Elyria Public Library (EPL) offers available space for artists to display their work. Exhibits are intended for the cultural, informational, and recreational enjoyment of our community. The Library is a place for all ages and the space for these exhibits is viewable by patrons of all ages.
Space
Designated spaces and display systems are available at specific locations of EPL.
Process
Interested artists are required to submit the Art Exhibit Application. Applications are available in-person at all EPL locations or the Library’s website. Applications may be submitted at any time. Submissions are open to all ages. EPL employees, Board of Trustees, and Board members of the EPL Foundation or Friends may only exhibit work during staff-designated exhibits and may not profit from the exhibit.
Frequency & Duration of Exhibits
Artists may exhibit only once in a twelve (12)-month period. Typically, the maximum duration of exhibits is thirty (30) days.
Installation & Dismantling
Exhibitors are responsible for the setup and removal of their artwork at a mutually scheduled time. A Library representative will oversee both processes. The selected location of the exhibit determines the type of installation systems, which include cable hanging, locked display cabinet, and mobile mesh displays. No additional hooks, nails, or other fasteners can be attached to the walls or displays, and nothing may be glued, taped, or fastened directly to the walls or displays. It is the responsibility of the artist(s) to label their artwork and provide an artist statement/summary of exhibit. A final review will assure compliance with this policy. Any work deemed incompatible with the policy will be removed. Failure to dismantle the exhibit within seven (7) days of the specified date may result in Library disposal of the exhibit. The Library will not provide storage for any property of the exhibitors.
Publicity
The description, with or without photograph(s), of the display may be included in the Library’s marketing. All publicity created by the Library, and any photographic or written record of any exhibit, is property of EPL. The artists/exhibitors recognize, agree, and authorize the Library to make use of such, at any time into the future, the Library deems appropriate.
Press releases, flyers, and other marketing materials are the responsibility of the exhibitor. The Library is not responsible for the promotion of any exhibit and may not act as agents for any exhibitor.
Sales
The Library does not act as a sales agent for the artist and will not engage in selling or negotiating the sale of artwork. Prices for items may not be displayed on the artwork, at the Library, nor included on any handout provided to the Library. The artist may provide their name, direct contact information, or third-party sales agents, either as part of the exhibit or as a handout, and handle patron requests for information on prices and sales. However, no works of art may be removed during the exhibit period.
Guidelines
The Library is not responsible for the accuracy or interpretation of artwork or statements in exhibit.
Exhibits must meet existing State and Federal laws on obscenity, libel, defamation of character, and invasion of privacy. Displays may not promote or represent any activity or purpose that is in violation of local, state, or federal ordinances or laws, including copyright and public performance laws.
Exhibits will be evaluated on using content-neutral criteria with primary consideration given to the opportunity for community engagement or educational value, as well as the limits of the available display spaces.
The Library is a space for all ages. Accordingly, the Library does not accept works of art that include explicit violence, hate speech, sexually explicit imagery, nudity, or sexuality.
Exhibit reservations are not transferrable.
The Director has the final authority for approving exhibits based on criteria in this document and reserves the right to deny any application to display artwork.
Disclaimers
Exhibited materials do not imply endorsement by EPL. The Library reserves the right to refuse exhibit materials it deems unsuitable, or those materials that do not support its mission. The Library reserves the right to reschedule or cancel the exhibit if the Library determines the space is needed for Library purposes. The Library is not responsible for any damage, loss, or theft of any artwork or other part of an exhibit. The Library does not insure any exhibits and all work is displayed at the exhibitor’s risk. A Release Form must be completed by the exhibitor prior to installation of the exhibit.
The Library Board of Trustees reserves the right to amend these guidelines at any time. The Director may authorize exceptions when consistent with the Library’s mission or policy, and deny or cancel any application for failure to meet Exhibit Policy expectations.