Why I Show at Juried Art Festivals
If you've met me in person, chances are it was at an art festival. But not all outdoor shows are the same, and the difference matters when you're buying handmade work.
Craft show vs. juried art festival
At most craft fairs, anyone who pays the booth fee can sell, and that's part of their charm. A juried art festival is different. Artists apply, and a panel of jurors decides who gets in, usually based on originality, craftsmanship, and presentation. Many artists who apply are turned away.
What it takes to get in
For every show, I pay a non-refundable jury fee just to be considered. My application has to include professional photographs of my work, a photo of my booth set up, and a written explanation of how I make each piece. Only then do the jurors review it.
If I'm accepted, I pay a booth fee, typically $400 to $500, plus travel, lodging, and two long days outdoors in whatever Florida weather turns up.
Built for the show
Many juried festivals don't allow cloth-covered tables. They want a finished, professional display. So I built my own display cabinets. When you step into my booth, you're seeing a small gallery I designed and built to show the work the way it deserves.
My booth at the Gainesville Downtown Festival & Art Show, built around the display cabinets I made.
An honest note about "buy/sell"
Most juried shows prohibit buy/sell, meaning imported or mass-produced goods resold as handmade. The rules aren't foolproof, and resold work does sometimes get past the jury.
My advice at any show: ask the artist how they made a piece. A real maker will happily tell you, probably in more detail than you wanted.
I make every piece myself in my Florida studio, from the fused glass to the silver settings.
What this means for you
When you buy at a juried festival, you're buying directly from the person who made the piece, and that work has been reviewed and selected by professionals. My work has received jury awards for design and craftsmanship, which I'm proud of. If you stop by my booth, I'm always happy to talk about how a piece was made.
Award of Distinction, 44th Gainesville Downtown Festival & Art Show, 2025.
If you can't make it to a show, you'll find the same work here in the shop.