Call to Artists

If unable to download application

call the Allied Arts Office 1-800-216-7080

Trails West!^® Festival Call to Artists

Show dates: August 20 - 22, 2010
Applications must be postmarked by April 9, 2010
Notifications will be mailed on or about May 21, 2010

Refund deadline June 1, 2010

The Selection Process

Trails West!® is an outdoor arts festival celebrating the unique cultural heritage of St. Joseph, MO. Now in its 18th year, the festival features fine arts, folk arts and fine crafts.

Trails West!® is a juried fine art and fine craft show with space for 50-60 artists. Our goal is to present a well-rounded show, but there is no predetermined number or percentage of spaces established for any category. Trails West!® welcomes all genres and subject  matter of artistic expression.  While the festival's ambiance is historic, the art does NOT need to represent our history.  All subject matter is welcomed and encouraged. We reserve the right to determine what art is as it applies to this event and to make final judgment of all entries.

Awards: Cash prizes totaling $1,500 will be awarded.

Profit at the Festival:
In 2009 participating artists reported over $25,000 in sales. To help insure a profitable festival everyone in northwest Missouri will know about the show through our huge advertising and publicity campaigns. This includes many print media buys, weeks of big display ads in the areas' #1 major newspaper, the St. Joseph News-Press, TV and radio announcements targeted to reach our niche audience, and masses of color flyers distributed throughout northwest Missouri.   

Entry Information:

·  With your application include 2 checks, one for the $150.00 booth fee ($175.00 if requesting electricity) and one for the $15.00 non-refundable jury fee. Those applicants who are not selected by the jury for participation in the show will be refunded the booth fee.

·   Choose one category on the entry form that most closely reflects your work.

·   Submit six 35mm slides or six jpegs for consideration by the jury. Five slides or jpegs are to be representative of current work that you will display. The sixth slide or jpeg must show the display booth you will use during the art show.

·   Slides: The front of each slide must have your name and category on it and an arrow indicating the top. Metal or glass slides are not acceptable. Submit slides in a clear plastic sleeve designed for 35mm slides. TW! is not responsible for damaged slides. Slides submitted by accepted artists will be displayed on the Trails West!® web site. NOTE: Slides will not be returned unless a self-addressed, stamped envelope with sufficient postage for return is provided with the application.

·   Jpegs: Name each jpeg as follows: your last name, number 1-6, dot jpg (example: ward1.jpg, ward2.jpg, etc). The first five jpegs should be of your current work and the sixth, of your booth display. The size of each jpeg must be below 200 KB (approximately 3.5 x 5 at 72 dpi.) Submit jpegs on a CD. Jpegs submitted by accepted artists will be displayed on the Trails West!® web site.

·  Trails West!® will establish a waiting list. Artists on the waiting list may be called if space becomes available because of cancellations.

·  Notification of acceptance will be made on or about May 21. Please do not make phone inquires.

Festival Specifics

· Artists and craftsmen must be present to display their own work; proxy exhibitors are not permitted.

•  All works on display must be the artist's own original design. Only prints directly pulled from the original block/plate/screen may be hung. Watercolors, prints, drawings, and photographs must be appropriately framed and glassed (or substitute for glass). Reproductions must be in a portfolio and each item clearly marked reproduction. Work in portfolios will not be judged, but may be offered for sale. No more than two viewing bins may be used.
• The work of only one exhibitor may be displayed in each assigned space. A two-person team producing a product may qualify as a single exhibitor, but this arrangement must be explained in detail on the application in the descriptor space provided.
•  The festival grounds are patrolled night and day by the St. Joseph police department. Although care will be taken to avoid hazards to artwork, Trails West!® is not responsible for any loss or damage to displays or artwork.
• Parking will be provided. Additional information will accompany the acceptance letter.
• Each exhibitor space is 10' x 10'. Electricity is available for an additional fee of $25.00. Request for electricity must be made at the time of application. No other requests will be honored. Booth tags will be provided. Artists must provide their own white canopy, chairs, tables, display screens, etc. and must be contained within the assigned space.
• Each exhibitor is responsible for collecting Missouri sales tax on all sales.
• No commissions will be charged for sales. One-hundred percent goes  to the artist.

· Trails West!® is an outdoor festival and is held regardless of weather conditions.

· No pets are allowed on the premises of Civic Center Park.

Hospitality

• A reception and awards presentation will be held 5:00 p.m., Friday, August 20.
• The First Baptist Church serves as the hospitality area. Beverages and light refreshments are available.
• Volunteers will be available for booth-sitting.
• ATM services are available across the street from the festival at 12th & Jules. Parking and admission is free to all artists. Each exhibitor will receive two free passes and a locator map for his/her booth.

Calendar of Important Dates

Tuesday, April 9, 2010
Entry deadline

Tuesday, May 21, 2010
Notification of entries accepted for the show (on or about)

Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Last day to withdraw without forfeiting booth fees

Thursday, August 19, 2010:
1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Artist check-in

Friday, August 20, 2010:
7:00 a.m. Artist check-in
2:00 p.m. Judging begins
5:00 p.m. Festival Opens
5:00 p.m. Patron Reception
8:00 p.m. Art show closes
12:00 a.m. Festival closes

Saturday, August 21 2010:
10:00 a.m. Festival Opens
8:00 p.m. Art show closes
12:00 a.m. Festival closes

Sunday, August 22, 2010:
12:00 p.m. Festival Opens
7:00 p.m. Art show closes (Artists are free to leave if they hand carry their display and tent off the grounds.)
9:00 p.m. Festival closes

CHECKLIST:
Incomplete applications will not be accepted. For more information, call Tammy Santos, Program Coordinator 816-233-0231 or 800-216-7080.

• Application completed and signed
• Hold harmless release agreement signed
• Check for booth fee- $150.00 ($175.00 if requesting electricity). Applicants who are not selected by the jury for participation in the show will be refunded the booth fee.
• Check for non-refundable jury fee-$15.00
• Five slides or five jpegs of your current artwork
• One of your display booth
• Self-addressed, stamped envelope with sufficient postage for return of your slides (to be used if the artist is not juried into the show)

MAIL TO:
Allied Arts Council Trails West!® Festival
Attn: Tammy Santos
118 S 8th Street
St. Joseph, MO 64501