SUGARLOAF CRAFT FESTIVALS
When Deann Verdier, a working potter, wanted to sell her work in 1975 she found out there were very limited opportunities. A few stores took crafts on consignment at very high percentage cost but art shows wouldn't talk to anyone doing crafts. That's when she started the Sugarloaf Craft Festivals with one mission that continues today:  Provide fine artists and contemporary craftspeople with a low overhead market to display and sell their work to an appreciative audience.
Art fairs and craft shows were separate events then and there were few of them. She was the first promoter to combine fine art and craft into one large and very special juried event. The audience loved it and the Sugarloaf Crafts Festivals were a hit from the start. Since the first show in Gaithersburg, MD in 1976, Sugarloaf has produced over 350 events and provided thousands of artists and craftspeople with an opportunity to make a living doing what they love to do. Today Sugarloaf produces 11 shows annually in Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Five shows each spring season (Jan-Apr) and six shows each fall season (Oct-Dec). Each show features hundreds of juried fine artists and contemporary craftspeople in a wide variety of media. While Sugarloaf provides a caring artist community that is enjoyed by many, the main focus is on helping artists sell. From turning out thousands of buyers with strong advertising and promotional campaigns to providing marketing materials that help individual artists easily reach out to their customers, Sugarloaf helps drive results for the artists at these shows.     Wood by Thomas Stahl, Artwork by Smadar Livne, Glass by John Boyett, Fine Art by Sandra Severson
Sugarloaf focuses on the stars of the show when creating the buzz. Our experienced public relations firm gets lots of media and web coverage by highlighting the unique lifestyle and work of individual participating artists. With over 20,000 Facebook fans and over 40,000 past patrons receiving our weekly Sugarloaf Club email there are many opportunities to create spotlight features on hundreds of different exhibitors each year. The patrons at these shows want to learn about the artists, not hear a bunch of hype. Doing Sugarloaf shows is made easy for artists. Indoor spaces make doing the show stress free compared to outdoor venues. Setup is easy with drive-in available at most shows and indoor spaces available at all shows. Artists have designated free parking areas adjacent to each show. Discount hotel rates are arranged for artists at each site to save exhibitors time and money. Marketing materials are furnished free by Sugarloaf that help experienced and new artists keep in contact with their collectors. When you do a Sugarloaf show, you are getting a full service package, not just a space. Sugarloaf Craft Festivals are all paid admission shows. This is important because the 10,000 - 20,000 attendees at each show are there for one reason - to buy fine arts and crafts for their home, for gifts and for themselves. Street fairs get lots of people on a lark. The Sugarloaf shows get power buyers looking to enhance and define their lifestyle, buy stylish décor for their homes and to find unique gifts for the special people in their lives. Both sales and attendance continue to grow at all of these popular spring shows. The Sugarloaf Craft Festivals are all established events held in affluent markets that have millions of qualified buyers. They are held at major show facilities located directly in the upscale suburbs of major cities like Washington, DC, Baltimore, MD, Philadelphia, PA, and central New Jersey. If you are tired of working street fairs and want to come inside where you can set up your booth, forget about the weather and get down to working with real customers, consider coming to the Mid Atlantic area and trying Sugarloaf Craft Festivals. Sugarloaf is seeking both experienced and emerging artists for the upcoming Spring 2013 season to present to their enthusiastic patrons. Be a part of it!     Glass by Beth Keenan, Jewelry by Patricia & Debish Kristine Doss, Pottery by Larry Allen and Wood kaleidoscope by Ron Lee. |
Jurying for the Spring 2013 season starts August 24, 2012.
Applications are available online at www.Zapplication.org (key word Sugarloaf) or can be downloaded from the Sugarloaf website.
Any questions can be answered by calling Sugarloaf at 800-210-9900.
|
SUGARLOAF SPRING 2013 SEASON
January 25, 26, 27
Sugarloaf Crafts Festival Chantilly, VA - 15th year
Dulles Expo Center
N. Va. Suburb of Washington, DC
March 8, 9, 10
Sugarloaf Crafts Festival
Somerset, NJ - 20th year
Garden State Exhibit Center
Located 5 mi north of New Brunswick in North Central NJ
March 15, 16, 17
Sugarloaf Crafts Festival
Oaks, PA - 5th year
Greater Philadelphia Expo Center
NW suburb of Philadelphia
April 12, 13, 14
Sugarloaf Crafts Festival Gaithersburg, MD - 38th year
Montgomery Co. Fairgrounds
Md. Suburb of Washington, DC
April 26, 27, 28
Sugarloaf Crafts Festival
Timonium, MD - 35th year
Maryland State Fairgrounds
N Suburb of Baltimore, MD
All shows are held for three days. Hours Fri 10-6, Sat 10-6, Sun 10-5. Setup is always on the Thursday before the show.
Contact Sugarloaf Craft Festivals for an application to be mailed to you or go to
Any questions can be quickly answered by calling Sugarloaf at 800-210-9900
Jurying for these spring 2013 shows begins August 24, 2012.
|
Comments