More than 520 original mini-masterpieces created by artists from all over North Carolina and several other states are currently on exhibit at the Arts Council of Moore County’s most unique event, Art Anonymous.

The exhibit will be on display at Campbell House Galleries through June 30. The galleries are free and open to the public Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday, June 19, from 2 to 4 p.m.

Inspired by a fundraising event from the Royal Academy of London, the idea for Art Anonymous is simple — artists donate original 2-D artwork with just two rules: The art must be the size of a 5- by-7 postcard, and it must be signed on the reverse, keeping the artist’s identity anonymous. Once a piece is sold at $50 each, the identity of the artist is revealed. To see an online gallery of the art, visit www.mooreart.org.

“In keeping with Arts Council’s mission to promote our artists, we asked North Carolina artist William Mangum to choose his favorite 25 Art Anonymous artists based solely on the art donated to the event,” says Chris Dunn, executive director. “The chosen artists display their typical art in a special exhibit at Campbell House Galleries in June 2011.”

The artists Mangum chose are Michelle Allee, of Pass Christian, Miss.; Kathy Barringer, of Vass; Edward L. Baxter, of Raleigh; Judith Collins, of Raleigh; Waltraut U. Desa, of Fayetteville; Gerald O. Dukes, of Pittsboro; Ray Elmore, of Greenville; Don Fales, of Biscoe; Sharon Ferguson, of West End; Sara Gray, of Southern Pines; Kathy Hopwood, of Hillsborough; Betsey MacDonald, of Clayville, R.I.; Meridith Martens, of Southern Pines; Bill Matthews, of Southern Pines; Irene McFarland, of Southern Pines; Paula Montgomery, of Pinehurst; Suzy Morgan, of Southern Pines; David Novak, of Matthews; Beth E. Roy, of Vass; Promila Sen, of Chapel Hill; Frances Soboeiro, of Pinehurst; Miriam Stack, of Sanford; Pamela Swarbrick, of Pinehurst; Lezlie Woods-Jacobs, of Maxton; and Kim Young, of Raleigh.

In addition, Mangum created a special Art Anonymous mini-masterpiece just for the event. The painting, called “Lookout,” is now being offered as a prize for attendees to the exhibit.

“At $5 a chance (or six for $25), you can win the painting for your very own,” says Dunn. “Just stop by the Campbell House to purchase your chances to win this wonderful painting. The drawing will take place on June 21, and you do not need to be present to win.”

As one of North Carolina's most respected and collected artists, Mangum creates colorful landscape and architectural paintings featuring beautiful hideaways from around the world. Aside from his commercial success, he has exhibited at the National Arts Club in New York and the New Realists show in Chicago. He earned his arts degrees from Sandhills Community College and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

For information, stop by the Campbell House (482 E. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines), call (910) 692-2787 or visit www.mooreart.org.