Curator

Kirsten Bengtson

Kirsten Bengtson-Lykoudis (she/her/hers) serves as staff writer, archivist, and curator for NOT REAL ART. She enjoys rambling through NRA’s vast digital archive of contemporary artworks and getting to know the people behind them. After growing up in the Twin Cities, Kirsten darted between Florida, Russia, Sweden, New York, France, Italy, the Aegean Islands, and Washington, DC, before landing in Richmond, Virginia. A former New York gallery director, photographer, student of Russian literature, devout polyglot, and nonfiction writer, she is currently plotting her next trip to Greece.

Co-Organizer

Morgan Laurens

Morgan Laurens (she/her/hers) is NOT REAL ART’s editor in chief. Morgan is an arts writer from the Midwest who enjoys saying “excuse me” when no actual pardon is needed. She specializes in grant writing and narrative-based storytelling for mission-driven artists and arts organizations. With a background in printmaking, pop culture, and classic literature, Morgan believes a girl’s best friend is the pile of books on her bedside table.

250: A Celebration of Public Art in the U.S.

To celebrate the nation’s 250th birthday, NOT REAL ART offers an unforgettable tour of public artwork in parks, deserts, city streets, and other locales around the U.S. From political murals and billboards to site-specific installations and abstract sculptures, our July exhibition leaves the gallery behind and moves the conversation outdoors.

Public art shapes our shared spaces and collective memory. This exhibition highlights the artists who transform everyday environments into sites of beauty, protest, meditation, and wonder—reminding us that art belongs to everyone and isn’t confined to a gallery or museum.

For artists, this exhibition is an opportunity to showcase work that engages communities beyond traditional art spaces. Join us in celebrating accessible, expansive, and democratic art that reaches people where they live, work, and gather.

Why Apply?

Applicants will also be considered for:

A long-form interview with a professional arts writer, published on the NOT REAL ART platform.
An appearance as a guest on our podcast, sharing your story and creative process with a global audience.
An opportunity to have your work showcased in our First Friday Exhibitions series, reaching art lovers and industry professionals.

Eligibility

Open to artists worldwide creating work that explores themes of love, intimacy, desire, human connection, breakups, recovery, and loss. All mediums and styles welcome, except work entirely generated by AI.

Submission Guidelines

Submit up to four works
High-resolution JPEGs
Artist bio
Artist statement