Craft Fair Exhibitor Info

Call for Artists
51st Annual Craft Fair
September 25 & 26, 2021
Sussex Co. Fairgrounds, Augusta, NJ
Application: $25, Deadline May 27, 2021
About the Show
Peters Valley School of Craft presents its 51st Annual Craft Fair, held at the fully accessible Sussex Co. Fairgrounds, less than 60 miles from NYC in the beautiful Sussex Skylands region, and conveniently located off of Route 206. The show receives approximately 5,000 sophisticated attendees mainly from NJ, NY, PA, CT. The show is advertised extensively throughout the tri-state area and on social media. There is a webpage featuring all participating artists with links to individual websites. Cash prizes will be awarded.
Artist Amenities
• Artist Merit Awards include cash prizes, next year booth discounts and jury exemption
• Indoor and Outdoor booths
• Easy drive-up and unloading, with most exhibitors being able to drive up to their booth space
• Overnight security
• Full-scale marketing campaign including print, online, radio and billboard media outlets
• Complimentary coffee, water & snacks; Sunday Meet & Greet continental breakfast
• Vendor food line
• Inexpensive lodging available at the Fairgrounds and Peters Valley Campus
• Volunteer booth sitting during show hours
• Emerging Artist Opportunities
As this year is unusual, we are anticipating the need to accommodate a smaller show, and will accept at least 100 artists initially, and up to our typical 150 as conditions allow. Should we need to cancel the in-person 2021 show due to government-issued, Covid-related mass gathering restrictions or local health concerns, all booth fees will be fully refunded. Application fees will not be refunded. Peters Valley will decide by June 25th if in-person show does not look feasible, and will announce alternative plans at this time.
Dates & Deadlines
May 27 Call for Entries Deadline
June 4 Notification to Applicants
June 14 Acceptance/Decline Invitation
July 1 Minimum of 50% due (See Booth Payment section below for details)
August 1 Booth Balance due
Sept. 1 Deadline to purchased Additional Options
Sept. 24 Set up from 8am – 8pm
Sept. 25 Set up from 7:30am – 9:30am
Sept. 25 & 26 Live event from 10am – 5pm

General Information
Who should apply:
Peters Valley is firmly committed to diversity, inclusion and equity. In the interest of preserving fine craftsmanship while also fostering innovation in the field of contemporary craft, we are seeking a range of artists from those that use traditional techniques to those that highlight the creative use of technology. We are excited to include both emerging and established artists. We pride ourselves on hosting a high quality, well-balanced show offering handmade original works in a range of prices.
Eligibility:
All work must be original and made by the applicant. Work created from commercially available kits is not accepted. Work that is created under the direct supervision of the applicant in a small-studio production scenario is acceptable if the artist has a constant hand in direction, feedback, and assistance in the making process. Manufacturers, importers and agents other than craft artists should not apply. The Fair Committee reserves the right to determine whether a particular type of work is determined unacceptable or in keeping with the standards of the show. If the work is determined unacceptable or misrepresented in the images submitted, the applicant will not be allowed to exhibit during the event.
Emerging Artists:
The Peters Valley Craft Fair will award 10 emerging artist spaces. Each will include a 10’x10’ standard booth space, pipe & drape, electric & insurance for a discounted flat rate of $250 (that’s a $460 discount!). To qualify you must have been exhibiting professionally for less than 3 years and have not participated in our in-person show previously in this category. If you participated in one of our virtual events as an Emerging Artist, you are eligible to apply in this category. We will not expect you to include a booth shot with your images. To be considered for this award you must apply in the Emerging Artist Category.
Exhibition Categories:
One medium category based on the primary identifying material or technique used in your body of work must be chosen for all submitted applications. Artists who wish to exhibit in more than one category must submit separate applications each category for the jury (up to 2). The ‘Mixed Media’ category is for works that are using multiple media and not two or more distinct bodies of work that would otherwise fall under distinctively different categories. Once accepted under both categories you may exhibit them in one booth and will be listed in as exhibiting in both categories.
Collaborations:
Artists who work collaboratively on all work that they wish to exhibit may submit one application jointly. Two or more artists that create independent bodies of work that wish to exhibit together in one booth must be accepted into the show independently.
Jury:
For 2021, the Craft Fair will be juried by a committee with the purpose of creating a quality, inclusive and balanced show.
Jury notification:
Applicants will be notified of jury status by June 4, 2021.
Wait List:
Those placed on the wait list will be contacted and offered space on a rolling basis if a space becomes available. The list is not numerical, and is subject to keeping the show at a level of quality and balanced in medium.
Awards:
Peters Valley Craft Fair gives exhibitor awards based on artistic merit (Gold, Silver, Bronze, Honorable Mention, Emerging Artist). Judging takes place at the event. Each award winner is given a significant amount of credit towards next year’s booth fee, their application fee is waived and they are jury exempt. Cash prizes are awarded in some categories.
Booth Information
Exhibition Spaces & Fees
300 watts of electricity is included with the purchase of either your indoor or outdoor booth space. Indoor booths are located throughout four adjacent buildings all of which have concrete floors, a roof and permanent or temporary side enclosures. There are a limited number of outdoor booths available. Standard booth spaces measure 10'x10’. All indoor booths include an additional 2’ behind the booth for storage. A limited number of corner spaces are available and will be allotted on a first come basis. Exhibitors must design a complete booth with a back & side walls or drapes, chairs, tables, etc. Tablecloths must extend to the floor. Banners may not be hung on the front of the booth (front bar) but should instead be located inside the booth on one of the walls. If you are a previous exhibitor you may request a booth space. No requested booth space is guaranteed.
Indoor Booths
10 x 10 Standard Booth $465
10 x 10 Corner Booth $525
Expand your Indoor Booth by 10’ $345
Expand your Indoor Booth by 5’ $225
Additional Options
10 x 10 Booth Pipe & Drape (indoor booth) $195
10 x 10 Corner Pipe & Drape (indoor booth) $180
Additional 5’ Pipe & Drape $45
Additional 10’ Pipe & Drape $65
Lighting Bar (must buy 2 if corner booth) $22
Outdoor Booths
10 x 10 Outdoor Standard Booth $355
10 x 10 Outdoor Corner Booth $415
Expand your Outdoor Booth by 10’ $200
Expand your Outdoor Booth by 5’ $125
Details about camping are in the Lodging Section
8’ Table (must be covered to floor) $15
Metal Folding Chair $5
On-site RV Camping w/Hookup $55
On-site Tent Camping $25
Extra Electric (additional 300 watts) $60
Booth Payments
We request all booth and amenities be selected through Zapplication regardless of payment. Payments can be made in-full through Zapplication by credit card, or by check payable to Peters Valley, mailed to 19 Kuhn Rd, Layton, NJ 07851. We offer a Split Payment option ($20 administration fee) which must be selected in the Zapp Shop. A 50% deposit is due by July 1st; remaining balance due by August 1st. Zapp only accepts full payments; to pay a split payment, either mail 2 checks or call our office (973-948-5200) with your credit card. For both options select “payment by check” as the payment option in Zapp.
Rules & Regulations
Cancellation Policy
Application fees will not be refunded. If Peters Valley cancels the show due to health and safety concerns, and government restrictions all booth fees will be fully refunded.
Accepting our offer to exhibit is a commitment to the event. Exhibitors canceling prior to July 1st will have their money refunded, less a $100 processing & cancellation fee. Exhibitors canceling July 1st - July 31st will have their money refunded less a $200 cancellation fee. Exhibitors canceling after August 31st will receive no refunds.
Insurance
The venue requires that all exhibitors are required to carry general liability insurance with limits of not less than $1,000,000 per occurrence and name BOTH: Peters Valley School of Craft, 19 Kuhn Rd, Layton, NJ 07851 & Sussex County Fairgrounds, 37 Plains Rd, Augusta, NJ 07822 as additional insured parties for the dates of the event. A certificate of insurance from your insurance company as proof of this coverage is required to be emailed or faxed to Peters Valley (973) 948-0011. If you do not carry this insurance you can purchase general liability coverage through Peters Valley at a cost of $50, payable with your booth fee. Any exhibitor NOT providing proof of coverage or purchase of coverage by August 26th will be charged the $50 fee regardless of whether or not they show coverage after this date. Product liability is solely the responsibility of the artist and not the responsibility of Peters Valley School of Craft or the Sussex County Fairgrounds. Overnight security is provided. Peters Valley and the Sussex County Fair Grounds assume no responsibility for theft, damage, loss of exhibitor work, personal property or any display items.
New Jersey Sales Tax
In order to legally sell work at the Craft Fair, you must register your business with the State of New Jersey and obtain a New Jersey Business Registration Certificate and a New Jersey Certificate of Authority to be able to collect Sales Tax. These documents must be displayed prominently in your booth. New Jersey Sales Tax is 6.625% with articles of clothing exempt. Note: The NJ Division of Taxation sends representatives regularly to the Craft Fair. They have the authority to shut you down immediately if you are not compliant, so please make sure you are properly registered. Registration with the State of New Jersey must be completed at least 15 days before engaging in business activity. To learn more and register your business online visit this website: https://www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation/informationforvendors.shtml
Specialty Food Exhibitor Permits
Peters Valley will accept a very limited number of specialty food exhibitors. If you are a Specialty Food Exhibitor, you will need to apply for the following permits whether you sell open or prepackaged foods. You will need to apply for a food license from Frankford Twp and also complete and submit a temporary food application to the Sussex County Division of Health. The Board of Health often visits our event. It is the exhibitor's responsibility to obtain these permits. Follow these direct links to the forms needed: Frankford Twp and Sussex County Division of Health.