The Ultimate 48-Hour Creative Sprint.

Art-Up Weekend is not a traditional gallery showing. It’s a live performance of the creative process.

We're selecting 5 artists to participate in a 48-hour art-a-thon at The Deep End in Southwest Detroit.

• The Timeline: The weekend kicks off Friday night with a VIP Welcome Dinner. From there, the clock starts. You will have until Sunday afternoon to complete at least one original masterpiece.

• The Execution: While sketches, stencils, and prep-work are allowed (and encouraged!), the physical execution of the piece must happen live during the 48 hours.

• The Crowd: You will be working in front of a live audience, participating in livestream interviews, and leaning on your fellow artists for collaboration and support.

• The Finale: The weekend ends with a massive Sunday Block Party where your masterpieces go straight to the auction block.

We believe in paying artists. This challenge is designed to remove all logistical hurdles so you can focus entirely on creating.

1. $1,000 Guaranteed Advance: We guarantee you will walk away from this weekend with at least $1,000. If your piece sells at auction for $800, you still take home $1,000. If your piece sells for $3,500, you take home $3,500. You keep 100% of the upside.

2. Material Subsidies: No out-of-pocket costs. If selected, you will submit a "Bill of Materials," and our team will pre-purchase and provide up to $400 per artist in required supplies at your station (subject to final sponsorship funding).

3. Full Catering: You will be fully fed and caffeinated for 48 hours. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and endless coffee/energy drinks are provided.

4. Massive Exposure: Benefit from a multi-camera livestream, local press, multiple promotional events, targeted social media campaigns, professional photographer/videographer coverage, and inclusion in our permanent "Digital Storybook" distributed to all attendees.

5. Valuation Control: While Art-Up Weekend sets the starting auction reserve to ensure bids flow, you will display your own "Valued Price" next to your piece so the community knows the true worth of your work.

(Note: Artists have total freedom over their schedule. You can bring a sleeping bag to pull an all-nighter, or go home to sleep in your own bed. We just ask that you are present for the Friday VIP dinner, peak Saturday viewing hours, and the Sunday auction).

We're looking for creators who want to tell a story. Whether your style is abstract, realism, digital, or mixed media, we want to see how your work connects to the heritage, heartbeat, and future of Detroit.

What our curation team is looking for:

• Skill & Vision: A strong portfolio demonstrating your ability to execute high-quality work.

• Community Energy: A willingness to collaborate with other artists, chat with the livestream, and embrace the chaotic fun of a 48-hour sprint.

• Transportability: All mediums are welcome, but since buyers take the art home on Sunday, you must submit a plan for how your specific medium can be transported safely if it is still wet or fragile. The gallery will be responsible for the final delivery.

Applications Open: Now

Applications Close: Aug 1, 2026

Artists Notified: Aug 8, 2026

Artist Panel Series: Late August, & September (Promotional events to build hype for you!)

Art-Up Weekend: October 9–11, 2026

If you aren't selected for the venue, or you live outside of Metro Detroit, you can still participate! Submit an application and let us know you're interested in the Virtual Sprint. You’ll have the exact same 48 hours to create a piece from your own studio. Submit your final work digitally, and we will feature it in our online gallery with direct links to your portfolio so buyers can find you.