For Exhibiting Artists

at Hidden River Art Festival

Thank you to all the artists who submitted applications. We will post artists by May 23.

We are committed to you

• Our professional jury process will be directed towards the highest national standards for art work shown at festivals. 2008 Jurors
• One of the largest festivals of the year featuring ONLY fine artists from Wisconsin in a gallery-like setting 
• By showcasing the extraordinary work we have to offer in our state we continue working towards the goal of creating a national awareness of Wisconsin's strong artistic community
• Marketing strategies will target potential art buyers throughout the region
• Located on the beautiful grounds of the Wilson Center
• Tents provided for all exhibiting artists 
• Experienced and helpful staff coordinating the event
• Focusing on the extraordinary art available in Wisconsin

Important Dates

After just two years, the Hidden River Art Festival is being hailed as “the best festival for artists.” The Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts, in conjunction with the Brookfield Convention and Visitors’ Bureau as well as the City of Brookfield and Town of Brookfield, is proud to announce our 3rd annual Festival.

This professionally juried art festival is an opportunity to exhibit with 80 of Wisconsin's finest artists, showcased under beautiful tents in Brookfield's Mitchell Park. An array of activities will complement the displays.

Parking

• Artists'  vehicles must be moved to designated parking areas 30 minutes prior to the Festival opening each day.

Fee Information

• The Wilson Center does not charge commission on sales.
• Artists are responsible for collection and reporting of all applicable taxes, including Wisconsin sales tax.
• Application Fee $33; Booth Fee $198
• The deadline to cancel and receive a refund of booth fee (minus $25 administrative fee) is Friday, August 15.

Tenting and Booth Information

• Hidden River Art Festival provides each Artist a 10’ x 10’ exhibit space (not including storage space) under large tents on the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Art’s south lawn.
• Tents have windowed walls facing the Festival grounds allowing outside light to filter in.  Wilson Center staff will be available to pull the walls back or close depending upon the weather. Walls will also be closed each night and secured.
• All booths will have a 4’ section between the next booth, allowing pieces to be hung on both sides of your walls, if necessary.

• All booths have a 4’ walkway in front of them for patron traffic. Walkways should be kept clear allowing patrons to walk between booths under covering.
• Individual 10’x10’ tents may be set up underneath the large tents. All tents are 8’ at the lowest point and are either 14’ or 25’ at the highest point.
• Storage is provided behind each booth space and is sectioned off with black pipe and drape.  Storage area is shared and each Artist has a 2’ x 10’ section.
• The Festival grounds are grass, so Artists are able to stake things into the ground as needed.
• Two chairs are provided for each booth. 
• 500 watts of electricity are provided within 50’ of the booth.
• Artists must provide their own displays, backdrops, walls, tables, lighting and extension cords.
• Artist displays must be freestanding.

Artist load-in/load out

• There will be a few able-bodied volunteers to help Artists with load-in and load-out, if necessary.

Load-in

• Thursday, September 18, from 4:00–8:00 pm and Friday, September 19, from 8:00 am–12:00 pm. 
• Set up must be completed by Friday, September 19 by 12:00 pm. 
• Check in upon arrival at the information tent. Packets will be provided that include booth assignments, ID badges, and other important information. Please do not have anything shipped to the Wilson Center as we do not have storage space. Artists should plan to bring all of their work and equipment with them or have it shipped directly to their hotel. Silent Auction donors will be able to drop off pieces at check-in.
• Artists are able to unload adjacent to their booth during load-in and load-out.  Vehicles should be moved to Artist parking area 30 minutes prior to the Festival opening each day

Load-out

• Sunday, September 21 from 5:00–8:00 pm

Staff and Volunteers

Wilson Center Staff and Volunteers will be wearing Hidden River Art Festival t-shirts. There are volunteers specifically designated all weekend to circulate the grounds, check on the artists and tend to your needs should any issues arise. There is also a Wilson Center information booth located near the building that you can go to if you cannot find a staff member or volunteer nearby.

Artist Hospitality

• The Artist and Sponsor Lounge is available inside the Center. It is accessible from the Festival grounds for exhibiting Artists and Sponsors.

• Complimentary coffee, juice and bagels are provided each morning
• Complimentary water, soda and coffee provided during the weekend

• (2) Artist badges will be provided at registration and should be worn throughout the Festival. Badges will permit Artists to jump to the front of the line at any food vendor tent, allowing quick return to booths.
• Booth Sitters will circulate through the Festival during the weekend and will be available to provide breaks for Artists. In order to allow for all Artists to take a break, please try to limit breaks to 15-20 minutes.

Festival Awards

Jurying for Awards

• Three independent jurors are invited to evaluate the work of the Artists at the Festival and together select award winners. Awards are given for outstanding work in any medium and are presented at the Saturday evening awards ceremony.

• A People’s Choice award ballot is also given to each visitor to the Festival.  Visitors are asked to vote for their favorite participating Artist. Ballots are collected and counted on Saturday prior to the awards ceremony.
• All awardees receive an automatic acceptance to return to the Festival next year.
  

Awards

• (1) Joanne Johnson Best of Show–$1,000 and option for an exhibit in the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts’ Ploch Art Gallery
• (2) Jurors' Choice–$500
• (1) People’s Choice–$250

Festival Awards Ceremony

A ceremony will be held on Saturday, September 20–5:00 pm in the Center. This is a private ceremony for Artists only, where the Festival Awards will be announced. There will also be a casual reception with light cocktails and appetizers.

Silent Auction Items

Thank you to those who have agreed to donate a piece of art for the silent auction. All proceeds from this auction benefit arts education programs at the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts.  Actual art work should be delivered the day of load-in to the information tent.

ATM Machine

There is an ATM machine on the grounds during the Festival weekend. Artists are responsible for securing their own credit card machines for processing transactions, if they choose. The Wilson Center will not have a central credit card machine available for Artists to use.