Trails West!^® Festival Call to Crafters

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 specific items.  Items in the Folk Arts category may include but are not limited to:

Awards: Cash prizes totaling $250.00 will be awarded.

• 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 craft 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 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.
  • Tiff or Jpegs: Name each jpeg as follows: your last name, number 1-6, dot jpg (example: ward1.jpg, ward2.jpg, etc). Five jpegs should be of your current work and one 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 crafters will be displayed on the Trails West!® web site.
• Trails West!® will establish a waiting list. Crafters 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.

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.
• 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.

Tuesday, April 9, 2010
Postmarked entry deadline

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