“The Power of the ARTS” – MCA’s 8th Annual ‘Best of the Best’ Juried Exhibition - First Friday

For 25 years, Marion Cultural Alliance (MCA) has championed the arts and the artists who make Marion County a vibrant place to live, work, and create. As we celebrate this milestone anniversary, we invite MCA Artist Members to participate in The Power of the Arts—a special juried exhibition honoring the creativity, culture, and community that have inspired us for generations.

The arts are everywhere. They tell our stories, preserve our history, spark imagination, bring neighbors together, and enrich our daily lives. Whether experienced through visual art, music, dance, theatre, literature, film, architecture, public art, craftsmanship, or cultural traditions, the arts have the power to inspire, connect, educate, heal, and transform communities.

For this special anniversary exhibition, artists are invited to submit artworks inspired by the arts themselves. Celebrate a favorite artistic discipline, a memorable performance, a beloved book, an inspiring artist or mentor, a local arts organization, creative landmark, public artwork, festival, classroom, or cultural tradition. Your inspiration may come from a personal experience or from the many people and places that have helped shape Marion County’s thriving creative community. We especially encourage works that celebrate the impact of the arts in Marion County and the people, places, traditions, and experiences that continue to shape our creative community.

Whether your inspiration is realistic or abstract, traditional or contemporary, we encourage thoughtful interpretations that celebrate the power of the arts and the many ways creativity continues to inspire, connect, and strengthen our community.

Join us as we commemorate 25 years of creativity, collaboration, and culture—and help tell the story of why the arts matter.