Call for Artists: Alight-A-Whirl

Alight is calling all artists, interested in channeling their craft and talents into lifesaving change for their refugee and immigrant neighbors. Donations of original art will be shown and sold at the Alight-A-Whirl Art Sale during Art-A-Whirl^® weekend.

In early 2026 Minnesotans stood together, lifting our voices and our hands for ALL our neighbors. Because all are welcome. And all deserve a future where safety, peace and dignity are possible. Alight-A-Whirl is an expression of the beautiful creativity of artists stepping forward to share their gifts with neighbors down the street and across the globe.

Proceeds from Alight-A-Whirl will benefit displaced families with the support they need, when they need it.

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WHAT IS ALIGHT-A-WHIRL?
An art sale the weekend of Art-A-Whirl^®,  featuring original pieces – drawings, paintings, ceramics, fiber, wood, etc. – created by Twin Cities artists, students, and refugee artists from MN and around the world. Proceeds provide lifesaving services, essential resources, and opportunities to refugee families to rebuild lives of safety, dignity and peace.

WHEN IS IT?
The call for art is now, the deadline to submit to be included in Alight-A-Whirl is Friday, April 17.

The sale is May 16-17, the weekend of Art-A-Whirl in NE Mpls.

WHO?
Any artist – who wants to channel their craft into lifesaving change for their refugee and immigrant neighbors – is welcome to submit their art.

WHO ELSE?
Do you know Alight (formerly American Refugee Committee)? We’ve been delivering the goodwill of Minnesotans around the world for 45 years. We’re an international humanitarian organization serving 4 million refugees and displaced people and based right here in Minnesota. For the last several weeks we’ve been focused on supporting refugee families in Minnesota (fully vetted, who’ve done everything asked of them) who are afraid to leave their homes because of immigration operations.

THE THEME?
If you so choose, you can create based on our theme: “What is your dream for a shared future with safety, peace and dignity for all?”. Created on theme or not, all donations of original art are welcome and will help a person experiencing the toughest moments of their lives to recover and rebuild a meaningful life of dignity and peace.

LEARN MORE AND SUBMIT
Visit the Alight-A-Whirl page on our website to learn more and find out how to submit: https://www.wearealight.org/alight-a-whirl .Or call (612) 872-7060 with any questions.