Trails West!^®   Festival Call to Fine Crafters

Show dates: August 17-19, 2012
Applications must be postmarked by April 18, 2012
Notifications will be mailed on or about June 1, 2012

Refund deadline June 15, 2012

• Returning artists, please note that all fine crafters will be together on the west side of the festival grounds.
   

• Returning artists may request 1st, 2nd and 3rd preferred location. Requests are awarded in order received.

Trails West!® is an outdoor arts festival celebrating the unique cultural heritage of St. Joseph, MO. Now in its 20th year, the festival features fine arts, folk arts, and fine crafts.

Selection Process

Fine crafters juried into the festival will be located in the Fine Crafts Village on the west side of the festival. Returning crafters may select a location preference on the application. Our goal is to present a well-rounded show, but there is no predetermined number or percentage of spaces established for any category. Items in the Fine Crafts category may include but are not limited to:

Awards

Cash prizes totaling $250.00 will be awarded:

·    1st Place $125

·    2nd Place $75

·    3rd Place $50

Marketing

To help insure a profitable festival everyone in northwest Missouri will know about the show through our advertising and publicity campaigns, including many print media buys, weeks of big display ads in the area’s #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 digital images for consideration by the jury. Five slides or digital images are to be representative of current work that you will display. The sixth slide or digital image must show the display booth you will use during the fine craft show.

·         Digital Image: Name each image as follows: your last name, number 1-6 (example ware1.jpg, ward2.jpg, etc.). The first five images should be your current work and the sixth, of your booth display. Submit images at 300 dpi on a CD. Images submitted by accepted artists will be displayed on the Trails West!® web site.

·         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. Trails West!® is not responsible for damaged slides. Slides submitted by accepted crafters 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.

• Trails West!® will establish a waiting list. Fine Crafters on the waiting list may be called if space becomes available.

• Notification will be sent on or about on June 1, 2012. Please do not make phone inquires.

Festival Specifics

• ONLY HANDCRAFTED WORK WILL BE ACCEPTED. WE WILL NOT ACCEPT WORK THAT IS IMPORTED FOR RESALE.

• Media: All handmade crafts, traditional and contemporary, should focus on the work of the individual. All components of the work must be handcrafted, displaying excellence in concept and technique and the mark of individuality. No imports, kits, items made from kits, items made using commercial patterns or commercial molds, items assembled from pre-manufactured components, unfinished work, items made from elephant or whale ivory, embellished items, commercial T-Shirts, commercial sweats, or art and craft supplies may be displayed or sold. The festival has the right to request removal of offensive or non-complying objects.

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

·         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 private security and 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 exhibited works.

• 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 and name tags will be provided.

• Fine Crafters 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 will go to the crafter.

• 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 during the festival.

• First Baptist Church, 1225 Francis, St. Joseph MO serves as the festival hospitality area. Beverages and light refreshments are available.

• Volunteers will be available for booth-sitting.

• ATM services are located at 12th & Jules.

• Parking and admission is free to all vendors. Each exhibitor will receive two free passes and a locator map for his/her booth.

Calendar of Important Dates