Gallery of Gifts 2024 – Information for Interested Artisans
Accepting both PHYSICAL + DIGITAL APPLICATIONS IN 2024
The Gallery of Gifts jury will meet twice this year to review applications, once after each deadline. Artisans may enter online, or with physical work samples. Find out all the details below.
WHEN IS GALLERY OF GIFTS 2024?
November 2 – December 21, 2024
Gallery Hours: Tues.-Fri. 11:00am-4:00pm, Sat. 10:00am-2:00pm
*Drop off for accepted items will take place in mid October.
WHO MAY ENTER?
The Library Arts Center invites crafters, artisans and visual artists from New Hampshire, Vermont, or those with a distinct connection to our local area, to submit locally handmade crafts or art pieces for Gallery of Gifts.
Handmade crafts are welcome, as are original art pieces, as well as corresponding prints, greeting cards, etc. Craft pieces will be displayed in the main gallery, and accepted artists will be given their own distinct section of wall space in the Center’s West Gallery, (approx. 30 inches wide,) with room for framed pieces on the wall, as well as matted prints, greeting cards, calendars, etc. underneath.
CONSIGNMENT ARRANGEMENT: 70/30%
For Gallery of Gifts, artisans will drop off all of their pieces (tagged and ready for the show) on the designated drop-off date. Artisans will set their own prices. Gallery staff will be responsible for setting up the show in a unique holiday boutique-like format. The gallery will handle all sales, transactions, and order fulfillment. The show works on a 70/30% consignment arrangement.
WHAT JURORS ARE LOOKING FOR:
During the selection process, jurors will assess the work of the artists with regard to:
1) creativity/uniqueness of art or craft
2) quality
3) affordability/value
4) appeal to audience
5) presentation, presentation, presentation! (Does it present well as a gift? Are tags/packaging presented professionally?)
Our team of jurors seek to find a balance of types of fine craft, such as wood pieces, jewelry, fiber art, glass, weaving, etc. A balance of artwork displayed in the West Gallery exhibit will also be sought.
The jury is reviewing both ONLINE + PHYSICAL APPLICATIONS in 2024.
NEW ARTISANS: Physical work samples are preferred if you have not applied to Gallery of Gifts within the last 3 years, as the jurors glean much more if they can see the quality of your work in person, but online applications are also accepted.
RETURNING ARTISANS: If you HAVE applied to Gallery of Gifts in the last 3 years, we are happy to review your physical or online application.
JURY DEADLINES for 2024
The submission deadlines for the two rounds of Gallery of Gifts are:
1st Deadline: July 25 for physical samples, or Tues. July 30th for online entries
2nd Deadline: September 6 at 4:00pm for physical samples,or Sunday, September 8th at midnight for online entries
Artisans will receive an email notifying them if their work has been accepted within three weeks of the submission deadline. If an artist’s work is not accepted into the exhibit during the first round of selection, he/she is welcome to submit different work in the second round of selection.
Even if your work has been accepted into Gallery of Gifts before, you will still need to submit an entry for this year.
For more information about the Gallery of Gifts, please contact the Library Arts Center via email at info@libraryartscenter.org.
Preparing your Application: What you Need to Gather
The Arts Center will only be accepting both PHYSICAL and DIGITAL applications this year. Artisans will be invited to bring specific types of items based on the items or photos submitted. Artists/Artisans are not permitted to bring items that are not approved by the jury during the selection process.
1) Physical Items OR Photographs of your items.
Please be sure to submit at least one photo or work sample for each type of item you would like to submit for consideration. If applying online, we suggest taking photographs in natural light on a neutral wall backdrop so that the jurors will be able to see your items easily. Multiple views of items are welcome. Phone photos are fine!
FOR EXAMPLE, if a potter wishes to be considered for his/her mugs, vases, bowls, etc., he/she should submit at least one photo for each type item. OR, if a wood artisan also happens to make beaded jewelry, he/she should submit an example of each type of work. If an artist submitting for the West Gallery exhibit of artwork wishes to sell his/her note cards, calendars, etc. along with his/her artwork, an example of each of those items should be submitted, as well. **Please upload photos of the actual pieces that you are applying to be considered for, rather than simply directing the jury to look at your website.
**REMEMBER: Presentation counts! Please plan on dropping off items, or photographing your pieces in the condition in which they will be for sale, with real examples of intended tags and packaging.
2) The application form with a simple, brief description of your items
For Example: Ceramic Mugs: Raku Fired Additional information is optional, but not required.
3) Prices for your Items (or a price range for each type of item)
For Example: Mugs, $35.00 each OR Mugs (range: $25-$38)
4) The quantity of items you would be willing to bring if your items are accepted.
Listing an approximate quantity is fine. We just need to know if you are thinking of bringing 2, 20, or 200! Jurors may suggest another quantity to you, based on past sales records. Download the application form to accompany physical entries HERE.
*Printable application for use with physical entries.
Junior Artisans!
Did you know? We welcome applications from Junior Artisans! (age 17 & under)
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
When is Gallery of Gifts 2024?
This year, the Gallery of Gifts exhibit will take place November 2-December 21, 2024. Gallery hours for the exhibit and sale will be Tues.-Fri. 11am-4pm and Sat. 10am-2pm.
What is the process to have my work juried?
The Arts Center will be accepting both PHYSICAL and DIGITAL applications this year. Artisans will be invited to bring specific types of items based on the photos of their items submitted. Artists are not permitted to bring items that are not approved by the jury during the selection process. If the jury has not seen your work within the past two years, physical samples are recommended, whenever possible.
TO APPLY with PHYSICAL SAMPLES:
Drop off your items and completed application form to the Library Arts Center office during office hours (Tues.-Fri. 11am-4pm) prior to the application deadline.
TO APPLY ONLINE:
Use the link HERE.
For consideration by the jury, please submit the following, along with your online application:
1) Photographs of your items.
We suggest taking photographs in natural light on a neutral wall backdrop so that the jurors will be able to see your items easily. Multiple views of items are welcome. Please be sure to submit at least one photo or work sample for each type of item you would like to submit for consideration.
FOR EXAMPLE, if a potter wishes to be considered for his/her mugs, vases, bowls, etc., he/she should submit at least one photo for each type item. OR, if a wood artisan also happens to make beaded jewelry, he/she should submit an example of each type of work. If an artist submitting for the West Gallery exhibit of artwork wishes to sell his/her note cards, calendars, etc. along with his/her artwork, an example of each of those items should be submitted, as well. **Please upload photos of the actual pieces that you are applying to be considered for, rather than simply directing the jury to look at your website.
**REMEMBER: Presentation counts! Please plan on photographing your pieces in the condition in which they will be for sale, with real examples of intended tags and packaging.
Along with the Piece Description for your photographs, please include the following information:
2) A very brief description of your items
For Example: Ceramic Mugs: Raku Fired Additional information is optional, but not required.
3) Prices for your Items (or a price range for each type of item)
For Example: Mugs, $35.00 each OR Mugs (range: $25-$38)
4) The quantity of items you would be willing to bring if your items are accepted.
Listing an approximate quantity is fine. We just need to know if you are thinking of bringing 2, 20, or 200! Jurors may suggest another quantity to you, based on past sales records.
During the selection process, jurors will assess the work of the artists with regard to:
1) creativity/uniqueness of art or craft
2) quality
3) affordability/value
4) appeal to audience
Jurors will seek to find a balance of types of fine craft, such as wood pieces, jewelry, fiber art, glass, weaving, etc. A balance of work displayed in the West Gallery exhibit will also be sought.
If my work has been juried into Gallery of Gifts before, do I have to have it juried again?
YES, for the 2024 season, the Library Arts Center requires ALL artists/artisans to be juried. If the jury has reviewed your work in the past 3-4 years, please feel free to submit a simplified digital application with a few photos of the work you are applying for, if this makes things easier for you. New artisans are encouraged to submit physical samples.
What if I'm having trouble with my online application?
Please reach out to us at info@libraryartscenter.org, and we will be happy to help. If the online application is stressing you out, please let us know and we’ll find another way to apply.
You may also apply with physical samples and a printable application form. Please plan on dropping off items to the Library Arts Center prior to 4:00pm on the application deadline(s).
When is the deadline to submit my work?
JURY DEADLINES for 2024 The submission deadlines for the two rounds of Gallery of Gifts are:
Round One: JULY 25th for physical samples (or July 30th for online entries.)
Round Two: SEPTEMBER 6th at 4:00pm for physical samples (or Sun. Sept. 8th at midnight for online entries.)
Artisans will receive an email notifying them if their work has been accepted within three weeks of the submission deadline. If an artist’s work is not accepted into the exhibit during the first round of selection, he/she is welcome to submit work in the second round of selection.
What is a PURPLE TAG item?
In an effort to make this important fundraiser for the Library Arts Center more successful, we are asking that artisans consider donating one handmade craft item (of the artisan’s choice) to our Gallery of Gifts Purple Tag Offering. These items will be marked with purple tags throughout the exhibit, and if they are sold, 100% of the sales price will directly benefit Library Arts Center exhibits, classes & programs. Please consider donating an item to help the Library Arts Center in this way.