Community Free Library Fundraisers

Art Auction - NEW

About the Art Acution

The 2026 Community Free Library’s Art Auction is a fundraising event designed to display our community’s artistry and talent. Funds raised during the auction support the Community Free Library’s continued expansions as well as a multitude of community-building programs and classes.

The Art Auction will consist of an in-person Live Auction and a reception. Works submitted for the Auction will be displayed from June 1st-25th as well as in the Art Auction catalogue that will be available online and during the Auction itself. Only wall art up to 24 x 18 inches will be accepted into the Auction, and selected artists may choose to either donate their work’s proceeds directly to the Community Free Library or to keep 50% of the earnings collected.

We hope to see both you and your artwork in the Community Free Library’s first ever Art Auction!

Important Dates and Deadlines

  • March 2 Art Submissions Open

  • April 30 Art Submissions Close

  • By May 15 Notifications Sent to Selected Artists

  • May 18-30 Art Drop-Off at Library

  • June 1 - 25 Art Auction Exhibition on View

  • June 26 Art Auction Event 6:00 - 8:00

  • By July 3 Post Auction Artist Update

  • July 17 Commission Checks Sent

Submission Requirements

Artist Eligibility

  • Artists of all ages are invited to submit their work to the Community Free Library Art Auction. The artist may be in any stage of their career.

  • The artist must be able to deliver the artwork to the Library either in person or via mail in the allotted timeframe.

  • All associated shipping expenses of mailing/delivery are the responsibility of the artist.

Artwork Eligibility

  • All artworks submitted to Art Auction must be originals (no giclée prints or AI generated works).

  • Artworks may be in any medium, but must be ready for display. Only wall art will be accepted.

  • All entries for Art Auction must be submitted on or before the listed deadline.

  • Once submitted and selected, artworks cannot be altered or exchanged for another work.

  • The Community Free Library reserves the right the reject any artwork that does not meet the requirements or is in poor condition.

Art Auction

  • Up to three works may be submitted for consideration, but only one work may be accepted.

  • Different sizes and price points are encouraged.

  • Artworks must be no more than 24 inches in height and may not exceed 18 inches in width.

  • Artwork may not weigh more than 10 pounds.

  • Bidding on each piece starts at $20, regardless of the work’s fair market value.

  • Artists may donate 100% of the sale’s proceeds or choose to keep 50% of their earnings. All proceeds will be considered a donation to the Library and are tax deductible.

Artwork Submission Requirements

Please prepare the following materials before submitting your work.

1. High-quality image of the artwork(s) you are submitting:

  • Filename: LastName_ArtworkTitle

  • Dimensions: 2000 x 2000 px or bigger (typically the full resolution of a smartphone camera photo)

  • File size: 10 MB or less

  • Accepted file formats: .jpg or .png

2. Information about the artwork(s) you are submitting

Include the title, date created, medium, and size. Please ensure the information you provide is correct. It will be used to create the artwork’s exhibition labels, as well as print and digital promotions for the Art Auction advertisements.

3. Artist Biography

An artist’s biography should include any relevant information that the artist wishes to list as well as their background and experience with art. If desired, a photograph of the artist may be included with the biography.

Artwork submitted for Art Auction will be reviewed by a panel of the Community Free Library staff and members of the Board of Trustees who will select art for the auction. Artists will be notified by May 15th if their artworks have been accepted or declined for the Art Auction.

Any artworks that meet the Community Free Library’s submission requirements may be accepted. Selected artists will receive additional information after submissions close.

Send all submission materials to mnorman@nioga.org.

Questions?

If you have any questions about submitting artworks to the Community Free Library’s Art Auction or you need assistance with the submission form, please contact Melanie Norman, Youth Services Librarian, at mnorman@nioga.org or (585) 638-6987 during library hours.

You may also contact Melanie if you need to edit a submitted form before the April 30th deadline.

The success of the Art Auction will be due to the collective generosity of artists like you, and we are excited to see all the wonderful submissions for our first Art Auction .

Thank you for supporting the Community Free Library!

2026 Wine Tasting

About the Wine Tasting

The Wine Tasting is an annual fundraiser put on by the Community Free Library to help fund the Summer Reading Program. This year, we are changing it up by elevating our patron’s experience with an all-new VIP ticket for sale, more wineries attending, and themed activities available for attendees.

The 2026 Wine Tasting will be held on April 10th beginning at 7:00 PM. For the first time, we will be offering a VIP experience with which a VIP ticket holder will be allowed early entry at 6:15 PM, a specialized etched wineglass, and a private guided wine tasting with one of our visiting wineries.

This year, the Community Free Library will be hosting 6 wineries from around Western New York.

  • Victorianbourg -

  • Schwenk -

  • Schultze -

  • TBD -

  • TBD -

  • TBD -