One of the defining designs of this festival is to present a unique group of artists who participate at this event and not other nearby events to allow patrons to enjoy a refreshing event. Part of our jury process is to bring in different artists with new work and a new variety of work. We always believe that the quality of art is paramount and also hope to offer a unique and personal experience.
This is the sventh annual Art Festival at Mercato. This event is limited to apoximately 48 artists. This art festival will be held on the lawn in the middle of Mercato. Anchored by Whole Foods Market, Nordstrom Rack and Silverspot Cinema, a 12-screen premier-style theater, Mercato offers 12 notable restaurants, over 20 upscale retailers and luxury residential condominiums. Mercato hosts a vibrant year-round event calendar of events free and open to the public. CLICK HERE to be guided to the Mercato website for more information on this location.
The event features no more than 40 artists. Come and join us for the right sized show in the right section of the city. There are a small number of artists in a high traffic area, the 2nd busiest intersection in the county on the corner of Vandebilt Beach Road and 41 in North Naples, Situated by Pelican Bay and Vanderbilt Beach. This location offers premium exposure situated on the road that houses two Ritz Carlton Hotels. Surrounded in style, Mercato is inspired by classic Mediterranean design. This stunning development is rich in ambiance and liberal with luxury. With fine dining and one-of-a-kind boutiques, Mercato is an expansive lifestyle center designed specifically to create an upscale retail experience.
We are very happy to be providing proceeds from this event to the Harry Chapin Food Bank.
Important Dates
Set Up Friday beginning at 10am
Show Times 11AM-Dusk Saturday and Sunday
For Requirements, Fees, Image Preparation, Category Requirements, and rules click read more below and this page will expand.
REQUIREMENTS:
Application Fee : $35
Booth Fee $500
Application Process
Applications will be reviewed by show staff and selected outside individuals, Richard P Sullivan will be part of the selection process. Some acceptances may be made prior to the jury system.
There are 40 available spaces.
SHOW INFORMATION
Display
Spaces are approximately 12’ x 12’ with additional storage behind you display. You will be allowed to drive up to your space to unload. Double spaces are available. Display surface is grass, you must use weights and stakes. All spaces are handicapped accessible. Exhibitors should make arrangements for wind or rain, as this is an open-air venue. The Festival will go on rain or shine.
Attendance
We anticipate visitors, with middle to high income, consisting not only of existing collectors, but also museum and gallery goers interested in original, affordable, high quality fine art and fine craft.
Marketing Strategy
Our goal is to reach local and regional art buyers and enthusiasts through:
# Local Newspaper Advertising - newspapers, regional consumer & trade magazines/publications in Collier County and surrounding areas
#Hired Marketing firm to place listings in all calendar sections. Press release and articles in local newspapers and websites. On Line Advertising campaign special calendar websites and on line event listings
ARTIST INFORMATION
Standard Art Festival Application jpeg images will be used for the online application.
Booth Assignments
There is a space on your application for booth requests. We will make every effort to accommodate your requests, corner booths can not be assured. Corner spaces and electricity may be requested, but are assigned solely on the basis of availability and at the discretion of the Festival. All booths and their contents must be furnished by the artist, be able to withstand crowds and weather, and fit within an assigned space. Any exhibitor not adhering to display regulations or selling anything other than original art will be asked to leave.
Set-Up & Break-down
Check-in will begin on Friday, at 10am. All artists must be up and running at 11:00 AM Saturday. Artist parking is adjacent to display areas. There is no charge for parking.
Exhibitors may begin to break down their displays at the close of the show, Sunday at dusk. All ZIP TIES must be removed from premises.
Spaces are handicapped accessible. Artists may drive up to booth location or at least very near. You have to dolly up to 10 yards to display space. Artists must provide own dolly. Photo ID is required at check-in.
ARTIST REGULATIONS
Exhibiting artists must be 18 years or older and must be present during all show hours. Agents or representatives of the artist do not replace the requirement of the artist to be present during show hours. Assistants are welcome, but not in place of the artist. Any artist leaving prior to the end of the show will be unable to exhibit in any other boulderbrook productions event. Booth sitters may not be available for this event.
All work shown must be original work by the artists hand. Work made from commercial molds, kits, patterns or copyrighted designs not owned by the crafts person are not permitted. Any commercially made embellishments must be subordinate to the handcrafted work. All work must be for sale. Reproductions (including Giclees) are allowed in browse bins only. Reproduction policy available upon request. No t-shirts, posters, calendars, cards/postcards, or any other personal merchandise that is a mass reproduction of an original piece of artwork will be permitted in artist’s booths.
Sales
The exhibitor must handle all sales and all proceeds go to the artists. Artists are required by law to pay local sales tax. All artist information will be supplied to the Florida Department of Revenue.
Security
24-hour security is provided throughout the Festival. All exhibitors work at their own risk. It is understood that the Festival does not carry insurance to cover personal property of any exhibitor. Exhibitors are considered to be independent contractors, and it is suggested that exhibitors obtain their own insurance.
On-Site Artist Amenities
Hospitalities may include continental breakfast on Saturday and a light lunch on Sunday in addition to discounted hotel rates. Close on site parking. Adopt-an-artist program. Patron Purchasing Awards. This is the easiest load in and breakdown of any show you will ever do.
Media Categories
Ceramics: Functional and sculptural work where the primary material is clay. All original clay and porcelain work other than jewelry is accepted in this category. No machine-made or mass produced work is permitted. If multiple pieces of the same design are displayed each piece must be signed.
Digital Art: This category includes any original work for which the original image, or the manipulation of other source material, was executed by the artist using a computer. Work in this category should be of archival quality.
Drawing/ Graphics/ Pastels: Works created using dry media including chalk, charcoal, pencil, wax crayon, etc. or from the fluid medium of inks and washes oil sticks or pastels. Printed works for which the artist’s hand manipulated the plates, stones or screens and which have been properly signed and numbered as a limited edition may be entered in this category. All photogravure, photocopy and/or offset reproductions, will be rejected. Printmakers are required to disclose both their creative and printmaking processes.
Fiber Decorative: A Mixed Bag of functional,decorative, and wearable art. Artists will be selected in all segments of this category and although the category is combined jurying will be separated according to slide images. Wall hangings, quilts, rugs, etc., where the primary material is fiber. Leather, wearable art, batique. Should you have any questions regarding this category contact the festival director.
Furniture: Should be included as mixed Media 3D, Sculpture, or Woodcraft accordingly. Furniture is a unique category and applicants will get direct attention, however, there are few applicants in this category so it is grouped within others. If you have any questions regarding your category contact the festival director.
Glass: Functional and sculptural work where the primary material is glass.
Jewelry: Work primarily made from materials including 14K gold, sterling silver and the use of precious stones and enamels. No commercial casts, molds or production studio work is allowed.
Work primarily made from precious and or non-precious metals and other materials such as glass, ceramics, paper, fiber, wood, leather, polymer clay, semi-precious stones, etc. No commercial casts, molds or production studio work is allowed.
Metal: Functional and sculptural work where the primary material is metal. Includes all non-sculptural, non-jewelry works crafted from metals. No production studio work is allowed. Some metal may be categorized as sculpture, you choose the category you feel best fits your application of material.
Mixed Media
3-D Mixed Media: Work that is three-dimensional and the primary intention of the work is the union of two or more media. Soft sculptures are included in this category.
2-D Mixed Media: Work that is two-dimensional and the primary intention of the work is the union of two or more media. Make note on your application as to 2D or 3D.
Oil Painting / Acrylic Painting: Works created with acrylics. Works created with oils.
Watercolor/Gouache Painting: Works created with watercolors and/or gouache.
Sculpture: Traditional Sculpture
Photography: Photographic prints made from the artist’s original negative or digital image processing, and which have been processed by that artist, or under his or her direct supervision, are included in this category. Photographers are required to disclose both their creative and printing processes.
Wood: Functional and sculptural work where the primary material is wood. Original works must be hand-tooled.