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The Tiny Art Show returns to Art Center of the Bluegrass for a fifth year in a row this Saturday, March 25. Artwork will be available for viewing throughout the day during the Art Center’s regular business hours (10am to 4pm), and purchasing will start at 6 p.m. Doors open at 5:15 p.m.

During the show, guests can peruse the artwork on display, with beer and wine and a special Tiny Art cocktail available for purchase until 7 pm. Buying starts promptly at 6 pm. Every piece is priced at $20 each.

This year’s event will feature more than 350 pieces of miniature artwork, created by more than 100 artists throughout the region. The event is described as a “pop-up exhibit and fundraiser.” The pieces are on display for one day only, with a buying event Saturday evening.

Executive Director Niki Kinkade explains that the Tiny Art Show originated in 2019 with two parallel goals. “We wanted to create a new opportunity for wide-reaching community engagement that would also generate funds to support our mission,” she explains. The Tiny Art Show accomplished both.

“It was important to us that the show be open to absolutely anyone who was interested,” explained Kinkade. Not everyone is comfortable identifying themselves as an “artist” – but everyone has a creative spark to share with the community. Each year, the only parameters placed on participation are that artwork can be no larger than 6” on any given side, and must be created on a flat surface to allow for easy wall hanging.

Most submissions are paintings on small canvases, but every year, there are other creative media represented, with past pieces including mosaics, wrought iron, ceramics, quilting, felt art, photography, and more. Participating artists range from established professionals to young children. This year, in addition to artwork by some of Danville’s most well-known artists, the Art Center received pieces from student groups at Perryville Elementary School, Danville High School, and Stanford Elementary School.

There is also an element of mystery to the event, as the artists remain anonymous until after a piece is purchased. The artist’s information is provided on a tag on the back of the piece.

“The focus of this event is on the art itself,” explained Kinkade. “We wanted to encourage guests to pick the artwork that resonated most with them, visually, rather than taking into account whether they were familiar with the artist.”

For the past two years, the Tiny Art Show was constrained due to the impact of COVID-19. In 2021, the event was conducted entirely virtually, with art-lovers making their purchases online. Last year, the event was back to in-person, but attendance was capped due to concerns about the safety of large public gatherings.

“We are delighted to return to the original vision for the event this year,” said Kinkade. “Lots of art, lots of people, lots of fun.”

She adds that, thanks to the support of event sponsor Community Trust Bank, the 2023 Tiny Art Show is free to the public.