Facts
The Arts In Easton Banner Program is the work of the Avalon Foundation.
44 local artists participate each year to create 88 pieces of original fine artwork on canvas material impervious to weather. Each banner is an original, one-of-a-kind creation.
The banners are 30” by 40”.
Banners may be created from a variety of mediums. There have been banners produced in oil paint, acrylic paint, photographic art, mosaics and three dimensional art.
The banners are hung from lampposts in downtown Easton before Plein Air-Easton! in July and remain until late November. They are then taken down; the two sides of the banner are separated and cleaned in preparation for the annual auction.
Printed Banner Auction Guides are available (no cost) at the Avalon Theatre, 40 E. Dover St., the Welcome Center, 11 S. Harrison St., at the galleries of Easton and various other places around town.
Posters of the entire collection of banner images are available for purchase at the Avalon Theatre Box Office (40 E. Dover) and at the banner auction for $25.00 (including sales tax).
Banners may be bid on by online bidding or at the Banner Auction.
Each year on the second Saturday in December the banners are auctioned at an exhilarating and entertaining Banner Auction. This event is held in the Waterfowl Festival Building.
The banners are hung in advance of the auction to allow the public an opportunity to preview them.
The first $100.00 dollars of a banner sale goes to pay for the cost of the banner. From the proceeds, 75% goes to the artist and 25% is used in support of the work of the Avalon Foundation.
There is a waiting list of artists who would like to participate. Register to become a banner artist!
The highest price paid for a banner was $3,100.00; the historical average price is $610.75, although some banners still sell for the opening bid.
Students from Saint Michaels High School National Arts Honor Society have participated as banner artists.
In 2011 the banners were temporarily taken down as a precaution before Hurricane Irene.