Charleston Mayor Danny Jones and Festivall Director Brittany Javins Invite You to Apply

December 19, 2015

Dear Artisan,

Charleston Mayor Danny Jones and FestivALL Director Brittany Javins invite you to apply for the 12th annual FestivALL Capitol Street Art Fair and/or the fourth annual FestivALL Harvest Art Fair (formerly the Harvest Gift Boutique). Both of these fairs are juried by a panel of professional artisans and art administrators with a mission of displaying and selling fine art and fine crafts in Charleston, West Virginia.

Please review the attached information packet for details about these events and how to apply.

The applications for both fairs are now combined into one form, which may be submitted online along with the necessary materials. A check sent through postal mail is still required for the FestivALL Capitol Street Art Fair only. Checks for artisans whose work is juried in to the FestivALL Harvest Art Fair will be requested in September, 2016.

The FestivALL Capitol Street Art Fair takes place on June 25 and 26, the last two days of FestivALL, which is a ten-day festival of the arts. The FestivALL Harvest Art Fair takes place on October 22 and 23, the last two days of FestivALL FALL, which is a three-day festival. Information on all of the FestivALL events will be posted on the website, during the months immediately ahead of the events.

The art fairs are promoted through an extensive marketing campaign by FestivALL. Beginning this year, additional attention will be devoted to branding the art fairs as prominent components of the overall FestivALL. You will be asked to help with this campaign via your own contacts and use of social media. The names of artisans whose work is accepted are included in printed brochures and a newspaper TAB, and through FestivALL outreach that includes our website and social media.

All artisans are required to submit samples of their work as part of a formal jurying process. This process allows us to maintain a high level of quality and achieve an appropriate mix of media for both of these fairs.

This year the application process is online to the maximum extent possible. Artisans who do not have computer access may use postal mail to submit images on CDs or thumb drives, or in print, along with other materials in print. All artisans, new and returning, are required to submit new images of their work.

We welcome applications from artisans, including emerging artisans, from across West Virginia and outside of the state. You do not need to be part of any organization in order to apply and affiliations do not affect the decisions of the jury.

Both fairs are reaching their capacity limits, which will make the jurying even more competitive. Only the highest quality products that meet the standards set by the jurors will be accepted. Starting this year, the producer and on-site jurors will have the authority to ask for the removal of any products at the fairs that do not meet these standards after being juried in.

Past fairs have demonstrated that the most effective booths have involved active attention by the artisans to the public. One of the features of the FestivALL art fairs is the interest by the public in the artisan as well as in their work. An assessment of professionalism is already a component of the on-site jurying process that is conducted each year during the fair(s). Therefore, beginning this year, applicants agree to give priority to attending to customers and the public and to restrict their use of cell phones to emergencies and the use of other electronic devices only for the transaction of business.

For those who are interested in applying for the FestivALL Capitol Street Art Fair, it is important to recognize the limitations of being under long tents on a downtown street. These limitations include:

-Booths are 10’ wide and only 6’ feet deep, with a limit on (2) booths.

-On one side of the tents on the Quarrier-Lee Street block, the booths have 2’ on the curb and 4’ in the street. This works for some artisans and not others, and the application allows you to indicate if this will not work for you so that we can take this into account in assigning the spaces.

-Booths abut next to each other, with no provision for aisles in between.

-An 8’ foot aisle must be maintained between the rows of booths on either side. Artisans cannot put products beyond the lines of the booth space.

-Booths are visible from the front and the back and we ask that products be displayed on both sides, where feasible, and that table coverings go to the ground on all four sides for a professional booth appearance.

-Individual electrical outlets are limited to 75 watts of use.

-Tents are outside and are not totally storm proof, even with the sides rolled down. Booths must be safely secured and provisions made for covering or stowing away products in the event of a storm.

-If conditions become unsafe, e.g. due to lightening, artisans may be required to seek other shelter and stay on standby until the fair can resume at the direction of the producer and block captains.

-Except when the fair is temporarily closed by the producer and block captains, all artisans are required to maintain their booth for the full time of the specified hours. Artisans who start to pack up or close up early will not be allowed to reapply for fairs for the next three years.

Because of these limitations, applicants need to make sure in advance that this is a good match for them and their products. Please do not apply if you have reservations about attending if and when your work is juried in. It is difficult to make adjustments in the tents and marketing of artisans’ names once the attendance is finalized.

In addition, both fairs depend on having a full display of work in each booth during the days and hours we are open. You must have adequate inventory in time for the event. If you have unexpectedly high demand during the fair(s) and see yourself running low on products, you are required to maintain a variety of samples and take orders for the remainder of the event. You may also ask customers to come back to pick up their purchase so that it may be left on display if this is feasible.

Hallmarks of these fairs are the quality and attention of management, the use of volunteers to help cover for meals and breaks, and the cooperative atmosphere established by the artisans themselves. Artisans have also reported that the public is generally very knowledgeable about and appreciative of their work.

Other characteristics include a Children’s Art Fair/Library Street Fair in a block adjacent to the FestivALL Capitol Street Art Fair, with a children’s art sale and free make and take and other activities for children and youth; a performance stage on each block; and street performers, including the FestivALL Princess. The FestivALL Harvest Art Fair also has free make and take. Admissions are free for these events.

For artisans coming in from out of town, FestivALL has not been able to arrange for special housing or discounts at local hotels. Some artisans have independently found good deals close by. Camping may be available at the Kanawha State Forest.

Free parking for artisans is provided by FestivALL and its sponsors wherever possible. Downtown parking is not available for overnight stays.

Fees for 2016 show a moderate increase over 2015. After the jurying process in late March and notifications in early April, checks for the FestivALL Capitol Street Art Fair will be deposited, so you will need to set aside the necessary funds in your account. Checks for applications that are not accepted will be returned following the jurying process. Fees for the FestivALL Harvest Art Fair will not be requested until September.

No commissions are collected as part of these fairs. Artisans keep everything they make except for any sales taxes that they collect and owe based on state or city requirements. The City of Charleston does not require a vendor’s license for these two events.

The information sheets and application form are enclosed as part of this packet and posted on our website, Please review these carefully before you apply. The packet is available by postal mail upon request. We encourage the use of postal tracking in submitting your checks for the FestivALL Capitol Street Art Fair and/or any other materials by postal mail.

Feel free to contact me with any questions at: FestivALL Art Fairs, PO Box 5265, Charleston, WV 25361, 304-688-6698,

Best wishes,
Betty Rivard
Producer, FestivALL Art Fair

2016 FestivALL Art Fairs

Basic Information That Applies To Both Fairs

Email or postmark deadlines for applications:

Early, with reduced fees:February 15, 2016

Final:March 15, 2016

Late applications may be considered at the discretion of the producer and the Selections Committee.

Jurying: Late March, 2016.

Who Must Jury: All applicants, whether returning artisans or new to the event.

How to Jury:
Submit the following via email to or via postal mail to FestivALL Art Fairs, PO Box 5265, Charleston, WV 25361. Email preferred except that postal mail is required to be used at the same time for payment by check for the FestivALL Capitol Street Art Fair.

1)(5) jpeg images for each medium to be juried

2)Narrative description of artistic materials and processes

3)Image or drawing of booth design for the requested size space

4)Completed application form

Note: Images may be used for publicity purposes.

For FestivALL Capitol Street Art Fair only: make check payable to FestivALL and send to PO Box 5265, Charleston, WV 25361.

Submission of the application form signifies that you have reviewed the full information packet and that you and any helpers agree with the terms and conditions.

The Selections Committee does not accept images submitted via links to a website.

Notifications: Notifications for applicants who go through the March jurying process will be emailed or mailed by April 15. Checks of those whose work is accepted for the FestivALL Capitol Street Art Fair will be deposited in April. Checks will be returned to applicants for the FestivALL Capitol Street Art Fair whose work is not accepted.

Media categories: Following are the categories of media that have been identified for the fair. These categories reflect the fair’s commitment to a wide range and balance of fine art and fine crafts.

Fine Art/Sculpture (Sculpture, Mixed Media, Painting, Photography, Prints, etc., including note cards based on this work) / Printed Paper/Note Cards, except as included under Fine Art
Pottery / Apparel
Jewelry / Baskets
Glass / Furniture
Wood / Dried Flowers
Metal / Leather
Textiles / Bath & Body
Specialty Foods / Toys
Candles / Musical Instruments

Ratios for each medium are set in advance with the goal of achieving a balanced fair. However, the Selections Committee may accept a greater proportion of applications in a medium where a number of high quality applications provide different types of original work within the medium.

As an example, there may be a disproportionate number of jewelry-makers, where each of the artisans has a unique kind of product.

Standards:

1. All work must be hand made by the artisan based on his/her original design. An original product may also be produced by a team of artisans working together.

1. If an artisan wishes to sell replicas of original work on manufactured products, like magnets or electronics covers, these products must be of high quality. Images of these products must be submitted for jurying. Note that high quality prints or images on note cards based on fine art that is accepted do NOT need to be submitted for additional jurying.

1. Only work by the artisan who applies and is juried in may be included in the booth. Artisans who work together or want to share a space may submit one application as long as each artisan meets all criteria, his/her work is juried in separately as required, and he/she agrees to the terms and conditions. The only exception to this provision is that children and youth age 18 or under may include their products in the booth of their parents. Young adults over age 18 must submit their work for jurying in order to be included.

1. Items that will NOT be considered include: those made from kits, models, commercial molds; those that are mass produced or machine made; assembled jewelry or ornaments without handmade components; commercial items that are embellished by the applicant for resale, or pre-printed quilt tops; items made with plastic beads, plastic canvas, styrofoam, other plastics, silk and/or synthetic flowers, polar fleece, doll components not created by the artisan, manufactured baskets, excessive commercial lace on fabric items, and/or use of hot glue as a primary method of attached items; or items that infringe upon a copyright, trademark, or patent. The Selections Committee may make an exception to accept manufactured do-it-yourself kits that are designed by the artisan.

1. Specialty foods and bath and body products must be approved by the West Virginia Department of Agriculture. Specialty food producers may also be required to submit a certificate of insurance for product liability. Specialty foods presented for tasting must meet a high standard for sanitation.

1. Arts and crafts must fit the family-friendly nature of the Fair.

Criteria for Selection:

1. Proficiency in technique and craftsmanship;
2. Creativity and strength of design;
3. Quality of materials;
4. Booth display and safety.

Returning artisans are also evaluated for their professionalism during previous fairs. Artisans are expected to be attentive to customers and the public and only use cell phones and other electronic devices as needed to transact business and in emergencies.

Non-compliance with terms and conditions may disqualify an applicant from future fairs. Artisans who leave the fair early or fail to show up at the fair without advance notice will not be permitted to apply again for three years.

Following the jurying, we will request a confirmation that you will attend. The schedule, which lists each artisan’s name, is finalized in mid-April and cannot be changed to accommodate late changes.

Assignment of spaces: The producer, with advice from the FestivALL Art Fairs Management Team, makes decisions about the placement of artisans. Returning artisans may request to be located in the same space or vicinity as in previous years and every effort will be made to accommodate their requests. Artisans may also request to be placed in adjacent spaces, where possible. Special accommodations are made, where possible, for artisans with disabilities.

Contact information:

Address any questions to: Betty Rivard, Producer, FestivALL Art Fairs, PO Box 5265, Charleston, WV 25361, 304-688-6698, .

2016 FestivALL Capitol Street Art Fair

Basic Information Specific To This Fair

Fair dates/times:
Saturday, June 25, 2016 – 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Sunday, June 26, 2016 – 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Venue:
The FestivALL Capitol Street Art Fair is held under long 20’ wide tents on two blocks of Capitol Street in downtown Charleston. The blocks are from Quarrier to Lee Streets and from Lee Street to Washington Street, East.

FestivALL provides the tents, 6’ and/or 8’ tables, and folding chairs, plus overhead light fixtures and access to one electrical outlet per space for use by individual artisans who request one.

The Children’s Art Fair/Library Street Fair is held on an adjacent block at the same times as the FestivALL Capitol Street Art Fair. This fair includes make and take activities for children and youth, a Children’s Art Sale, and other activities.

One performance stage, with performers selected by FestivALL, is situated on each of the three blocks. Street performers, including the FestivALL Princess, also perform on all three blocks at various times.

Size of spaces:

(1)space: 10’ wide by 6’ deep

(2)spaces: 20’ wide by 6’ deep

There is a maximum of (2) spaces.

Larger spaces and small tents may be added by FestivALL only for specific purposes.

Spaces on the sidewalk side of the Quarrier-Lee Street block have 2’ of space on the curb and 4’ of space on the street, so indicate on the application form if this will NOT work for your booth.

Fees:
By February 15 deadline:Single - $95;Double - $170
By March 15 deadline: Single - $120;Double - $220

There will be no refunds after May 15.

Booth safety: Artisans are responsible for the safety of their booths. The long tents provided by the fair do not provide complete protection from wind and/or storms. You must design your booth and provide covers and containers for your products. You are also required to protect your booth and products in the event of extreme weather on Saturday night.