In Association with the Smithsonian Institution
A public sculpture park in Solomons, Maryland
At Artsfest 2006, Hussein Saidi was presented with the Arts Council of Calvert County Best in Show Award, including a $750 cash prize. Artsfest: Artist Information
Artsfest Home • Artist Information • Artists • Award Winners •Art Activities • Entertainment • Food & Drink • Sponsors • Volunteers
Table of Contents
Application Deadline: March 31st
About Artsfest
Established in 1993, Artsfest is an annual juried arts festival organized by Annmarie Garden - a public sculpture park located in Solomons, Maryland - about an hour from the Baltimore-Washington Metro area. Recognized as one of the top outdoor arts festivals in the Mid-Atlantic region, Artsfest will bring together some of the country’s most accomplished artists for a weekend of art, music, food, wine and micro brews at beautiful Annmarie Garden. Bands and entertainment acts perform continuously throughout the Garden. We hope you will make Artsfest a must-do on your list of shows!
About Annmarie Garden
Annmarie Garden is a thirty acre public sculpture park and arts center located in scenic Solomons, Maryland, on the Chesapeake Bay. Since 1993, the Garden has captivated visitors of all ages with its natural setting and exceptional programs and events. The beautiful new Arts Building at Annmarie Garden houses rotating exhibits and programs throughout the year, including national and regional shows. For a complete exhibit schedule, including call for entries, please visit the website at www.annmariegarden.org.
The Garden also features a shady walking path that meanders through the woods past permanent and loaned works of outdoor sculpture, much of it spectacular works on loan from the Smithsonian Institution. The new Studio School at Annmarie Garden offers a variety of engaging classes and workshops for all abilities taught by a talented faculty. Every year during Artsfest, the Studio School hosts an open house designed to showcase the creative offerings. With this exceptional line up of exhibits, programs, special events, and classes, Annmarie Garden makes for an unforgettable arts experience. To learn more, visit www.annmariegarden.org.
| March 31 | Deadline to apply |
| April 30 | Notification of Jury decisions |
| June 30 | Artist booth reservation & rental fees due |
| July | Artsfest badges and set up information mailed to all artists and Arts organizations. |
| August 31 | Cancellation refund deadline |
| Thursday, September 16 | 9am-5pm- Indoor Set-up Begins |
| Friday, September 17 | 9am-5pm- Artist Set-up, All Indoor set-up must be completed |
| Saturday, September 18 | 7am-9:30am - Artist Booth Set Up |
| Sunday, September 19 | 8am-9:30am - Booth Re-stocking |
| Monday, September 20 | 9am-4pm Indoor take down completed |
| October31 | Deadline for sales payment to ANNMARIE GARDEN |
Administration Fees & Slides
Artists are juried by a 2-5 member panel made up of fellow artists, gallery directors, art professionals, and art instructors. A non-refundable application fee of $25.00, check payable to ANNMARIE GARDEN, must be mailed with this application. A select group of 120-150 artists will be chosen for participation. Notification of acceptance will be mailed or emailed in late April, along with your booth assignment. Deadline to pay booth and rental fees is June 30. Artsfest badges and set up information is sent in July. The Artsfest Coordinator reserves the right to change any booth location at any time as necessary, even after notification of space assignment has been given.
To be considered by the jury, artists must submit:
· Completed application form with VALID email address
· Signed and dated release form
· A $25.00 non-refundable application fee. The fee is waived for Emerging Artists.
· A self-addressed, stamped, legal size envelope.
· An artist's statement that describes the materials and techniques used to create your artwork is REQUIRED. Descriptions should be no more than one paragraph. This statement will be read by the jury.
· Five color slides, including one display slide, are REQUIRED; each should be labeled on one side as follows in accordance with the NAIA guidelines:
· Or you may use high-quality jpeg images. All images must be submitted on one CD labeled with artists name and contact information. DO NOT email images.
Slide and Image Information:
1. Artist full name, title, medium, size — top of slide.
2. Number each slide — bottom right.
3. RED DOT to indicate bottom of slide — bottom left.
4. Four slides/ images measuring 2"x2" must represent work
created since 2007.
5. The fifth slide/ image must represent typical exhibit set up.
No people or identifying signs should appear in
set up slide. This applies to ALL applicants. Emerging Artists
do not have to send a set-up slide.
6. Slides/ images should be clear and well representative of work.
7. Artists with framed works must submit at least one slide/ image
clearly displaying the quality of framing.
8. No glass or damaged slides, stickers, photographs or
drawings will be accepted. Do not send samples of work.
Slides/ digital images of accepted artists work will be kept for promotional uses and returned after
Artsfest.
Slides can be made from digital photographs and ordered online from reputable companies. We often hear great reviews for www.colorslides.com.
*Artists failing to submit all of the required materials will not be considered by the Jury.
*Previous acceptance into Artsfest does not automatically guarantee acceptance this year.
*Artists applying to the Emerging Artist Program must submit a resume.
Fee Structure
APPLICATION FEE: $25 application fee, non-refundable
Fee is waived for Emerging Artists
Due by March 31
Upon acceptance to Artsfest, participating artists agree to pay according to the following fee schedule:
BOOTH RESERVATION FEES:
Indoor Exhibit Space $150 per booth (includes electricity)
Tent Circle $50 per booth
Wooded Path $25 per booth
Fee is waived for Emerging Artists
Due by June 30
RENTAL FEES:
Electricity $25 for booths in the Tent Circle
Tables $10 per table
Emerging Artists are provided 2 tables
Due by June 30
POST-EVENT GROSS SALES PAYMENT: Due by October 31
All Artsfest artists, including emerging artists, must pay a percentage of their
gross sales to ANNMARIE GARDEN. For sales up to $2000, artist pays
15%.
After the first $2000 the percentage drops to 10%.
There is a minimum payment of $100.
For example, if you have gross sales of $4500, you would pay as follows:
15% of $2000 = $300
10 % of $2500 = $250
Total Payment = $550
**Please note that if you have gross sales of $666 or lower, you must pay the minimum of $100.
Special note: failure to make sales payment in a timely manner will result in artist being barred from any future Annmarie Garden event or activity.
Festival Rules & General Information
Annmarie Garden is committed to presenting the finest of artists and craftspeople. Selections are chosen based on several criteria: quality, craftsmanship, creativity, uniqueness, and style of execution. To this end, the festival rules have been established to ensure the highest quality festival experience for the artists and visitors. By applying you agree to abide by the rules, policies and decisions of the Artsfest Jury.
Artist must exhibit and be present during the complete show, from 10:00a.m. through 5:00p.m. Saturday, September 18, and from 10:00a.m. through 5:00p.m., Sunday, September 19. Failure to follow this rule makes artist ineligible for prizes and admission to future shows. Artists who depart or breakdown prior to closing on Saturday will not be permitted to return the following day.
Exhibitors are encouraged to set a broad price range for their works.
The bulk of work exhibited must be original and signed by the artist. See next section for details on commercial reproductions. Artist shall exhibit only works typified by their slides. Only the works of the accepted artists may be sold or displayed at Artsfest.
Photographs must be printed by the exhibiting photographer. If you produce work in editions, you must disclose edition numbers to the festival audience and include this information in your slide description.
Molded ceramics must be made by the artist with artist designed molds.
Kits, stencils, stamps, and patterns are unacceptable.
Award winners from the previous year are invited to return and are not required to go through the jury process. Award winners must still complete an application form. The application fee, slides, and the artist statement are not required.
Artists agree to pay a percentage of their gross sales which will benefit ANNMARIE GARDEN, a public, non-profit arts center. The $25 non-refundable application fee is not to be deducted from sales payment. The deadline to make the sales payment is October 31.
Artists may not share space with another artist, unless that artist is juried into the show as well. Non-juried artists will be asked to leave the show immediately.
Each artist is responsible for collecting Maryland state sales tax and must adhere to all sales tax laws of the State of Maryland. Questions should be directed to The Office of Comptroller, Annapolis, Maryland (410) 767-1540.
About Indoor booths and Tent Circle booths - Please note that Indoor Booths and Tent Circle booths measure at least 10’ x 10’. Artists are required to use a substantial display that withstands wind and crowds. Water-resistant coverings with weights are highly recommended. Stake or spike supports are not permitted on asphalt areas or indoors. Refer to Set-up Information section for additional information.
About booths along the Wooded Path - Booths along the Wooded Path are all at least 100 sq feet, but may not be exactly 10’ x 10’. For this reason, 10’ x 10’ tents may not fit. Tent legs, ropes and supports CANNOT stick out into the walking path. Artists are required to use a substantial display that withstands wind and crowds. Water-resistant coverings with weights are highly recommended. Stake or spike supports are not permitted on asphalt areas. Refer to Set-up Information section for additional information.
Electricity is available for $25 per booth in the Tent Circle. Electricity is included in the indoor fee. Availability of electricity along the Wooded Path is extremely limited and given on a first-come, first-served basis.
Tables can be rented in advance for $10 each.
Artists must provide their own chairs. No exceptions.
There will be no pets permitted within the confines of Annmarie Garden during Artsfest.
Application fee is non-refundable. Absolutely no exceptions are made.
There is a $25 returned check fee.
Reservation fees and rental fees are non refundable after August 31. Other refund requests are at the discretion of the Director of Annmarie Garden.
Penalties for failure to abide by these rules include immediate removal of artwork in violation of these rules, ejection from this year’s festival, and possible suspension from exhibiting in future festivals.
Artists who fail to make the sales payment by October 31 will be suspended from any future Annmarie Garden activity or program, including applying to any special event, teaching, exhibiting in gallery shows, selling items in the gift shop, etc. Once payment has been made, it is at the discretion of the Director of Annmarie Garden to re-instate participation privileges.
RV Parking at Artsfest is EXTREMELY LIMITED. You MUST make a reservation and pay in advance to park an RV in our parking field. Reservations are taken on a first-come, first-served basis and payment must be made in advance. No exceptions.
About Cars & Parking at Artsfest – our rules about cars may seem to strange, but they have been developed over the years as a result of trial and error. The main goal of our policy is to ensure the safety of ALL artists and ALL visitors. During set up times, artists may park their cars in approved locations to unpack/pack. We ask that once you have unpacked your car that you immediately move it over to the parking field. This frees up room for another artists to unpack/pack. ALL CARS must be removed from the Garden by 9:30am on Sat and Sun. NO EXCEPTIONS. At the end of the each day, there is a 30 minute period from about 5:00-5:30pm when we must politely get all the visitors out of the 30 acre property - no cars are allowed in the Garden during this time. You must wait. In addition, we use an A – B entry system. The As come in first, and then 30 minutes later, the Bs come in. This helps with traffic congestion. If you are a B, we suggest you use the time to pack. We also place staff members with walkie-talkies at all congestion points to help control traffic. If you are seen to be disobeying a direct request from a staff member or endangering the safety of ANY person, you will not be asked back to participate in Artsfest. In other words, bring your patience and sense of humor with you when you come to Artsfest! It will make the whole experience much more enjoyable for everyone.
OUR GRATITUDE – Artsfest is one of the most important fund raising activities for Annmarie Garden. The proceeds from this event help fund classes, programs, exhibits, and garden maintenance. We cannot express enough our extreme gratitude to all of you. We know there are so many details to worry about when undertaking a festival, and we are grateful that you are willing to participate in this event. We hope it is a mutually beneficial experience.Annmarie Garden and the Artsfest jury acknowledge that not everyone is able to purchase original artwork due to the prices these pieces command. In an effort to keep the art accessible to everyone, Artsfest does allow the sale of commercial reproductions. However it is important that all customers are aware of what they are purchasing, and it is for this reason Artsfest has adopted the following policy for the sale of commercial reproductions:
All reproductions must be clearly labeled as such. Other terms such as “print,” “giclee,” “offset lithograph,” etc. are PROHIBITED. Labels must say “Reproduction.”
It is suggested that reproductions be kept in a browsing bin that is clearly labeled “Reproductions.”
Reproductions must be signed in editions of no more than 300.
Reproductions should only be a supplementary part of the artist’s display and should not exceed more than 30% of the artist’s displayed body of work.
As a general guideline, reproductions should be sold for 30%-50% of the price of the original. Size of artwork, number of prints in the edition, and number of editions should also be taken into account when pricing reproductions.
Artists displaying work not consistent with these requirements will be asked to remove disputed work. Annmarie Garden reserves the right to close any booth that is not in compliance with the written policies.
Emerging Artist Program
The Emerging Artist Program is intended to support and exhibit emerging artists. This program sponsors artists who have not yet previously exhibited their work professionally. This unique opportunity allows emerging artists to exhibit and sell their work, interact with successful professional artists, and gain valuable experience that will help them in their future careers.
A limited number of emerging artists will be selected to participate in Artsfest through a jury process. The $25 application fee is waived for emerging artists, but they are required to pay 15% percent of their gross sales to ANNMARIE GARDEN. All emerging artists will be given booth space in a communal tent designated for emerging artists only. Although emerging artists do not compete against other artists for Artsfest award prizes, they are eligible to receive the Emerging Artist Award given to the best emerging artist at Artsfest.
Annmarie Garden is pleased to provide these up and coming artists with the opportunity to display and sell their work and we encourage festival visitors to stop by the Emerging Artist area to enjoy their exciting works of art.
Important Information for Emerging Artists
Important Information for Emerging Artists
· The $25 administration fee is waived for emerging artists.
· Each emerging artist must submit a completed Emerging Artist Application form with four slides and a signed release form with a VALID email address.
· Each emerging artist must submit a resume with their application.
· Application must be received in the office by March 31, 5:00p.m.
· Details about setup, etc. will be included with notification letters for those selected. Each emerging artist is given 2 tables, electricity is not available. Artist must provide own chairs.
· Like all artists in Artsfest, Emerging Artists must pay a percent of their gross sales to ANNMARIE GARDEN by Oct. 31. Refer to the fess structure for details.
Incomplete applications will not be accepted. Applications must arrive in the office by March 31st, 5:00p.m.
(Selection for Best Demonstration will take place Sept. Saturday, 18, between the hours of 10-noon)
Publicity
Artsfest is publicized throughout the greater Metropolitan areas of Washington DC, Northern Virginia, Southern and Central Maryland, Annapolis, and surrounding regions. Included are the following outlets: The Washington Post, The Bay Weekly, Annapolis Capital, Destination Maryland Magazine, State of Maryland Tourism, Calendar of Events, suburban newspaper publications, internet postings, and radio.
Each artist will receive at least 35 Artsfest postcards upon request with their confirmation materials to be used for publicity purposes. Artists may also email a digital photo in jpeg format and a short bio/ artist's statement to gardeninfo@chesapeake.net to showcase their work on the Annmarie Garden website.
Do not send any reservation or rental fees at this time! You must wait until you have received acceptance notification from the Jury to reserve your space.
Annmarie Garden is a lovely thirty acre park located in Solomons, Maryland. The park consists of several distinct areas: the arts building, the tent circle, the wooded path, the meadow, and the loblolly grove. During Artsfest, there is activity spread around the entire garden with artists booths concentrated in the Arts Building, Tent Circle, and along the Wooded Path. Visitors regularly comment on how much they enjoy our festival under the glorious canopy of trees and amidst the sculpture. You should carefully review the following information to decide which area of the garden is best suited for your booth. Sample photos are provided of each area.Indoor Exhibit Space: This area requires a reservation fee of $150.00. Booths are 10’ x 10’ and artists are responsible for their own set-up and takedown. Intended as the premier exhibition space at Artsfest, the jury will be looking for exceptional artists with beautiful displays. Displays are to be professional and high-quality. Electricity is included in fee. There is a table rental fee of $10 each. Artist must provide their own chairs. PLEASE NOTE: Due to limited vehicle access, the bulk of booth set up for indoor section must be done on Thursday and Friday. Artists are also encouraged to tear down indoor booth on the Monday after Artsfest.
Tent Circle: This area requires a reservation fee of $50.00. Booths are 10’ x 10’ and artists are responsible for their own set-up and takedown. You can drive your car to the booth for unloading and loading, but your car cannot remain parked at the booth. The fee for use of 110 volt electricity is $25.00. You must supply your own tent. No spikes or stakes can be used – and you cannot tie your display apparatus to trees or shrubs. Tables can be rented at $10 each. Artists must provide their own chairs.
Wooded path: This area requires a reservation fee of $25.00. As the booths along the wooded path are set amidst the trees, each space varies slightly in size and shape. All booth spots are spacious, but may not accommodate 10’ x 10’ tents due to trees and foliage and their unique shape. If your assigned space allows, tents can be set up in this area, but they may not protrude onto the paved pathway. Cars cannot be driven directly to the booth, but a shuttle service is provided and help is available unloading and loading. Electricity is not available. Tables can be rented at $10 each. Artists must provide their own chairs.
Melissa Daman, Artsfest Coordinator: exhibits@chesapeake.net