Craft Fair Exhibitor Info - Peters Valley School of Craft

Become a Craft Fair Exhibitor or Food Vendor

53rd Annual Peters Valley Craft Fair
September 23 & 24, 2023, 10am - 5pm
Held at the Sussex County Fair Grounds
37 Plains Road, Augusta, NJ 07822
(This venue is fully accessible.)

Craft Fair Coordinator: Fran Singh
craftfair@petersvalley.org
(973) 948-5200

Application Deadline is April 1st

Apply Now!

EVENT INFORMATION

We invite you to apply to Peters Valley School of Craft’s 53rd Annual Juried Craft Fair that will be held at the Sussex County Fairgrounds in Augusta, NJ. This fully accessible venue is located 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 attendees mainly from NJ, NY, PA, CT. The show is advertised extensively throughout the tri-state area and on social media. There is a web page featuring all participating artists with links to individual websites. Cash prizes will be awarded.

Peters Valley is a nationally recognized nonprofit focused on cultivating creative thinking through craft media and educating the public about fine craft. We do this through immersive learning workshops for adults and youth, outreach events, artist residencies as well as public lectures and gallery exhibitions. Proceeds support the educational programming and scholarships at Peters Valley.

Should we need to cancel the in-person 2023 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.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Artist Amenities:
• Indoor and Outdoor booths
• NEW BOOTH SIZES AVAILABLE
• Easy drive-up to buildings for unloading
• Overnight security
• Full-scale marketing campaign including print, online, radio and billboard media outlets
• Complimentary coffee, water & snacks in the Show Office
• Inexpensive lodging available at the Fairgrounds and Peters Valley Campus
• Volunteer booth sitting during show hours
• Emerging Artist Opportunities with discounted booth fees.
• Artist Merit Awards include cash prizes, next year booth discounts and jury exemption.

Dates & Deadlines:
March 10 Call for Entries Deadline
April 10 Notification to Applicants
May 31 Acceptance/Decline Invitation
July 1 Minimum of 50% Booth Balance due
Aug. 1 Booth Balance due
Aug. 31 Proof of Liability insurance due
Aug. 31 Deadline to Purchase Additional Options
Sept. 22 Set up from 8am – 8pm
Sept. 23 Set up from 7:30am – 9:30am
Sept. 23 & 24 Live event from 10am – 5pm

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. The standard indoor 10'x10’ booth space includes an additional 2’ behind the booth for storage and does not include pipe and drape with the exception of the Emerging Artist booths. The standard indoor 10’x5’ booth space does not include the additional 2’ of space behind the booth but does include the cost of pipe and drape. The 10’x5’ spaces will be located primarily in building 5 with a limited number of spaces available in the Richards Building. There are a limited number of corner spaces available. 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. However no requested booth space is guaranteed.

**Building/Barn 5 will be outfitted with temporary side enclosures this year and will be considered indoor space.

Indoor Booths:
$375 10’ x 5’ Standard Booth (Pipe & Drape Included)
$400 10’ x 5’ Corner Booth (Pipe & Drape Included)
$465 10’ x 10’ Standard Booth
$525 10’ x 10’ Corner Booth
$345 to expand your Indoor Booth by 10’
$225 to expand your Indoor Booth by 5’

Outdoor Booths:
$355 10’ x 10’ Outdoor Standard Booth
$415 10’ x 10’ Outdoor Corner Booth
$200 to expand your Outdoor Booth by 10’
$125 to expand your Outdoor Booth by 5’

Additional Options:
TBD Available Pipe and Drape Options and Cost
$60 Extra Electric (additional 300 watts)
$15 8’ Table (must be covered to floor)
$5 Metal Folding Chair

Booth Payments:
We request that all booths and amenities be selected through Zapplication regardless of payment type. 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.

Artist Demonstrations:
If you are interested in demonstrating in your booth or in a larger space in or outdoors, please mark the appropriate space on your application and describe what would be involved in your demonstration.

Set Up / Break Down:
Friday 8am to 8pm and Saturday 7:30am to 9:30 am
This event has easy drive-up and unloading, with most exhibitors being able to drive up to their booth space. No assistance is provided by the event organizers. If you wish to hire help, we are happy to pass your contact information on to people who may be available.

Show Hours:
Saturday 10am – 5pm
Sunday 10am – 5pm

Exhibitors are required to man their booth for the full duration of the event and all hours that it is open to the public. Booth sitters are provided, as available, for one 20 minute break per day free of charge between the hours of 1pm and 3 pm both days and must be requested ahead of time.

Lodging:
Camping is available on site ($25-$55/night) with shower facilities and electric hookup available. Camping is primitive with no picnic tables or fire rings. Peters Valley’s campus, located 12 miles from the fairgrounds, also has housing available ($65-$125/night) by calling (973) 948-5200. Additional housing options are available in the area.

Show Contact Information:
Peters Valley School of Craft
Attn: Craft Fair
19 Kuhn Rd., Layton, NJ 07851
www.petersvalley.org
Phone: (973)948-5200

Email: craftfair@petersvalley.org

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 at 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 for our in-person event. We will not expect you to include a booth shot with your images. To be considered for this category, 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 in 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 you will be listed 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:
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 April 10, 2023.

Wait List:
Those placed on the waitlist 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 balance in medium. Any artist/exhibitor who applies after the Jury deadline of March 10^th will be automatically added to the waitlist while under consideration.

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 for 2024 and they are jury exempt. Cash prizes are awarded in some categories.
**Gold Award: $150 cash award; $400 off 2024 booth fee
**Silver Award: $125 cash award; $300 off 2024 booth fee
**Bronze Award: $100 cash award; $200 off 2024 booth fee
**Honorable Mention: $100 off 2024 booth fee
**Emerging Artist Award: $125 cash award; $200 off 2024 booth fee

RULES/REGULATIONS

Cancellation Policy:
Accepting our offer to exhibit is a commitment to the event. 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. 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 1st will receive no refunds.

Insurance:
The Venue requires that all Exhibitors and Non-Artist Food Vendors 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 AND 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 mailed to the Craft Fair Coordinator. Any exhibitor NOT providing proof of coverage by August 31st will be charged the $100 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 Fairgrounds 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 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. If you are an Exhibitor or Non-Artist Food Vendor using a flammable or combustible liquid or a flame producing device you will be required to also file for a Fire Safety Permit Application with Frankford Twp.

Food Vendors/Food Trucks:
Food Vendors/Food Truck spaces are outdoors only. The concessions fee for a Food Vendor/Food Truck spot is $355 plus a $100 security deposit that will be returned after the Craft Fair, providing that their space is free of litter and garbage when the craft fair is done. Food Vendors/Food Trucks are responsible for acquiring all relevant permits. You must obtain and submit a Retail Food Permit from the Sussex County Dept of Health and a Food Handler's Certification to Frankford Township. You may also need to obtain a Fire Safety Permit Application from Frankford Twp. Spots is limited. Jury fee is waived for Food Vendor applicants, see code in application.

If you have any questions please contact the craft fair coordinator at craftfair@petersvalley.org