2020 freshART Call to Artists

For more than a quarter century, Behringer-Crawford Museum has hosted one of the region's top art events, spotlighting local artists, raising funds for its youth education programs and giving art lovers the chance to buy one-of-a-kind original works.

The 28th annual freshART gala and auction will be held Saturday, September 12, at Behringer-Crawford Museum from 6:00pm-9:30pm. 

Interested artists must register by July 21. Artists may only participate in freshART OR silentART. All artists must also submit two images of their recent works or the image of their silent auction item, a quality headshot and a biography of 200 words or less to [email protected]. 

"It is our desire to inspire people to love art, to learn art, to collect art and to create art."

freshART Artists

Because of coronavirus concerns, we are switching from a totally live, in-person auction to a hybrid event which will include a live PLUS a virtual online auction. This means that the date for creating artwork for the auction has changed from previous years, so that artists' work can be photographed professionally and posted online prior to the auction on September 12.

Instead of having just one day to work, artists now will have ELEVEN days, from noon on Saturday, August 22 to Wednesday, September 2. We do require artists to work at least five hours in Devou Park on your first day.

If you wish to participate in freshART, please register using the REGISTER  button above.

We ask that you let us know when you will check in at the museum to have your canvas stamped and where in Devou Park you will be working so that we can get "in progress" photos for the event. You may check in at the museum's front desk from noon-3:30 pm. Saturday, August 22 or 10 a.m. -3:30 p.m. Tuesday, August 25 -Saturday, August 29. Remember to let us know what day you will be coming. Please call 859-491-4003 or email us at [email protected].

All completed and framed freshART artwork must be delivered to BCM no later than noon on Thursday, September 3 in order to be included in the event.

The freshART auction will still take place on Saturday, September 12 from the museum. Guests will have a choice of enjoying the event at the museum or at home, with a light box supper and the theme "a French picnic in the park." All guests, regardless of location, will bid electronically.

Artists donate a portion of their auction sales to the museum to benefit children through BCM's educational programming.  

Artists must be 18 years or older to participate. 

A non-refundable application fee of $35 is required. The fee includes admission to the gala. 

silentART Artists

Silent auction entries must be original works created in the last 12 months and should include the title, description, medium and retail value of the piece. 

All work must be framed or finished for auction display and sale. 

Artists donate a portion of their auction sales to the museum to benefit children through BCM's educational programming. 

Artists may recommend a minimum bid for their artwork. 

Artists must be 18 years or older to participate. 

silentART is due at the museum on Friday, July 31 so that it can be displayed and professionally photographed for the auction. The silentART auction will begin online on Thursday, August 13, and will culminate at the freshART event on September 12, so potential buyers will have a full month to bid on your work.