Become An Exhibitor

Please note:  Artist applications for the 2010 Boston Mills Artfest are no longer being accepted since the deadline has passed, but if you'd like to be considered for the 2011 show, and you meet the criteria listed below, please use the "Contact Form" in the "About Us" menu above to submit your name, medium, email address, and mailing address.  We will make sure that you receive a 2011 Call for Entries when it becomes available in the fall.

Non-juried art and non-art vendors, street performers, etc., are not accepted into the Boston Mills Artfest. Food vendors are not accepted, either.

General Show Information for Exhibitors 

The Boston Mills Artfest is a nationally recognized fine art and fine craft show. Since 1971, Artfest has been held at Boston Mills Ski Resort, nestled in the scenic national park, midway between Cleveland and Akron.

Artfest consists of two separate shows held on consecutive weekends. Artists are not permitted to exhibit in both. A Preview Night is held each weekend so that Artfest patrons can purchase art while sampling wines and hors d'oeuvres.

Each year, the Artfest is publicized extensively. More than 50,000 postcards are sent out to Artfest patrons. Cleveland Magazine prints the show programs and inserts copies into their June issue for distribution. Boston Mills also cultivates media and corporate partnerships to maximize our advertising dollars. Of course, positive word-of-mouth from satisfied customers is our best publicity, so we appreciate the continued efforts of our exhibitors to please the Boston Mills Artfest patrons!

The majority of the display spaces are located inside four large clear-span tents, with the remainder of the spaces positioned in an outdoor area for those who prefer to use their own display tents. Only the indoor spaces have access to electricity, which is limited to 400 watts per booth. Outdoor spaces do not have access to electricity. Personal generators are not permitted.

Space dimension and pricing vary, depending on location. (Click here to see a layout map and exhibit space pricing.) Artists will not be permitted to expand past those specified dimensions. We try to accommodate all requests but reserve the right to place applicants where needed to maintain a balanced show.

Requirements

Applicants must create 100% of all work displayed. Reproductions must be signed and numbered and cannot make up more than 20% of the display. Reproductions must be presented, either framed or matted, in portfolios/bins.

Reproductions may not be displayed on walls. No open editions permitted. Unacceptable items are: Imported work of any type, any work created by a person other than the exhibitor, "Art on a Stick" of any kind, greenware pottery, sculpture from molds, mass-produced factory art and jewelry, and any other items deemed by the Director to not fall within the spirit of our requirements.

Each exhibitor must be present for the entire show, including Preview Night. If accepted as a
collaboration, both artists must be present. Each exhibitor is responsible for the sale of his/her work. No agents are permitted. Prices must be clearly displayed on all items. There are no commissions charged by the organizers on any sales. Boston Mills will provide overnight security during the show. Pets are not permitted on the grounds. Upon request, contact information for local kennels will be provided.

Exhibitors will be permitted to exhibit only the specific type of work accepted by the jury of
selection. Jewelry, for example, cannot be exhibited with another medium without being
screened and accepted by the jury of selection.

Final interpretation of these requirements will be at the discretion of the Director.

All participating exhibitors are eligible for show awards and will be asked to submit one original work from their display for the Awards Judges to review. Each weekend, judges will award three Awards of Excellence ($1000 each) and Best of Category awards ($250 each) for a total of $7,750 in cash awards given out per show.

Jury of Selection

The selection of exhibitors is the duty of the jury of selection. Jurors are changed annually and are chosen by the Director from past award-winning exhibitors and other outstanding working artists.

The Artfest Director, Ron Beahn, will serve as the jury foreman. The jury of selection will select 160 artists for each weekend of the Boston Mills Artfest, less the number of exempt artists who are confirmed for each show.

Standby exhibitors are also selected during the jury process. The Director will add standby artists to the show by medium to maintain balance when openings become available.

The 2010 Fine Craft Jury (2/20/10):

• Mike Taylor (Clay) - Judy Goskey (Jewelry) - Sandy Kephart (Fiber) - Earl James (Glass) - Miriam Stewart-Murrell (Fiber) - ALT Russell Greenslade (Wood)

The 2010 Fine Art Jury (2/21/10):

• Sharon Stoltzenberger (Mixed Media) - George Whitten (Conceptual Acrylic/Oil) - Gary Stretar (Watercolor) - Doug Remien (Multiple Images) - David Petlowany (Sculpture) - ALT Chuck Wimmer (Graphics/Drawing)

How to Apply

The 2010 Boston Mills Artfest will be held June 25-27, and July 1-4.

Applications for the 2010 Boston Mills Artfest will be accepted in the following mediums:

• Traditional Acrylic/Oil
• Conceptual Acrylic/Oil
• Watercolor
• Jewelry
• Graphics/Drawing
• Wood
• Multiple Images (includes digital images & photography)
• Glass
• Whimsical
• Sculpture
• Clay
• Wearable Fiber
• Non-Wearable Fiber
• Furniture
• Mixed Media
• Metal

Applications are accepted via our online application form only. No slides, CDs of images, or other envelopes, packages or boxes will be reviewed or returned.

Exempt artists need only submit the digital images and complete the additional information
required in our online form. (No fee required--when you get to the Paypal page, just close the extra window.) Exempt artists are 2009 cash award winners from both shows, and 2010 jurors. Artists receiving honorable mentions are not exempt, but will have 3 points added to their final jury score.

Do NOT submit payment for a display space now. Payment for display space is due after acceptance, at which time you will also need to submit $10 for a vendor permit from Boston Township. The State of Ohio requires you to purchase a $25 Transient Vendor's license from them for sales tax purposes as well. If accepted exhibitors do not pay their space fee by April 30, that space will be reassigned. No space fee refunds will be issued after May 15th.

THE 2010 SHOW APPLICATION DEADLINE WAS FEBRUARY 17, 2010. ALL OF THOSE WHO SUBMITTED IMAGES AND INFORMATION WILL BE CONSIDERED FOR THE 2010 SHOW JURYING ON 2/20/10 AND 2/21/10.  NOTIFICATIONS WILL BE SENT OUT APPROXIMATELY 3 WEEKS AFTER THE JURYING IS COMPLETE.

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