Canvas to Crescendo

As part of our Brushstrokes & Bowstrokes concert, the Civic Symphony of Green Bay is hosting a fundraiser called “Canvas to Crescendo.” This is a community project where artists create an original work that will be donated to the orchestra and auctioned off in an online art auction. The event is open to all to participate, and ribbons will be awarded by age groups. There will be a celebratory reception after the concert in The Weidner lobby.

DATES:

  • Call for Artists / Canvases Available – September 1 , 2025 through January 5, 2026
  • Completed Canvas and Artist Statement Deadline – January 6, 2026
  • Online Auction – February 6-20, 2026 (bidding ends at intermission during the concert)
  • Reception – February 20, 2026 after our Brushstrokes & Bowstrokes concert at The Weidner

HOW TO PARTICIPATE:

  • STEP 1: Review the Canvas to Crescendo participation rules below.
  • STEP 2: Visit one of our partner locations to purchase a numbered canvas. Canvases are $10 each, payable by cash, check made out to Civic Symphony of Green Bay, or credit card (scan PayPal QR code available at each location). Write your name & canvas number on the tracking sheet on the clipboard located in the Canvas to Crescendo bin. Partner locations:
    • Waseda Farms Market – 330 Reid St, De Pere
    • String Instrument Workshop – 147 N Broadway, Green Bay
    • Safe Haven Pet Sanctuary – 151 N Broadway, Green Bay
    • Heid Music – 2605 S Oneida St, Green Bay
    • Smith’s Mercantile – 116 N Broadway, Green Bay
    • Lion’s Mouth Bookstore – 211 N Washington St, Green Bay
    • Nicolet National Bank – 34 W Maple St, Sturgeon Bay
  • STEP 3: Submit your online registration for the event by completing the form below.
  • STEP 4: Return your completed canvas no later than January 6, 2026 to any of our partner locations.
  • STEP 5: Let your family and friends know you’re participating so they can see and bid on your art.

CANVAS TO CRESCENDO PARTICIPATION RULES:

  • All artwork submissions must be completed on a numbered canvas obtained from a Canvas to Crescendo partner location.
  • Artwork must be an original piece created by the registrant. No copies of original artwork will be accepted.
  • Artwork must be “family friendly” and suitable for a public performance open to all ages. Any artwork deemed inappropriate will be rejected.
  • All mediums are allowed, including any kind of paint, ink, photography, pencil, mixed media, clay, etc. Mediums which could smear (charcoal, pastels, etc.) must be SEALED prior to submission. NO LOOSE GLITTER (glitter in paint is acceptable). If using oils, please make sure the canvas is completely DRY before submitting. Use a good adhesive if attaching items to the canvas in any way. The orchestra is not responsible for any damage that occurs if these recommendations are not followed.
  • Items can be mounted to the front of the canvas, but no part can be outside the perimeter (hanging off edge, glued/attached to the sides). Do not cover up the number on the back of the canvas. Please mark “top” or “bottom” on the back of the canvas so that your artwork can be hung correctly. Sign your artwork, either on the back of the canvas or on the front.
  • Create an Artist Statement which will be displayed with a photograph of your artwork on the online auction website. At minimum, the statement should include a Title and Medium(s) used. Examples: “First Sign of Spring, Watercolor” or “Sunflower, Acrylic”
  • Artists must register to participate by completing the registration form below and delivering the completed canvas to any of the partner locations, no later than January 6, 2026. Please check business hours for each location before going to pick up or drop off canvases. All participating artists who wish to attend the Brushstrokes & Bowstrokes concert will receive a promo code for $5 off adult tickets (maximum of four tickets per artist).
  • By submitting artwork, the artist agrees to donate their completed canvas to the Civic Symphony of Green Bay (“orchestra”) and will receive no financial compensation. All artwork becomes the property of the orchestra to be included in the online auction for the Brushstrokes & Bowstrokes concert in February 2026. The orchestra has the artist’s permission to use, publish, and reproduce for advertising, public relations, and any other lawful purpose, images of and information about the artwork, with or without the artist’s name. The orchestra reserves the right to reject any artwork it deems inappropriate or that does not follow these Canvas to Crescendo Participation Rules. Any art that is not bid on will remain the property of the orchestra and may be used by the organization in the future.
  • All questions should be emailed to canvas@gbcivic.org.

ARTIST REGISTRATION FORM:

Canvas to Crescendo Registration

Please tell us about your art. Your artist statement will be displayed with a photograph of your artwork on the online auction website. You may include a link to your professional website if desired. Please indicate in the field below if you'll be sending your statement separately, but it must be received no later than January 6, 2026. (Text is limited to 1250 characters.)