PELHAM ART FESTIVALS IN-PERSON and ONLINE 2024

At Meridian Community Centre Accipiter Arena and Online
Plus Arena Booth Map, Artist Booth Lighting, Arena Booth Setup Guidelines
+ Frequently Asked Questions

Important Dates

Artists sell their artwork at the 37th Pelham Art Festival In-person at the Meridian Community Centre and at Pelham Art Festival Online. 
If the In-person festival is applied for there is no cost for the Online Festival. Online artists' galleries of artwork remain online for a year until the last week of April 2025 with artists advertising and selling their own work from June 1st, 2024, to April 21st, 2025.

37th Pelham Art Festival In-person Show


January 31, 2024 – Application Deadline at 11:59 PM
February 15, 2024 - Late and Final Application Deadline at 11:59 PM
March 15, 2024 - Booth Payment Deadline at 11:59 PM
April 15, 2024 – Final day to cancel your participation for a refund ( non-refundable application handling fee)
May 10 - 12, 2024 – 37th Pelham Art Festival at Meridian Community Centre 

 

The public and artists' attendance hours of the Festival are:
Friday, May 10:          7 pm  - 10 pm
Saturday, May 11:   10 am  -   5 pm
Sunday, May 12:     10 am  -   4:30 pm

Arena Booth Map & Artist Booth Lighting for PAF In-person

To Download:

Click on the image link to open in a new window and right-click on the image for the option to save the  Accipiter Arena Booth Map 2023 and Artist Booth Lighting 2023 to your computer. Updates for 2024 posted by May 1st.


Pelham Art Festival Online Show

January 31, 2024 – Application Deadline at 11:59 PM ($25 non-refundable application handling fee)
February 15, 2024 - Late and Final Application Deadline at 11:59 PM ($50 non-refundable application fee)
March 15, 2024 - Online Payment Deadline at 11:59 PM
April 15, 2024 – Final day to cancel your participation for a refund (non-refundable application handling fee)
May 1 - 31, 2024 – Pelham Art Festival Online (artist advertises own work June 1, 2024, to April 21, 2025)

Up to 15 images - $150.00
There is a non-refundable $25 application handling fee.

Who can Apply?

PAF’s jurors welcome individual artists and artisans working in all mediums; painting, photography, sculpture, pottery, glass, wood creations, textiles, jewellery and more, with formal or informal training to apply. Artists are encouraged to submit original artworks created within the last three years. Established and emerging artists are welcome. 

The Pelham Art Festival provides a welcoming place for all artists and art enthusiastsand we are committed to equity and inclusion.

You can choose to join us for Pelham Art Festivals from anywhere in Canada and beyond. Sell artworks, tap into the exponentially expanding Southern Ontario and Niagara Region art market, and participate in our Online Festivals safely from the comfort of your home.

If you are applying from outside of Canada, you must get the appropriate paperwork to enter Canada to sell your work. We do not provide invitations to artists for visa applications. All travel, accommodations, shipping and customs expenses are your responsibility. We recommend working with a licensed customs broker to import your work into Canada.

Our recommendation for International artists is to apply for Pelham Art Festival Online.

All submissions will be juried. All artwork submitted for jurying must be for sale, and all artwork submitted for the In-person Festival must be for sale. The application handling fee is non-refundable.

PAF accepts 80% original artworks and 20% may be reproductions such as giclée or limited-edition prints. Please see our Guidelines for more information. Artwork in the photography category must be of signed, numbered limited edition prints, with a series of each image limited to a total of twenty-five or fewer.
Once you have declared the limited-edition status of an image, you are expected to follow through anywhere you show that work.

Reproductions are welcome provided they do not exceed 20% of the total artwork on display.

All works must be hand-made by the artist. Machine-made or mass-produced works are not permitted and will result in an automatic disqualification.

Please read our Reproduction Policy information carefully before an application is submitted.

The Festival Committee reserves the right to jury all artist applications to provide opportunities for a wide variety of new and returning artists to display and sell their work and sales are encouraged. Typically there are more talented artists than booths available at PAF In-person, so if your work was juried and accepted, you will be placed on a waitlist and invited to join at the first opportunity if space becomes available. All juried Online Festival artist galleries are placed online.

How do I Apply as an Artist/Artisan?

All applications are submitted through our online e-commerce platform on PAF’s website here at pelhamartfestival.com

ALL ARTISTS: Please click on APPLY NOW for full information on how to apply for an application online BEFORE AN APPLICATION IS SUBMITTED.

Artists fill in your name, address – mailing information (very important), email contact, biography and description – no artist name included, and only skip the banner image, profile photo, and social media accounts, for now. Those are not available to the jury and during online Festivals, only become publicly visible if your application is successful. Please check your spam and junk folders if you have not received an email confirmation. When new artists are accepted by the jury payment is due. There will be a non-refundable $25 application handling fee.

Why apply to be a part of the PAF?

  • Be a part of the art community: We are committed to the artists who participate in Pelham Art Festivals and as such, want to assure you that a strong social media, digital and ad campaign will be implemented before and during the Festivals to help attract attention to both In-person and Online Festivals.
  • Participate in training: We offer artists the opportunity to learn how to provide good-quality images to promote work for Online and In-person Pelham Art Festivals through extra training and support as needed. 
  • Grow your network for In-person and Online FestivalsPAF is a well-respected Festival where many artists return year after year saying they love the atmosphere and feel warmly welcomed. Every effort will be made to help you promote and sell your artwork and for art lovers to see and purchase pieces through both Pelham Art Festival at Meridian Community Centre and Pelham Art Festival Online.
  • Online sales experience: Showcase your artwork in our Online Festival on our user-friendly e-commerce platform where artists and artisans showcase artwork year-round until May 2023.
  • In-person and Online Festivals:
    We welcome 2500+ visitors in-person, and 5,300 + visitors online.
  • We offer a successful and comprehensive marketing campaign:  Benefit from our multi-platform marketing and promotions that resulted in a total of 3.247 million media impressions from 2021’s campaign. Our social media portion of the total ad campaign reached 38,159 people, resulting in 82,361 media impressions. We have experienced great online growth and expect an even more expansive 2022 and 2023 reach. Plus, the additional opportunity to be spotlighted through our social media channels on Facebook and Instagram with an engaged audience continues to grow.
  • Ongoing professional development: Dedicated support and guidance from our team through application assistance, juried art, and social media (how to grow your digital outreach and social media skills) as needed.
  • Free Pelham Art Festivals online resources and support: Assistance and troubleshooting for your artist and product pages, training, instructional videos, volunteers to assist you in setting up your PAF In-person booth display, Online gallery and comprehensive artist information is available.
  • And so much more!

What is included for artists/artisans at the festival?

  • Artists are provided with Pelham Art Festival label tags for artwork; Artist Name Badges; Assistant Name Badges; Artist Name and Booth Number Signage, and artists may choose to print PAF artwork label tags on business card sheets in advance by emailing [email protected]A special tag to identify art entries for the featured Theme of the Year will also be enclosed.
     
  • A guide to local restaurants is included with directions to the Meridian Community Centre for PAF artists, and some helpful information for artists who may travel from a distance is included. 
     
  • Volunteer assistant lunch break booth-sitters for artists and when breaks are needed.

What is the Theme Challenge?

Pelham Art Festival creates a Theme Challenge every year. Artists who are accepted into the festival may choose to participate in the challenge with one artwork but this is not compulsory. 

As part of their collection, artists are invited to create one artwork to interpret the Theme Challenge - “Transformations".

These artworks will be featured in a special online Curated Collection and be judged at the Pelham Art Festival in the Meridian Community Centre to select the best theme artwork. An award for the selected artwork will be presented to the winning artist on Mother's Day weekend at the Festival.

Transformations:  ‘The art of changing how we see our world’

  • Transformation is a dramatic change of form or appearance.  It has been the catalyst for human evolution throughout history.
  • Transformations are the past, present and future restructuring of all aspects of our world:  social, economic, political, technological, cultural, and natural.
  • Individual transformation helps people give meaning to their environment, understand the world, elevate their mood and open their minds to new ideas 
  • Art and artists have the power to transform how people see the world, opening them to new perspectives, ideas and values by reflecting on the past, pushing into the future and fostering a broader understanding of their society and world today.
  • Transformations in art include raising awareness of social, political, environmental and cultural events and movements.
  • Transformations in art media include new technologies and using media that change perspective and the visual impact of everyday objects.                       

                                                           

Theme Challenge Inperson Festival:

Artists and artisans at the 37th Pelham Art Festival are asked to email [email protected] with the artwork title to obtain a tag to identify your art entry in your booth. The tag will be enclosed in your Artist Information package when you arrive at the Accipiter Arena in Fonthill Meridian Community Centre.

Theme Challenge Online Festival:

Artists and Artisans must include their Theme Challenge Artwork Name in the artwork title when filling out the form for their theme challenge piece after it is uploaded into your gallery. The title will identify it for the curator who will be selecting artworks from all the theme challenge submissions to feature in a specially curated collection. One of the artworks in the Collection will be chosen to receive a Best of Theme award.  

Artists should also choose the Theme Challenge name in the Subjects dropdown menu when filling in the form for the 2024 theme challenge artwork so it can be identified by the site search engine.

NB: Only one artwork in your gallery should be assigned this subject designation if you participate in the Theme Challenge. This enables the curator to find your theme challenge work for consideration. Visitors will be invited to view the Theme Challenge Curated Collection when it is presented during Pelham Art Festival Online.

We look forward to viewing your "Transformations" artwork at the Festivals!

Why do I have to pay an application fee for the Festival?

Did you know that PAF is a not-for-profit Canadian Art Festival? Your application fee goes towards the processing and administration of your application, and to artist support like application feedback and information sessions, as well as to allowing PAF to continue its work in the Canadian arts sector.

A portion of the fees goes towards the setting up of a professional website capable of showcasing your art on a secure e-commerce platform. Your fees also go towards advertising and promotion to create visibility for the Festival for you to sell your work to the public.

It is because of the careful administrative work time that PAF Committee and jurors dedicate to the Call for Artists that the $25 application/ $50 late application-handling fee is non-refundable

How do I find out if I will be accepted into the Festival?

You will be provided with your application results by email by around February 5, 2024. You can also see your results by logging into your Artist Dashboard after February 5, 2024. No phone calls please – results will not be given over the phone. Please check your junk and spam email folders if you have not received your results. All decisions are final. The Pelham Art Festival will not appeal any decisions. To make sure that your results letter does not accidentally end up in your spam folder make sure that you add “[email protected]” to your address book as a safe sender.

What do Artists have to say about this festival?

PAF is proud to have hosted many renowned Canadian artists such as Robert Amirault, Janny Fraser, Linda Kemp, George Langbroek, Doug Mays, Sonja Mortimer, Edward Spera, Josh Tiessen and Steve Wilson to name a few.

Artists agree Pelham Art Festival In-person is a successful, professional, well-organized event. Many artists come back year after year saying they enjoy the Festival, comment on the warm, friendly, unique ambience of Niagara and appreciate our volunteer assistance.

What if I have to cancel my application?

If an artist wishes to cancel their application for any reason, the Pelham Art Festival requires a written notification on or before April 15, 2024, so a refund minus a non-refundable application fee can be made to you.

If the request for cancellation is made less than three weeks before the show, every effort will be made to fill the booth space with an artist from the waitlist and a refund will be issued to you if the booth can be filled.

Booth Fees 2024

Single Booth $150.00
Corner Booth $150.00
3 Panel Booth $225.00
Double Booth $300.00


Artists with two-dimensional artwork are provided with a minimum of two pegboard panels 8' wide by 6' high hanging horizontally and two 2' attached lower panels for an 8' x 8' single booth, including an artist-supplied table and seating. Artists with three-dimensional work will require stands. Please note the pegboard panels require 1/4" pegboard hooks. 

Single (2 pegboard panels), Double (4 panels), Corner(2 panels) and 3 Panel booths (3 pegboard panels) are available for 2024.

FOR IMPORTANT MERIDIAN COMMUNITY CENTRE ARRIVAL INFORMATION MAY 2024:
Please read the artists' Arena May Arrival

 

2024 Artist Welcome and Information Letter

Booth Setup Guidelines

ACCIPITER ARENA ZONE and BOOTH MAP 2024 

ARTIST BOOTH LIGHTING 2023

Directions to the Festival

 

Do you provide display equipment?

Booths with walls consisting of pegboard sheets (6’x8’) are set up in advance for the In-person Festival. You are responsible for bringing your own hooks, displays, small table and chair/s.

Can I build my own booth?

No. The only exceptions are stand-alone jewellery display cases and display supplies for sculptors, ceramicists and glass artists using plinth displays.

Can I leave the artwork in my booth overnight?

YES. 

  • Professional security is arranged as needed after hours and the Accipiter Arena and the Meridian Community Centre are locked overnight.
     
  • The Pelham Art Festival and the Town of Pelham are not responsible for any lost, stolen, or damaged items during the Festival so please insure your artwork. 
     
  • Volunteers and limited carts/dollies are available to assist you in transferring your artwork to and from your vehicle at the beginning and end of each Festival.

Do I need to be present during the festival? What hours am I expected to be at my booth?

Yes, you do need to be present.

This is not a gallery festival and clients look forward to meeting the artists. Our mandate is that the artist is present – each artist must set up and manage their booth for the duration of Festival hours. We recommend that you bring a friend, family member, or colleague, to help you over the weekend and to give you a chance to take a break. Festival volunteer booth-minders are available to assist you when you need to take a short break.

Your art is to be available for purchase in your booth from Friday at 7.00 pm to Sunday at 4:30 pm.  

The public hours of the Festival are:
Friday Opening, 7 pm - 10 pm
Saturday, 10 am - 5 pm
Sunday, 10 am - 4:30 pm

How do I process payments?

You are responsible for bringing your own preferred payment processing system (Square, Stripe, Shopify, etc.).
We recommend using your own secure hotspot for payment processing and other needs. Many artists bring petty cash for cash transactions.

Credit Card Service: The art Festival offers Visa and Master Card for those who do not process credit cards for 5% service charge. This is available at the Treasurer’s Information table at the entrance. The Treasurer will reimburse you within 10 days after the Art Festival.

A 15% Commission on Total Sales (excluding taxes) in cash or by cheque is accepted at the conclusion of the show at 4:30 PM on Sunday. If an artwork is sold within two weeks after the show as a result of contact made with the buyer at the show, the Festival Committee requests that the 15% commission be forwarded to the Treasurer.

Can I only sell the work I submitted in my application?

You may sell more. The images you submit in your application should be consistent with the type of work you intend to show at the Festival. They do not have to be the exact same artwork. You should only be showing works relevant to the category/medium you are selected for.

Am I allowed to sell artist cards or prints at the Festival?

YES. Artists are allowed to sell artist cards and prints at Pelham Art Festivals In-person and Online.

Please refer to our Reproduction Policy for full details.

What is the Artist Code of Conduct?

The Artist Code of Conduct is a section of the Liability and Code of Conduct Agreement. All artists must agree to it as part of their participation at the Pelham Art Festival.

Where do I find support?

Admin support will be available for you if you need it through [email protected]
Please state the title of your question in the heading of your email so your question will be forwarded to the person who can help you. 


with the subject line: PAF 2024 Photographing Your Art for the Online Gallery + Your Name 
with the subject line: PAF 2024 Artist Gallery Setup Support + Your Name 
with the subject line: PAF 2024 General Support + Your Name

 

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Pelham Art Festivals are following the safety guidelines provided by Niagara Region Public Health.

Pelham Art Festival Inc. is a not-for-profit corporation.