ARTIST APPLICATION

Deadline: April 30th

About the Edwardsville Art Fair

DESCRIPTION: 

The Edwardsville Art Fair is an annual 3 day outdoor juried arts celebration presenting the work of approximately 85-100 talented local, regional, national, and international artists; local performing arts; live art demonstrations; children’s art gallery; and food and drink vendors. Located in beautiful historic City Park in Edwardsville, Illinois; 25 minutes from St. Louis, Missouri; the fair draws 10,000 -12,000 visitors from around the region. Hosted by the Edwardsville Arts Center and a variety of local sponsors, this favorite local event is known for its top-notch hospitality, excellent sales, and gorgeous location! The event is open and free to the public.

The Edwardsville Arts Center is a non-profit art organization developed to foster opportunities for local artists; and aims to facilitate the appreciation of art through education, exhibitions, outreach, and special events to our region. Proceeds from the fair directly impact our programming.  

IMPORTANT DATES & DEADLINES:

Fair Hours:

Friday, September 26th from 5-9pm

Saturday, September 27th from 11am - 9pm

Sunday, September 28th from 11am - 3pm

Application Dates and Deadlines:

April 30th, 2025: 11:59pm CST | Application Deadline

May 15th, 2025: Email notification of acceptance or rejection

May 30th, 2025: Deadline for accepted artists to commit to exhibit to remit booth fee for $50 discount.

July 15, 2025: Deadline for accepted artists to commit to exhibit and to remit booth fee of $350.

July 31, 2025: Deadline for received cancellations to be made in writing one and receive one half of the booth fee refunded. No refunds will be given for cancellations after July 31, 2025.

ARTIST AMENITIES:

  • $10,000 in Awards

  • Mayor’s Purchase Award

  • Complimentary meals available for artists throughout the weekend. Artist's partners/helpers can purchase meals for the weekend for an additional fee. 

  • Single booth spaces available. Double and corner spaces by request for additional fee.

  • Volunteers available to assist with set-up and loading.

  • Booth sitters and indoor bathrooms available.

  • Individual electricity provided to each booth.

  • Free T-shirt for every artist. Additional shirts available for purchase.

  • Overnight security

  • Free parking

APPLICATION DEADLINE AND FEES: 

The application fee is $30 and is non-refundable. Previous year’s award winners will be exempt from the application fee, but not the jurying process. We can not guarantee acceptance to previous award winners.

 

Applications will close at 11:59pm on April 30th, 2025. If accepted, regular booth fees are $350. Booth fees received by May 30th will be discounted to $300. Final booth fees are due by July 15, 2025. 

 

JURY PROCEDURE:  

Applications are open to Fine Artists and Fine Craftspersons representing original works. The jury is composed of three professionals from various art related backgrounds. The jury will review the body of work submitted by the artist (4 product images labeled with medium, dimensions, and price; 1 booth shot; artist statement including technical process) in-person or virtually as a group without knowledge of the artist’s name. Applicants will be scored from 1-10 omitting the number 5. Jurors will be instructed to assess eligibility requirements to the best of their ability; and will be looking for technical and artistic originality and excellence. DO NOT submit images or documents with your name, picture, or business information visible. Failure to omit personal or business information will result in disqualification.  Artists will be issued a random number for jurying purposes.

 

RESULTS OF JURYING:  

All applicants will receive a notification of acceptance or rejection via email May 15, 2025.  All jury scores will be confidential and artists will not be given their individual scores or feedback on their entry. 

 

EMERGING ARTIST PROGRAM:

The Edwardsville Art Center seeks to support local emerging artists. Our Emerging Artist Program allows jury accepted emerging artists to share space in a designated area. Individuals will share designated tent spaces. 

  • Emerging artists are exempt from paying booth fees.

  • Artists within this block are ineligible for juried awards. 

  • Artists are not exempt from the jurying process nor the $30 application fee.

  • Submitting an application to emerging artists does not guarantee acceptance to exhibit. 

  • Emerging artists are not eligible for complimentary meals.

  • Accepted Artists will share provided tent space.

  • Please follow application guidelines and choose “Emerging Artist” Category.

  • Additional Qualifications:

    • Never exhibited in an art fair

    • Early career artists

    • Include CV/resume and an artist statement

 

CATEGORIES:

  • CERAMICS – Original functional or sculptural work, with the exception of jewelry, where the primary material is, earthenware, stoneware, terra cotta or porcelain. No artwork from mass produced studios or collectives; no items made with commercial kits, commercial molds, patterns, or plans; nor prefabricated pieces are allowed. Any reproduced pieces must have been created using molds hand crafted by the applying artist. Each piece must be signed.

  • PHOTOGRAPHY – Includes original traditional film photography, hand colored images, emulsion transfers, and digital photography that has not been digitally manipulated to achieve results beyond what could be done in a traditional darkroom. Only the artist's original source material is acceptable. Work must be in editions, signed and numbered. Signature should not be solely on the mat. For pieces where the signature and edition number aren’t visible, details should be on the back. All work displayed in the booth must be for sale. Signage of an overtly commercial nature listing the availability of numerous sizes, print surfaces, and/or other framing options is prohibited. Prints which have been manipulated or treated as a painting surface should be entered into the mixed media category.

  • DIGITAL ARTWORKS – Includes any original work in which the original image, or the manipulation of other source material, was executed by the artist using a computer. (Digital photo editing within the confines of what could be done in the darkroom is allowed in the photography category.) Work must be in editions using archival papers, inks, and emulsions, signed and hand numbered on the front surface of the image. Signature should not be solely on the mat. For pieces where the signature and edition number aren’t visible, details should be on the back. All work displayed in the booth must be for sale. Signage of an overtly commercial nature listing the availability of numerous sizes, print surfaces, and/or other framing options is prohibited.

  • WORKS ON PAPER – This category includes original works created using dry media such as charcoal, crayons, chalk, graphite, pastels, pencils, ink or markers; printmaking, images that are hand-pulled from stones, plates, glass or screened surfaces using a printing process, roller or hand brayer; and all other works on paper. All editioned prints must be properly signed and numbered. All reproductions*, no more than 10%, must be clearly marked “reproduction” on labels and display signs and must be kept in a bin within the designated booth space. Wall space should display original work only.

  • TEXTILES – All original work crafted from fibers including, but not limited to, basketry, embroidery, weaving, leatherwork, tapestry, and paper-making or manipulation. Functional, decorative, sculptural or wearable art is included in this category. No machine tooling, machine-screened patterns or other forms of mass production are permitted. No factory-produced wearable items, regardless of additional modification or enhancement by the artist, may be exhibited. 

  • WOOD – Unique, one of a kind objects/hand-crafted furniture, original hand-tooled, machine worked or carved work made entirely by the exhibiting artist is accepted. No reproductions or mass produced work. Artwork must include 80% wood, or apply in the mixed media category.

  • GLASS – Functional and/or sculptural original objects created by blowing, kiln, casting or molding as well as all cold processes.

  • JEWELRY – Original artwork designed to adorn the body or wear on clothing. Materials used include, but are not limited to, precious and or non-precious metals, glass, ceramics, paper, fiber, wood, leather, polymer clay, and semi-precious stones, or other materials. No commercial casts, commercial molds or production studio work are allowed. Commercial chains and clasps are acceptable. Strung beads will not be accepted unless the beads are handmade by the artist. Proof of process will be required in the form of stills or video. Metal clay works must be labeled as such.

  • MIXED MEDIA – 2D or 3D objects created using more than one type of material.

  • PAINTING –  2-D Works using the mediums of acrylic, oil paint, tempera, botanical, gouache, and watercolor. All reproductions,* (no more than 10% of work) must be clearly marked “reproduction” on labels and display signs and must be kept in a bin within the designated booth space. Wall space should display original work only.

  • SCULPTURE – Any three-dimensional work, in the round or in relief, formed through the additive, subtractive, or casting processes. Materials include, but are not limited to, wood, stone, clay, glass and metal. 

  • EMERGING ARTIST – See program details above.

ELIGIBILITY AND FAIR STANDARDS: 

  • Artwork must be original in design and execution by the artist(s). Items that are mass-produced, made in “workrooms,” machine-made or made from commercial kits or molds are not eligible for exhibition. 

  • Photography, Digital Art and Printmaking: Limited edition prints from the original source, hand-pulled, signed and numbered by the artist will be allowed. 

  • All other reproductions including giclée prints must be hand signed and numbered editions. Works must be clearly marked “reproduction” on labels and display signs and must be kept in a bin within the designated booth space. Wall space should display original work only.

  • Artists must disclose their creative and printing process in their artist’s statement to be displayed in the booth. 

Booths will be assessed onsite during the fair. Failure to comply with fair standards will result in the forfeiture of award jurying for the showing year and revoked application acceptance for future fairs.

 

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:

  • Images should represent the body of work that will be exhibited.

  • Booth image should be a full and accurate representation of the booth and planned display; and include items to be displayed at the Edwardsville Art Fair.

  • Images should be clear and sharply focused and labeled with medium, dimension, and price. Artists are strongly encouraged to use professional photography. Poor image quality will put your work at a significant disadvantage in the jurying process.

  • Do not include any identifying information in your images. Failure to omit personal or business information will result in disqualification.

  • Include no more than a 1 page artist statement detailing the technical process of your work. Do not include any identifying information in your document. Failure to omit personal or business information will result in disqualification.

  • Artists may submit only one application per medium. If you wish to enter in more than one category, you must complete a second online application and remit a second jury fee. An image of the same work of art will not be accepted for more than one application. Collaborative works must be submitted as a joint application with each artist’s name listed on the application and, if selected, both artists must attend the show. 

 

By applying to the Edwardsville Art Fair, you are consenting to allow any submitted image to be used for marketing or advertising purposes.

 

REPRODUCTIONS:

  • All artwork displayed on tent walls or surfaces must be original artwork created by the hands of the artist or limited edition photographs. 

  • Ceramic works must be signed/stamped by the accepted artist.

  • Production work, works made with commercial casting or commercial molds are unacceptable.

  • Reproductions and prints must be signed by the creating artist. Limited edition photographs or prints from the original source, hand-pulled, signed and numbered by the artist will be allowed. Commercial reproductions must represent original works of art displayed within the booth, and be contained in browsing bins. 

 

Please Note: Only artists juried into the Jewelry category can sell jewelry. 

 

MISCELLANEOUS: 

  • No commission is required on sales. Artists are responsible for collecting and reporting all applicable Illinois Sales Tax.  Illinois Sales Tax forms will be provided in your Artist Packet when you arrive for set-up on September 26.  

  • Artists are required to be present with their work during all festival hours (booth sitters are provided for bathroom breaks).

  • The Edwardsville Art Fair requests artists consider donating a work of their art to the Children’s Art Gallery. Our Children’s Gallery fosters the appreciation of art collecting in the next generation. Tickets are sold for $20 per child. Children have the opportunity to choose a work of art uninfluenced by their parents to allow autonomy over their decision. This donation is not mandatory, but highly appreciated. Proceeds directly benefit our non-profit art programming and outreach efforts.

BOOTH FEES:

Single Space – $350

Double Space – $700

Corner Booth Requests - additional $75 fee

  • Booths locations include both road and grass options. 

  • Returning award winners will be given priority of their choice of location. All other requests will be considered if accommodations allow.

  • 24 hour security

  • Staff and volunteers on site through the duration of open hours.

  • If accepted, regular booth fees are $350. Booth fees received by May 30th will be discounted to $300. Final booth fees are due by July 15, 2025. 

 

EXHIBITION REQUIREMENTS: 

  • A 10′ x 10′ covered white tent is required. 

  • Mandatory minimum 40 lbs of weight securing each leg of the 10′ x 10′ tent, whether on grass or pavement. Recommended that popup tents may need extra weight. Tents may not be secured to the grass with stakes. Tents may not be secured to the pavement or any permanent structure by any means. If an artist's tent weights do not meet minimum requirements, the artist will be asked to remove their tent from the fair.

  • Power at each booth is provided by Edwardsville Art Fair but artists must provide their own display lighting. 

 

SET UP:  

Load-in time is between 7am – 12pm on Friday, September 26th. Please sign in at the vehicle check-in point upon arrival to collect your artist information packet. Volunteers will be available to assist artists with load-in. Artists are required to have at least 40 lbs of weight securing each leg of the 10′ x 10′ tent, whether on grass or pavement. Tents may not be secured to the grass with stakes. Tents may not be secured to the pavement or any permanent structure by any means. Artwork displays should not exceed the footprint of the tent. Tent walls are required to be closed overnight.

 

TEAR DOWN:  

Artists are expected to be ready to display during open fair hours, beginning at 5pm Friday until 3pm Sunday. Tear down will begin at 3pm on Sunday, September 28th.  Volunteers will be available for assistance.

 

CANCELLATION POLICY: One half of the booth fee will be refunded for cancellations made in writing before July 31, 2025. No refunds will be given for cancellations after July 31, 2025. 


QUESTIONS? Contact us at office@edwardsvilleartscenter.com or (618) 655-0337.