CALL FOR ENTRY
NightVisions: AMBER
Produced by Coconino Center for the Arts, Flagstaff, AZ in partnership with the Flagstaff Dark Skies Coalition
NightVisions: AMBER is an international juried art exhibition that seeks to explore and celebrate our deep connections with the night. In its 9th iteration for 2026, this long-standing collaboration between Coconino Center for the Arts and the Flagstaff Dark Skies Coalition celebrates the 25th anniversary of Flagstaff’s designation as the world’s first International Dark Sky City. This special anniversary-year exhibition expands upon the established NightVisions: Cultural Interpretations of the Night Sky concept with a focused thematic exploration of amber lighting, aligning with the critical role that amber spectrum lighting plays in Flagstaff’s dark-sky conservation. To emphasize this concept, the exhibition features gallery lights that periodically transition between white and narrowband amber. Participating artists are encouraged to create artwork that is designed to change under the amber lighting.
Flagstaff is the world’s first International Dark Sky City, a designation received on Oct 24, 2001, that recognized the extraordinary commitment of the Flagstaff community to night-sky protection, which began with the world’s first ordinance protecting the night sky in 1958. These efforts were at the foundation of a global movement to protect night skies and continue today through the efforts of the City of Flagstaff, Coconino County and the Flagstaff Dark Skies Coalition. In Nov 2025, Flagstaff was further recognized by DarkSky International with the Dark Sky Place of the Year Award for its “continued leadership and innovative approaches that serve as a model for cities worldwide seeking to balance development with night sky preservation.”
Each iteration of NightVisions is a new production featuring a different thematic focus, new jurors, a fresh selection of participating artists, and evolved programming for a unique exhibition experience. Aligning with CCA’s mission of presenting creative endeavors across art, science, and culture, and FDSC’s vision of a world where everyone can see the Milky Way where they live, CCA and FDSC are proud to co-produce NightVisions: AMBER at Coconino Center for the Arts, featuring amber lighting displays in the gallery to share with visitors the visual effects of the narrowband amber lighting that Flagstaff requires for outdoor use to minimize light pollution and protect wildlife habitat.
Renowned artist jurors Stan Honda (NYC, New York), Paula Jean Rice (Flagstaff, AZ), and Janet Yazzie (Flagstaff, AZ and Diné Nation) select the artwork from an international pool of submissions. $2500 in jurors’ awards will be announced at the opening reception.
About CCA
Coconino Center for the Arts (CCA) is central to Northern Arizona’s vibrant creative culture, fostering an engaged, equitable, and imaginative community. Operated by Creative Flagstaff, CCA serves the arts, science, and cultural sectors of Flagstaff. CCA’s facilities include a 4000 sq ft Main Gallery, an adjacent 215 sq ft Project Gallery, and an intimate 200-seat Theatre. CCA is located on US 180 enroute to the Grand Canyon.
Important Dates 2026
Media
Artists may submit work in any medium, including but not limited to painting, drawing, photography, sculpture, video, multi-media, writing, and performance. Proposals for sculptural installations are welcome.
Additional Information
- Application fee ($35/regular or $25/members) covers one application of up to three works of art for NightVisions: AMBER. This fee is non-refundable.
- Flagstaff Arts Council will retain a 30% commission on all artwork sales after processing fees.
- Any accepted work delivered for the exhibition that differs significantly in quality or concept from the juried works may not be accepted.
Submission Guidelines
- The exhibition features gallery lights that periodically transition between white and narrowband amber. Participating artists are encouraged (but not required) to create artwork that is designed to change under the amber lighting.
- Submit up to three pieces. High-quality digital images, 1200 pixels longest dimension (approximately 8” x 10”), 72 dpi, JPEG format required. Video examples as .mov or .mp4 under 10 minutes.
- Image files must be named with the title of the work of art and labeled as follows (DO NOT include artist’s name in image file):
- “1 _Title.jpg”
- “2_Title.jpg”
- “3_Title.jpg”
- Include in notes: Title, Date, Medium, Dimensions and Sale Price or Insurance Value (DO NOT include artist’s name in notes). A project description (500 words or less) is optional.
- Artwork must be ready for display, with specific instruction for any non-standard display methods. 2D drawings and photographs must be framed or alternate display methods clearly described with submission.
- Artwork that has been displayed at Coconino Center for the Arts in the past will not be considered.
- Images of accepted works may be used for publicity purposes.
Jury Process
Jurors will blind-review the submission images along with title, date created, medium, dimensions, and description (optional). Jurors are invited artists for the NightVisions: AMBER exhibition. The jury will be supported by an advisor from the Flagstaff Dark Skies Coalition and CCA staff.
Shipping
- The artist is responsible for all delivery and/or shipping arrangements and costs, including insurance during transit.
- All work shipped (UPS or FedEx only) must include a prepaid return shipping label and must be sent in reusable cartons/crates. Works submitted without this label or a reusable carton or crate will not be returned.
- Creative Flagstaff, Coconino Center for the Arts, and Flagstaff Arts Council will assume no responsibility for any damages incurred during shipping.
NightVisions: AMBER
Exhibition Contact
Julie Comnick
jcomnick@creativeflagstaff.org
Executive Director, Coconino Center for the Arts
For More Information
Flagstaff Dark Skies Coalition: flagstaffdarkskies.org
