Orange Co. Arts Commission

Promoting and strengthening the artistic and cultural development of Orange County, North Carolina

Call for Art: Common Good Mutual Aid Auction


The Orange County Arts Commission (OCAC) planned to present the Common Good Mutual Aid Auction to benefit artists in Western North Carolina and Orange County in August at the Eno Arts Mill in Hillsborough. On July 7, Tropical Storm Chantal flooded Orange County, causing destruction throughout our towns of Hillsborough, Chapel Hill, and Carrboro. Artists have suffered loss of studios, supplies, cars, and in some cases, housing. The Eno Arts Mill, home to the Orange County Arts Commission, was destroyed in the flood and is closed indefinitely.  
 
As a result, funds raised from Common Good will now support artists who live or work in Orange County to help them in their recovery efforts. 20% of the funds raised will support our new host for the exhibit, The ArtsCenter in Carrboro. 
 
Visual artists of all types in Orange and surrounding counties are asked to donate up to three works for the auction which will be on exhibit  Friday, August 15 through Monday, September 22 and online. Bids will be accepted through Zeffy, our online auction portal, through Monday, September 22. We hope to include all submitted works, but due to space availability, we may be limited depending on response.
 
Artists are invited to join the exhibit opening Friday, August 15, 2025, 6-9pm at The ArtsCenter in Carrboro. 
 

GUIDELINES

All submissions are due by 11:59pm on Sunday, July 20.
Open to visual artists currently living in Orange, Durham, Wake, Chatham, Caswell, Person and Alamance counties.
  • May submit up to three works for the exhibit with the title, size, medium, year, edition, and minimum starting bid.
  • High-quality photos of the work are required. Images should be a minimum 300dpi resolution and a 1:1 ratio (square). This is particularly important since the auction will be online in addition to in-person.
  • All mediums are allowed including 2D artwork, photography, 3D sculpture, pottery, textiles, jewelry, and handmade furniture.
  • Installation artwork is not allowed for this show.
  • All submissions must be for sale. Artists will be asked to provide the minimum starting bid for the auction.
  • There are no size limitations, but due to space restrictions, especially large pieces may not be allowed depending on the quantity of art submitted.
  • Works on paper and canvases less than 1″ thick must be properly framed and wired (no sawtooth hangers). Click here for a tutorial on how to correctly wire your art.
  • WORK SOLD: For all work sold, the Orange County Arts Alliance (on behalf of the Orange County Arts Commission) will disperse 80% of the proceeds to artists living or working in Orange County and 20% to The ArtsCenter.
  • UNSOLD WORK: Artists must pick up their work Tuesday, September 23, between 12-7pm.
  • Artists agree to allow the OCAC/OCAA use of images of artwork for promotional purposes (credit will be given).

TIMELINE

  • Application deadline: Sunday, July 20, 11:59pm
  • Notifications: no later than Friday, July 25.
  • Work drop off: Tuesday, August 12, 12-7pm at The ArtsCenter in Carrboro.
  • Opening: Friday, August 15, 6-9pm
  • Unsold work pick up: Tuesday, September 23, 12-7pm.

submit