MIDWEST TINTAMARRESQUE. You may not be familiar with the word 'tintamarresque,' but you likely are with the face-in-the-hole prop displays like the one pictured above, at a previous Eau Claire County Fair. That's just one example of a tintamarresque!

Tintamarresque is a French word for illustrated boards with cut-outs where people can insert their faces, often to take humorous photos with, Jyl Kelley a University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire professor explained.

That kind of artistic spirit and experience – interactive, playful – is what Kelley and co-curator Lori Chilefone hope to see from regional artists who submit proposals to “Midwest Tintamarresque,” a forthcoming visual arts exhibit at the Chippewa Valley Museum (CVM) in Eau Claire (1204 E Half Moon Dr.).

Proposal submissions to Midwest Tintamarresque – which will display accepted artworks at the CVM from Jan. 27-April 18, 2027 – are open now through July 14.

As explained online, Midwest Tintamarresque “will be an exhibition of interactive, life-sized works that engage bodies, play and imagination in unexpected ways.”

Upon invitation to curate a show at the CVM – the local museum has hosted an annual winter exhibit since 2020, with the exception of 2025, CVM Executive Director Carrie Ronnander said – Jyl was immediately inspired to create something which invited participation from viewers.

“That’s where the idea of face-in-the-hole artworks began,” Kelley said. “(Lori and I) brought the concept to our student assistants – and it’s continued to evolve since early spring.”

"We’re inviting artists to propose playful, creative works inspired by face-in-the-hole cutouts – pieces that engage humor, storytelling and audience participation. Rather than prescribing exact what artists should make, we’re framing ‘Midwest’ as an open starting point."

JYL KELLEY

EXHIBIT CO-CURATOR, UW-EAU CLAIRE ARTS PROFESSOR

Midwest Tintamarresque submission "explainer"

Visual explainers for Midwest Tintamarresque artwork proposal guidelines, via submission form.

Together, Kelley and Chilefone will invite contributing artists to explore any facet of the region's culture through life-sized props. Kelley said any person who submits their concept to the curated show will be encouraged to focus on storytelling, elements of humor and of course, audience participation.

“Rather than prescribing exactly what artists should make, we’re framing ‘Midwest’ as an open starting point,” Kelley explained.

“That could include themes like occupations, recreation, traditions, local culture, landscapes, plants and animals, regional stories or historical figures – but we’re equally excited by unexpected or imaginative interpretations,” she continued.

Ten total submissions will be accepted to the arts show; entries are open to any artist with a connection to the region, any and all experiences, ages or artistic backgrounds.

Selected artists may choose to keep their works (marking them NFS) or sell their unique life-sized pieces through the exhibit. CVM’s commission agreement retains 30% of each sale with the remaining 70% going to the artist.

Have questions about submitting to the Midwest Tintamarresque show at the Chippewa Valley Museum? Reach out via email at midwest.tintamarresque@gmail.com. More information on the forthcoming exhibit – from Jan. 27-April 18 in Eau Claire – can be found on the online form where submissions are being accepted.