Eno Arts Mill Studio Guidelines

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 that contain eleven artist studios, a gallery, classroom, and the OCAC offices. 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 First 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.
• A security deposit of one month’s rent plus first month’s rent, which may be pro-rated, are due at lease signing. The lease and payments are handled electronically.
• 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 (owners of the Eno River Mill) 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 the lease is processed. The OCAC can connect you with a local insurance agent to assist you, if needed.  Please note: this is a liability policy ONLY; it does not protect your artwork in the event of damage, theft, or natural disaster. Artists are encouraged (but not required) to insure their artwork and belongings through a separate policy.
• 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.
• 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.
• Only the Back Studios (studios 1-6) are equipped for ceramics. 
• Pets are not allowed.

ArtsOrange invites Orange County artists, crafters and artisans of all types to apply to the Really, Really, Super-local Holiday Show held at the Eno Arts Mill in Hillsborough.

Important Dates

• Application Deadline: Sunday, November 1, 11:59PM EST
• Notifications sent: No later than Monday, November 9
• Work should be delivered Monday, November 30 between 12-7pm (no shipping)
• Show closes Wednesday, December 23
• Unsold works must be picked up Tuesday, December 29th, 12-7pm (no shipping)

Event Summary 

Orange County artists, crafters and artisans of all types are invited to apply to the Really, Really, Super-local Holiday Art Show opening Friday, December 4, from 6-9pm at the Eno Arts Mill in Hillsborough. The Eno Arts Mill is a multipurpose arts space that includes a gallery, classroom, and 17 artist studios. The opening will feature live music, open artist studios, food trucks and beverages, artmaking activities and more.

General Information

 This salon-style show will be a juried showcase of high-quality fine art and crafts. All artists must submit an online application with images to be considered. The exhibit will take place in the Eno Arts Mill Gallery.

As a participating artist, you will be featured on the ArtsOrange website (artsorange.org), and social media pages. 

Open only to individual artists currently living in or with studios in Orange County.

• All mediums are allowed
• When requested and available, ArtsOrange can provide artists basic display accommodations such as pedestals or lockable jewelry display cases. Artists are responsible for all other individual display needs (plate stands, jewelry displays, etc). All display items must be clearly and securely labeled with artist/owner name. 
• All submissions must be for sale
• Two and three-dimensional works allowed
• 3-Dimensional works must be stable and able to stand freely or safely hang. Functional ceramics intended for food use such as cups, bowls, etc. must be food safe.
• Artists selling multiple items may replenish stock throughout the exhibit. OCAC is not responsible for storing additional pieces or packing materials but will contact the artist if all inventory is sold.  
• Works on paper and canvases less than 1″ thick must be properly framed and wired (no sawtooth hangers)
• WORK SOLD: For all work sold, the Orange County Arts Alliance (on behalf of ArtsOrange) will retain a 40% commission. The OCAA will collect all monies from the sale of artwork, including tax, through the end of December. The OCAA has 30 days from the exhibit closing date to initiate Artist payments.
• UNSOLD WORK: Artists may donate (in writing) unsold artwork to the OCAA or pick up their work Tuesday, December 29th between 12-7pm. After February 28th, 2027, remaining work will become property of the OCAA.
• The Eno Arts Mill is a partnership of Orange County and the Orange County Arts Alliance, a 501c3 organization. As an exhibitor in the Eno Arts Mill Gallery, your artwork is insured by the OCAA in the event of damage or theft. However, the County accepts no responsibility for property exhibited in the Gallery and by exhibiting at the EAM, you agree to hold harmless Orange County and its agents, employees, officers, and volunteers.
• Artists agree to allow ArtsOrange use of images of artwork for promotional purposes (credit will be given).

Size limitations and number of works allowed: 

2D works: 

• Up to one Large (60” wide or larger)
• Up to two Medium (36” – 59” wide)
• Up to four Small: (Under 36” wide)

3D works: Sculptural

• One Large (free-standing, 5' tall or larger)
• Up to two Medium (requiring pedestals, 1' to 5' tall)
• Up to four Small  (requiring shelves, under 12" tall)

3D works: Functional ceramics/serving ware 

• Up to three pieces of large functional serving ware (serving platters, large bowls, etc.)
• Up to eight pieces of small functional serving ware (small plates, bowls, cups, etc.)

3D works: Jewelry

• Up to eight pieces of fine jewelry requiring a lockable case
• Up to twelve pieces of jewelry not requiring a lockable case, with artist-provided display stand, such as earrings and bracelets

2D & 3D works: Small gifts

• Up to twenty small gift items such as holiday cards, ornaments, or 2D unframed work no larger than 11X14 (such as prints). *Unframed 2D works (such as prints) require cardboard backing or matting, and protective sleeves.

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. 

Guidelines 

APPLICATION PROCESS: All artists who wish to participate must submit an online application with images by Sunday, November 1 at 11:59PM. Artists will be notified no later than Monday, November 9th. Artists working in more than one medium are welcome to submit an application for multiple bodies of work. Artists are limited 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. ArtsOrange is 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 us at 919-245-2129.