Exhibiting in the Library gallery

Our mission

The Coal Creek Gallery at the Louisville Public Library is a community gathering space. It celebrates inclusivity and diversity by connecting the community to the arts through displays, programs, and events that are engaging, accessible, and enriching.

Who can exhibit

Louisville's Arts & Events Division works to build an inclusive, representative community by celebrating culture and creativity. Together with the Library, Arts & Events looks to display work from artists of diverse backgrounds and in many different mediums (the materials an artist uses, such as paint, photography, or clay) and formats.

As a community gathering place, the Library's display space is open to organizations and individuals taking part in educational, recreational, cultural, civic, or charitable activities, as the schedule allows.

To display artwork, you must submit a complete application. A selection committee then reviews it. Preference goes to:

• Louisville and Superior residents
• Nonprofit organizations
• Students who attend Louisville and Superior schools

A few more things to know:

• Commercial goods and services of interest to the local community may be displayed or posted. This is decided by the Arts & Events Program Manager or a staff member they choose, based on available space and the needs of the community.
• The City and the Library do not endorse (officially support) the beliefs or viewpoints of any topic in an exhibit or display.
• If a question comes up about whether a proposal meets the acceptance rules, the Director of Cultural Services reviews it.
• Arts & Events may refuse any exhibit or display proposal.

Gallery guidelines

How exhibits are chosen and scheduled

• Submit your application on the City's website. A selection committee reviews it.
• The Arts & Events Program Manager will contact selected artists to set the display dates. Dates may be offered a year or more in advance, so Arts & Events can plan up to a full year of displays at a time.
• You may be offered all or part of the Gallery space, and you may share the space with other artists.

Putting up and taking down your artwork

• Put up your artwork within the first three days of the month.
• Take down your artwork within the last three days of the month. Sold artwork may not be removed before the exhibit period ends.
• You may only hang or remove artwork during regular Library hours.
• You are responsible for setting up, arranging, and taking down your own exhibit. City and Library staff cannot help with this.
• You must use the Library's hanging system. You may not add any other hooks, nails, adhesives, or fasteners to the Library's walls. You use the hanging system at your own risk.
• The Library cannot store your property because of limited space.
• Very fragile artwork may be too delicate to display in a public library.

Display cards

For each piece, provide a display card or title label that lists:

• The name of the work
• The artist's name
• The medium (the materials used)
• The price, if the work is for sale

Your artwork is your responsibility

You display all of your artwork at your own risk. You are responsible for your own artwork and other items while they are at the Library. The Library and the City of Louisville (the "City") are not responsible, and are expressly relieved from any liability (legal responsibility), for any loss, theft, or damage to your artwork or property. We encourage you to insure every work you display.

The Library and the City are also not responsible, and are expressly relieved from any liability, for any injury, loss, or damage to any person or property in or around the building that happens during, or because of, your use of the space or your artwork.

Selling your art

The City, Arts & Culture and the Library are not involved in any way in selling items on display.

• You may offer your work for sale, and you set the prices.
• You handle the sale directly with the buyer, not through Library staff.
• Sold work must stay on display until the exhibit period ends.

Please remember that the Coal Creek Gallery is first and foremost a place for the community to experience art in a free, public space. You are welcome to sell your displayed pieces, but we cannot promise there will be buyer interest while you exhibit.

Promotion and events

Arts & Culture and the Library may promote exhibits in print, on social media, and on the City and Library websites.

You are encouraged to promote your own exhibit through invitations and announcements on your own channels. Your promotion may not give the impression that the Library endorses the beliefs or viewpoints of any topic in your exhibit.

As part of the City of Louisville's First Friday, an Artist Reception may be held on the first Friday of the month, or on another day and time you agree on, as needed.

About the gallery space

The Gallery has an East Wall, a West Wall, and four angled walls for 2D displays.

Hanging system

You must use the Library's hanging system to display your work. It is a track-and-cable system, and cables and hooks are provided. The stainless steel cables can be moved and can hold 50 to 60 pounds. To protect the walls and the hardware, please do not change the system or use any other way to hang or attach art to the walls.

Display cases

The Gallery also has two locking glass cases with tempered glass shelves. Each case measures 72" H x 24" W x 24" D. The display area is 60" high and sits on a 12" high base.

Questions?

Contact the City's Arts & Culture team about the gallery or the application process.