Supporting West Michigan artists
AK Local Artist Program
Display your artwork. Reach local customers. Keep 75% of every sale.
AK Furniture & Mattresses is looking for talented artists throughout West Michigan who create wall art that looks great in real homes.
Instead of filling our showroom with mass-produced artwork, we want to showcase work from Grand Rapids, Wyoming, Grandville, Kentwood, Jenison, and the surrounding community. Selected artists can display and sell their work with no monthly display fee.
Program at a glance
$0 Monthly Display Fee
No monthly charge for accepted artists to display their work.
Artist Keeps 75%
Artwork sells on consignment with a 75% artist / 25% AK split.
6-Month Placement
Approved artwork is committed for a minimum of six months.
Local Promotion
Artists may be featured through AK's social media, website, showroom, and events.
The program
How the AK Local Artist Program Works
The AK Local Artist Program is a curated consignment program connecting West Michigan artists with customers who are decorating their homes. Selected artwork appears throughout our furniture showroom alongside sectionals, sofas, bedrooms, dining furniture, rugs, and other furnishings. Customers can discover the artist, see the work in a home setting, and purchase it through AK Furniture & Mattresses.
Apply
Submit artwork examples, pricing, sizes, and information about yourself.
Get Selected
AK reviews style, size, presentation, pricing, and showroom fit.
Display Your Work
Approved wall art is installed throughout our furniture showroom.
Get Paid When It Sells
You receive 75% of the artwork sale price; AK retains 25%.
The artwork
What Kind of Artwork Are We Looking For?
We are currently focused primarily on wall art suitable for residential interiors. Original paintings, abstract work, landscapes, nature and Great Lakes artwork, contemporary pieces, photography, mixed media, framed art, and canvas pieces are welcome.
We welcome local wall art from emerging and established Grand Rapids artists and artists across West Michigan. Other finished wall pieces suitable for homes may also be considered.
Ideal sizes
Medium and larger work tends to fit best. Pieces around 24″ × 36″ through approximately 48″ × 60″ are especially useful above sofas, sectionals, beds, and dressers. Other sizes may still be considered.
Our current focus is wall art rather than small tabletop decor, pottery, sculptures, or fragile accessories.
Beyond the wall
More Than Just a Place to Hang Your Art
We want this to become an ongoing community of West Michigan artists. Participating artists may be featured through AK social media, artist spotlights, short videos, interviews, staged furniture photos, our website, in-store artist information, collaborative content, and special events.
Our goal is to help local artwork get seen by people who are already thinking about furnishing and decorating their homes.
Artist spotlight postsArtwork staged with furniture“Which one would you choose?” postsArtist interviews and videoIn-store artist informationAfter-hours showcases
A clear commitment
What We Ask From Participating Artists
Please review these requirements before applying.
Six-month placement
Accepted artwork must remain in the program for at least six months. After that, you may request it back with at least 30 days’ notice. If a piece must be returned early, AK may approve a replacement of similar size, style, and display needs. All replacements require AK approval.
One monthly social post
Participating artists agree to make at least one social media post per month about their participation or artwork at AK. It can be a natural update about an installation, availability, an AK feature, or an upcoming event. Please tag AK Furniture & Mattresses when possible; scripted ads are not expected.
Website recognition, if you have one
If you have a website, we ask you to identify AK Furniture & Mattresses as a showroom location where your art can be viewed or purchased, with a link to our website or this page. Artists without a website can still apply.
The arrangement
Simple 75/25 Consignment
There is no monthly display fee. Artists continue to own their unsold artwork. When a piece sells, AK handles the customer transaction and applicable sales tax. The artist receives 75% of the artwork sale price, and AK retains 25%.
You do not need to be present for the sale. After a piece sells, you may have the opportunity to submit another approved piece.
75%Artist
25%AK Furniture & Mattresses
In the showroom
How Artwork Is Displayed
Furniture displays change frequently. AK may move artwork to another area, restage it with different furniture, rotate it between displays, temporarily remove it from public display, or store it on-site while displays change. Participation does not guarantee one particular wall or continuous public display.
This flexibility keeps the showroom looking its best while continuing to feature participating artists.
Artwork should arrive ready to hang
Accepted pieces should be finished, professional-looking, structurally sound, and ready to hang. We prefer secure hardware that allows pieces to move without major wall changes. Artists may be allowed to help install their own work by appointment and under AK’s direction.
Existing damage or condition concerns may be photographed and documented when artwork is received.
Before you apply
Is the Program a Good Fit for You?
It may be a good fit if you live or work in West Michigan, create wall art for homes, have multiple pieces available, and want another physical place for people to discover your work. You should be comfortable with consignment, a six-month minimum placement, monthly social promotion, and a growing local artist community.
You do not need to be a full-time professional artist. We welcome both established and emerging artists, including artists in Wyoming, Michigan, and local artists in Grand Rapids. If you are comparing artist opportunities in Grand Rapids and want to sell art in West Michigan, this program may be a fit.
Is every applicant accepted?
No. The program is curated. We consider artwork style and size, price range, presentation, hanging needs, available inventory, fit with residential interiors, and the current mix of artists.
A decline may simply mean that the work does not fit what our changing showroom currently needs.
Growing together
Local Artist Events at AK
As the program develops, AK Furniture & Mattresses plans to host special events featuring participating artists. Potential events include after-hours showcases, seasonal collections, meet-and-greets, local artist nights, and collaborative showroom events.
Participating artists may be encouraged to invite their followers, customers, friends, family, and communities. Our long-term goal is to make these events a recognizable part of the program.
After-hours artist showcasesSeasonal art collectionsArtist meet-and-greetsLocal artist nightsCollaborative showroom events
Why AK is doing this
Why Local Art?
We already need artwork throughout our furniture showroom. We would rather use that space to support artists from our own community than fill every wall with mass-produced decor.
Furniture and art naturally belong together. People shopping for a sectional, bedroom set, dining room, or rug are often imagining the whole room. That gives local art near Grand Rapids a chance to be discovered by customers actively furnishing their homes. Original West Michigan wall art also makes our showroom more interesting for everyone who visits.
Learn more about AK Furniture & Mattresses or explore our furniture.
Our community
Meet the Artists at AK
Our first group of West Michigan artists is currently being selected.
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a monthly display fee?
No. There is currently no monthly display fee for accepted artists.
How much does the artist receive when artwork sells?
Artists receive 75% of the artwork sale price. AK Furniture & Mattresses retains 25%.
Do I still own my unsold artwork?
Yes. Unsold consigned artwork remains the property of the artist.
How long does my artwork need to stay?
Accepted artwork has an initial minimum commitment of six months. After that, artists may request their artwork back with at least 30 days' notice.
Can I remove or replace a piece early?
Artwork should generally remain for the full six-month commitment. If a piece must be removed early, AK may approve a replacement of similar dimensions, style, and display requirements.
Can AK move my artwork within the showroom?
Yes. AK Furniture may move, rotate, restage, temporarily remove, or store artwork as showroom merchandising changes.
Does my artwork have to be framed?
Not necessarily. Canvas and other finished wall pieces are welcome, but all artwork must be professional-looking, structurally sound, and ready to hang.
Do I need a website to apply?
No. A website is helpful but is not required to apply. Artists who have websites are asked to mention AK as a showroom location and link to AK's website or this page.
Do I need to be a full-time professional artist?
No. We care more about the artwork, showroom fit, and willingness to participate in the program.
What social media participation is required?
Participating artists agree to make at least one social media post per month mentioning their participation, artwork, or availability at AK Furniture & Mattresses.
What happens when a piece sells?
AK Furniture handles the transaction. The artist receives their 75% share according to the program payment schedule and may have the opportunity to submit replacement artwork.
Where is AK Furniture & Mattresses located?
AK Furniture & Mattresses is located in Wyoming, Michigan, serving Grand Rapids and the surrounding West Michigan community.
Your work could be next
Want to Display Your Artwork at AK?
We're currently reviewing artists for the AK Local Artist Program. If you create wall art and think your work would fit our showroom, we'd love to see it. The application takes only a few minutes and lets you share artwork examples, sizes, pricing, and information about yourself.
- No monthly fee
- Artist keeps 75%
- Six-month minimum
- Local promotion & artist events
- Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh.