The annual Jim and Ruth Howland Community Open is an opportunity for everyone in the greater Corvallis area to exhibit artwork in The Arts Center Main Gallery. TAC welcomes artists of all ages and experience levels, especially those just starting their creative practice, to bring one original work of art to display.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Online Registration opens December 2, 2024 – January 20, 2025. Once online registration closes, plan to complete a paper form at artwork drop off, Saturday, January 25.

Artwork Drop Off is Saturday, January 25, 2025, 12-4 PM. Contributing Members of TAC may drop off art early, Thursday, January 23 – Friday, January 24 2025, 12-5 PM. To check the status of your TAC membership, contact membership@theartscenter.net. Artwork must arrive ready to hang. Wire hanging method is preferred. Helpful hints and resources about hanging art are available below.

Artwork Pick Up is March 7-8, 2025, 12-5 PM.  No early pick up is permitted. An artist may pick up for another artist, if the The Arts Center is notified in advance by emailing Jennie Castle at curator@theartscenter.net. Work not picked up by March 15 will be considered a donation to The Arts Center and may be included in a future fundraiser. 

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 must be ready to hang it on the wall; three-dimensional art should be stable and safe.  Work must to be dry. Due to very limited storage space, packaging materials cannot be stored at The Arts Center.

The Howland Community Open exhibit is hung by category. During registration, you will be asked to select one category in which you artwork best fits.

• 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.

HELPFUL HINTS & RESOURCES

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 giclee reproductions of original art or work made from a kit or purchased pattern. 

The Howland Community Open is made possible by the Jim and Ruth Howland Endowment Fund and support from The Lunch Bunch.

AWARD WINNERS