Auction on the Alley 2026

Register to BID 

To place bids for Auction on the Alley, the first step is to create an account. Begin by clicking the "register" button or "register" on the menu bar. Next, choose the one ticket option labelled register to bid. At the bottom of the ticket window, you can also choose to "Add an Optional Gift" as a donation to IA&A. You will then see a summary of your ticket purchase and the option to enter a promo code, if applicable. Click the Next button. 

Enter Your Details

Enter your name, email, address, city, state, zip code, and country of origin. At the bottom, you can check the option to receive updates. Click next. Under “Register to Bid,” let us know if you plan to attend the “Grand Finale” on September 24th. Add your phone number as addition contact information. At the bottom of the window, select options to receive email or text notifications. Click next.

Confirmation Window

This window will confirm your registration. From this window, you can view your ticket, manage your ticket, and print out your details. 

Ready to Bid

Select the “Ready to Bid” button at the bottom of the pop-up window (this option will also be sent to you via email). When clicking this option, you will receive a six-digit passcode to login. You will be prompted to create an account to start bidding. Click “Submit.” You will then be asked to enter your method of payment (this is required in order to place a bid). You will then receive a confirmation that you are set to start bidding.

Placing a Bid

To place a bid, you must log in and have a payment method recorded in the system. From there, the process is easy. Once you are ready to place a bid select the Place Bid button beneath the artwork. Some items will already have bids, while others will say Be the first to bid! When placing a bid, you will be prompted to place the starting bid price or select from recommended bid amounts that are usually in increments of 20, 50, or 100. Once you have decided, register your amount. Once you place your bid, a button will appear that indicates you're winning. You will also be presented with the option to Place Max Bid to make it tougher for your competitors. If someone else places a higher bid, you will receive a message that states that you have been outbid. If you win an item, you will receive a message that says You Won! Since bids can be placed throughout the month, each item will display the number of days, hours, and minutes that are remaining before bids close.

Shipping and Artwork Pick-Up

All artwork that receives successful bids will be available for pick up Friday, September 25 through Monday, September 28. The cost for shipping artwork out of town is not included in the bid price, so the shipment of artwork must be arranged between the bidder and the artist. Hillyer staff will be on hand to facilitate this process. Artists will work with Hillyer staff to package the work in advance of the artwork pick up date. The address for artwork pick up is: 9 Hillyer Ct NW, Washington DC 20008. Contact Gelila Kassa, Gallery Assistant, for further assistance. 

Purchasing Artwork After the Auction Closes

Some artwork may still be available after the auction closes based on the discretion of the artists. Please send us a notification no later than the end of the day on Friday, September 25th. This will give us time to make arrangements with the artists to hold the artwork until the end of the day on Monday, September 28th, which is the final day for artwork pick up.