Artist Application
Call For Art Entries
April 1 - June 14, 2024 6pm
The Festival exhibits are open to artists who reside, work, or belong to an art association in Essex County, Massachusetts. In juried exhibits, the artwork has been selected by judges with expertise and knowledge in their fields of judging. Awards will be distributed in each exhibit category on Wednesday July 3rd at 6pm at the Upper Grounds of Abbot Hall.
We invite eligible artists to enter their original artwork in one or more exhibit categories described below.
You must pre-register and pay online so you can simply drop off at the specific exhibit location- quick and easy!
Youth and Student Art is open to Marblehead residents in public or private schools or art studio classes and nonresidents attending school or art studio classes in Marblehead.
Experience the captivating arts exhibits at the Festival, spread across six unique venues, promising an engaging and enriching experience for all.
Abbot Hall, The Old Town House, St. Michael’s Church, Old North Church, Unitarian Universalist Church of Marblehead, and King Hooper Mansion (MAA) are all hosting an exhibit.
See below for more information about entering your art to this year's Festival.
Drop Off Dates Are:
Thursday, June 20, 2024 from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Friday, June 21, 2024 from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
If you need assistance with online registration, please email exhibits@marbleheadfestival.org and we’ll be glad to help.
Required for Registration: The following information is required when you REGISTER ONLINE (for each art entry).
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Your name, address, phone number and email address
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The exhibit category you are entering
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The title of your artwork
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The medium of your artwork
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The price you would like to sell your artwork for (or "NFS" if not for sale)
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Size of your artwork
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A photograph of your artwork (only used for online sales and historical information) - Judging is done In-person
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Entry fee ($15.00/piece) - online credit card payment only; no fee for Youth and Students.
Please Read The Artist Agreement Before Submitting Your Art........
Crafts
Drop-off & Exhibit Location: Abbot Hall - 188 Washington St
Drop-off dates:
Thursday, June 20, 2024 from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Friday, June 21, 2024 from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Number of entries: Three (3)
Description: A juried exhibit of original handcrafts, traditional or contemporary in nature, that are both useful and decorative, such as calligraphy, quilts, textiles, furniture, jewelry, pottery and stained glass. No kits allowed. Calligraphy must be framed, glassed, wired (wire & clip frames excluded) and ready to hang. Size of two-dimensional artwork may not exceed 3’ 6” in any direction including frame. Jewelry should be mounted for display. Fragile and small items should be packed in labeled containers for protection before and after judging. Quilters must provide their own quilt stands.
To contact the co-chairs of this exhibit:
Dawn Jenkins & Maggie Smist
Awards: Best of Show ($125), Outstanding Work ($50), Honorable Mention, People's Choice Award
Special Awards: Carol Moore Award, Deb Frost Memorial Award ($100)
Digital Art
Drop-off & Exhibit Location: St. Michael’s Church - 26 Pleasant Street
Drop-off dates:
Thursday, June 20, 2024 from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Friday, June 21, 2024 from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Number of entries: Two (2)
Description: A small-scale juried exhibit of original two-dimensional artwork in a variety of digital techniques that are not represented in other Festival exhibit categories. Work must be created and produced using digital technology. All graphics must be the direct result of the artist's work. Submissions must be framed and glassed or canvas-wrapped include a wire (wire & clip frames excluded) and be ready to hang. Size may not exceed 3' 6" in any direction including frame. Art that requires electricity for viewing cannot be accepted.
To contact the chair of this exhibit:
Robin Hobart
digitalart@marbleheadfestival.org
Awards: Best of Show ($125), Outstanding Work ($50), Honorable Mention, People’s Choice Award
Drawing
Drop-off & Exhibit Location: Unitarian Universalist Church - 28 Mugford Street
Drop-off dates:
Thursday, June 20, 2024 from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Friday, June 21, 2024 from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Number of entries: Two (2)
Description: A juried exhibit of original drawings in pencil, pen and ink, charcoal, conte’ crayon, pastel, and other media. Works must be framed, glassed, wired (wire and clip frames excluded) and ready to hang. Size may not exceed 3’ 6” in any direction.
To contact the chair of this exhibit:
Barbara Naeser
drawing@marbleheadfestival.org
Awards:Best of Show ($125), Outstanding Work ($50), Honorable Mention, People’s Choice Award
Special Award: Lee R. Smith Award
International
Drop-off & Exhibit Location: TBD
Drop-off dates:
Thursday, June 20, 2024 from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Friday, June 21, 2024 from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Number of entries: Two (2)
Description: A juried exhibit showcasing original artwork, including crafts, digital art, drawing, mixed media, painting, photography, printmaking, and sculpture. The artwork is created by immigrants and first-generation to the United States representing their country of origin. No kits are permitted. Artworks must adhere to the framing and presentation requirements specified in corresponding Festival exhibits (e.g., crafts entered in the International Art exhibit should follow the Crafts Exhibits specifications). Two-dimensional artwork must not exceed 3' 6" in any direction, including the frame.
To contact the chairs of this exhibit:
international@marbleheadfestival.org
Awards: Best of Show ($125), Outstanding Work ($50), Honorable Mention, People’s Choice Award
Mixed Media
Drop-off & Exhibit Location: St. Michael’s Church - 26 Pleasant Street
Drop-off dates:
Thursday, June 20, 2024 from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Friday, June 21, 2024 from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Number of entries: Two (2)
Description: A juried exhibit of original artwork in two or more media in a single composition, using media such as paint, collage, drawing, image transfer, assemblage, papier-mache’, textiles, wax, and found objectives. Pieces may be displayed as two-or three-dimensional surfaces. Appropriate bases and materials to hang artwork are to be supplied by the exhibiting artists. Art that requires electricity for viewing cannot be accepted.
To contact the chair of this exhibit:
Robin Hobart
mixedmedia@marbleheadfestival.org
Awards: Best of Show ($125), Outstanding Work ($50), Honorable Mention, People’s Choice Award
Special Award: Don Howard Award
Painting
Drop-off & Exhibit Location: Abbot Hall - 188 Washington St
Drop-off dates:
Thursday, June 20, 2024 from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Friday, June 21, 2024 from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Number of entries: One (1)
Description: A juried exhibit of original paintings in oil, acrylic, ink or watercolor. Work must be dry, framed or canvas-wrapped, wired and ready to hang (sawtooth hanger & clip frames not accepted). Size may not exceed 3’ 6” in any direction, including frame. Plexiglass is preferred to glass for large works of art.
To contact the co-chairs of this exhibit:
Dawn Jenkins & Maggie Smist
painting@marbleheadfestival.org
Awards: Best of Show ($125), Outstanding Work ($50), Honorable Mention, People’s Choice Award
Special Award: Edward D. Carey Award
Painting The Town
Drop-off & Exhibit Location: Marblehead Arts Association-
King Hooper Mansion, 8 Hooper Street
Registration and payment: pre-register and pay on-line
DATE: Saturday, June 29 and Sunday, June 30, 2024
Number of Entries: One (1)
Description: Plein air painters in Essex County are invited to join in Painting the Town – a two-day event
culminating in a judged exhibit. On Saturday, June 29th and Sunday, June 30th artists proceed directly to their selected painting locations in town and paint scenes en plein air. Artists frame their works and submit them to the Festival at the MAA on Tuesday, July 2nd between 8 a.m. and 5p.m. Artists awards will be announced at the Abbot Hall awards ceremony on Wednesday evening July 3rd. The exhibit will continue at the MAA through the July member show.
To contact the co-chairs of the exhibit:
Jean Guastaferri and Peggy Farrell
Awards: Best of Show: $125, Outstanding Work: $50, Honorable Mention, People's Choice Award
Drop-off & Exhibit Location: Abbot Hall - 188 Washington St
Drop-off dates:
Thursday, June 20, 2024 from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Friday, June 21, 2024 from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Number of entries: Three (3)
Description: A juried exhibit of original prints in a variety of categories, such as etching, engraving, dry point, linoleum cuts, and other relief forms, silk-screen, lithography, monoprints, woodcut and wood engraving, and other forms of printmaking. All plates, screens or blocks must be the direct result of the artist’s work. Submissions must be dry, framed or canvas-wrapped, wired and ready to hang (sawtooth hanger & clip frames not accepted). Size may not exceed 3’ 6” in any direction, including frame.
To contact the co-chairs of this exhibit:
Dawn Jenkins & Maggie Smist
Printmaking@marbleheadfestival.org
Awards: Best of Show ($125), Outstanding Works ($50), Honorable Mention, People’s Choice Award
Printmaking
Photography
![Rick_Cloran_Pemaquid_Dawn_w4001[1].jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0af6c6_638a317db1954e52bee0cd9398361e34~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_67,y_0,w_267,h_267/fill/w_206,h_206,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/Rick_Cloran_Pemaquid_Dawn_w4001%5B1%5D.jpg)
Drop-off & Exhibit Location: Old Town House, One Market Square
Drop-off dates:
Thursday, June 20, 2024 from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Friday, June 21, 2024 from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Number of entries: Two (2)
Description: A juried exhibit of original photography created within the past three (3) years, in black-and-white or color. Work must be wood/metal framed, and glassed or a canvas/metal print. All works must include a wire and be ready to hang. Excluded framing includes sawtooth hanger, spring clips, standing photo frames and pop-in frames. Size may not exceed 3’ 6” in any direction including frame.
To contact the chair of this exhibit:
Brian Perlow
photography@marbleheadfestival.org
Awards: Best of Show ($125), Outstanding Work ($50), Honorable Mention, People’s Choice Awards
Special Awards: Samuel Chamberlain Award, Photojournalism Award
Sculpture
![100702_JK_005_w4001[1].jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0af6c6_e120587b230948239dd4f0d8af0b8d37~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_11,y_0,w_378,h_378/fill/w_206,h_206,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/100702_JK_005_w4001%5B1%5D.jpg)
Drop-off & Exhibit Location: St. Michael’s Church - 26 Pleasant Street
Drop-off dates:
Thursday, June 20, 2024 from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Friday, June 21, 2024 from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Number of entries: Two (2)
Description: A juried exhibit of original three-dimensional sculptures encompassing all styles and genres. All works must be an appropriate size for display indoors. Bases and materials to hang or display artwork are to be supplied by the exhibiting artists.
To contact the chair of this exhibit:
sculpture@marbleheadfestival.org
Awards: Best of Show ($125), Outstanding Work ($50), Honorable Mention, People’s Choice Award
Special Award: Beverly Seamans Award
Senior Art
Drop-off & Exhibit Location: Unitarian Universalist Church - 28 Mugford Street
Drop-off dates:
Thursday, June 20, 2024 from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Friday, June 21, 2024 from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Number of entries: One (1)
Description: A non-juried exhibit of original artwork comprising crafts, digital art, drawing, mixed media, painting, photography, printmaking and sculpture by persons 65 years of age or older. No kits allowed. Work must conform to the framing and/or presentation requirements specified in the other corresponding Festival exhibit (e.g. crafts entered in Senior Art should adhere to the crafts Exhibits specifications). Size of 2D artwork may not exceed 3’ 6” in any direction including frame.
To contact the co-chairs of this exhibit:
Maggie Raftus and Betty Spellios
seniorart@marbleheadfestival.org
Awards: Best of Show ($125), Outstanding Work ($50), Honorable Mention, People’s Choice Award
Special Awards: Louise Remick Brown Award, Bob and Ruth Sinclair Award
Youth & Student
Drop-off Location: Unitarian Universalist Church - 28 Mugford Street
Exhibit Location: Old North Church
Drop-off dates:
Wednesday, June 12, 2024 from 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Thursday, June 13, 2024 from 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Number of entries: One (1)
Description: Non-juried exhibits of original artwork comprising crafts, digital art, drawing, mixed media, painting, photography, printmaking, and sculpture by Youth (preschool through Grade 4) and Students (Grades 5 -12). No kits allowed. All two-dimensional works must be matted, mounted, or framed. Size may not exceed 3’ 6” in any direction including frame.
All students in Marblehead public and private schools and in Marblehead art studio classes may submit (1) entry. Entries to be dropped off in accordance with the times stated above.
***Please note, seperate drop off location differs from exhibit location.
Click here to enter your child’s artwork
To contact the co-chairs of this exhibit:
Gail Gilbert and Angelo Knight
youthandstudent@marbleheadfestival.org
Overall Exhibit: People’s Choice Award
Student Art Awards (Grades 9-12)
Best of Show ($50 prize), (2) Outstanding Work ($25 prize), (4) Honorable Mention
Student Art Awards (Grades 5-8)
(4) Honorable Mention
Youth Art Awards (Pre-K-Grade 4)
Ribbons for each entry.
Special Awards: Debra and Jack Highberger Awards, Nordia Kay Award.
GENERAL INFORMATION
All artwork must be submitted and ready to be displayed. Because volunteers are responsible for handling and transporting artwork, exhibit chairs may use their discretion when determining whether artwork is too heavy for submission. Please contact Exhibit Chairs if you have a question about the weight of your art.
Non-Accepted work can be picked-up: Thursday, June 27, 2024, 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Awards Ceremony: Wednesday, July 3, 2024 @ 6:00 – 7:00 pm - Abbot Hall, Upper Grounds
Accepted work will be exhibited July 4 – July 7, 2024, and may not be removed before 4:00 pm on Sunday, July 7, 2024. No exceptions will be made.
Accepted work picked-up: Sunday, July 7, 2024, 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm at Exhibit locations, or Monday, July 8th at Exhibit locations from 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm.
Artwork not picked up within 60 days after the close of the Festival shall become the property of the Marblehead Festival of Arts, Inc.
Liability: Artwork will be openly displayed in buildings, in areas open to the public. It is recommended that all artists insure their own works for the duration of the exhibition. The Marblehead Festival of Arts, Inc. (MFoA) is not responsible in any way for the loss, damage, disappearance, or harm of any kind to the works of art.
Delivery of the works to MFoA constitutes an express waiver, release, and discharge of all claims, actions, or causes of action against the harm of any kind to the works of art.
Sales: The Marblehead Festival of Arts, Inc. will receive a 30% commission on any sales. All works for sale must be sold as displayed and may not be removed by the purchaser before the close of the Festival at 4PM Sunday, July 7, 2024.