AVA Community Art Center’s 25th Annual Art Matters Art Auction

AVA Community Art Center in Gillette, WY invites artists to submit three (3) artworks for consideration in the 25th Annual Art Auction & Fundraiser. 

AVA Community Art Center in Gillette, WY invites artists to submit three (3) artworks for consideration in the 25th Annual Art Auction & Fundraiser. 

AVA's 2027 Gala Fundraiser & Art Auction will feature up to forty-five (45) individual artworks in Live & Silent Auctions. Awards for Best In Show, Second Place and Third Place are to be allocated based on a juried selection process. Additionally, three (3) People’s Choice awards will be selected based on public votes and announced during the Artists’ Reception.

• Best In Show - $7,000.00
• Second Place - $1,500.00
• Third Place - $500.00
• People’s Choice (3) - $100.00 each

All submissions will be considered by one or more guest Jurors; announcements and more details about the selected jurors will follow throughout Fall 2026.

• 2D and 3D original artwork in any medium will be considered for acceptance into the exhibition.
• Submitting artists must pay a one-time submission fee of $35.00; only one payment is required for submission of up to three (3) artworks. All entry fees are final and are non-refundable.
• Submitted artwork dimensions are restricted to forty-eight inches (48”) in any direction, inclusive of matting and framing.
• All work submitted must be the Artist’s original work.
  • Artwork that will not be considered for inclusion in the exhibition includes:
    • Celebrity Portraits or Fan Art
    • Giclee Prints or Reproduction Prints of Original Artworks
    • Artwork created from a Tutorial
    • Direct Copies or Replications of another Artwork belonging to anyone besides the Participating Artist
    • Photo Reference or Artwork blatantly infringing on copyright laws
  • By entering AVA’s Exhibition, the Participating Artist certifies that he or she holds the copyright for this material and the copyright remains with said Artist. The Artist also certifies that the work submitted is original and does not infringe on any existing copyright. If artwork includes an image of any person, the artist certifies that a model release for such person has been obtained.
• Each Individual Artwork submission must include at least one (1) high resolution, digital image of the submitted artwork.
  • Digital image files must be submitted in JPEG, PNG, GIFF or TIFF not to exceed 2400 pixels.
  • Label each digital file in the following format: Artist Name/Title/Size
• Work over 2 years old or previously shown at an AVA Event will not be considered for the exhibit.
• Accepted artwork must be delivered to AVA between November 17th - 27th, 2026. Shipped artworks can be mailed to:
  • AVA Community Art Center, 509 West 2nd St. Gillette, WY, 82716.
• Accepted artwork must be finished and display ready when turned into AVA.
  • Artists may frame their own artworks, however finished framing must look professional.
  • No sawtooth hangers, clip frames, or plastic framing.
  • Acid free matting or backing.
  • Hanging wire and display hardware must be firmly attached and safe for artwork to be hung.
  • AVA reserves the right to reject artwork due to framing finishes or may request additional steps be taken by the artist before artwork will be displayed.

• AVA’s 25th Annual Art Auction & Fundraiser facilitates annual operational health and longevity for AVA Community Art Center. All proceeds from this event directly support AVA’s mission of enriching lives by creating the bridge between the Visual Arts and our community.
• A Note for Participating Artists: As you determine your reserve and fair market values, we encourage you to consider that the average selling price achieved across AVA's last three fundraiser sales was $879.80 per artwork. This figure is intended as a reference point only. Every artwork is unique, and selling prices vary based on multiple contributing factors. Thoughtfully setting your reserve and fair market values helps create a successful auction for both participating artists and AVA through our shared commission model.
• Artists must set values on their own work for both a Fair Market Value AND a Reserve Value. Reserve Value must be met during the auctions or the artwork will not be sold.
• Participating artists may choose to receive a commission split of either 50% or 75% proceeds donated to AVA. Commission splits must be indicated by artists in their submission paperwork. Artists are encouraged to adjust their reserve value to account for the final commission split.
• Participating artists who commit 100% proceeds of their artwork to AVA Community Art Center will receive one (1) admission ticket to AVA’s 25th Annual Gala and one (1) guest ticket to the event. (Value of $250.00)
• Upon acceptance, Artists are required to provide a short biography of relevant information pertaining to their artwork and professional artist experiences to be included in AVA Marketing and media related to the 25th Annual Fundraiser. Artists may also provide a business card or appropriate professional links to their website or digital platforms to be included with the purchase of the artwork.
• Upon acceptance into the exhibition, artist agrees to deliver each accepted artwork on or before the agreed upon date to AVA. AVA reserves the right to reject any artwork delivered after the due date.
• Accepted artwork must remain at AVA for the entire duration of the exhibition between December 1st, 2026 and January 30th, 2027.  All unsold artwork must be picked up by February 6th, 2027.
• Return of unsold artwork is the responsibility of the artist, including all shipping and handling fees.  In the event that return shipping is necessary, AVA staff will communicate directly with participating artists to facilitate the timely return of artwork.
• AVA reserves the right to decline work that does not meet these requirements, or for any other reasons, including work that is not submitted to AVA by the due date of September 25th, 2026.
• Artist understands and agrees to AVA's Gala Commission Policy and indicated in the application form which commission split will be issued upon the sale of artwork.
• Acceptance of artwork is subject to a jury selected process, and selections are based solely on the discretion of the Guest Jurors. AVA does not guarantee acceptance of submitted artworks into the exhibition, and all entry fees are final and non-refundable.
• Artist agrees to have all accepted artwork display-ready upon delivery, including complete framing, hanging wire and/or appropriate display hardware.
• Artist acknowledges that AVA distributes commissions for sold artwork by February 5th, 2027 to the address provided by the artist in this contract.
• Participating artists agree that AVA has permission to use images and reference of artwork for any promotional purposes including print, electronic, and media. Selected artworks will be highlighted in AVA’s social media and marketing campaigns for this event.
• Artist agrees to and has paid for the one-time submission entry fee of $35.