Two Open Calls for Artists: Live Holiday Market/Small Works Exhibition
ArtsvilleUSA invites artists from WNC to showcase and sell their small works, ornaments, and handcrafted art perfect for holiday gifting.
Hello Artists!
We’re excited to announce two opportunities for you: our inaugural Small Works Exhibition and Live Holiday Market. We invite WNC artists to showcase and sell their work. Small crafts, ornaments, and handcrafted art are especially welcome. This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase your creations, connect with local art lovers, and help them discover unique holiday gifts!
Please review the details below before beginning the application process. You may participate in one or both events, depending on eligibility—contact our editor with any questions.
Small Works Exhibition
This exhibition aims to connect artists of WNC with new markets and patrons for the upcoming holiday season.
Location: The exhibition will be showcased on ArtsvilleUSA’s gallery wall at the Ferguson Family YMCA, making it physically accessible to a broad audience, including during their live holiday market.
Online Presence: We’ll also feature a pared-down virtual version of the exhibition on the ArtsvilleUSA website. This online display will be accessible indefinitely, allowing your work to be archived for future viewers. View our spring 2025 exhibition, Reawakening, or our photostory on Michael Freas’ From the Beginning for examples of past exhibitions.
What We’re Looking For: We’re seeking small crafts, ornaments, and handmade pieces no larger than 12”x12” to display on our gallery wall. Submitted works must be available for sale through your website or a third-party site, and priced at $200 or less. This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase your creations, connect with local art lovers, and help them discover unique holiday gifts!
Artist Eligibility: Artists must have an online sales platform, whether their own or a third-party site, and be based in Western North Carolina.
How to Submit: Please use PaperForm to submit your materials: photos of your artwork in .jpeg or .jpg format; your contact info, bio, and artist statement; social media and website links; online shop links; and a short statement (1-3 sentences) about each piece. You may submit up to 5 works. Apply here.
Submission Deadline: Oct. 15, 2025, 11:59 pm
Drop Off Date & Time: Oct. 28 from 10 am – 2 pm. Limited drop-off hours available Oct. 26 by special request.
Exhibition Opening: Nov. 3, 2025
Exhibition Closes: Jan. 5, 2026
Live Holiday Market
The holiday market aims to build community, connecting artists with patrons and bringing visitors and members to the YMCA.
Location: The market will be held at the Ferguson Family YMCA, making it physically accessible to a broad audience.
Date: The market is tentatively scheduled for a 4-6 hour block on December 11 or 12.
Commission Structure: Artists pledge fifteen percent of sales made during the market to the YMCA, a 501(c)(3) non-profit.
Provided to You: A six-foot folding table and a chair will be assigned to you for the duration of the event. Electrical outlets may be available for a limited number of vendors. The YMCA offers wi-fi, though connectivity may be slow if used heavily. ArtsvilleUSA and the YMCA of WNC will promote the event.
Artist Eligibility: Participating artists must be based in Western North Carolina, and the artist or a representative of the artist must be present on site for the duration of the live market. Vendors must have their own way of accepting payment, e.g., Square or Venmo.
How to Submit: Please use PaperForm to submit your materials, including examples of your artwork in .jpeg or .jpg format, contact info, bio, artist statement, and social media and website links. Note that your submissions are meant to give us an idea of what you plan to showcase at your table. You are welcome to display and sell any handmade items during the market, as long as they fit on your table. Preference will be given to craft artists and artists who submit photos of sales tables/live event booths. Apply here.
Submission Deadline: Oct. 31, 2025, 11:59 pm
Notification of Acceptance: Nov. 12, 2025
Market Date: December 11 or 12; TBA. Setup will occur the hour before the event. Teardown will occur the hour after the event.