An international design competition inviting artists, designers, and architects worldwide to create innovative public art installations is now accepting submissions for the Winter Stations 2026 exhibition. The competition, held annually in Toronto, Canada, focuses on the theme 'Mirage' and explores the boundary between what is seen and what is real in the age of artificial intelligence.

The winning proposals will be constructed and displayed during a six-week public art exhibition along Toronto's urban beaches, bringing creativity, community engagement, and vibrant colors to Lake Ontario's shoreline during the coldest winter months. The competition offers free entry to all participants, with winning artists and teams receiving a reward of $2,000 CAD. Winter Stations operates as a blind competition, meaning the jury will review all proposals without access to identifying details such as participants' names, countries of origin, or professional backgrounds.

This year's exhibition theme, 'Mirage,' draws inspiration from the concept of illusions that appear real but dissolve when approached. The organizers describe the present moment as similarly distorted by the rise of digital silos and artificial intelligence, where truth continuously shifts and remains elusive. They characterize a mirage as both a promise and a trick, representing desire and deception simultaneously – offering visions of what people long for most in states of absence, such as water in a desert or fire in the cold.

For the 2026 competition, participants are challenged to explore the boundaries between perception and reality through their installations. The stations should transform Toronto's shoreline into a space where illusion becomes architecture, providing glimpses of uncanny possibilities. Organizers encourage participants to consider what imaginative public infrastructures might inspire people to set aside their digital devices and gather in shared physical reality.

Winter Stations serves as a launching platform for emerging ideas in public art, with the strength of each proposal – including its design innovation, creativity, and feasibility – being the primary evaluation criteria. The competition venue will be Woodbine and Kew Beach areas along Toronto's waterfront, providing an urban coastal setting for the installations.

The submission deadline is set for November 3rd, 2025, at 11:59 PM EST. Winners will be announced in early January 2026, giving successful participants time to prepare for construction and installation. The exhibition period runs from February 16, 2026, through March 30, 2026, spanning six weeks during Toronto's winter season when the contrast between the installations and the stark winter landscape will be most dramatic.

Interested participants can find comprehensive information about evaluation criteria, design factors, and detailed submission guidelines by visiting the official Winter Stations website at winterstations.com. The competition represents an opportunity for creative professionals to contribute to Toronto's cultural landscape while addressing contemporary themes related to technology, perception, and human connection in an increasingly digital world.