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The annual Lowell Arts Artists Market is a great opportunity to have your artwork available for sale during the gift-giving season. Your fine art and fine gifts will be available along with other handmade items by Michigan artists in a gallery setting from November 7 to January 11. Selected artists will be provided a display area within the gallery with approximately 50 other artists. Artists, in most cases, are asked to set-up their own display.
There are three options for participating:
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Option 1: Work 3 half-day sales shifts during open hours. Lowell Arts will take a 30% commission on all sales.
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Option 2: Work no sales shifts, and Lowell Arts will take a 45% commission on all sales.
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Option 3: This is a hands-off option for the artist. Staff will set up the artists' work, and works no sales shifts. Lowell Arts will take a 55% commission on all sales.​
How to Apply
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Fill out application form (available through link on website) Upload 3 to 5 JPG images to application
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Deadline to apply: August 30, 11:59pm
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Notifications will be emailed
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Notification date: September 6
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Application Requirements
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Artist name, business name, address, city, state, zip, phone, email, and website
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One paragraph artist bio
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One paragraph artwork description
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One paragraph listing items to be sold and price range of products
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Application and images can also be submitted on a CD and mailed or hand-delivered to: Lowell Arts, 223 W Main St, Lowell, MI 49331.
Application Fee
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There is a $20 fee to submit an application for non-members and expired members. Lowell Arts Members, with a membership active through December 31, 2024, may submit an application for no charge. Application fees are non-refundable. All artists accepted to the Artist Market must have an active membership through December 31, 2024 or beyond. If you are not already a Lowell Arts member, an annual membership is $40. Once accepted to the Artist Market, non-members and expired members can apply the $20 application fee to a membership, so only an additional $20 will be required for an active membership.
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Eligibility
Artist work must be high-quality, original artwork, and available at a variety of price points. All mediums will be considered including: pottery, paintings, bead work, photography, jewelry, textiles, glassworks, sculptures, basketry, gourds, wood carvings, ornaments, beeswax candles, soaps and lotions.
Artists must be at least 18 years old, live in Michigan, and be a current member of Lowell Arts. Artists with gallery representation in the Greater Lowell area should confirm that there is no conflict of interest with their current gallery before submitting their application.
Artist Information 2024
​Important Dates
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Deliver and set up: Oct 29, 30, 31, & Nov 4, 5, 6. Artists will sign-up for time slots between the hours of 10am and 5pm.
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Sale Dates & Hours: Nov 7 to Jan 11 Tues–Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 12-5pm
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Artist Reception: Friday, Nov 8, 6-8pm
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Pick-up dates: Jan 14, 15, 16, 17. Artists will sign-up for time slots between the hours of 10am and 5pm.
Set Up and Display
This is a gallery show, not a craft show. Pieces need to be finished well and displayed thoughtfully and beautifully. Artists are responsible for setting up their own display – it must be neat, appealing, and professional. Committee organizers will adjust merchandise and displays as they see fit.
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Space: Artists are asked to provide Lowell Arts with their space needs (i.e. wall space), and the dimensions of any display item/furniture/rack to be used for display. Your space assignment is subject to change upon the discretion of event organizers. A form will be sent so that artists can communicate space needs. Space will be assigned based on the individual needs of the artists. Spaces ranges from 6ft to 3ft of floor area. Artists are encouraged to utilize the vertical space in their display.
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Walls: Artists are allowed to use the gallery walls for hanging artwork. ONLY small finish nails should be used, nails will be provided. Do not leave marks on the walls, even with pencil. Poster putty is OK to use, but NO other tapes, hooks, or nails may be used. Artwork can be hung salon style. Wall hung work should be accessible with a step stool.
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Displays: Artists should supply their own artwork displays/racks/tables and black table coverings. The set-up crew leaders will approve displays with the goal of creating a unified and professional overall presentation. All shelving / rack displays need to be approved ahead of time. All displays need to be sturdy, in good condition, and professional. The back sides of any displays should also be attractive or covered so that adjacent artists don’t have a mess showing.
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Boxes or stands used in the displays should be nice baskets or boxes (not plastic unless acrylic). Artists should use black table coverings only. Tables should have coverings that reach the floor, and they need to be ironed and wrinkle-free. Displays can be enhanced with solid color overlays of white, silver, or red (no lace). No draped ​garland please. If the table is finished with paint or is natural wood, it may not need a table covering. Please ask if you are not sure.
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Artwork
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This is a juried show and all artwork needs to be representative of the images and descriptions previously provided by the artist. If there is a change or addition to the type of artwork that is to be displayed, please notify Lowell Arts prior to the show to have the new items approved. Only artwork by the selected artists may be put on display. Artists should provide: Artwork priced, labeled, and ready for display and additional stock as needed.
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Demonstrations and Workshops
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Artists are encouraged to consider providing artwork demonstrations or workshops at scheduled times during the show. Let us know if this interests you.
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Staffing and Volunteers
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Artists will be expected to volunteer to work 3 half-day sales shifts during open hours, if they have opted for Option 1 (Lowell
Arts taking 30% commission on all sales). An email will be sent out from an on-line program called Sign-up Genius. Shifts will be listed there and you can sign-up. (Or, call us if you prefer). Lowell
Arts will provide: volunteer training to staff the show, bags and wrapping materials, and all the necessary items to make sales at a central cashiering station.​
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Special Sales Generating Event
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Christmas Through Lowell – November 15, 16, and 17
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Lowell Arts Member’s Weekend – December 6, 7, and 8.
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Promotion
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All artists should take time to promote this show to their contacts – Facebook, email lists, and other social media. A postcard and poster will be produced by Lowell Arts and will be distributed around the area. Postcards and posters will be available to artists as well.
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Tagging
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Artists are responsible for tracking their own inventory. Each item must have its own tag. Be sure tags are securely attached. For larger items and items hung on walls or fixtures, make sure tag is visible without having to move item.
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A three or four letter initial will be assigned to each artist (most likely the first 3-4 letters of the artist’s last name). All items must be priced in increments of $.00 or $.50. All items must be priced $3.00 or more.
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Artists are encouraged to bundle together smaller items (i.e. cards).
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Write extremely neat, or use typed tags. Only the artist code and item price are required. Descriptions and inventory numbers are optional and will not be recorded.
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Signage or labels should be nicely made, no mark downs or discounted sales offered.
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It does not matter how small the item is, all items (or items sold as a group) must be labeled and priced individually. The purchaser needs to arrive at the check-out counter with their items labeled with the artist code and a price. Pricing that indicates ‘one for this price, or three for a discounted price’ is not allowed.
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Back Stock
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​Artists are encouraged to keep additional stock in the back room. Back stock should not be stored under an artists table. Staff will restock items as instructed by the artist.
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Payment Policy
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Lowell Arts will be responsible for the collection and payment of Michigan sales tax. Customers can pay with cash, personal checks, Visa, Discover, American Express or MasterCard. Lowell Arts will retain a 30% commission on each sale, and the artist will retain 70% of each sale - if they work 3 sales shifts. Lowell Arts will retain a 45% commission on each sale, and the artist will retain 55% of each sale - if they do not work any sales shifts. Lowell Arts will retain a 55% commission on each sale, and the artist will retain 45% of each sale - if they do not work any sales shifts and do not display their own work. Artist checks will be distributed mid-December & mid-January and will be mailed.
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Copyright Agreement
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As the copyright/trademark owner of the original work, prints, digital images, and text supplied by artist to Lowell Arts, the artist gives Lowell Arts and those acting on behalf of Lowell Arts permission to use images of copyrighted/trademarked items to publicize the sale, as well as in promotional literature publicizing the organization.
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Hold Harmless Agreement
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Artist agrees to release and hold harmless Lowell Arts, other artists or volunteers working on behalf of Lowell Arts, and the employees, officials, agents and members of Lowell Arts from and against any and all claims, demands, actions, complaints, suits or other forms of liability that shall arise out of, or by reason of, or be caused by the use or sale of the artwork provided by the artist. Lowell Arts does not assume financial responsibility for theft or damage of artwork and merchandise on the premises. The artist must understand this risk and will not hold Lowell Arts liable for losses associated with the display of artwork at Lowell Arts.
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