Coles County Arts Council

​​

Information for Artists

​

Art in the Heart brings small works of art to Charleston's downtown square as part of the Christmas in the Heart of Charleston celebration (Dec. 5, 2025). The show is an annual fundraiser for Arts CAN! (Community Action network), formed in 2022. For the last two years we have received generous donations from wonderful local (and some out of town) creatives. This year, thanks to the success of the butterfly sculpture project, we can actually afford to split the proceeds with participating artists (50/50) Hurrah!

​

What else is new this year?

​

In addition to displaying work in the windows of local businesses on the square, we will be offering sales through an online auction portal so that more people will see your creations and have a chance to purchase them.

​

Entry Specifications:

​

1. Works, in any medium, must be no larger than 8 inches in any dimension.

​

2. All 2 D work must be wired for hanging (no sawtooth, single hole or single ring hangers please - our display systems cannot accommodate them and modifying pieces on the fly drives our hardworking curator mad). Jewellry, pottery, turned wood etc. is also welcome - we'll find ways to display it!

​

3. Work should be suitable for all audiences ( our "gallery" is pop up space in local business windows and the largest number of viewers will see the show in the context of a family friendly festival). 

​

4. Work must be received by the deadline (Friday October 27, 4pm) to allow volunteers time  to group, photograph, and prepare auction listings for entries.

 

5. Pieces must be accompanied by an entry form that specifies a starting bid for the auction sale. In the past this has been $25.00, and works have generally sold for $25.00 - $40.00, but higher value items are also welcome. In prior years many items were purchased as gifts; artists may choose to enter pairs of ornaments / boxed cards or other easily "gift-able" creations as well as single works. 

​

Entry Delivery / Drop Off

Pieces should be addressed

c/o CCAC / Arts CAN

and sent to / dropped off at:

​

Charleston City Hall Offices

520 Jackson Ave

Charleston IL, 61920

​

Business hours are 8am - 5pm weekdays. 

​

​Printable Art in the Heart                                                                                                                                                                              

​ Entry Forms & Tags                                           Art Call Flyer

​