Gallery

Voices for Food Access

Food access is about more than just ingredients—it’s about nourishment, connection, and the everyday creativity that helps communities thrive. Starting January 14, we invite you to share original artwork that reflects your experience with food access in Northern Michigan.

Whether it’s a cherished family recipe, a cultural tradition, a helping hand, or a clever way to stretch ingredients, your story matters. Help us build a digital gallery that celebrates the resilience, resourcefulness, and care that define how we feed ourselves and each other.

Have a song or spoken word performance you’d like to share? Upload your video to YouTube and paste the link below. Please also include an image or photo you’d like us to use as the gallery thumbnail.

Registration Form Download

Submissions close Feb 11, 2026 at 5:00 pm.

Artist Information

First Name *

Last Name *

Age *

Street Address *

City *

State *

Zipcode *

Phone Number *

Email Address*

Artwork Details

Title of Piece *

Medium *

Category *

Please tell us a bit about your piece, including what it means to you, what inspired the work, and what you hope people will take away from viewing it *

Check to display your artwork as anonymous

Check to receive a free ticket to attend the Empty Bowls event in Traverse City (as supplies last)

Photographing Artwork with a Smartphone Tips:

If photographing 2D work, hang on the wall. If photographing 3D work, place on a neutral seamless background. Find a place in your home/studio that gets the most natural light. We want to use natural light because it helps prevent images from taking on a yellow or blue tint, which can happen with fluorescent lighting, and provides much more even lighting.
Set up your iPhone camera: Using a tripod will work best, but you can hold it if you don’t have one.
Prep the camera settings: You also must ensure that your settings are ready and fine-tuned. Turning on the Grid Feature will help you ensure the lines aren’t crooked. Here’s how to do it:
- Launch your Settings.
- Go to the Camera.
- Switch on the Grid option.
- Close the Settings and open your iPhone camera app
Double check that you are holding your smartphone camera so that the middle of the artwork is parallel with the camera lens. Let the grid on the viewfinder of your camera guide you. On your viewfinder, you will see two crosshairs—a yellow one and a white one—if you’re not level with the easel’s angle. Adjust it until you only see one yellow crosshair. If you notice the edges are still curved, you must move further away from the artwork. Satisfied with the angle? Tap on the shutter button.
Don’t settle on one shot. Capture multiple photos and choose your best ones. The more options you have, the better you will feel after choosing your best photo since you’ve considered other similarly good photos.
Edit your photo: If you’re not satisfied with the background of your artwork, then you should crop it. Just use the cropping tool on your iPhone. Here’s how to crop the artwork:
- Tap Edit.
- Select the Crop icon.
- Dial to an angle until the edges straighten.
- Pull the corners until you’re happy with its new size.
- Tap Done.
Do you want more contrast? Exposure? Bolder colors? The following editing apps for the iPhone will help you improve your photo. Adobe Lightroom, SnapSeed, Moment app.

File

File Types: .jpeg, .jpg, .png
Min Size: 600x600 pixels
Max Size: 2000x2000 pixels

File Types: .pdf

Youtube Link

Content Appropriateness: The organization reserves the right to withhold artwork from being displayed on the website if it is deemed graphic or inappropriate. All submissions must be suitable for young viewers.

Photo & Artwork Display Release

This Photo & Artwork Display Release is given on the date set forth above to Munson Healthcare (“MHC”). For purposes of this Agreement, the term “MHC” shall refer to and mean Munson Healthcare, any employee, representative or agent of MHC, and any entity associated or affiliated with, or controlled by, MHC.

I, on behalf of myself and/or the minor child named above if applicable, hereby grant to MHC permission and the right to reproduce, use, exhibit, display, broadcast, distribute, and create derivative works of photographs, videos or other reproductions (i.e. billboards, bus wrapping, social media posting, etc.) containing my/my child’s artwork (the “Art”) which I have submitted for the Voices for Food Access public health campaign (“Campaign”) without compensation. I understand these images and the Art may be used for promotional, news, research, and educational purposes.

For myself, and all of my heirs, personal representatives, successors and assigns, or any other persons claiming by or through me and those of my minor child, if applicable, I waive, release and relinquish any and all claims against MHC which are associated with, arise out of, or in any manner are related to:

Anything contained in the photographs or videos of the Art; and
Any loss or damage of or to the Art that may occur while, or as a direct or indirect result of, being displayed, stored, transported, or otherwise utilized in the Campaign, including with respect to displays in public places.

I also hereby give MHC permission to utilize and reproduce any quotes or writings that I or my child may give to MHC with respect to the Art for the purposes of the Campaign. I understand and acknowledge that MHC may refuse to accept or display the Art for any reason or no reason, in its sole discretion. A photocopy of this document shall be deemed to be the original. Before I signed this document, I was given the opportunity to read it. I have signed this document freely and voluntarily on the date set forth below. I certify that I am at least 18 years of age.

Signature of Artist *

Signature of Parent/Legal Guardian (If artist is a minor/under 18)

Date *

Fields marked by asterisks (*) are required