Welcome Artists
Artists, this is your canvas.
The CAP Art Auction is a cornerstone of Portland’s philanthropic history. Since 1989, this event has united the local art community in response to the HIV & AIDS epidemic—an effort first sparked by artists who witnessed the devastating impact firsthand. What began as a grassroots act of solidarity has grown into an enduring tradition of creativity, generosity, and community.
Today, the CAP Art Auction stands as one of our agency’s most vital fundraising events. At a time when funding for our work faces new challenges, the generosity of artists and the arts community ensure this event not only survives, but evolves and thrives, to meet urgent needs while carrying forward the legacy of those who built it. Each year, more than 200 pieces of visual art are submitted, serving as a reminder that art has the power to spark movements, inspire hope, and sustain CAP’s lifesaving work.
For 2026, the leadership of Cascade AIDS Project, along with our co-curator team of Daniel Peabody and Ashley Stull Meyers, humbly request your support of the CAP Art Auction by submitting artwork. We’re grateful for your time and generosity in support of CAP’s mission
Submit Your Masterpiece.
On behalf of all of us at CAP, we are sincerely appreciative of and humbled by your generosity in supporting our work by submitting a piece for consideration. Thank you for sharing your creativity with us and helping make this year’s auction a true celebration of art and community.
IMPORTANT DATES
10/24 @ 9AM Art Donations Open
01/05 @ 5PM Art Donations Close
02/02 @ 5PM Jury Selection Concludes
02/10 - 02/14 Artists Notified of Jury Results
03/30 @ 9AM Silent Auction Opens:
04/11 @ 5PM 2026 CAP Art Auction
04/11 @ 9PM After Party with Bar Partners
APRIL 2026 Artist Impact Reception
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Photography Tips
Photograph your artwork in bright, indirect daylight or a controlled photography studio to avoid harsh shadows, overexposure, or poor color representation.
Avoid using direct flash, which can create glare or distort colors and instead opt for soft, continuous light. If using soft boxes, angle lights at 45 degrees from artwork to avoid glare and reflections.
Place the camera parallel to the artwork with the lens centered vertically along the height of the piece to avoid distortions or extreme angles.
Aim for images that are at least 1500–2000 pixels on the longest side, saved as JPEG or PNG.
Submission Guidelines
Artwork can be submitted for digital review through the form below now and before noon on Monday, January 5, 2026
All art submissions should be no larger than 36” x 36” in size. If you have questions about the size limit, please contact our team at events@capnw.org.
Individual artists & collectors may submit up to 2 total submissions for jurying.
No more than one piece per artist will be selected.
No more than five pieces per gallery will be selected.
At least one photo is required for each piece submitted for consideration. Refer to the previous section above for art photography tips.
All art must be submitted using the form on this page to be juried.
Artwork Selection Process
This year’s collection will feature 90 silent auction pieces and 10 live auction pieces.
All artwork is carefully juried by our co-curators for the 2026 Art Auction with the goal of displaying diverse, high-quality and well-crafted visual art made by artists that represent the diversity of our communities.
The art selection is reviewed digitally through an anonymous process, with the artist and gallery name hidden during scoring.
All artists and galleries will be notified of the jury results in early February 2026 to confirm if their piece has been selected for this year’s collection.
A donation receipt will be sent to all artists, galleries, and donors for accepted pieces donated to the auction after the event is over in April 2026
Questions? Let us know!
Reach out to us at events@capnw.org for any questions regarding art donations, the jurying process, or anything else.
What artists & galleries can expect in 2026
At CAP, we know that the heart of the Art Auction is the generosity of the artists who make it possible. Donating artwork is not just a contribution of time and talent, it’s a personal gift that fuels care, housing, food, and health services for thousands across our community.
We want every artist who participates to feel valued, celebrated, and connected to the impact their art creates. Here’s some of the ways we are showing our appreciation for you incredible support:
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The 2026 CAP Art Auction will feature a robust digital campaign designed to highlight every participating artist and their work. Our online collection will:
Showcase the full 2026 auction gallery
Feature artist profiles with links to websites, social media, or other platforms
Connect buyers, supporters, and the wider community directly to your ongoing work
This digital presence extends the reach of your art beyond the event itself—offering lasting visibility and recognition across CAP’s broad community of 20,000+ supporters across the country.
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Date, Time, and Location to be Announced
All participating artists and galleries are invited to join us for an evening of appreciation and connection. Enjoy drinks and light appetizers as we premiere a special screening of the CAP Art Auction Impact Video and hear firsthand from CAP’s CEO and Program Directors about the powerful impact of your contributions.
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Live Auction Artists will receive 2 complimentary tickets to the 2026 CAP Art Auction.
If the live auction artist is represented by a gallery, the gallery will also receive 2 complimentary tickets to the CAP Art Auction.
Registration must be confirmed 1 month in advance of the event (Friday, March 13) and tickets are not transferable.
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Galleries that have three or more pieces accepted into the 2026 collection will receive:
Special gallery signage displayed at the event, highlighting their commitment to supporting CAP’s mission
An invitation to the Artist Impact Reception to connect with artists and CAP leadership.
