NORTH READING — The North Reading Historical and Antiquarian Society is seeking original artwork for the Art Raffle and Art Silent Auction to benefit this year’s Apple Festival, which will be held on Saturday, Sept. 18.

The annual event at the Rev. Daniel Putnam House, 27 Bow St., is a fall community staple that brings together dozens of local organizations and thousands of residents to celebrate the town of North Reading.

Residents who donate artwork can decide on whether they want the item to go in a raffle or silent auction or they can let the Historical Society chose.

The artwork display opened this past Tuesday night for those artists who had previously committed to donate their works. The artwork will remain on display until Friday, Sept. 17.

Those artists who still wish to donate their work may contact Ginny Mills directly at apple@nreadinghistory.org or 978-857-6138 to make arrangements for their work to be added to the display, raffle and silent auction.

All proceeds from the raffle and silent auction directly benefit the preservation of North Reading antiquities and artifacts and the historical buildings on the Putnam House grounds.

Artwork guidelines

For those who would like to donate artwork, please follow these guidelines:

  • All art donations must be original, signed works.
  • Artists must be18 years old or older.
  • Most media is accepted.
  • Framed paintings must have wire for hanging.
  • Painted furniture cannot weight more than 15 pounds.
  • Fabric art should be mini or small.
  • Sculptural art must be less than 18 inches tall and weigh not more than 15 pounds.
  • Jewelry must be mounted for display.
  • Please provide an estimated, fair market value for each donated piece. If the donation is for the silent auction, the organizers ask that artists also provide a suggested minimum bid
  • Artists should accompany each piece of art with two business cards and if desired, a biography. One of the business cards should display your name, the title of the work, and the medium.

The Historical Society will let artists know who won or purchase donated work in a mailing following the Apple Festival. Winners will also be announced in the Transcript.

Refer questions to Ginny Mills via cell phone 978-857-6138, or email: apple@nreadinghistory.org.

Residents can also submit questions to:

North Reading Historical and Antiquarian Society

c/o Apple Festival, Artists

P.O. Box 354

North Reading, MA 01864

Fun and games for all ages!

Townspeople should make sure to save the date for this year’s Apple Festival. The festival will include local vendors and crafters, an apple pie contest, Historical Society merchandise, local entertainment, children’s games and pony rides. Apple pie contest rule will be released in a future edition of the Transcript.