This is Muskoka's most popular, largest and longest running outdoor art and craft show. Exhibitors from Muskoka, Ontario and other regions of Canada display their work in a beautiful park setting to an anticipated audience of 20,000 to 25,000 people who are enthusiastic and knowledgeable about the arts. Public admission to the Summer Show is by donation.

Located north of Toronto, Muskoka is a two-hour drive following Highways 400 and 11. The most accessible vacation area in Ontario with recreation facilities, attractions and thousands of lakes, Muskoka has been the traditional “getaway” destination for cottagers and vacationers for over a hundred years.

One of Ontario’s oldest and largest outdoor craft shows, the annual Summer Show is the major fund-raiser for Muskoka Arts & Crafts, a non-profit, com­munity-based arts organization with over 360 members. Proceeds support Muskoka Arts & Crafts and its annual programs and events.

Muskoka Arts & Crafts does not receive funding from any provincial or federal government department or agency. We appreciate the support of the Town of Bracebridge through the rental of the building that houses our Chapel Gallery. Muskoka Arts & Crafts is proud of its ability to raise all its own operating funds.


 

JULY 16-17-18, 2010
 Friday, 10am-7pm
Saturday & Sunday, 10am-5pm

Annie Williams Memorial Park
 [on Santa’s Village Road, one block in from Wellington Street]


Applications must reach the office of Muskoka Arts & Crafts on or before February 27, 2010. It is recommended that exhibitors not wait until the deadline to submit an application as it does not leave any time to correct mistakes or supply missing information. Incomplete or late applications cannot be considered.


The booth fees are the same as charged in 2006.

Regular Booth [10’x10’] – $388.50 ($370 + $18.50 GST)

Big Mac Booth [15’x10’] – $582.75 ($555+$27.75 GST)


The reputation of the Summer Show has been built on selecting outstanding and quality hand made work.

The applicant must be the designer and maker of the work represented by his or her application. Agents or dealers are not eligible. The show is open to all Canadian citizens or landed immigrants.

Work produced or sourced by any commercial means is not accepted. Ceramics from commercial molds or food are ineligible. Any article in any media using a commercial kit or commercially available plans or patterns is disqualified. Ready-made components are acceptable only where their importance is subordinate to the skill and design contributed by the maker and where their use is clearly appropriate to the nature and design of the work. Articles made from molds are acceptable only where the mold is the design and product of the artist or craftsperson or where the mold is evidently subordinate to the maker's creativity. Unfinished items, raw materials and other such items cannot be sold at the Summer Show.


 

Muskoka Arts & Crafts has deep respect for all who create. The organization has a responsibility to the exhibitors to encourage excellence. For the general public, Muskoka Arts & Crafts has a responsibility to present work which meets the accepted technical and ethical standards of the organization.

A jury of five to seven professional artists and crafts-people assess the applications. All work is juried within its media category. Jurying is a blind process in that the work is considered without presenting the name of the applicant so an unbiased decision can be arrived at based on the work alone.

Traditional items have a greater emphasis on craftsman-ship rather than innovation and exploration of materials. Both approaches are equally valid. Originality in conception and execution, quality of workmanship and excellence of design are the primary criteria by which the submitted work is evaluated.

The jury reserves the right to decide about the appropriateness of all work to be included in the show.

Only work similar to that which was juried is allowed into the show. The decisions of the jury are final.


  

The images of your work are your most valuable marketing tool. Images should be of good quality. Poor images make it difficult for the jury to give an honest appraisal and could result in an application not being accepted.

You must submit ten recent images that accurately represents the style and quality of work that will be exhibited and sold. If more than ten images are submitted, only the first ten will be presented to the jury. If two people are sharing a booth, each person must submit ten images. You must also include an image showing the booth set-up. Drawings, sketches and photographs are not accepted. This image is to your benefit as it gives the jury an overall view of the range of work that will be sold.

Exhibitors who have shown in previous Summer Shows must submit images of their work as all applications are juried every year.

Jurying is only from digital JPEG images. Photographs, slides, samples, web sites and e-mail submissions cannot be submitted for jurying.

It is your responsibility to ensure that all digital files are saved in the correct file format, can be opened, are not corrupted and are compatible with a PC. When preparing your digital images, please follow these instructions.

FILE TYPE & SIZE

  • Save images as JPEG or JPG using ‘maximum quality.’ The file size should be approximately 1200 pixels long or wide at 92 dpi. Smaller file sizes will result in poorer quality images that may be unsuitable for viewing or for publicity purposes.
  • Non JPEG/JPG images are not accepted and will not be converted.
  • Save the image in the correct orientation.
  • Do not use any presentation programs such as PowerPoint. Do not use any auto run programs such as Kodak Easy Share.
  • Do not include your name, studio name, business cards or any other writing on your digital images.

FILE NAMES

  • Number each JPEG image to correspond with Part Three of the Application Form. For example, Image 1, Image 2, Image 3 and so forth. Do not place images in separate file folders or zipped files.

STORAGE METHOD

  • Submit all images on one standard size Compact Disc (CD). Do not use DVDs. Label the CD with your name. Send the CD in a protective mailer to prevent breakage.

Muskoka Arts & Crafts assumes no responsibility for the loss or damage of any item submitted.


At Muskoka Arts & Crafts, we believe in hosting high quality shows and maximizing each exhibitor's sales, therefore, only two hundred booths are available.

At Muskoka Arts & Crafts, we believe in hosting high quality shows and maximizing each exhibitor's sales, therefore, only two hundred booths are available.

There are two different sizes of booths:
  • "Regular Booths" have a guaranteed measurement of a 10’ frontage with a 10’ depth, however, with the exception of booths that must fit around trees or curves, the majority of booths will have a 15’ frontage and a 10’ depth.
  • There are six to twelve "Big MAC" booths available. These booths have a guaranteed measurement of a 15’ frontage by a 10’ depth, however, with the exception of booths that must fit around trees or curves, most booths will have a 22½’ frontage and a 10’ depth.

A flexible booth design is highly recommended as the ground for some booths may not be level and natural irregularities within the park ultimately affects the final layout of the booths.

You must provide your own equipment such as a canopy, tables, chairs, backdrops and display stands. Vehicles or trailers are not permitted to be part of your booth display. All exhibits, display materials and chairs must remain within the assigned space. All demonstrations, signs and distribution of promotional materials must be confined to the limits of your booth.

Please remember that this is an outdoor show and many locations are in direct sunlight. Exhibitors are encouraged to have a canopy or shelter that can also be used for protection from the sun and rain.

Electricity is not available in the park.

Exhibitors may not arbitrarily change booth locations with other exhibitors. No exhibitor is guaranteed the same booth location year after year.


After you check-in, you may set up on Thursday, July 15, 2010, between 8am and 6pm or on Friday, July 16, 2010 between 7am and 9am.

On Thursday, you may drive your vehicle to your booth to unload. During the three days the show is open to the public, prior to its opening, you may drive your vehicle to your booth to unload. All vehicles must be removed from the show area by 9:30am. After the show closes, you may drive your vehicle to your booth to load any stock. Vehicles are not allowed into the park until half an hour after the show closes.

You must have your exhibit intact for all three days of the show. Under no circumstances should you close your booth early or take it down during show hours without first consulting the Show Coordinator who is present at the Information Booth from Thursday to Sunday.

All booths and equipment must be removed from the park on Sunday, July 18, 2010, by 8pm.


Security is provided Thursday, Friday and Saturday night. Many exhibitors, however, pack and remove their merchandise at the end of each day.

NOTE: You are responsible for your own liability insurance.

Muskoka Arts & Crafts, its employees, volunteers, agents or representatives are not responsible for any damage, breakage or theft of your work, booth, display props or other personal or business property.


IF YOU CANCEL YOUR APPLICATION
Ten percent of the booth fees will be withheld if you cancel between March 1 and April 30, 2010. For cancellations received between May 1 and June 15, 2010, twenty-five percent of the booth fees will be withheld. For cancellations received between June 16 and July 6, 2010, fifty percent of the booth fees will be withheld. Booth fees will not be refunded for any cancellations received between July 7 and July 15, 2010. Booth fees are not refunded if an exhibitor fails to attend the show or leaves early.

IF WE CANCEL YOUR APPLICATION
Muskoka Arts & Crafts reserves the right to cancel any exhibitor’s participation in the show in accordance with the Summer Show Policy. Prior to the show, should Muskoka Arts & Crafts find it necessary to cancel an exhibitor’s participation, a full refund will be issued.

BOOTH PAYMENT
Booth fees are due at the time of application. Cheques or money orders are made payable to Muskoka Arts & Crafts. Cheques post-dated past February 27, 2010 are not permitted. Any cheques returned by the banks due to insufficient funds are subject to a $25 fine. Exhibitors who have outstanding booth fees or bank charges will be ineligible to participate in the Summer Show.

BOOTH SHARING
A maximum of two exhibitors working in the same or different media may share a single booth. Such exhibitors may choose to have their applications juried together (to be accepted into the Summer Show, the work of both exhibitors must be approved by the jury) or separately (if the work of one exhibitor is not accepted, the other exhibitor, if accepted, can continue as a solo exhibitor). Exhibitors who apply to have their work juried separately must each complete a separate application.

PRICING
At Muskoka Arts & Crafts, we believe in the value of hand made work. To maintain this integrity, signs offering pricing discounts, reduced prices, show specials or other signs of this nature are not permitted to be displayed.

SALES TAXES
Exhibitors are required to collect and remit the Ontario Provincial Sales Tax (PST) and, if applicable, the Goods & Services Tax (GST) on all items sold. Exhibitors from outside Ontario are required to have a temporary Ontario Sales Permit. For more information, contact the Ministry of Finance at 1-800-263-7965 for services in English or 1-800-668-5821 for services in French.

FOOD & WASHROOMS
Food concessions are present during the three days the show is open to the public. Exhibitors with specialized diet requirements should bring their own food. Beer, wine or any other types of alcohol cannot be consumed in the park during set-up or take-down times nor during the three days the show is open to the public. Portable toilets are located near the food concession area.

RETURN ENVELOPE
A stamped, self-addressed envelope must be included with your application in order to return your slides or CD and any other information provided. NOTE: Muskoka Arts & Crafts is not responsible for returning any material if a stamped, self-addressed envelope is not provided, if it bears insufficient postage or is too small to contain your initial application. Samples of work or photographs will not be returned unless return delivery is prepaid.

OVERNIGHT ACCOMMODATION
Overnight camping in the park or in the adjacent parking lots is not permitted.

TELEPHONES & DEBIT MACHINES
There are no public telephones located in or near the park. If you require a telephone for personal or business reasons, please bring your own. The availability of a debit machine will be announced later.

SMOKE FREE BOOTHS
To protect your fellow exhibitors and customers from the hazards of second-hand smoke and drifting smoke, smoking is not permitted in or near your booth.

PETS
For the well being of the animals, exhibitors’ pets are not permitted in the show. Muskoka Arts & Crafts reserves the right to ask exhibitors to remove their pets from the show area.

RADIOS & AMPLIFIED SOUND
When the Summer Show is open to the public, radios, CD players and other forms of amplified music or sound may not be operated. During set-up and take-down, radios, CD players and other forms of amplified music or sound may be operated at reasonable levels.

EXHIBITOR PARKING
Exhibitors must park their vehicles in designated areas.

SUMMER SHOW COORDINATOR
The coordinator for the Summer Show is present throughout Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday to answer any of your questions. During the Summer Show, the coordinator may be contacted at the Information Booth, located at Gate 1.

PROMOTIONAL MATERIAL
Muskoka Arts & Crafts reserves the right to use the images and promotional material submitted by exhibitors and those photographs taken at the Summer Show for promotional purposes without notice or payment to the exhibitor.

PERSONAL INFORMATION
The information you provide to Muskoka Arts & Crafts is for the sole use of this organization. Muskoka Arts & Crafts collects, uses and discloses personal information only for purposes that a reasonable person would consider appropriate to administer the organization, its programs and events as well as to communicate future events or promotions. Information such as your telephone/fax numbers, mailing address, studio location, web site or e-mail is given to potential customers or clients only with your consent. If no preference is indicated, it is assumed that this information may be released. Muskoka Arts & Crafts does not rent, lend, share, trade nor sell its mailing lists with any other individual, corporation or similar cultural organization.



To be considered, your application must include:
  • A completed and signed Application Form.
  • Ten recent images that represents the style and quality of work that will be exhibited and sold at the Summer Show plus an image of the booth set-up. CDs must be identified with your name.
  • If applicable, a copy of the permission agreement to use copyrighted images.
  • A cheque in the amount of $388.50 ($370 + $18.50 GST) for a Regular Booth or $582.75 ($555+$27.75 GST for a Big MAC Booth, postdated to February 27, 2010. Cheques are made payable to Muskoka Arts & Crafts. Postdating cheques after February 27, 2010 may disqualify your application.

A stamped, self-addressed envelope.

 

The application deadline has passed. To be placed on the mailing list for the 2011 Summer Show, please send your request to Muskoka Arts & Crafts.

Members of Muskoka Arts & Crafts must request the member application.

Applications are also available by mail, fax or e-mail. When making your request, please indicate how you would like to receive your application. The e-mail and download version requires Acrobat Reader, a free program available by download. 

You will be notified, by mail, of your application status near the end of March or early in April. 

If your work has been accepted, your booth fee cheque will be cashed near the end of March. You will be sent an acceptance letter and additional material, which includes pertinent information about the show, a list of accommodations, a receipt for your booth fees as well as your slides or CD. The list of accepted exhibitors will also be posted on our web site by mid April.

If your work is not accepted, your cheque will be voided and returned along with your slides or CD.


If you have any questions or comments, please contact Muskoka Arts & Crafts.

Telephone
1-705-645-5501

Fax
1-705-645-0385

E-Mail
info@muskokaartsandcrafts.com

Mail
Box 376, Bracebridge, Ontario, P1L 1T7

Applications are also available from Muskoka Arts & Crafts by mail, fax or e-mail. 
When making your request, please indicate how you would like to receive the application.
The e-mail version requires Acrobat Reader, a free program available by download.

 

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 Muskoka Arts & Crafts Inc. is located in the District Municipality of  Muskoka, Ontario, Canada.