Artist Opportunities

Gift Shop & Retail Jury

Artists living in Mitchell and Yancey counties are encouraged to apply to sell work in our retail spaces. Artists must be Toe River Arts Members at the Basic level. The gift shop review committee is comprised of members of Toe River Arts and professional artists familiar with different artistic media. The review committee changes every year. Artists not accepted may reapply the following year.

Jurying for the gift shop will reopen in January 2024.

2023 Spring Studio Tour

The Toe River Arts Studio Tour offers member artists the opportunity to welcome visitors into their studios as a means to share their personal art stories, give a glimpse into the processes behind their work, and sell directly to art collectors attending. Artists may submit two pieces of work for inclusion in the Studio Tour Preview Exhibition which runs from May 13 – June 4.

Artist Application: https://secure.lglforms.com/form_engine/s/qFifzFN90Rwj3jrrBJ0Kaw
Gallery Application: https://secure.lglforms.com/form_engine/s/RwTAR_u5MIUGnikQqBrktA

DEADLINE: March 6, 2023

2023 Annual Blacksmith Exhibition

There is no application fee and no jurying process to enter work in this exhibition. If you are a metal artist that uses a hammer and anvil you are eligiable to submit work. We encourage amature blacksmiths to submit work. Artists interested in submitting work to the exhibition can complete the following form. 

Application to submit: https://secure.lglforms.com/form_engine/s/qFifzFN90Rwj3jrrBJ0Kaw

DEADLINE: March 11, 2023

2024 Exhibition Proposals

Toe River Arts has two exhibition spaces in Spruce Pine, the Kokol Gallery and, on the second floor, the Owen Gallery. In Burnsville, we have a large gallery space in the newly renovated library building on the square. The Kokol gallery is approx. 1280 sq.ft., the Owen gallery is approx. 900 sq. ft. and the Burnsville Gallery is approx. 1200 sq. ft.  Throughout the year we offer programmed annual exhibitions, and once a year we accept proposals for exhibitions from artists.

Application: https://secure.lglforms.com/form_engine/s/GpMGe9ftqHB8r-JST5X4Hw

DEADLINE: May 27, 2023

Resources for Artists Affected by COVID-19

• Artist Relief will distribute $5,000 grants to artists facing dire financial emergencies due to COVID-19; serve as an ongoing informational resource; and co-launch the COVID-19 Impact Survey for Artists and Creative Workers, designed by Americans for the Arts, to better identify and address the needs of artists.
• ArtsReady Resource List
• ArtsNC Covid-19 Action and Resource Center
• Freelance Artist Resource
• Triangle Artworks COVID-19 Small Business and Non-profit Financial Relief Services
• National Endowment for the Arts COVID-19 Resources for Artists and Arts Organizations
• NC Artist Relief Fund

• Americans for the Arts Impact Survey – please fill out the survey, let them know how you have been impacted so that they can advocate for support for artists from the federal government.

• Backline Care – Mission: To connect music industry professionals and their family members with a trust network of mental health and wellness providers

• NAMI & NAMI Wake County – for those concerned about mental health during this whole experience, the national NAMI chapter and local chapters (such as NAMI Wake) have resources – nami.org and nami-wake.org

• Equal Sound – Corona Relief Fund

• MusiCares

• Resources for Artists in the COVID-19 Crisis: Emergency grants, freelance resources, legal aid, and more.

Additional Resources

Consulting and Writing

• Wendy Outland Artist Consultant
• Katey Schultz
• Sue Wasserman

Photographers

• Black Box Photography
• Mary Vogel Photography

Miscellaneous

• Nation’s Best Online Art Schools