ARTIST GUIDE 2023
FESTIVAL WEB SITE: https://www.artwineandwheels.com/art/
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Please contact Bob McFarland via e-mail at bobmcfarland2@hotmail.com or by mobile phone (253) 275-8108.
ORGANIZATION/MISSION
The Ridgeland Fine Arts Festival is a program of the Ridgeland Tourism Commission, a tax-exempt state-chartered agency. The objective of the festival is to provide an opportunity for artists from across the United States and patrons from across the Southeast to meet, interact and conduct business, thereby increasing local tourism and the perception of Ridgeland, Mississippi as a cultural destination.
Ridgeland is a suburb immediately north of Jackson, Mississippi, the state capital, and located in Madison County. Ridgeland was recently named by Money magazine as one of the Top 100 "Best Places to Live" in the United States.
The show was awarded the Southeast Tourism Society’s “Top 20 Event Champion” award and recognized by AAA's "Southern Traveler" magazine as a Southern Travel Treasure..
Artists will retain all proceeds from their sales. No commissions will be collected. All revenues collected by the festival will be used to produce and promote it.
FESTIVAL LOCATION/DRIVING DIRECTIONS
The Ridgeland Fine Arts Festival will be held at the elegant Renaissance at Colony Park (www.renaissanceatcolonypark.com). Opened in 2008, Renaissance at Colony Park is a lifestyle center masterpiece for shopping, dining and entertainment inspired by the old-world beauty and grace of European and Mediterranean architecture.
The Renaissance at Colony Park is located on the northwest corner at the intersection of I-55 and Old Agency Road in Ridgeland, MS.
Northbound I-55 driving directions: Exit 105C (Old Agency Road) – At the end of the exit carefully merge left into the center lane on Old Agency Road. Proceed through the traffic light to the roundabout (traffic circle). Do not enter the traffic circle, rather take the exit to the right and merge onto Highland Colony Parkway. Turn right at the third entrance of the Renaissance at Colony Park. Go to the first stop sign, turn left into the parking lot and walk across the street to the Ridgeland Visitor Center (Suite #6006). Artist Check-In will be located inside the office.
Southbound I-55 driving directions: Exit 105B (Old Agency Road) – Merge into the right turn lane. Carefully merge into the center lane on Old Agency Road and proceed to the roundabout (traffic circle). Do not enter the traffic circle, rather take the exit to the right and merge onto Highland Colony Parkway. Turn right at the third entrance of the Renaissance at Colony Park. Go to the first stop sign, turn left into the parking lot and walk across the street to the Ridgeland Visitor Center (Suite #6006). Artist Check-In will be located inside the office.
GPS COORDINATES
The GPS coordinates for the Ridgeland Tourism Commission office (festival office) are N 32° 25’ 57.253” and W 90° 8’ 49.524” or alternately 32.43110349810901 and -90.14916837215424.
RIDGELAND HOTELS AND RESTAURANTS
Please plan to stay in a Ridgeland hotel and eat at Ridgeland restaurants while you visit us in central Mississippi. As previously mentioned, the Ridgeland Tourism Commission is the presenter of the show. They are funded solely by a 1% sales tax on Ridgeland hotels and restaurants. Every time you stay in a Ridgeland hotel or eat in a Ridgeland restaurant, you are supporting the Ridgeland Fine Arts Festival.
HOTELS
For hotel options, please visit www.visitridgeland.com/stay/
DINING
For dining options, please visit www.visitridgeland.com/eat/
SOCIAL MEDIA HANDLES:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ArtWineAndWheels
Instagram: @visitridgelandms
Twitter: @visitridgeland
#ArtWineAndWheels
FESTIVAL MAP
2023 Festival & City Map, please click on this link: https://www.artwineandwheels.com/map/
To view a map of the Renaissance at Colony Park, please click on this link: Renaissance Map
ARTIST CHECK-IN
Dates: Thursday, May 4, 3pm- 5pm
Friday, May 5 9am-3pm
Location/Parking: Artist check-in will be inside the Ridgeland Visitor Center (Suite #6006) on the northwest corner of Renaissance at Colony Park.
BOOTH ASSIGNMENTS & SET-UP TIMES
Booth assignments will be posted to your ZAPP account sometime prior to the festival. Booth assignments are at the sole discretion of the festival and are not interchangeable.
Artists need to be set up no later than 3:00 pm on Friday, May 5. Please note that the road will be closed at 2:00 pm.
ARTIST PARKING
DO NOT PARK YOUR VEHICLE IN THE PARKING SPACES INSIDE THE SHOPPING CENTER ON VIA PRINCIPALE OR VIA ST. ANDREWS. STOPPING OR PARKING IN THE TRAFFIC CIRCLE IS PROHIBITED.
SHOW HOURS
May 5 3pm-7pm ALL VEHICLES MUST BE OUT OF THE FESTIVAL AREA BY 2pm.
May 6 10am- 6pm ALL VEHICLES MUST BE OUT OF THE FESTIVAL AREA BY 9am.
May 7 11am- 5pm ALL VEHICLES MUST BE OUT OF THE FESTIVAL AREA BY 10am.
ELECTRICITY
Electricity is not available. Generators are prohibited.
RIDGELAND WEATHER IN MAY
The following information covers the month of May for Central Mississippi. Since the Ridgeland Fine Arts Festival is at the beginning of May, the temperatures and humidity very well may be lower. The average temperature in Central Mississippi in May is 76˚ F. The highest temperature is typically 85˚ F., and the low temperature is 67° F. Humidity can be expected to average 92%. On average, there are nine days of rain in May. As with any city in the spring, storms with strong wind gusts can develop any time of the day.
Be sure to weight your canopy with sufficient weight for possible high winds. You will need a minimum of 50 pounds of weight for each leg on your tent. In some circumstances, 50 pounds per leg might not be enough. It is your responsibility to make sure you have enough weight on your tent to prevent injuries or damage.
ART VOUCHERS
$350.00 worth of Ridgeland Fine Art Festival Art Purchase Vouchers
The Ridgeland Tourism Commission will be sponsoring art vouchers totaling $350.00. The vouchers will be given away to patrons through our Social Media Network and other media promotions. Please check for more details at Artist Check-In.
BOOTH DISPLAY REQUIREMENTS
All Booth spaces are on asphalt. Each exhibitor will be provided a space measuring (minimum) 11'x11' to house a booth structure with dimensions no larger than 10'x10'. There is additional storage space behind each tent.
Artists are responsible for providing all booth structures, racks, tables, chairs, display units, and other fixtures suitable for outdoor use and constructed to withstand crowds and wind. Artists are responsible for ensuring that their tent and its accompanying structures are properly secured especially in the case of rain or wind. All tents/structures must be secured by substantial weights.
SALES TAXES
Please remember to charge 7% sales tax on all your sales. The State of Mississippi requires the Ridgeland Tourism Commission to collect and remit all artist sales taxes. You will be given a short tax form on Sunday, May 7. Please complete the form and remit your tax payment to the designated festival representative, Karen Vance, beginning at 3:30 pm on Sunday, May 7. As previously mentioned, there is a 7% sales tax in Ridgeland, Mississippi. You can pay with cash or check. All checks must be made payable to the Ridgeland Fine Arts Festival.
ARTIST PRESENT
Artists must be present during the entire festival and must personally staff their exhibit space. No spouses, agents, dealers, or representatives may attend in place of the artist. Artists who sell their entire body of work must remain with their booths for the duration of the festival. Artists who break down displays or depart before closing time on any day of the festival will not be allowed to return the following day or to future shows unless proof of an emergency is presented.
No artist may let or sublet their booth either entirely or partially, with or without charge. Work of individuals other than those accepted and specified in the artist’s application for entry may not be exhibited or advertised in the booth.
AMENITIES
1) Complimentary snacks and bottled water will be available at our Artist Hospitality Tent which will be located at our Information Booth near the Plaza Fountain Stage.
2) There will be a few portable restrooms near the food vendors. There are public restrooms next to Zea’s Rotisserie & Bar (behind booth #59 on the festival map). There are also restrooms available at Barnes & Noble and Panera Bread.
3) A box lunch will be delivered to your booth on Saturday. You can order your free lunch at Artist Check-In on Thursday, May 4 or Friday, May 5.
4) One complimentary festival t-shirt per booth. Additional shirts are available for purchase.
5) Booth sitters will be provided for 15-minute intervals. Please call the phone number on the back of your festival artist badge when you are ready for a booth sitter.
CASH AWARDS/JUDGING
$7,000 total will be awarded by the festival judges. Best of Show will receive $2,000. There will be five (5) $500 Judge’s Choice awards given in the two-dimensional category (includes: Drawing/Pastels, Mixed Media 2D, Painting, Photography, and Printmaking), and five (5) $500 Judge’s Choice awards in the three-dimensional category (includes: Clay, Fiber, Glass, Jewelry, Mixed Media 3D, Sculpture, and Wood). All award winners will be automatically juried into the 2024 Ridgeland Fine Arts Festival. Judging will take place Saturday, May 6 during the hours of the festival. Commemorative awards and cash awards will be presented to artists at their booths.
SECURITY
Security for your belongings is your responsibility and requires your active involvement. Use precautions you would normally take when traveling and when participating in any outdoor event to protect your art, cash and other treasured belongings. Renaissance at Colony Park Security personnel and City of Ridgeland police officers will provide event security beginning at 3 pm on Friday, May 5 until 8 pm on Sunday, May 7. Nevertheless, artists are solely responsible for the security of their exhibits and equipment. We recommend removal of all valuables from the exhibit area each night, and the placement of all displays and related materials within the exhibitor’s canopy.
LOAD OUT
Sunday, May 7 5pm- Midnight. No one will be permitted to begin tearing down their exhibit before 5pm on Sunday, May 7. No vehicles will be permitted on site until the Festival Director opens the site to vehicular traffic.
Please break down your booth and place it to the side to allow for a HAPPY and fast load-out process. There is a great potential for congestion, so please be patient.
CANCELLATION AND WITHDRAWAL
An exhibitor who wishes to withdraw from the Ridgeland Fine Arts Festival may be released; however, no booth fees will be refunded. If you are going to be arriving in Ridgeland after 3pm on Friday, May 5, you can contact Bob McFarland at bobmcfarland2@hotmail.com or (253) 275-8108. An artist who fails to register on site before 3pm on Friday, May 5 or contact Bob McFarland may forfeit all rights to occupy their booth space and the Ridgeland Fine Arts Festival can use the space for other purposes. In such event, the exhibitor will remain liable for the full booth fee.
The Ridgeland Fine Arts Festival may, if required by force nature or other reasons beyond its control, postpone or shorten the festival. No exhibitor shall have any right or claim for any damages whether direct, indirect, or consequential, or of any other kind, arising or alleged to arise by reason of any postponement or cancellation of the festival.
INSURANCE AND LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY
Each exhibitor must insure his/her property against the risks of fire, theft, burglary, breakage and leakage, and weather or water damage as well as the risks of transport to and from the festival site. The Ridgeland Tourism Commission, Robert W. McFarland, McFarland Productions, Inc. and H.C. Porter are not liable to any exhibitor or any other person for any damage or loss whatsoever, arising from any cause, except the gross negligence of said parties. Without limiting the foregoing, the Ridgeland Tourism Commission, Robert W. McFarland, McFarland Productions, Inc., and H.C. Porter are not liable for any loss incurred by reason of failure of the exhibitor to obtain such insurance or failure of such insurance to cover any loss. Furthermore, exhibitors will be held liable for any damage made by their tents or structures.
MEDIA CATEGORIES DEFINED
Clay - Art objects, either functional or decorative of earthenware, porcelain or tile, made by shaping and then firing. If multiple pieces of the same design are displayed, the artist must sign each piece.
Drawing/Pastels - Drawings are works on paper using pencil, crayon, ink, charcoal, pastels and a variety of other marking media.
Fiber - Includes artwork from fibers such as basketry, embroidery, weaving, leatherwork, tapestry and papermaking.
Glass - Glass works that are functional or decorative by design and are kiln-formed or crafted by glass blowing, molding or casting. Works may be etched or engraved.
Jewelry - All jewelry, produced from metal, glass, clay, fiber, paper, plastic or other materials.
Mixed Media (2D) - Works that incorporate more than one type of material in their production and are displayed on walls with a one-sided orientation.
Mixed Media (3D) - Works that incorporate more than one type of physical material (clay, fiber, glass, metal, wood or any other three-dimensional objects) in their production.
Painting - Creation of a still life, portrait, landscape, abstract or other image on a flat surface, such as canvas, with watercolors, oil, sticks or acrylic paint.
Photography - Process of capturing images of objects by the action of light, then printing the images by chemical or digital means onto a flat surface. Photographers are required to disclose both their creative and printing processes. Work in this media category must be limited editions, signed and numbered on archival-quality materials.
Printmaking - Prints hand-pulled by artists from traditional methods, including etching, engraving, silkscreen, stone and plate lithography, linoleum block or woodcut, produced in signed and numbered limited editions from an original image created by the artist.
Sculpture - Non-functional, three-dimensional work of any material.
Wood - Art objects, either functional or decorative, that are hand-tooled or machine-worked, turned or carved.
ARTWORK POLICIES AND SHOW RULES
The work exhibited at the festival must match the quality and style as represented by the artist in his or her application. The jury committee reserves the right to refuse exhibition and/or eligibility of cash awards for work that is not consistent with a submitted application, event standards and/or the policies listed below. Failure to comply can result in immediate removal from the festival with no refund.
All work must be original, well-conceived, and expertly executed by hand or with appropriate tools by the exhibiting artist. Works from commercial kits, casts, molds, patterns or plans, prefabricated forms or other commercial methods are prohibited. Studios producing works in volume are not eligible for entry.
Only artists accepted in the jewelry category may exhibit or sell jewelry. Jewelry is not accepted in any other category.
Artists may only exhibit and sell work in the medium (media) for which they are accepted.
Photographic and Reproduction Policies: Photographic and Digital Art prints must be made from the artist’s original negative or digital file under the artist’s supervision. A reproduction is defined as any existing work of art (such as a painting, watercolor, drawing, photograph, etc.) that is copied by digital or photographic means and printed on an offset press, a serigraph press, or through a computer by means of an ink jet or electrostatic printer. This definition includes giclees and reproductions with additional enhancement by the artist.
Artists must disclose the edition numbers for works produced in editions. All prints must be in limited editions of 350 or fewer (inclusive of all sizes) on archival paper and numbered and signed by the artist on the front of the piece. Prints may comprise no more than 25% of the total works to be sold.
All two-dimensional art must be appropriately framed or matted and must be displayed on a suitable panel or in a portfolio or stand.
Mass-Production Policies: Ready-made or factory-produced objects (i.e., clothing or furniture) which have been embellished, painted, decorated, dyed or batiked are not eligible for cash awards regardless of additional modification or enhancement by the artist.
No machine-tooled, machine-screened patterns or miscellaneous forms of mass production are permitted.
Mass-produced merchandise and/or promotional items whether derived from original or non-original artwork are not permitted to be displayed or sold at the festival. This includes, but is not limited to, cards, postcards, note cards, photocopies, posters, mouse pads, t-shirts, calendars, etc.
Audio Equipment: The operation of radios, tape players and other sound equipment as well as any audio-visual presentations of any kind by exhibitors must be conducted with the full consent of other exhibitors in the surrounding area. Volume must be kept within reasonable levels and sensitivity to other exhibitors should be observed. The Ridgeland Fine Arts Festival reserves the right to limit, and if necessary, prohibit the operation of sound and/or audio-visual equipment.
APPLICABLE LAWS/REGULATIONS
The laws of the City of Ridgeland, the State of Mississippi and the United State of America are applicable to all questions arising under the rental of space or these conditions. Fire, safety and security regulations must be adhered to by all participants at the Ridgeland Fine Arts Festival. In the submission of an entry application, the exhibitor acknowledges these conditions of participation and agrees to observe and be bound by each and every provision contained therein, and all other rules and guidelines of the Ridgeland Fine Arts Festival.