Alt: A Photo Opp Gallery

Overview

Photo Opp celebrates photography as a medium without limits. ALT explores what happens when artists step outside the expected and redefine what a photograph can be. This exhibition embraces alternative creations from cyanotypes and salt prints to film soup, unconventional printing surfaces, digital manipulation, sculptural photography, emulsion lifting, collage, and beyond. If it challenges convention, questions process, or expands the definition of photography, it belongs here.

Key dates

• July 3, 2026: Gallery submissions open
• August 10, 2026: Submissions deadline at 11:59 pm CST
• August 10-21, 2026: Online jury process
• August 24, 2026: Artists are notified
• September 1, 2026: Tickets go on sale
• September 1, 2026: Deadline for artist to submit images for zine and promotion
• October 16, 2026: Opening reception and awards announcement 5–9pm

Eligibility

Artists must be Wisconsin residents to submit a piece, but the submitted work can be created anywhere, anytime.

How to enter

• Up to 3 works may be submitted per application
• One application per artist
• Artwork must be owned by the artist who is submitting it
• No submission fee

Artwork requirements

• No AI-generated images allowed; use of these tools will automatically disqualify the submission
• Smart tools or AI-powered enhancement tools are allowed only if use does not lead to significant changes, introduce new information, or remove more than 10% of the captured image
• Examples of allowed limited usage: denoise, automatic adjustments (level, color, contrast), and object selection for local adjustments
• AI-powered tools for replacing areas or significantly altering components are not allowed
• 'Found' imagery and other sources of visuals are allowed; if using visuals not created by you, include that information in your Artwork Process Description
• Submissions must not contain watermarks, artist's name, or personally identifying markers
• Submissions must not contain obscenity, explicit sexual material, profanity, graphic violence, calls or incitement to violence, commercial solicitation or commercial promotion
• All submissions must be suitable for a global, public audience

Rights and permissions

• All rights of the submissions remain with the photographer
• Artists will manage sales of their own works
• Photo Opp does not take any commission from sales
• You allow Photo Opp to use your submissions for promoting current and future Juried Shows and for Contest Sponsor marketing and social media uses
• You allow your image to be printed in a zine of the gallery that will be for sale as a fundraiser for Photo Opp
• You provide Photo Opp the right to replicate your submissions for these uses

Display terms

If your submission is admitted to the Gallery show at 621 N Bateman St, Appleton, WI, you agree to not hold Photo Opp accountable for any damage or theft to your submission and will hold insurance for its value if you deem that it is necessary.