Artist Application
Call For Art Entries
May 10 - June 18, 2023 10pm
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 will be selected by judges with expertise and knowledge in their fields of judging. Awards will be distributed in each exhibit category.
We invite eligible artists to enter their original artwork in one or more exhibit categories described below.
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.
Call For Art Entries
May 10 - June 18, 2023 10pm
The Festival is back in full force, with exhibits located in 6 different venues.
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.
You must pre-register and pay online so you can simply drop off at the specific exhibit location- quick and easy!
See below for more information about entering your art to this year's Festival.
Drop Off Dates Are:
Wednesday, June 21, 2023 from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Thursday, June 22, 2023 from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
PLEASE REVIEW DROP-OFF LOCATIONS SINCE SOME HAVE CHANGED FROM THE PREVIOUS YEARS.
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).
-
Your name, address, phone number and email address
-
The exhibit category you are entering
-
The title of your artwork
-
The medium of your artwork
-
The price you would like to sell your artwork for (or "NFS" if not for sale)
-
Size of your artwork
-
A photograph of your artwork (only used for online sales and historical information) - Judging is done In-person
-
Entry fee ($15.00/piece) - credit card, cash or check (payable to "Marblehead Festival of Arts"); no fee for Youth and Students.
Please Read The Artist Agreement Before Submitting Your Art........
Painting
Drop-off & Exhibit Location: Abbot Hall - 188 Washington St
Drop-off dates:
Wednesday, June 21 from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Thursday, June 22 from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Number of entries: One (1)
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
Drop-off & Exhibit Location: Abbot Hall - 188 Washington St
Drop-off dates:
Wednesday, June 21 from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m
Thursday, June 22 from 6:00 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:
Wednesday, June 21 from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m
Thursday, June 22 from 6:00 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- or metal-framed and glassed or a canvas or 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 co-chairs of this exhibit:
Stephen Limon photography@marbleheadfestival.org
Awards: Best of Show ($125), Outstanding Work ($50), Honorable Mention, People’s Choice Awards; Special Awards: Samuel Chamberlain Award, Photojournalism Award
Mixed Media
Drop-off & Exhibit Location: St. Michael’s Church - 26 Pleasant Street
Drop-off dates:
Wednesday, June 21 from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m
Thursday, June 22 from 6:00 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:
Ted Tobey mixedmedia@marbleheadfestival.org
Awards: Best of Show ($125), Outstanding Work ($50), Honorable Mention, People’s Choice Award, Special Award: Don Howard 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:
Wednesday, June 21 from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m
Thursday, June 22 from 6:00 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 co-chairs of this exhibit:
Vera Mourad & Lisa Fowler sculpture@marbleheadfestival.org
Awards: Best of Show ($125), Outstanding Work ($50), Honorable Mention, People’s Choice Award; Special Award: Beverly Seamans Award
Digital Art
Drop-off & Exhibit Location: St. Michael’s Church - 26 Pleasant Street
Drop-off dates:
Wednesday, June 21 from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m
Thursday, June 22 from 6:00 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:
Ted Tobey digitalart@marbleheadfestival.org
Awards: Best of Show ($125), Outstanding Work ($50), Honorable Mention, People’s Choice Award
Youth & Students
Youth & Student
Drop-off & Exhibit Location: Old North Church
Drop-off dates:
Tuesday, June 21 from 3:00 pm - 6:00pm
Wednesday, June 22 from 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm
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 must submit works through their teachers. Marblehead resident students who attend schools or art studio classes outside of Marblehead must drop off their own entries.
Click here to enter your child’s artwork
Student Art Awards: Best of Show, Outstanding Work, Honorable Mention, People’s Choice Award
Awards for Youth Art: Ribbons for each entry and $50 for Best of Show and $25 for Outstanding Work
Sponsored by Abbot Public Library
Special Awards: Debra and Jack Highberger Award; Nordia Kay Award
Painting The Town
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 24 and Sunday, June 25, 2023
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 24th and Sunday, June 25th 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, June 27th between 8 a.m. and 5p.m. (note paintings cannot be returned to MAA on the 24th or 25th due to private events at the MAA and MAA is closed on Monday, June 26) Artists awards will be announced at the Abbot Hall awards ceremony on Friday evening June 30th. 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
Crafts
Crafts
Drop-off & Exhibit Location: Abbot Hall - 188 Washington St
Drop-off dates:
Wednesday, June 21 from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m
Thursday, June 22 from 6:00 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:
DeAnna Putnam & Shannon Haley
Awards: Best of Show ($125), Outstanding Work ($50), Honorable Mention, People's Choice Award, Carol Moore Award, Deb Frost Memorial Award ($100)
Drawings
Drop-off & Exhibit Location: Unitarian Universalist Church - 28 Mugford Street
Drop-off dates:
Wednesday, June 21 from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m
Thursday, June 22 from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m
Number of entries: Three (3)
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
Senior Art
Senior Art
Drop-off & Exhibit Location: Unitarian Universalist Church - 28 Mugford Street
Drop-off dates:
Wednesday, June 21 from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m
Thursday, June 22 from 6:00 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 chairs of this exhibit:
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
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.
In-person Judging will be completed by Saturday, June 24, 2023.
Accepted work will be exhibited July 1 – July 4, 2023, and may not be removed before 4:00 pm on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. No exceptions will be made.
Non-Accepted work can be picked-up: Wednesday, June 28, 2023, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
* We will hold any non-accepted artwork until the end of the Festival, pick-up on July 4th, 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Accepted and non-accepted work picked-up: Tuesday, July 4, 2023, 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm at Exhibit locations, or on Wednesday, July 5th artwork can be picked-up at Exhibit locations from 6:00 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.
Awards Ceremony: Friday, June 30, 2023 @ 6:00 – 8:00 pm - Abbot Hall, Upper Grounds
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 work for sale must be sold as displayed and may not be removed by the purchaser before the close of the Festival at 4PM Tuesday, July 4, 2023.