WETPAINT PARTY 2026 – OPEN CALL FOR ART!

Hosted by the Greater Augusta Arts Council, the WetPaint Party & Art Sale is an annual event that showcases recent works by member artists . All of whom are located right here in Augusta’s River Region!

All works of art must be made within the last year (Jan 1, 2025 – Mar 13, 2026).

All participating artists must be 21 years of age and up.

This year’s showcase will be juried by the Arts Council Board of Directors. All current members will be able to attend, but not all members who enter will be featured as an artist. This is to ensure our standards are maintained for this event. With limited space, we only have so much room to show off artist’s works. So, please make sure to submit only your BEST work from this past year.

This year’s party theme will be “Pop Art” with a focus on the pop art movement of the mid-20th century. Artworks DO NOT need to be made in this theme, as the themed works tend to be harder to sell. But artists are welcome to create or submit whatever they feel is their best work made within the last year (14 months).

This special event will feature local performance groups, a themed food and drink, decor, a photobooth, a DJ, and of course LOCAL VISUAL ART!

Artist members of the Greater Augusta Arts Council who are up to date on their annual dues are able to submit artworks into this showcase. If you are not a current member, you will need to pay a minimum membership fee of $35.00 to submit work. This fee will earn you benefits such as a feature on our Artist Directory, access to the Arts Council Lending Library, members-only rates for select programs and events, and more. You can follow the link in the form below to sign-up.

Deadline to submit is January 16, 2026 by 11:59pm

CLICK HERE TO APPLY!

The Greater Augusta Arts Council processes all sales. Artists receive 80% of listed sales of their work, with 20% going to the Arts Council as commission. If a piece is bid up from the asking price, the Arts Council receives any bids over the asking price set by the artist. This is all to help cover the cost of putting together this amazing annual event.

The Arts Council is excited to welcome auctioned service packages again for the 2026 auction.

If you are an artist that would like to list a package of your services in the auction, in lieu of a physical work, we would be thrilled to include your talents! Examples might be pet portraits, tattoos, professional headshots, graphic design or business logo creation, arts lessons such as painting, instrument or dance lessons, and interior design consultations.

Date: Friday, March 13, 2026 at 7:00 p.m.
Location: the Sacred Heart Cultural Center at 1301 Greene St. Augusta, Ga 30901

Below are required to participate in WetPaint:

1. Due to limited space, only one complete artwork or package may be submitted per artist.

2. Artwork must be recent work completed within the last calendar year (14 months). Works must be dated between January 2025 – March 2026. Proposals for not yet completed works are also accepted, provided that the work can be finished before the exhibition. In this case, samples of similarly completed works are required. High resolution photos of works are due February 13, 2026 Any works without photographs will have a placeholder image in the catalog.

3. Selected artists are must bring their finished work to drop off the morning of this event at the absolute latest. No work will be accepted after 11am on March 13th. More details on this will be sent out upon acceptance. Drop off is scheduled from 9am-11am March 13, 2026 at Sacred Heart’s Great Hall. If you cannot attend drop off and your work is accepted, please plan to have a representative, friend or family member deliver your work, along with a signed contract and W9. Please let us know in advance if you are unable to bring your work yourself.

*Since this year’s event takes place on a Friday, we have extended drop off hours. Works can be brought to the Arts Council office in the days leading up to the event, Monday March 9 – Thursday, March 12, 2026 between 9:00 am – 5:00 pm by appointment. Please call 706-826-4702 to schedule a time. *

4. Participating artists are required to attend this event and stay through to the end. If their work does not sell, the work must leave with the Artist or a representative of the artist. To ensure the artwork’s safety and security, artworks must be checked out with an Arts Council WetPaint team member.

5. Pieces must be no larger than 48″ in any direction. This includes the frame.

6. The average sale price for this event is $400 or less. Artists should consider this, and the commission, when determining pricing for their piece. There are no set pricing requirements.

7. All mediums are accepted, including sculpture, ceramics, painting, photography, etc. Packages (such as instructional sessions or credit for future services) can also be submitted below, with a description and some kind of demo image. If your work requires a special set up/display, please communicate that with one of our staff and bring what is needed to properly showcase your work.

8. Participating artists will be required to fill out a W9 and contract. This can be done prior to but by no later than, drop off day.

9. Artists at a basic level of membership do not get a plus one for this event. Please encourage any friends or family who would like to attend to purchase a ticket to help support the arts. Or consider changing your membership to a higher level to include a plus one.

10. Artists should plan to bring their own display easel for their artwork. The Arts Council has a very limited number of easels artists can reserve upon acceptance. Displays/easels must be labeled with artists name.

11. All artwork should be labeled on the back with the title of the work and artists name.

12. Artists are encouraged to bring business cards to display with their work.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY!

Contact us with any questions as to suitable art or service packages for submissions. Email Heather at heather@augustaarts.com