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Capital One Bank Bayou City Art Festival

Information for Artists Showing in Bayou City Art Festival Downtown 2011

Artist Information for 2011
Table of Contents
Festival Location
On Site Contact Information
Festival Site Map
Hotel Information
RV Park Information
Artist Check-In
Parking (Friday, October 8 through Sunday October 10, 2010)
Load-In Instructions
Helpful Hints for a Smoother Load-In
Security
Festival Hours
Booth Signs
Electricity
Complimentary Artist Breakfast
Artist Hospitality Tent
Artist Relief Volunteers
Media Coverage
Patron Art Pick-Up
Free Wi-Fi Downtown
Awards Ceremony
Houdini’sHeist
Restocking
Load-Out Instructions
Sales Tax Information
Artist Survey
Directions& Maps
Festival Eligibility and Rules
Helpful Information

Festival Location

dtfestival-location.png

On Site Contact Information

  • Artist Support Hotline:281-571-3102. 
  • Address Issues/ Requests in Person:Artist Check-In located at the Doubletree by Hilton hotel on Friday, October 7, 2011or the Artist Hospitality Tent on Saturday and Sunday, October 8 & 9, 2011.  

 

Festival Site Map

http://www.bayoucityartfestival.com/dt/maps-directions

 

Hotel Information

  • Doubletree by Hilton Houston Downtown
    • Address:
      400 Dallas Street 

Houston, TX 77002-4777
Tel: 1-713-759-0202
Fax: 1-713-752-2734

  •  
    • Rate: $102 per night 
    • Available Dates:October 6, 2011 to October 10, 2011.  
    • Booking Deadline:September 14th or until the group block is sold-out, whichever comes first 
    • Book Online:
      http://doubletree.hilton.com/en/dt/groups/personalized/H/HOUDBDT-BCA-20111006/index.jhtml?WT.mc_id=POG
    • Book via Phone:713-351-5757 - group code is “BCAC”. 
    • Location: Doubletree Hotel Houston Downtown is located one block southwest of festival gate #3 at the corner of Bagby St and Dallas St. 
    • Google Maps Link: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=400+dallas+st,+77002&sll=29.75633,-95.370812&sspn=0.01697,0.026157&ie=UTF8&ll=29.757848,-95.371188&spn=0.008485,0.013078&z=17&iwloc=A
    • Hotel Parking: The hotel offers valet parking only at a rate of $25 per night from Sunday through Thursday and $15 per night on Friday & Saturday nights. The hotel cannot park oversized vehicles (over 8’ tall or longer than a large truck or van). However, Lot H is a short walk from the hotel. Parking in Lot H is free and can accommodate oversize vehicles.

 

RV Park Information

  • We have listed four travel parks located close to the festival (please note that this list is not complete, and this does not constitute an endorsement by Art Colony Association). We do not currently have info on pricing or availability at these locations, but encourage you to research them in addition to your favorites and let us know your feedback. RV park reviews can be found online at sites such as: http://www.rvparkreviews.com/regions/Texas/Houston.html
    • South Main RV Park
      10100 S Main St
      Houston, TX
      713-667-0120
      6.8 miles SW per Google Maps
      http://www.smrvpark.com/
    • Lakeview RV Resort

11991 S. Main
Houston, TX
713-723-0973
8.7 miles SW per Google Maps
http://www.lakeviewrvresort.com/

  •  
    • All Star RV

10650 SW Plaza CT
Houston, TX 77074
713-981-6814
13 miles SW per Google Maps
allstar-rv.com

  •  
    • Houston Central KOA
      1620 Peach Leaf St
      Houston, TX
      281-442-3700
      11 miles N per Google Maps
      http://kampsight.com/

 

 

Artist Check-In

  • Artist’s Presence Required: Artists must check-in in person with a government issued picture I.D. Artists’ assistants may not check-in for the artist and will not be given the artist’s packet. Per festival rules, all Artists must be present on site during the entire festival. Spouses or other representatives will not be permitted to substitute for the artist.
  • Contact Information
    • At check-in, you will be required to provide:
      • Mobile Phone #
      • License Plate #’s for any vehicles brought on festival site for load-in and/ or any vehicles parked in lot H.
  • Times & Locations

checkin.png

  •  
    • Limited late arrivals Friday night: If you do not check-in and pick up your packet before 10 p.m. Friday night and plan to load-in before artist check-in opens Saturday morning, you will be considered a late arrival.
      • We reserve the right to limit the number of late arrivals.
      • You will need to make arrangements with festival staff to check in with the Houston Police Department officers after check-in hours on Friday night. If arrangements are not made, you will not be allowed to enter the festival by security. Security will have a list, and they will be checking identification before allowing anyone into the festival.
      • If you are a late arrival, you will need to pick-up your artists’ packet with your required booth sign and badges from Artist Hospitality on Saturday morning.
      • Late check-in is discouraged. Festival staff will not be available to help you in case you have questions.
    • Saturday, October 8, 2011 from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. at the Artist Hospitality tenton the sidewalk south of City Hall at the Corner of Bagby and McKinney
    • NO CHECK-IN OR SET-UP IS ALLOWED AFTER 8 a.m. OPENING DAY

Parking (Friday, October 8 through Sunday October 10, 2010)

parking.png

  •  
    • Lot hours:24/7
    • Parking is free. Lot is unattended. If anyone approaches you asking for money for parking, please notify festival staff.
    • Artist Parking Permit (provided at check-in) must be displayed in your front windshield while parked to avoid being ticketed or towed.
  • Street Parking: Limited street parking outside of the festival is available on a first come, first served basis. Be sure to follow posted signs to avoid being ticketed or towed. No artist parking is available inside the festival.
  • City of Houston Theater District Parking (underground garage parking): available at their posted event rates. More information is available at this link:http://www.houstontx.gov/tdparking/index.htm
  • Surface Lots: available near the festival. These are not under festival management. Be prepared to pay posted rates either to the credit card machine or lot attendant, depending on the lot. Below are a couple of options of which we are aware. This is not a comprehensive list.
    • One of our local artists recommends a parking lot at W. Dallas St and Clay St. He has informed us that spots are $10 for a 24 hour time period, paid to a credit card machine.
    • From 6 p.m. on Friday, October 8, 2010 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, October 10, 2010 the Heritage Clay Street Garage at 1200 Bagby St. offers 90 surface spots, as well as garage parking for over 1000 vehicles. Parking is $10 per day, payable at with cash or credit card.Additional info is available at: http://www.heritage-plaza.com/pdf/Announcing%20Heritage%20Clay%20Street%20Garage.pdf

 

 

Load-In Instructions

  • General Rules & Procedures
    • All vehicles must have an Artist Load-In Pass in the front window of their vehicle to enter (provided in packet at check-in). The pass must be completely filled out, and you will not be allowed to enter the festival until it is complete.
    • All people must have an Artists’ or Artists’ Assistant badge to enter (provided in packet at check-in).
    • Read and understand the specific load-in times and instructions for your area (below). Different areas have different load-in times.
    • Traffic is ONE WAY on all streets, including Bagby
    • Please park as close as you can to your booth space, as you are required to leave one lane open for passing. 
    • You have ONE hour to unload your vehicle. This will be monitored by festival staff and volunteers. Please unload your vehicle in a timely manner, move it as soon as you have unloaded and come back to finish set-up.
    • Do not unload into someone else’s booth space.
    • PLEASE BE PATIENT AND CONSIDERATE OF YOUR FELLOW ARTISTS. We are all in the same situation, and we need to work together to make load-in as smooth as possible. 
    • All vehicles must be off site by 8 a.m. on festival days. No set-up is allowed after 8 a.m. opening day.
  • DAYTIME LOAD-IN (Booth #’s 300’s, 600’s and S’s)
    • Load-In Time: October 7, 2011 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
    • Streets will not be closed during your load-in time. Obey all traffic signs and signals.
    • You MUST place your Load-In permitand a copy of thecurb lane closure permit from the City of Houston (provided in your Artists’ Packet at check-in) on the dashboard of your vehicle. Failure to do this may result in a parking citation, for which you will not be reimbursed by Art Colony Association.
    • It is extremely important that you do not park any vehicles on the street between the hours of 4p.m. and 7 p.m., during which hours the City of Houston requires all lanes to be open for egress of Downtown traffic. In that regard, you MUST move your vehicle prior to 4 p.m.
  • EVENING LOAD-IN
    • Vehicles are allowed to enter the festival for load-in through Gate #4 ONLY (Bagby and Walker St)
    • Load-In Times
      • Artists Donating to Houdini’s Heist (with sticker) - 7:30 p.m.
      • Lower Bagby(Booths 123 -162) – 8:00 p.m. 
      • McKinney(Booths 200’s) – 8:00 p.m. 
      • Walker(Booths 400’s) – 8:00 p.m. 
      • McKinney West(Booths 500’s) – 8:00 p.m. 
      • Upper Bagby(Booths 101 – 122 & 163 -184) – 8:30 p.m

Helpful Hints for a Smoother Load-In

  • If you are part of the majority of artist who are not allowed to load in until after 7:30, come pick up your packet during the day, locate your booth and then set up later at night. Most people try to set-up at 7:30 when the streets first close, and it is much less congested later. 
  • Once you have unloaded your vehicle, please move it out of the festival if possible. This will ease congestion. 
  • Electricity will not be available to artists during load-in. Although there are street lights, some areas can be fairly dark. If you are part of the majority of artists who are not allowed to load-in until after 7:30, please be advised that you will probably want flashlights or other battery powered lighting devices. Anything that illuminates the area in front of you and is hands free (i.e. head lamps, etc.) is particularly useful.  
  • Do not unload your vehicle into someone else’s booth space. It’s Murphy’s Law that they will show up when you have your stuff piled in their booth area.  
  • Find your booth before you drive into the festival for load-in, and go slowly when you do drive in for load-in. It is not fun to pass your booth spot. You won’t be able to back up with everyone behind you, and you will be forced to circle around.  

Security

  • Houston Police Department and Harris County Sheriff’s Department officers provide 24-hour security starting one day prior to load-in through complete load-out.
  • Festival site is secured by at all gates by Houston Police Department and fenced to all but volunteers, artists, staff and patrons. We monitor entrance and exits for 24 hours beginning one day prior to load-in and ending after load-out. While every effort is made to ensure the safety of you and your artwork, we encourage vigilance while on site and request you do not leave your artwork, cash machines, credit card slips, receipts, etc. unattended. In the event of a theft or lost item, please text or call 281-571-3102.

 

Festival Hours

 

  • Hours:
    • Saturday, October 9, 2010 – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
    • Sunday, October 10, 2010 - 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.(see accessibility hour info below)
  • ARTISTS MUST BE IN ATTENDANCE: The absence of an artist from the festival will result in permanent expulsion from the Bayou City Art Festivals.
  • Accessibility Hour: We highly encourage artists to open for accessibility hour (9 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Sunday, October 9, 2011), which will be attended by our accessibility challenged guests as well as VIPs and Art Colony Association Members.

Booth Signs

  • Booth signs must be posted. Our operations and judging committees will be checking for them.

Electricity

  • Electricity (a four outlet box) is available in some areas. You should have paid for electricity when you paid for your booth on ZAPP.  
  • No outside generators are allowed in the festival 
  • Electricity will be turned on from Saturday, October 8, 2011at 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday, October 9, 2011.

Complimentary Artist Breakfast

  • A complimentary hot artists’ breakfast will be served each festival day. 
  • Location: Houston Public Library Plaza 
  • Time: Saturday, October 8, 2011 and Sunday, October 9, 2011 from 7:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. 

 

 

Artist Hospitality Tent

  • Location: Corner of McKinney and Bagbysouth of City Hall 
  • Time: Saturday, October 8, 2011 and Sunday, October 9, 2011 during festival hours
  • A limited number of donated free drinks and snacks will be available each day at Artist Hospitality. 

Artist Relief Volunteers

 

  • Artist Relief Volunteers will be circling the festival with bright yellow vests. They will be assigned to segments of the festival to ensure all areas are covered.
  •  
    • Things Artist Relief Volunteers Can Do:
      • Bring you a cold beverage from the Artist Hospitality Tent(as available) 
      • Bring you a free snack from the Artist Hospitality Tent (as available) 
      • Sit in your booth while you get lunch or go to the bathroom (please limit use of booth sitters to 30 minutes or less) 
      • Go get you lunch. Please note that if you give them money to do this, you are doing so at your own risk. 
    • Things Artist Relief Volunteers Cannot Do: 
      • Carry art without the artist or patron present 
      • Leave the festival footprint while volunteering 
      • Sit in your booth for longer than 30 minutes 
    • Need Help?:
      • Use the post-it notes in your packet. Place the post-it note on your booth sign. The volunteers are trained to look for these post-it notes. 
      • If you can get their attention by speaking to them or gesturing, please feel free to do so. 
      • Call or text the Artist Support Hotline at 281-571-3102

 

Media Coverage

  • Bayou City Art Festival is covered by our sponsor, KTRK ABC 13, and many other news media outlets.
  • Members of the press, as well as our official festival photographer, may photograph you or your booth for media and/ or promotional purposes.
  • Members of the news media are required to check-in at the festival and wear a media badge while attending and documenting the festival.
  • We will have volunteers photographing all artist booths. They will be wearing media passes to identify them.
    • In an effort to make sure that all artists in our show maintain a professional booth presentation, we will be comparing each artist’s booth photograph taken during the festival with the booth shot originally submitted in the jury process. If during our review, we find that your booth does not comply with Bayou City Art Festival rules, you will receive a letter from us after the festival. For a complete list of festival rules, please refer to the Festival Eligibility and Rules section.

Patron Art Pick-Up

  • Secure Patron Art Pick-up will be available at Gate 4 (Bagby and Walker). Keep this in mind when selling your art. 
  • You or your patron may leave their art at Patron Art Pick-up while they enjoy the festival, and then your patron can drive up to Patron Art Pick-Up at Gate 2 and retrieve their piece.  
  • Patrons will be asked to show a government issued picture I.D. before artwork will be released to them.
  • Art Drop Off tags will be available at patron-art pick-up.
  • You (or your patron) are responsible for transporting art to Patron Art Pick-Up. For liability reasons, we cannot transport art for you. If we have volunteers or a golf cart available, we will help you move your art. Please note that it is impossible to get a golf cart through the festival during peak times.

Free Wi-Fi Downtown

 

 

Awards Ceremony

  • Judging will happen Saturday, October 8, 2011 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Festival awards will be given out on Sunday, October 9, 2011 at 9:00 a.m. during the artists’ breakfast. Award winners will be re-announced midday on Sunday at the Houston Arts Alliance Performance Stage with media coverage.
  • Awards Given:
    • Best of Show: Ribbon, $1500 and jury exempt status for two years
    • Second Place: Ribbon, $750 and jury exempt status for two years
    • Third Place: Ribbon, $500 and jury exempt status for two years
    • Best Booth: Jury exempt status for two years
    • Museum of Fine Arts, Houston Curatorial Award for Excellence in Jewelry: Jury exempt status for two years
  • Winners of the locally-organized Art On Water competition will also be awarded.

Houdini’sHeist

 

  • Please be advised that will beholding Houdini’s Heist, our annual upscale fundraiser, onsite on Saturday, October 8, 2011. This event is open only to ticketholders, artists who purchased tickets and artists who donated artwork to the fundraiser. More information about this event and a link to purchase tickets can be found here: http://www.bayoucityartfestival.com/houdinis-heist/
  • Location: Art Bar
  • Time: 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 8, 2011

Restocking

  • Artists’ vehicles are allowed on site Saturday evening from the time the majority of the festival patrons leave (around 7 p.m.) until 8 a.m. the following morning for restocking with proper identification. Vehicles must display an artists’ load-in pass (the same one you used during set-up).
  • Due to Houdini’s Heist, patrons for the event will be on site from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. VIP Parking is located near gate #4, so please note that this area may become congested as patrons arrive and leave from the Heist. Please be courteous and patient with our patrons.
  • All people entering the festival after hours for restocking must present their artists’ badge or artists’ assistant badge along with government issued picture identification to HPD officers.
  • All vehicles must be off site by 8 a.m. on festival days.

Load-Out Instructions

 

  • You will not be allowed to drive into the festival until all of the patrons have left and HPD has deemed it safe. We anticipate this time to be approximately 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 9, 2011. USE THIS TIME TO BREAK DOWN YOUR TENT AND BOOTH.
  • Weather permitting, our block captains will not give you your load-out pass to drive your vehicle into the festival until you have shown them that you have broken down your entire booth and display (and moved it off the road where possible).
  • Vehicles may enter the site for load-out through Gate #4(Bagby and Walker) only.
  • Your vehicle will only be allowed in the festival for one hour for loading. This will be monitored by staff and volunteers.
  • Please be courteous to and patient with your fellow artists. We are all in the same situation, and we need to work together.
  • Please pull in as close as you can to your booth.
  • Keep a clear lane for passing. When one person breaks the rules, it messes it up for everyone.
  • Traffic is ONE WAY.
  • Electricity will be turned off at 7 p.m. on Sunday, October 11, 2009. Although there are street lights, some areas can be fairly dark. Please be advised that you will probably want flashlights or other battery powered lighting devices. Anything that illuminates the area in front of you and is hands free (i.e. head lamps, etc.) is particularly useful.
  • Streets must be clear by 11p.m. on Sunday, October 9, 2011.
  • Streets open at 11:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 9, 2011. Our security signs off when the streets reopen, and your property will not be secure. Anything left onsite after midnight is left at your own risk.
  • Anything left onsite by 7 a.m. on Monday, October 10, 2011 will be disposed of by festival staff and you may be subject to a fine unless other arrangements have been made.

Sales Tax Information

  • You will need to collect sales tax of 8.25% for anything that you sell. Houston has a city sales tax of 2%, and Texas state sales tax is 6.25%. Houston city sales tax and Texas state sales tax are not filed separately. All sales taxes are filed through the Texas Comptroller’s Office.
  • If you sell anything, you must have a valid Texas Sales Tax Permit, which can be obtained through the Texas Comptroller’s Office. You can obtain one online by following this link: http://www.window.state.tx.us and clicking on the “Apply for a sales tax permit” link located towards the bottom of the list in the middle of the page.
  • Artists are responsible for collecting and paying State Sales Tax. You can contact the Texas Comptroller’s Office with questions at (800) 252-5555 or check their website at http://www.window.state.tx.us. Under the “I Want To…” section of the Comptroller’s Office website, the first link on the list, File/pay sales and other taxes with WebFile, allows you to file/pay your State Sales Tax online.

Artist Survey

  • In an effort to conserve paper, we will no longer be printing a copy of the artist survey and providing it in your packet. Instead, we will be emailing a link to an anonymous online artist survey the week after the festival.

 

 

Directions& Maps

  • Driving Directions to Lots H from Bayou City Art Festival Downtown
    • Option 1 – Blue
      • Take Louisiana Street (one way heading NE)
      • Turn left on Capitol Street
      • Turn left on Houston Street
      • Take first available right into City of Houston Lot H
    • Option 2 - Red
      • Take Walker St (one way heading NE)
      • EVERY TIME THE ROAD SPLITS, STAY RIGHT
        • Stay right at first split (do NOT take entrance ramp to I-45)
        • Stay right at second split
        • Stay right at third split (do NOT get on Allen Pkwy)
      • Walker St will dead end into Sabine St
      • Turn right on Sabine St
      • Sabine St will dead end into Memorial Dr
      • Turn right on Memorial Dr
      • Take first right into Lot H
      • See map below for visual representation

dtfestival-location.png

 

tobcafdt.png

  •  
    • Walking Directions from Lots H to Bayou City Art Festival Downtown
      • Take the walking path at the south end of Lot H behind the Sabine Street Lofts
      • When the path splits, take a left towards the Hobby Performing Arts Center.
      • Turn right to cross the pedestrian bridge.
      • After crossing the pedestrian bridge, continue straight and you will end up on Walker Street.
      • Festival Gate 2 is located at the corner of Walker St and Bagby St.
      • See map below for visual representation.

walking.png


 

Festival Eligibility and Rules

By paying for your booth and participating in Bayou City Art Festival Downtown, you are agreeing to abide by the following rules:

  • Returning Artists wanting same booth location are priority placed.
  • Booth spaces are assigned in the following order of priority:
    • Bayou City Art Festival Award Winners in their jury exempt period (meaning artists who won an award at Bayou City Art Festival Downtown 2009 or any Bayou City Art Festival since)
    • Returning Bayou City Art Festival Downtown artists wanting the same space as 2010
    • Returning Bayou City Art Festival Downtown artists from 2010 wanting to move
    • New artists and returning artists that did not show in Bayou City Art Festival 2010
    • Artists admitted off of the wait list
    • Artists whose payments are late will lose priority.
  • Corner and double booths are limited and will be available on ZAPP on a first come, first served basis starting the day invitation emails are sent. Though we can not guarantee all artists will receive their booth location choice, we make every effort to place the artist in the general location that is requested. Instructions on how to request a booth location will be included in the invitation email.
  • The Festival is open to all applying Artists. All exhibitors are presented to the jury without distinction as having been a previous exhibitor.
  • If two or more persons collaborate to produce original work, each person must be identified on the Application. No work by apprentices or employees will be accepted. Commercial agents, dealers, or manufacturers are not eligible to enter. No kits, molds, tumbled stones, embellished objects or edible art may be submitted.
  • Artists may jury in more than one category, but not with the same body of work. Only one application may be submitted per body of work with a jury fee for each category. Artist must use the same name for both applications. Artists whose work is selected in multiple categories will exhibit in one booth space.
  • Only artists accepted in the jewelry category may display or sell jewelry.
  • All Artists must be present on site during the entire festival. Spouses or other representatives will not be permitted to substitute for the artist. A picture ID is required at time of check in.
  • Artists must define “a limited edition” through their Artist Statement and must disclose their process to the buyer. Original art must occupy more than 50% of the applicant’s booth space. Postcards, books, note cards, posters and t-shirts are not permitted.
  • All hanging work must be suitably framed. Prints must be appropriately matted and must be displayed in a suitable portfolio or stand.
  • Prints exhibited by artists accepted in the graphics/printmaking category must be limited editions and properly signed and numbered. Reproductions of other 2-D work must be clearly labeled “Reproduction”.
  • Ceramic works must be handmade by the artist. If multiple pieces of the same design are displayed, each must be signed.
  • Participating exhibitors are responsible for collecting and paying current city and state sales tax for all sales made during the show.
  • One exhibitor is allowed per booth showing the medium that was juried into the festival.
  • Artists must comply with all staff and uniformed security regarding site safety and regulations. Vehicles must be parked only in designated areas, noncompliance will result in elimination from consideration for any future festivals.
  • Each artist must supply their own 10’ x 10’ clean white tent. Exhibit space is approximately 10’ x 10’. Rentals are acceptable and available when making your booth order on ZAPP. No outside rentals will be allowed.
  • The Fine Art Festival industry at large does not allow galleries or artist’s representatives to show at juried art festivals, nor do we.
  • No commission on sales is collected by the Bayou City Art Festival.
  • Festival Hours: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. Artists must be present in booth.
  • Festival display must match submitted booth shot. Only items visible in your booth slide should appear in your festival display. This includes, but is not limited to: browse boxes, flip bins, and the like; cash carts; pedestals; display cases; signage; racks of any type; and other paraphernalia that would normally occupy the interior space of your booth or location (Chairs and other types of seating are excepted)
  • The amount of inventory that you intend to display or otherwise present at the show must be clearly evident in the booth slide, and within a margin of variation of approximately 20%. For example: If you jury with five framed pieces, then we expect that only five or six framed pieces will be hung in your booth at any one time for the duration of the show.
  • The different types of work(s) to be displayed for sale at the show should correspond to the work submitted in the booth slide, and in the approximate proportion that they will appear at the show and in all price points. Types of work not present in the booth slide will not be permitted at the show, nor will disproportionately larger amounts of any one body or type of work.
  • The use of panel risers or extenders to increase height is not permitted, unless your booth slide at jury has included them.
  • The use of “appendages;” i.e., extra display panels that do not appear in your booth slide at jury and those which encroach upon public and/or artists’ spaces, will not be permitted.
  • The only signages permitted at the show without prior approval are: The booth/artist identification sign provided by the festival; artist’s statement provided by the festival; and price and title tags. Artists whose names and/or studio names are permanently affixed to the tent or booth must obtain prior approval immediately upon acceptance. Unacceptable signage includes, but is not limited to, magazine and/or newspaper articles; banners of any type; ribbons or other documentation of past accolades and/or awards.
  • Exceptions to any of the above may be requested after acceptance of invitation. All exceptions must be in place at least 30 days prior to the festival and will be documented by festival staff with approval by the Festival Director.
  • All disputes that result in an artist being disqualified from appearing at our show will result in a 100% refund of booth fee (not jury fee) provided that disqualification occurs before the artist’s appointed load in time. Disqualifications that arise after the show opens will not be accorded refunds, and the artist shall have no recourse.
  • Artists needing more storage than is allowed for in the booth space they have purchased must inform festival staff 30 days prior to arrival. Any storage that detracts from the overall booth or festival appearance will be considered an infraction and can result in the artist being asked to leave.
  • Artists who will utilize more space than the booth they purchase allows for will need to approve the booth footprint with festival staff 30 days prior to load in. Any placement of artwork that detracts from the overall booth or festival appearance, or that infringes on another artists booth space will be considered an infraction and can result in the artist being asked to leave.




Jury Information and Policies

  • Our panel consists of 7 - 10 jurors. All judges are selected based on their specific interests, professional knowledge and/or background with our festivals.
  • Festival staff are not voting members of the panel and their opinions are not reflected in final jury scores.
  • Jurors change with each event.
  • Work is scored on a 1 to 7 scale. Judges are instructed not to award scores of 4.
  • All five slides, four shots of the work and one booth shot, are projected simultaneously. Judges have access to the artist's statement but are not shown the artist's name or any other identifying information.
  • Jurors are asked to review all applications at their leisure online during the week prior to the projected jury.
  • Average scores will be emailed to applicants on the Artist Notification Date. Applicants will also be notified of the score necessary to receive an invitation.
  • The jury is not conducted as a personal critique and as such, individual responses are not recorded.




Set-Up

  • Must adhere to specific times as directed by festival staff
  • No set-up allowed after 8 a.m. opening day
  • All tents must be white, professional quality, properly weighted on all 4 corners
  • Artist check-in open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday and 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. on Saturday




Load-in

  • Inner Hermann Squ are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (booths 358 -399 & HS1 – HS3, 312i, 313i, 342i & 343i only based on 2009 map)
  • Outer Hermann Square and all streets 7 p.m. on Friday night to 8 a.m. on Sunday




Amenities

  • Houston Police Department and Harris County Sheriff’s Department officers provide 24-hour security provided 2 days prior to load-in through complete load-out
  • Patron art pick-up provided at police-secured holding area
  • Booth-sitting provided
  • Hot breakfast provided on festival days
  • Asphalt and concrete surfaces
  • Special large area on natural turf for Sculpture, Metal, and Yard/Garden art
  • Discounted artists' rates at partner hotel
  • Admission: adults $10, children under 12 FREE
  • Festival features a Creative Zone (interactive art activities for kids), Performance Art from some of Houston's best non profit organizations, food court and beer and wine cafes.
  • Booth Fees: $425 - $1200
  • Electric: Available in some areas. No outside generators allowed.




Awards

Cash Prizes are awarded for Best in Show, Second and Third, as selected by our on site judges. Ribbons are awarded for Best Booth. All winners receive jury exempt status for two years. Award winners in their jury exempt period will not be eligible to win additional awards until their jury exempt period is over.


Artist Relations Services

An Artist Hospitality Tent is provided and serves complimentary continental breakfast, snacks and beverages. Parking, laminated booth signs, promotional postcards, exhibitor identification badges, booth sitters, and hotel referrals are provided. 24-hour security is provided during the Festival weekend.



  • Home Depot
    999 North Loop W
    Houston, TX
    713-802-9725
    4.6 miles NW per Google Maps
  • Texas Art Supply
    2001 Montrose Blvd
    Houston, TX

713-874-5783
1.5 miles SW per Google Maps

  • Wal-Mart
    9555 South Post Oak Rd
    Houston, TX
    713-551-9148
    7.8 miles SW per Google Maps
  • Target
    2580 Shearn St
    Houston, TX
    713-331-0376
    1.3 miles NW per Google Maps
  • Randall’s Grocery Store
    2225 Louisiana St
    Houston, TX
    713-331-1042
    0.8 miles SW per Google Maps
  • Walgreen’s with a 24 hour pharmacy
    3317 Montrose Blvd
    Houston, TX
    713-520-7777
    1.7 miles SW per Google Maps
  • The Galleria Mall
    5085 Westheimer Rd
    Houston, TX
    5.8 miles W per Google Maps
  • Taxis
    Yellow Cab Services
    713-236-1111
  • Valero (Gas Station with Diesel)
    926 Westheimer St
    713-528-0902
    1.7 miles SW per Google Maps
  • Methodist Emergency Care Center
    2615 Southwest Fwy
    Houston, TX
    713-441-3724
    3.6 miles SW per Google Maps
  • Inversion Coffee House
    500 McKinney
    (at Houston Public Library inside festival footprint)
  • Restaurants
    • A list of restaurants serving late night bites can be found here
    • Some staff favorites near the festival:
      • Kim Son
        300 Milam St
        713-222-2790
        0.4 miles NE per Google Maps
      • Ninfa’s
        2704 Navigation Blvd
        713-228-1175
        1.6 miles E per Google Maps
      • Panda Express
        1913 Taylor St
        713-862-6999
        1.2 miles NW per Google Maps
      • Taco Bell
        2093 Taylor St
        832-618-1406
        1.3 miles NW per Google Maps
      • McDonald’s
        1708 Crockett St
        713-224-6964
        1 mile N per Google Maps
      • Hard Rock Café
        502 Texas St.
        713-227-1392
        0.2 miles NE per Google Maps
      • Banzai Sushi
        550 Texas St
        713-225-1167
        0.2 miles NE per Google Maps
      • Mingalone
        540 Texas St.
        713-223-0088
        0.2 miles NE per Google Maps
      • Spaghetti Warehouse
        901 Commerce St
        713-229-8504
        0.6 miles NE per Google Maps
      • NikoNiko’s
        2520 Montrose Blvd
        713-528-0966
        1.7 miles SW per Google Maps
      • Star Pizza
        77 Harvard
        713-869-1241
        1.7 miles W per Google Maps
      • Onion Creek
        3106 White Oak Dr
        713-880-0706
        2 miles NW per Google Maps
      • Barnaby’s
        604 Fairview
        713-522-0106
        1.1 miles SW per Google Maps
      • Café Express
        1422 W Gray St
        713-522-3100
        1.9 miles W per Google Maps
  • Dinner After Final Load Out
    Festival Staff will be eating dinner at Ninfa’s on Navigation (closes at 10 p.m. on Sunday) or Chuy’s (closes at 10:30 p.m. on Sunday) after final load out. We don’t know which one yet, but if you are at one of these restaurants around this time, look for us and come say hello. We’ll be celebrating the end of another great festival.
    • Ninfa’s
      2704 Navigation Blvd
      713-228-1175
      1.6 miles E per Google Maps
    • Chuy’s
      2706 Westheimer Rd
      713-524-1700
      3.3 miles W per Google Maps
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