25th Annual BAC Art Show
August 5, 2025 - August 15, 2025
Gallery Hours: Monday - Thursday 9am - 9pm, Friday & Saturday 9am - 3pm
AWARDS CEREMONY - Thursday, August 14th, 5pm - 7pm
The awards ceremony is open to all artists and guests. The Art Exhibition is open to the public at no charge.
$6,000 in Awards!!
Registration Form & Entry Fee
The registration form and entry fee must be received by BAC no later than Saturday, August 2, 2025. This is the ONLY registration option.
Works must be hand delivered on Monday, August 4, 2025 from 10 AM to 2 PM to the Leland Cultural Arts Center, Leland NC.
Directions and map available at web site: Parks & Facilities | Town of Leland, NC or call (910) 385-9891.
Art Show Calendar
Pre-registration deadline:
Saturday, August 2, 2025
Receiving works:
Monday, August 4, 2025 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Exhibition dates:
Tuesday, August 5 thru Friday, August 15, 2025
Gallery Hours:
Monday - Thursday 9 AM - 9 PM
Friday - Saturday 9 AM - 3 PM
Reception & Awards Ceremony:
Thursday, August 14, 2025
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Judge & Winners– Walk-thru:
Thursday, August 14, 2025
5:15 PM - 6:15 PM
Removal of work:
Friday, August 15, 2025
10 am to 2 pm
Eligibility - Adults & Teens
This show is open to Adult Artists 18 and older who are residents of Brunswick County and who are paid members of the Art League of Leland, Associated Artists of Southport, Oak Island Art Guild, Waterway Art Association, Coastal Carolina Camera Club or the Brunswick Arts Council. Brunswick County Teens (rising 9th grade to just age 18) are eligibile to enter the Teen Category. Teens over 18 should enter the Adult Category.
Conditions
Entries must be original works, not previously shown at the BAC Annual Art Show. Ceramics, drawing, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, or a combination of the listed media created in the last three years (2022-2025) will be considered. 2D art works must be suitably mounted and securely wired ready to hang (no sawtooth hangers). All entries must not exceed 40" in any direction, including the frame. 3D work must not exceed 50 pounds. No entry that requires the artist to be present for moving or assembly will be accepted. BAC reserves the right to change submission categories if signup category criteria isn't met. By submitting your artwork, your agreement to these conditions is implied.
Entry Fee
A maximum of two art works are allowed per Artist. Submit a non-refundable entry fee of $45 (Adult) & $10 (Teen). Pay online or make checks payable to: Brunswick Arts Council.
Receiving Information
Before you arrive at gallery space on receiving day, please complete the blank identification labels and attach to the back top left corner of wall art. Attach the labels to the bottom of free-standing art.
Identification Label #1 | Identification Label #2 |
Title _________________________________________ Artist _______________________________________________ Address ____________________________________________ Phone ______________________________________________ Medium __________________________ Price_________ | Title _______________________________________________ Artist ____________________________________________ Address _____________________________________________ Phone________________________________________________ Medium __________________________ Price_________ |
Pickup Information
Pickup is on Friday, August 15th from 10am - 2pm. There is NO storage for artwork at the end of the event. Please ask another artist or friend to pickup if you are not available. Brunswick Arts Council and the facility are not responsible for artwork not picked up during this timeframe.
Liability
Entries will be handled with the greatest care by experienced staff, but Brunswick Arts Council and its co-sponsors will not be responsible for loss or damage from any cause. The submission of art to the exhibition shall imply an agreement on the part of the artist to the conditions set forth in this prospectus.
Sales
Artists will receive 100% of sales price. Works may be listed as Not For Sale. No commission for the sale of works is collected by BAC. Those items listed for sale, will be marked with individual QR Codes and artists will be paid for those pieces. If sold, payment will be sent to artist by August 31st.
Criteria
Each entry will be judged as unique artwork relating to the elements of art, success of craftsmanship, presentation and theme.
First in Freedom Award - A250
America is getting ready to celebrate its 250th Anniversary. This is an 8-County award level that is being sponsored by Brunswick Arts Council, NC First in Freedom Festival Committee, Moores Creek National Battlefield, and Moores Creek Battleground Association. The theme of the art submissions is “Freedom,” in commemoration of America’s independence. If you want your piece considered for this category, it must meet the criteria outlined below.
The art submissions must be original two-dimensional (2D) work created within the last 12 months using a medium of the artist’s choice with a size not larger than 18” X 24” and no smaller than 8” X 10.” The art must be submitted gallery wrapped and “ready to hang” using eye bolts and wire. Frames are not required, but if the artist chooses to frame their art, the frame must be all black. Submitted artwork must encapsulate the concept of “freedom,” celebrates America at 250, patriotism, and is inspirational.
The first place winner will agree to have their artwork displayed in the e-county exhibit in August 2025, where it will be judged by the A250 judging panel. T1st6 place of the 8-county contest will be used in promoting the 250th Anniversary of Moores Creek National Battlefield. All other submissions, adult and teen entries in the First in Freedom A250 category will have additional opportunties to be displayed in the county during 2026.
Awards
BAC Best of Show
$750
First Place – 2D ($450)
First Place – 3D ($450)
First Place – Traditional Photography ($450)
First Place – Digital Art 2D ($300)
First Place – Abstract 2D ($300)
First Place – Abstract 3D ($300)
First Place – Mixed Media 2D ($300)
First Place – Artisan Craft Functional 3D ($300)
First Place – Artisan Craft Decorative 3D ($300)
First Place Teen – 2D ($200)
First Place Teen – 3D ($200)
First Place Teen – First in Freedom Award ($250)
Veteran Creative Arts Award ($300)
Art League of Leland Award ($100)
Associated Artists of Southport Award ($100)
Oak Island Art Guild ($100)
Waterway Art Association Award ($100)
Wildlife Artists of the Carolinas ($100)
Merit Awards - up to 8 awards ($50 each)
First in Freedom Award - Adult ($250)
25th Year Award sponsored by Sunset River Gallery ($250)
25th Annual BAC Art Show
Meet the Judge
Joseph Bounds – Artist Bio
Joseph Bounds is a ceramic artist and painter based in Wilmington, North Carolina. He holds a BFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, where he studied drawing and painting, developing a deep appreciation for materiality and process.
His current work in ceramics is influenced by nature and traditional Japanese aesthetics, emphasizing organic forms, rich textures, and atmospheric surfaces. Specializing in wood-fired ceramics, Bounds embraces the unpredictability of fire and ash, allowing natural forces to shape the final surface of his pieces. His paintings, often textural and gestural, reflect a similar sensitivity to movement and depth. Across both mediums, his work explores the relationship between control and spontaneity, process and transformation.
Bounds is the founder of Gallery 906, a contemporary art space showcasing North Carolina artists and offering workshops in pottery and painting. Through his studio practice and teaching, he fosters a deeper appreciation for craftsmanship and artistic exploration.
.
.
.
.
Mary Beth Livers, Brunswick Arts Council
Executive Director
(910) 448-1016