ART IN THE PARK FESTIVALS

Vendor Information:
The Chaffee Art Center's annual Summer and Fall Art in the Park Festivals were voted among the TOP TEN EVENTS by the Vermont Chamber of Commerce. The festival features over 100 exhibitors featuring goods such as paintings, crafts, furniture, jewelery, specialty foods and photography.

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Chaffee Art Center
47th Annual Art in the Park
General Information

The Chaffee Art Center cordially invites you to submit your application to our annual Art in the Park Fine Art and Craft Festivals. Each festival features fine artists and craftspersons, musical entertainment, food, as well as special art and craft events for children. Both shows will be held rain (snow) or shine in Main Street Park, Rutland, Vermont. The shows draw from the entire Central Vermont population plus the thousands of tourists who travel Routes 4 & 7. Estimated attendance at the August show is 6,000 and 8,000 at the October show. Exhibitors have consistently reported good sales and a high degree of satisfaction with the events. Additionally, Art in the Park was recently voted one of "Vermont's Top Ten Events" by the Vermont Chamber of Commerce AND named one of the "Sunshine Artist 200 Best."

PREVIOUS EXHIBITORS: Please read carefully -- There are changes.

NOTE: Exhibitors who bring in a NEW exhibitor who has never done either show before will receive $25 cash! ("Recruiting" exhibitor's name must be written on the back of New Exhibitor's application to be eligible.)

BOOTH SPACES: If accepted to the show, you agree to the space you are assigned. No booth changes are allowed. Only one exhibitor per space. Outdoor booth spaces are laid out around permanent park fixtures (trees, branches, sloping ground). If you have special needs, please make a note on your application. A $10 premium fee will be charged if you request and are assigned a booth space which is located on a corner, next to a permanent park fixture which may allow you a little extra space beyond the normal booth sizes, per your request of a specific booth number/location.

Please bring protective covering for outdoor booths as the shows are held rain (snow) or shine. Electricity is available for an extra charge of $45 per booth (non-refundable) and is limited with one (1) electric plug-in per space only. It is assigned by request on a first come, first serve basis in spaces around the gazebo. Exhibitors must supply their own exterior extension cords. High voltages cannot be accommodated. No other electricity or generators are allowed for art and craft vendors.

ELIGIBILITY GENERAL GUIDELINES: All applications will be juried by a panel of experts. We are looking for fine art of any media and original handcrafted items of good taste and quality. Work shown in the juried slides must be representational of the work to be exhibited at the show. Work to be exhibited must be made by the applicant/ exhibitor. Originality of design and function are the factors most sought by our jurors. Sale and/or display of work in a category other than the one in which the artist was accepted is prohibited.

CATEGORY GUIDELINES: Proof of licensing required on any copyrighted logo or characters used. No purchased kits; no commercial molds; original designs only (no kits accepted).

ART: If applicant's original works are paintings or drawings and limited prints are made from them, 50% of the work exhibited must be original and 50% may be high quality prints. CLAY: No commercial molds.
FIBER: Handsewn items of original patterns and designs. Items which are crafted from purchased articles such as towels or sweatshirts will be judged by the handwork done on them. For example, a sweatshirt which is handpainted with an original design is eligible, while a tea towel with a machine-stitched emblem is not.
FLORAL: High-quality, unusual materials and exceptional designs preferred.
GLASS: Handcrafted & handblown designs preferred. Glass & stained glass objects constructed from kits are not eligible.
JEWELRY: Original design. Assembled items must be of exceptional construction, design & materials.
OTHER: Handcrafted items only. No manufactured or mass-produced items. Design must be original to the crafter submitting the application. Musical recordings must be original & booth set-up must provide headphones.
PHOTOGRAPHY: Photos juried on the basis of technique, composition, and originality. No photocopies. 50% of work shown must be originals and 50% may be high quality prints.
SPECIALTY FOODS: No buy/sell products (by having buy/sell products, you become a FOOD VENDOR with additional fees).
WOOD: Handcrafted items of quality design and function.
COTTAGE INDUSTRY: Unique items that are not mass produced but could fall into the above categories.

SLIDES: Two (2) first class, self-addressed, pre-stamped envelopes are required per application, one for acceptance notification and exhibitor information and the second to return your slides. If you are accepted, your slides will be returned to you by mail. Applicants need to submit 3--35 mm color slides of their work, plus one slide of their booth. Slides need only be submitted once per year. Please number each slide 1 through 4, write your name on each slide, and indicate the top of the actual work photographed in the slide with the word "TOP". Print your name on each slide but do not put labels on your slides as they jam the projector. The quality of your slides is very important. We cannot stress enough the importance of having your work photographed by a professional. Photos are acceptable but must be organized and in labeled sheet protectors.

For those who have exhibited at Art in the Park for 5 consecutive years or more, only one sample of your work (to stay on file) is required. HOWEVER if your art/craft has changed at all you MUST submit all slides.

PARKING REGULATIONS: Parking rules must be strictly adhered to as the summer and fall shows take place in the middle of the city of Rutland and parking is tight. The City of Rutland and the Art in the Park committee therefore insists that after exhibitors set up, they move their vehicle to the parking area(s) specified. Parking around Court Square is available to your customers during show hours. And please remember, there is to be no driving on the grass.

DEMONSTRATIONS of your art or craft are encouraged.

DOOR PRIZE DRAWINGS: Donations are appreciated of items for our hourly door prize drawings. HOURS: August show--Saturday and Sunday 10:00am to 5:00pm; October show--Saturday 10:00am to 5:00pm and Sunday 10:00am to 4:30pm. Exhibitors must be set up and ready for the public by 9:30am and remain until close of show each day. Exhibitors MUST attend each day.

No-shows and exhibitors who dismantle their booth set-up early for any reason including weather will jeopardize their acceptance to future shows. Please see Event Coordinator if extenuating circumstances arise BEFORE disassembling booth.

REFUNDS/WITHDRAWALS: Your check will be deposited. Refunds will be sent if you are not juried into the show. *NO REFUNDS FOR WITHDRAWALS DUE TO WEATHER OR EARLY BIRD COMMITMENT. AUGUST SHOW: After April 15, a refund will be returned less a $50 withdrawal fee. After July 15, no refunds.

OCTOBER SHOW: After June 15, a refund will be returned less a $50 withdrawal fee. After Sept. 1, no refunds.

SECURITY: Overnight security will be provided Friday and Saturday nights, however, the Chaffee will not be held responsible for any damage or theft to your booth or merchandise. SALES TAX: You are responsible for collecting and paying Vermont State Tax. Vermont tax representatives randomly check shows. For a Vermont Sales Tax number, call or write Vermont Dept. of Taxes, Business Tax Division, 109 State St., Montpelier, VT 05609-1401. (802)828-2551.

Sherri Birkheimer Rooker, Event Coordinator (802)775-8836. Chaffee Art Center, 16 South Main St., Rutland, VT 05701

Standard Application Deadline for August Show: March 31

Standard Application Deadline for October Show: May 31

Late Jury: If you miss the above deadline, applications will be continuously juried, but a $25 late fee will be added. Please enclose $25 late fee with booth fee for applications received after March 31st (Summer show) or May 31 (Fall show).

Fees: No commissions or jurying fees are charged. Checks are made payable to Chaffee Art Center. Visa and Master Card accepted. POSTDATED CHECKS NOT ACCEPTED. Chaffee not responsible for errors in deposits. Please submit check with application in order to be juried to: Chaffee Art Center, 16 S Main St., Rutland, VT 05701

Early Bird Commitment: Commit to both shows by March 31st and deduct a total of $50. Payment must be received by March 31 to receive this discount. No refunds available with this offer.