Artist Application: LIPAF250

ARTIST APPLICATION: LIPAF250  "THE LIBERTY TRAIL"

A Special Edition of the Long Island Public Arts Festival

Produced by: Colored Colors

In Partnership with: Huntington Historical Society, The Heckscher Museum of Art & The Town of Huntington

 
About the Exhibition

To commemorate the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, we are transforming Heckscher Park into a living gallery centered on the theme of LIBERTY.

This year’s festival features seven monumental triangular prisms creating a physical "Liberty Trail." We invite artists from across New York State to help us bridge the gap between historic significance and contemporary expression, creating a landmark event that defines Huntington’s 2026 celebrations.

 
Important Dates

Application Deadline: Sunday, June 7th, 2026 at 11:59 PM EST
Artist Decisions Sent: Friday, June 12th, 2026
Mandatory Digitization (Len Marks Studio): June 15th – 19th
Exhibition Opening & Ribbon Cutting: Wednesday, July 1st, 2026
Viewing Period: July 1st – August 31st, 2026

OPEN CALL: TWO CATEGORIES

Submission Rule: Artists may submit up to 3 entries total per specific application. If choosing to submit to both categories, artists must complete two separate applications and two separate entry fees. Submission does not guarantee selection.

Category #1: The Alphabet of Freedom 

Focus: Narrative Typography & Iconic Imagery 

Theme: Celebrating LIBERTY through the power of the letter. 

We are looking for 7 artists to "adopt" one letter of the word L-I-B-E-R-T-Y. Your challenge is to treat the letter as a vessel for a story about American progress and freedom. 

The Prompt: How can a single letter represent a monumental shift in our history or a pillar of our community? 

Creative Examples:

The Letter "L" (Labor): Filled with blue-collar workers, gears, and brickwork to represent the Industrial Revolution.
The Letter "E" (Education): A collage representing the "Liberty of the Mind."
The Letter "Y" (Youth): Symbols of the next generation taking the torch of freedom forward. 

Category #2: Perspectives on Liberty 

Focus: Heritage, Unity, and the "Unfinished Revolution" 

Theme: Commemorating 250 Years of the Declaration of Independence. We are seeking 14 artists to create original, non-typographic works that explore the soul of our nation’s founding principles. 

The Prompt: What do these core principles mean to you: HERITAGE, UNITY, and LIBERTY?

Freedom of Perspective: We invite modern, inclusive, and personal perspectives on:

Heritage: The ancestors, places, and stories that have survived and thrived (The "Power of Place").
Unity: The process of "We the People" finding common ground.
Liberty: A reflection on the "Unfinished Revolutions" occurring today—the pursuit of equality and justice for all.

Entry Fee: $20 per application (covers up to 3 entries). 

Jury: Entries will be juried by a panel including representatives from all project partner organizations, including the Town of Huntington, Huntington Historical Society, and the Heckscher Museum of Art.

Recognition & Legacy

Selected artists will receive:

Massive public exposure (100k+ anticipated visitors).
Featured spotlights on all digital and social platforms.
Permanent inclusion in the LIPAF 250 Historical Archive.

Application Requirements & Media Guidelines

Eligible Media: New and Existing Original Work in all 2-Dimensional Media will be considered.
Mixed Media: Eligible if they can be documented adequately (photographed) and follow image guidelines.
Image Quality: Submit a high-resolution image of each work for consideration. All digital submissions must be a minimum of 300 DPI and suitable for large-format printing.
Digitization Requirement: Selected artists (excluding purely digital work) MUST be available between June 15th–19th to bring physical work to Len Marks Photography Studio (Huntington, NY) for professional digitization.

By submitting work to the LIPAF 250, artists agree to allow the accepted works and submitted documentation to be printed for public display and used for publicity, educational, and archival purposes. Artworks may be shared on social media platforms with artist credit. Artists retain the rights to their work published on the LIPAF website and platforms. Entry to the exhibition constitutes agreement to all conditions and the production timeline