A salon-style, non-juried exhibit showcasing Howard County artists

Adults (18 years+) who live, work, or study in Howard County or are Howard County Arts Council (HoCo Arts) members are invited to submit one piece of original artwork, completed in the last two years, and not previously shown in the HoCo Arts galleries. No reproductions (including commercially printed or computer-generated reproductions of paintings, drawings, and other non-digital work) are allowed. All work must fit appropriately into the Gallery I space. Gallery dimensions: 68ft x 22ft x 9ft 5in. The gallery entrance is 5ft 8in x 8ft.

Entries will be accepted online beginning early November on a first-come basis, one entry per artist, until 100 submissions have been received. To register and reserve your space, complete the online registration form including artwork information.

The HoCo Open registration form will ask for the following information:

• Contact Information
  • Artist Name
  • Email
  • Phone
  • Address
  • * If the address is not in Howard County, you will need to indicate how you meet the eligibility requirements by selecting your relationship to Howard County.
• Artist Career Level
  • You will need to indicate if you identify as an emerging, mid-career, or established artist, and how many years you have been exhibiting or selling your work.
• Artwork Type
  • You will need to indicate whether you will be entering 2D or 3D artwork.
• Artwork Details
  • You will need to enter the title, media, framed width, framed height, framed depth, year completed, sale price and insurance value.
• Image
  • You will need to upload one image of the artwork you intend to exhibit. The image should be titled using the “LastName_FirstName_Title.jpg” format.

This is a non-juried exhibit and there is no entry fee to participate. The first 100 eligible artists to register are guaranteed a space – afterward, artists can sign up to be on a waitlist. Work must be delivered in person during the times designated; once eligibility is confirmed, artists will receive instructions to drop off and deliver their work. Artists and artwork not meeting eligibility requirements will not be accepted. Any requests to substitute artwork listed at the time of registration must be made in writing by the deadline specified and must be the same size or smaller than the original artwork registered.

Accepted artists will be provided with instructions for scheduling a 15-minute drop-off time slot on a specified date to deliver their artwork at the Center for the Arts. Loan agreement forms and submitted artwork information will be printed in advance and ready for artists to sign at drop-off. Artwork must be wired, framed, and ready to hang; no space will be available to make adjustments to artwork or complete the form during delivery.

A 20% commission will be retained by HoCo Arts on all sales. Work will be sold at the price listed on the entry form. Work that is not for sale should be marked “NFS,” and an insurance value must be included.

Back by popular demand, the $500 Covington Emerging Artist Award, given by Robin Holliday in honor of Ms. Mable Covington Holliday, recognizes an emerging artist whose work reflects the power of the creative spirit. Artists who have been exhibiting and/or selling their art for three (3) years or less are eligible for this award. (Participation as a student in sales or events that are part of an academic program or curriculum does not affect eligibility.)

All work must be delivered ready for hanging and installation. Upon drop-off, there will be no space available to frame or adjust artwork; artwork not ready to hang will be rejected. 2D wall work must be wired for hanging. Tabs and sawtooth hangers are not allowed. Installation instructions should be included where necessary. A limited number of pedestals are available for sculptural work. For artwork with specific display requirements, the artist may need to provide their own pedestal or technology. Artists are responsible for installing and deinstalling objects that have complex installation requirements and/or need more than one person to install/de-install.

All work is insured against physical damage or loss, less the 20% commission, from time of receipt by HoCo Arts through the designated date and time of pick-up. A $25 per day late fee will be charged for any work left after the specified date.

Exhibited work may not be removed before the close of the exhibition. HoCo Arts reserves the right to photograph any accepted work for publicity or educational purposes. HoCo Arts reserves the right of final editorial review of all exhibitions and their contents, and work may be withdrawn by HoCo Arts.

Submission of work constitutes an understanding of an agreement with all of the conditions outlined in this prospectus.

• November – Online registration opens for submissions.
• December – Artwork drop-off at the Center for the Arts. Artists are required to sign up for a 15-minute drop-off timeslot in advance. Instructions to sign up for a timeslot will be shared after artists are accepted.
  • Exhibit opens to the public.
• January – Reception; free and open to the public. 
• February – Exhibit closes.
  • Pick-up artwork.