April 2 & 3
Ridgeland, Mississippi
100 Artists
Deadline: November 22
Held in the mild and refreshing days of early spring, the Ridgeland Fine Arts Festival presents artists and their work against the splendid setting of Renaissance at Colony Park, a regional lifestyle center renowned for its shopping, dining and entertainment as well as for its graceful Old World architecture inspired by the cities of Europe and the Mediterranean (www.renaissanceatcolonypark.com).
The City of Ridgeland has grown from a quiet suburb of Jackson, the state capital, to a vibrant hub for the arts and a premier retail and dining venue.
The Ridgeland Fine Arts Festival is presented by the Ridgeland Tourism Commission who develops and implements a robust regional marketing campaign. All proceeds are used to produce and promote the show.
Santé South Wine Festival, an international showcase of the world's premier wines and some of Mississippi's most succulent culinary delights, will be held collectively with the Ridgeland Fine Arts Festival.
- The timing of our show works well for routing with some of the spring Texas shows and events in Atlanta and New Orleans.
- The Ridgeland Fine Arts Festival was recently named a "Top Twenty Event" by the Southeast Tourism Society.
- Easy, convenient and leisurely
load-in and load out - Free, convenient artist parking
- Affordable $250 booth fee
- $7,500 Cash Awards for 12 media categories and Best of Show
- Wi-fi throughout festival site
- 10' x 10' booth spaces with 1' buffer and ample storage
- Hyatt Place Jackson/Ridgeland is adjacent to the festival site and offers special show rates for artists.
- Limited to 100 artists
For additional information and to apply, go to www.zapplication.org
Learn more: www.ridgelandartsfest.com
Application Deadline: November 22 ($30 jury fee)
Booth Fee Due: January 10 ($250 for 10' x 10' space)
Email questions to Bob McFarland at bobmcfarland2@hotmail.com or call 253-344-1058.
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Find even more art fairs looking for you: www.CallsforArtists.com
Comments
Last year was my 1st year to participate in this show. Not sure how to review however because the 1st day was bad weather so I really don't feel I got a true since of how the show can be. The show itself is very organized and the staff is great. My work ranges from $75.00 then jumps to $225 and then $1000.00. Of course mostly what sold was the small $75.00 pieces . I did sell a couple in the $225 range. The quality of work in the show is top notch. Craig and Sara if you don't live far definetly give it a try.
Good luck with it! WOOHOO!
Thanks Barrie. Based on what Connie has said and your past experience we are going to give it a try. It is not too far for us and it sounds like it will be a nice weekend.
I just looked at the artist list for 2015 and found one person, Kendra Bennett, who is an active AFIer.
If I were building a spring 2016 tour schedule, considering the lack of options for shows on that weekend where I think I might do better, I'd go back to Ridgeland for this show in 2016. I like the show organizers a lot and can't say enough positive about them. Photography/Mixed Media artist H.C. "Chris" Porter plays a big role in this, and together with Bob McFarland they take care of artists. I didn't do that well the last time I did it in 2011, but I felt it had good potential. Patrons may be more inclined to accept our most recent work, so some of what I presented to them back in 2011 has everything to do with my lackluster sales. I did meet one of the dearest patrons here I've ever met anywhere, so there would be more reasons for me to go here than just to make sales. The venue is wonderful, really, and since I travel with dogs need ample parking in cool shade, which was conveniently located in spades very nearby back then in the covered deck parking. It's a very lively event focused on art, and it did attract art savvy patrons. Many of my long-time colleagues do the show.
I have not done this show, Craig and Sara. I do know for sure it is an affluent area and is supported by the merchants and have met the show organizer, Bob McFarland, some years back when they were starting the show. They tapped into the local artists who traveled to do shows and understood about building a quality event that reflects the area, not a "local" arts and crafts show. I think the attendance is not huge, but select, and would not expect high volume of sales, but higher end work/finely made distinctive pieces would be the ticket.
Has anyone done this show recently? The only review I could find was from 2011.