The annual Jim and Ruth Howland Community Open is an opportunity for everyone in the community* to exhibit artwork at The Arts Center. TAC welcomes artists of all ages and experience levels, especially those just starting their creative practice, to bring one (1) original work of art to display. Thank you artists for an amazing 2023 exhibit.

IMPORTANT DATES: 

Artwork Pick Up: Saturday, March 18, 12-5 PM.  Pick up you artwork and/or any art purchases. You may pick up for others if artist notifies The Arts Center in advance. 

NOTE: Work not picked up after March 24 will be considered a donation to The Arts Center and included in a future fundraiser. 

AWARDS 

People’s Choice (Youth): TAC invites the public to visit the Howland Community Open, and vote for their favorite art pieces between January 31 and February 14, 2023. Winners will be announced at the reception, Thursday February 15, 5:30 – 7 PM.

People’s Choice (Adult): TAC invites the public to visit the Howland Community Open, and vote for their favorite art pieces between January 31 and February 14, 2023. Winners will be announced at the reception, Thursday February 15, 5:30 – 7 PM.

🍒 Cherry-Picks: TAC staff, volunteers, and board members will select an artwork they enjoy and share why.

CATEGORIES 

The Howland Community Open exhibit is installed by category.

Categories for all include:

• People: (self)-portraits, full figure, busts, headshots, but perhaps also a mermaid or celestial beings.
• Fauna: any animal, wild, domestic and imaginary.
• Flora: All plants wild, domestic or imaginary.
• Scapes: All scapes – land, sea, city or otherwise. Indoor or out. The world is your subject!
• Abstract: a composition of shapes and colors, without a story, either 2 or 3 dimensional. 
• Functional: things that can be used as other than an artwork, such as bowls, clothing, hats, jewelry or furniture.

INFO FOR NEXT YEAR, HELPFUL HINTS & RESOURCES:

Size & Weight Limits: The combined sum of height and width of the framed work together cannot exceed 65”, and the weight cannot exceed 25 lbs. Two-dimensional art should have a wire or a hanger, ready to hang it on the wall; three-dimensional art should be stable and safe.  Work needs to be dry. Due to very limited storage space, packaging materials cannot be stored at The Arts Center.

Presentation: we do not require items to be framed, but artwork that is presented thoughtfully looks better than an unprepared sheet of paper or canvas. All materials, techniques and subject matter are welcomed, but The Arts Center staff reserves the right to decide if work is (not) appropriate for our family-friendly setting.

For Sale or Not For Sale (NFS): The work can be marked for sale, with a price decided by the artist. Artists receive a 50% commission on sales, or may opt to donate the full sales price to The Arts Center as a tax-deductible donation.  Work does not have to be for sale, but for insurance purposes, we request every artist list a value for their piece.

How to wire work for hanging:

•  How to Wire a Painting like a pro!

•  Mount a Wire Hanging Kit

*Who May Participate: Anyone living in Linn or Benton Counties can bring in one (1) original artwork made by themselves. You are welcome to deliver for someone else, but you may not exhibit artwork created by someone other than you. We do NOT accept reproductions or giclee prints or work made from a kit or purchased pattern.