The Eno Arts Mill is located within the historic Eno Mill in the West Hillsborough neighborhood. The Orange County Arts Commission (OCAC) currently occupies two spaces with artist studios, located close to each other within the mill:

• The Eno Mill Artist Studios are 11 studios within a 3,000 square-foot working space. Click here to view a map.  
• Suite 17 includes the OCAC offices, a classroom, gallery/events space, and 5 offices/studios available to artists and/or cultural organizations.  Click here to view a map. 

All studios include 24/7 access (workspace only), wifi, utilities, opportunities to exhibit work, communal gathering and workspace, and access to a loading dock and restrooms. Both spaces are on the first floor of the mill.

Applications are accepted from artists, designers, and craftspeople looking to further their professional careers through dedicated studio practice. Studios will be awarded based on criteria listed below.

The OCAC is looking for creatives who:

• Are community-minded and will benefit from a co-working, semiprivate studio environment
• Display commitment to their craft through an existing body of work
• Create original work
• Are willing to participate in monthly public events, such as Last Friday Art Walk. The space will not be open to the general public other than during special events and by appointment with studio tenants.

Tenant Selection Considerations

• The OCAC seeks to represent a variety of artistic disciplines.
• The OCAC seeks to include artists of varying levels in their career.
• The OCAC seeks to include artists of varying ages, races, and backgrounds.
• Will this person’s practice work within the space available? 
• Does this person already have a place to work?
• Will this person use the space regularly? Will they participate in open studios and other public events?

Important Information

• Filling out an application does not guarantee studio space.
• The Mill Studios are work only, we do not provide live-work spaces (however this is a possibility in coming years).
• A security deposit of one month’s rent plus first month’s rent, which may be pro-rated, are due at lease signing.
• To ensure the safety and security of all tenants, accepted tenants must be willing to undergo a criminal background check.
• All tenants must hold a minimum $1M general liability policy showing Orange County and Hedgehog Holdings as additional insured. You can anticipate this costing between $200-$500 per year, or approximately $20-$50 per month. Certificate of Insurance must be on file before keys are given. The OCAC can connect you with a local insurance agent to assist you, if needed.  
• Tenants are required to sign a one-year lease which may be renewed annually for up to three years. 
• Tenants are required to agree to our Tenant Agreement Code of Conduct.
• For studios that do not have access to natural light, interior lighting has been installed which mimics natural light (5,000 kelvins).
• Equipment or materials that produce excessive fumes requiring special ventilation, smoke, fire, excessive dust, noise, or permanent damage to the facilities are not appropriate for this space. Preservatives/solvents including turpentine, ammonia, sodium fluoride, phenol or mercury compounds, as well as spray paint/spray fixative and dry pigments are not allowed. Only low-odor or odor-free mineral spirits are allowed. All solvent-soaked rags must be placed in a self-closing waste disposal can and emptied on a regular basis.
• The studios are visual artists only; however, the classrooms and gallery can be rented for musical performance and/or rehearsal.
• Tenants must possess awareness of the health, safety, and hospitable working environment of other artist tenants and a respect for the upkeep and preservation of the facilities. This includes but is not limited to noise pollution (eg: loud equipment and music), use of toxic materials, and the use and proper disposal of studio waste (eg: solvent soaked rags, hot wax, turpentine, acetone, etc) and keeping common areas clean. Artists will also avoid unsolicited critiques and only offer feedback when asked.
•  Pets are not allowed.

The Orange County Arts Commission (OCAC) and Orange County Arts Alliance (OCAA) present Hillsborough Holiday Bazaar Saturday, November 15, 10am-4pm at the Historic Courthouse Lawn in Downtown Hillsborough.

Important Dates

• Application Deadline: Wednesday, October 8, 11:59PM EST
• Notifications emailed: No later than Friday, October 17
• Fees due: Monday, November 3

Event Summary Artists, crafters and artisans of all types are invited to apply to the 4th Annual Hillsborough Holiday Bazaar happening Saturday, November 15, from 10am-4pm.  Due to flooding of the Eno Arts Mill from Tropical Storm Chantal, this year’s Bazaar will be held at the Historic Courthouse Lawn in Downtown Hillsborough.

This year's Bazaar will again be held outdoors. Vendors will have the option to have space under a large tent (heated if temps are below 50°) or bring their own tent and set up. 

General Information This event will be a juried showcase of high-quality fine art and crafts. All artists must submit an online application with images to be considered. If accepted, a booth fee will be required. No commission of sales will be collected. Artists residing in Orange County will be given preference, but artists within the Triangle and surrounding communities are encouraged to apply.

The event will be promoted Triangle-wide through local media outlets and through partners including Orange County, the Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau, and WCHL. As a participating artist, you will be featured on the Orange County Arts Commission website (artsorange.org), and Orange County Arts Commission social media pages.

Venue Information

Location: Orange County Historic Courthouse Lawn - 104 E. King St., Hillsborough, NC 27278.

Public Admission: Free

Parking: Ample parking for both vendors and the public is available around the Courthouse. View a Google Map of Downtown Hillsborough Parking Options here. On-street parking surrounding the Courthouse will be reserved for vendors during load-in. 

Electricity: Not available. Generators are allowed for food vendors. 

Load In: Load –in will begin at 7am on Saturday, November 15. All vendors must be fully set-up by 9:45am. 

Fees

>>> INDIVIDUAL ARTIST/ARTISIAN SPACES For individuals selling their art and handmade goods.

>>> BUSINESS RETAIL SPACES For arts-related businesses such as galleries, jewelers, fine crafts/gifts.

Allowed Mediums

Clay: All original clay and porcelain art objects other than jewelry, whether functional or decorative, are accepted in this category. Work must be made by hand-shaping and then firing. No work that uses commercial casts or molds, is machine-made or mass produced is permitted, unless as part of a Business Retailer Space. If multiple pieces of the same design are displayed, each piece must be signed.

Consumables: Artesian food, lotions, soaps and candles must be handmade by the seller and will require a certificate of liability insurance naming Orange County and the Eno Mill as additional insured. Allergen awareness signage will be required. All food items must be prepared in a health department-approved facility.

Digital Art: This category includes any original work for which the original image, or the manipulation of other source material, was executed by the artist using a computer. Work must be in limited editions, signed and numbered on archival quality materials. Traditional photographs taken through a digital media should apply in the photography category.

Drawing: Original works created using dry media, including chalk, charcoal, pastels, pencil, wax crayon, etc., or from the fluid media of inks and washes applied by pen or brush are to be entered in this category.

Fiber/Leather: Original work crafted from fibers, including basketry, batik, embroidery, leatherwork, painted fabric, papermaking, quilting, soft sculpture, tapestry, and weaving. This category includes both wearable and decorative art. No machine tooling, machine-screened patterns or other forms of mass production are permitted. No factory produced items, regardless of additional modification or enhancement by the artist, may be exhibited, unless as part of a Business Retailer Space.

Furniture: Original, hand-made, decorative or functional furniture of any material. No reproductions or kits permitted. This category excludes ready-made furniture which has been decorated or altered, unless as part of a Business Retailer Space. 

Glass: Original design, functional or decorative glass works that are kiln-formed or have been crafted by glass blowing, molding or casting may be entered. No forms of mass production are permitted, unless as part of a Business Retailer Space.

Jewelry: All jewelry, whether produced from metal, glass, clay, fiber, paper, plastic or other materials, must be both designed and hand-made by the artist. Commercial bead weaving kits are not permitted. No commercial casts, molds or mass production work is permitted unless as part of a Business Retailer Space.

Mixed Media (2D & 3D): Two or three dimensional works that incorporate more than one type of physical material to produce a single, original work of art. Garden art, folk art and floral artists may apply to this category.

Painting: Original creations using wet media, including watercolor, acrylic and oil paints, applied on a flat surface, such as a canvas or board. Excludes henna art and face painting.

Photography: Photographic prints made from the artist’s original image, which have been processed by the artist, or under his or her direct supervision. Photographers are required to disclose both their creative and printing processes. Work in this category must be in limited editions, signed and numbered by the artist, unless as part of a Business Retailer Space. 

Printmaking: Prints hand-pulled by artists using traditional methods, including etching, engraving, silkscreen, stone and plate lithography, linoleum block or woodcut, produced in signed and numbered limited editions of no more than 250 from an original image created by the artist. All photogravure, photocopy and/or offset reproductions will be rejected. Printmakers are required to disclose both their creative and printmaking processes. Prints must be matted and displayed in a suitable portfolio or stand.

Sculpture: Original three-dimensional work of any material.

Wood: Original works in wood, excluding furniture and sculpture, that are hand-tooled, machine-worked, turned or carved are accepted. Wooden toys and puzzles should be submitted under this category.

Rules/Regulations

APPLICATION PROCESS: All artists who wish to participate must submit an online application with images by Wednesday, October 8, at 11:59PM. Accepted artists will be notified no later than Friday, October 17. Accepted artists will be required to pay a nonrefundable booth fee (except for cancellation due to inclement weather; see below). Electronic payment is preferable; however, if the applicant elects to pay by check, checks should be made out to the Orange County Arts Alliance and mailed to 437 Dimmocks Mill Rd, Box 27, Hillsborough NC 27278. Artists working in more than one medium are welcome to submit an application for multiple bodies of work. Artists are limited to a maximum of three mediums. For each medium, artists are required to submit four images of their work.

SELECTION CRITERIA: Applicants will be judged by a panel of jurors and scored by media category. Artists with the highest scores within each media category will be admitted, keeping in mind that the show must remain balanced among various mediums. The OCAC and OCAA are committed to a policy of non-discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, creed, religion, ancestry, national origin, age, disability, gender preference, marital status, or political affiliation in all programming and employment. We are committed to providing equal access for all visitors and participants. Those unable to comply with the application requirements listed above because of a disability should contact the OCAC at 919-245-2129.

INCLEMENT WEATHER: This is a “rain or shine” event. In the case of hazardous weather, the OCAC will consider the needs of participants and the public in making any decision about cancellation or delayed opening. Refunds will be provided if the event is cancelled; however, no refunds will be made due to delayed opening or an artist’s decision not to participate for any reason. Should an artist choose to leave before the end of the event, future involvement in OCAC events will be jeopardized.

SECURITY: Artists are required to have representation at their booth at all times. Orange County nor the OCAC are responsible for any artwork, supplies, or other items left unattended in your booth or on festival grounds.

BOOTH INFORMATION

• Booth displays may not include "sale" signs, signage that extends beyond the footprint of the booth, or signage that is otherwise obtrusive to surrounding artists. All signage must be professional in appearance. Handwritten signs are permitted as long as they meet these standards.
• All accepted artists are required to display an Artist Statement in their booth as an educational tool for festival visitors. This should be no longer than 250 words and should include an explanation of the process(es) used to create the applicant’s art.
• Participating artists are required to stay throughout the entire event. Early break-down is not allowed.
• Tent weights are required. Tents without weights will not be permitted.
• All vendors must be set up by 9:45am. Vendors arriving after this time will not be allowed to set up and refunds will not be issued.