Entry fee payment instructions are sent by email after submission — your entry is not complete until payment is received.

Category Entry Fee Who Qualifies
Adult $40 Ages 18 and up
Student $30 Ages 13–17
Entry fees are non-refundable. High-resolution digital files required (minimum 300 DPI). 36 finalists will be selected and notified June 1–4 and asked to submit original artwork by June 5–8. 18 winners announced June 15. Questions? Email [email protected]
Submit Your Artwork →

Three Exhibits. One Big Week.

When the calendars are ready, we celebrate — live art exhibits featuring all 18 winning pieces, July 4–15, 2026.

Exhibit One

Minneapolis

A live gallery exhibit featuring all 18 winning pieces. Location TBA. Open to the public July 4–15, 2026.

Exhibit Two

Monticello, MN

A community exhibit bringing the winning artwork home to central Minnesota. July 4–15, 2026.

Exhibit Three

Online Gallery

All 18 winning pieces displayed in a free online gallery — live July 4–15, 2026, accessible anywhere.

🗓  All three exhibits run July 4–15, 2026 — timed to America's 250th birthday. Calendars available for purchase at all locations and online.

Can't Enter? Sponsor Someone Who Can.

Cover an artist's entry fee, sponsor a calendar month, or make a general donation. Every dollar supports community art and recovery work right here.

Become a Sponsor →

Add Your Voice to It

Freedom has been rising for 250 years. Your art could be on someone's wall for the next year and a half of it.

Submit Your Artwork → Sponsor an Artist →
Submission Deadline: May 31, 2026  ·  All Ages Welcome  ·  All Mediums Accepted

Want to spread the word?   🖨 Print a Flyer →

Proceeds from Freedom Rising benefit Freedom Force Ltd — a 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing peer support for people in recovery who want to build a life, not just sobriety. No insurance billing. No middlemen. Real support from real people.