City of Louisville, CO

Exhibiting in the Gallery

We're excited to announce that applications to exhibit artwork in the Coal Creek Gallery at the Louisville Public Library in 2026 are now open!

Artists are highly encouraged to visit the library to view the available space prior to submitting applications.

For questions about the gallery or the application process, please contact the City's Arts & Events team.

Mission Statement

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

Exhibits and Displays Policy

Louisville's Arts & Events Division strives to build an inclusive and representative community by celebrating culture and creativity. In partnership with the Library, Arts & Events seeks to display work created by artists from diverse backgrounds as well as artwork in a variety of mediums and formats. In alignment with its role as a community gathering place, the Library's exhibit and display space is available to organizations and individuals engaged in educational, recreational, cultural, civic or charitable activities as scheduling permits. Artists seeking to display artwork at the library must submit a complete application to be reviewed by a selection committee. Preference will be given to exhibits and displays created by Louisville and Superior residents, non-profit organizations, and students attending Louisville and Superior schools.

Commercial goods and services of interest to the local community may be displayed or posted at the discretion of the Arts & Events Program Manager or designated staff member, contingent upon available space and the demonstrated needs of the community.

The City and the Library do not endorse the beliefs or viewpoints of topics that may be the subject of exhibits and displays. The Director of Cultural Services reviews proposals for exhibits and displays if questions arise concerning acceptance criteria. Arts & Events reserves the right to refuse any exhibit or display proposal.

Gallery Exhibit Guidelines

• Applications for artists to display work in the Library's Gallery are to be submitted on the City's website to be reviewed by a selection committee.
• The Arts & Events Program Manager will contact selected artists to arrange the dates for the display. Dates offered may be as much as a year or more in advance, allowing the Arts & Events Division to plan up to a full year's display schedule at a time.
• An artist may be offered the opportunity to display work in all or part of the Gallery space and may share the exhibit space with other artists.
• Artwork should be displayed within the first three days of the month but must be displayed.
• Artwork should be removed within the last three days of the month. No sold artwork may be removed before the end of the exhibit period.
• Artists will not be permitted to hang or remove artwork outside of regular Library hours.
• The artist is responsible for setting up their artwork, arranging, and dismantling their exhibit. City and Library staff is not available to assist the artist with setting up or taking down their artwork.
• The Library's hanging system is to be used to display the artist's work(s). No additional hooks, nails, adhesives, or other fasteners may be attached to the Library's walls. The artist shall use the Library’s hanging system at the artist’s sole risk.
• Due to space limitations, the Library cannot provide storage for the property of groups or individuals displaying in the Library.
• Especially fragile artwork may be considered too delicate for display in a public library setting.
• For each work, the artist is to provide a display card or title label indicating the name of the work, artist's name, medium, and price (if applicable).
• Artists shall display all works of art in the Library at the artist’s sole risk, and shall assume all responsibility for the artist’s works or other items while on the Library premises. Neither the Library nor the City of Louisville (the “City”) shall be held responsible for, and are each expressly relieved from, any and all liability by reason of loss, theft, or damage to any artwork or other property of the artist. Artists are encouraged to insure all works displayed in the Library Gallery.
• Neither the Library nor the City shall be held responsible for, and are each expressly relieved from, any and all liability by reason of injury, loss, or damage to any person or property in or about the premises occurring during, and arising out of or in connection with, the exhibitor's use of the premises or the exhibitor’s artwork.

Art Sales

• The Arts & Events division and the Library are not in any way involved in the sale of items on display. Works of art may be offered for sale, with prices established by the artist. The artist is responsible for conducting the sale of any work directly with the purchaser, not through Library staff. 
• Work sold must remain on exhibit throughout the designated period. 

Please keep in mind that the Coal Creek Gallery is first and foremost a place to provide the community with an opportunity to experience works of art in a free, public space. Artists are welcome to sell their pieces on display, but we cannot guarantee any commercial interest while an artist is exhibiting. 

Promotion and Programs

Arts & Events and the Library may promote exhibits through print, social media, and on the City and/or Library's website. Artists are encouraged to promote their exhibit through invitations and announcements via their own communication channels. No independent artist promotion regarding the artist’s exhibit or display shall give the impression that the Library endorses the beliefs or viewpoints of topics that may be the subject of such exhibits and displays. 

In conjunction with the City of Louisville's First Friday, an Artist Reception may be held on the first Friday of the month or at a mutually agreed upon day/time, as necessary.

The Gallery space consists of the East Wall, West Wall, and four (4) angled walls for 2D displays.

The East Wall is approximately 17 feet in length, and the West Wall is approximately 13 feet. Each of the four (4) angled walls are approximately 3 feet. The Track-to-Floor height is 10 feet.

The Library's hanging system is to be used to display the artist's work(s), cables and hooks are provided. The Gallery uses a track-and-cable system. The stainless steel cables are moveable and can support 50-60 pounds. To prevent damage to gallery walls or the display hardware, we ask that artists not modify the system or use any other means to hang or attach art to the walls.

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