Community Art Show Logo - MRL
Inspire. Create. Connect.

MRL's Community Art Show

(Registration closed on April 10th)
Sign-up To Have Your Art In MRL’s Public Art Show at MRL

A community-based, non-competitive show promoting inclusivity and creativity.

Books and the fine arts are natural companions. Morrisson-Reeves Library offers regional artisans the opportunity to participate in the library’s community art show. This all-inclusive art show welcomes all ages and levels of experience. We especially encourage first-timers to display art in the show.  Artisans will showcase their creativity and the unique individuality which exists within our community.  Artworks will be on display in the library during the month of May 2023.

Four age categories will be offered for entrants; youth, teen, adults, and newbies. Building community is an important and impactful way to connect all of us through art. Expressive art of all kinds will be accepted for community display with a concentration on family-friendly submissions. We are anticipating a variety of media including but not limited to paintings, watercolors, fingerpaints, sketches, textiles, photography, crayon, and other various styles of hangable art.  There is space for displaying a few small 3D art pieces.

If you have questions, please reach out to Beth Harrick at the library BHarrick@mrlinfo.org

Details and Deadlines

The Art Show Timeline 2023

MRL Art Show 2023March 15
Submission notification posted to the general public and local artisans. There is no fee to submit artwork.

April 10 – Deadline to APPLY to be in the art show. This is not the day to drop off your artwork. 

April 19 – 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
(or make arrangements for another date)

Registered artists submit their artwork to be hand-delivered to:
Morrisson-Reeves Library
80 North 6th Street
Richmond, IN 47374

Virtual submissions are not accepted.

April 26, 5:00 to 6:30 pm
Opening Reception for artists and community members.

April 27 through June 3
The length of time the show will be open for viewing. Open during regular business hours of the library.

June 5 – 11:00 am to 6:30 pm
Artists can pick-up their works of art during this period. Please bring a photo ID or a parent for a minor under the age of 18. Additional arrangements can be made if this time is not possible for pick-up.

Artisans Please Read

Submission Details

Pre-registered Artisans:  In-person Submission April 19-20 from 11:00am – 6:00pm.
If submitting a piece in person, please ensure that there is a piece of paper with your name, contact info, and the name of your piece affixed to the backside of the work that is being submitted. Pieces can be submitted at the Back Service Desk by the glass room marked TEENS.

Dimensions and Details for Displaying Art

2-D Media Accepted: MRL is able to accept all types of two-dimensional artworks including drawing, printmaking, mixed media, painting, photography, computer-generated art, fiber arts, etc. Submitted work must be ready to hang at the time of submission. 2-D pieces up to size 20″x30″ will be accepted.

Wall-hung work must be properly framed. Frames without securely attached wire cannot be hung on our wall and will not be accepted. We will not be responsible for damages through faulty wiring or framing. For instructions on how to properly frame and wire a piece, please refer to the video tutorials below.

DIY Framing: https://youtu.be/Z1UZL1_cvYc
DIY Wiring: https://youtu.be/LBnqLeEiI2k

3-D Media Accepted: Small three-dimensional works can also be submitted. We have a flat display case with dimensions of 56” x 30” x 7” tall for displaying 3-D works. As well as a standing display cabinet with dimensions of 43” x 16” x 5’ 10” (Including clay, jewelry, sculpture, wood, glass, etc.) Please contact Beth at BHarrick@mrlinfo.org to consult about size requirements for 3-D pieces.

Display Card with Art
Each artist will have a custom placard displayed with their work featuring their name and contact information. Information for this card will be collected on the application.

Groupings for Submitted Art
Youth – ages 2 – 10

Teen – ages 11 – 18

Adult – ages 19 and older

Newbie – Note whether this is your first time to display art in a public space.

Community-friendly art
This is an ALL AGES show. Please make sure that the work you submit consists of community-friendly content.

Before submitting work to this show, please consider that the library is a public space and that this show will be open to an audience ranging from children to senior citizens. While submission or participation is encouraged and appreciated, pieces containing subject matter deemed inappropriate for public exhibition may be excluded from the final show at the will of MRL staff curating the exhibit. Please take this into consideration before finalizing your submissions and thank you for your understanding and compliance.

Disclaimer and Waiver of Liability
Please Note: By willfully submitting your work to be displayed in our public space, you are accepting that Morrisson-Reeves Library is not held liable for potential damages or theft of art pieces given for temporary display. Pieces are given for display at the discretion of the artisan with the understanding that MRL holds no responsibility for the piece in the event of vandalism, damage, or theft. Permission to reproduce works for publicity purposes is granted.

MRL Art Show 2023