Interested in joining? Please read these FAQs before submitting an application.
Who can join?
If you live in, or within 50 miles of Kentucky’s borders, want to broaden your retail and wholesale opportunities, and are interested in sharing and networking with your fellow artisans, we invite you to apply. The Sheltowee Artisans welcome new exhibiting members whose body of work shows excellence in concept, design, and technique, regardless of style, medium, or cultural tradition.
What are the guidelines for submitting an application?
Prospective members’ work is evaluated by a jury of at least three Sheltowee Artisans. We do request 3-5 photo samples of your best work alongside your application to present to the jurors. Photos may not be sufficient for acceptance and we may ask that you bring or ship items to complete jurying process as needed.
When taking photos, consider the presentation of your work and include props, stands, displays, and/or a neutral underlying material where appropriate. Points to keep in mind: showcase functionality (jewelry pieces/sets may be on neck/earring displays or garden art may need a flower pot to show off its use), provide a clear background for your samples (a neutral swatch of material may enhance your samples and allow us to see your work as a cohesive grouping, whereas a busy background can drown out the piece you are showcasing), and focus clearly on product you are applying with (do not include photos of a table with several different items, instead focus on the product you are submitting for consideration).
What items are not allowed?
Work that will not be considered for jurying: items made from commercial molds, commercial items purchased and decorated such as t-shirts or wreaths, jewelry based on commercial beads and findings, work produced more than 3 years ago, work with digital impressions like clip-art or downloaded drawings. We reserve the right to reject any work that does not meet our standards. If you are not accepted, we may recommend an experienced mentor to help you in your artistic journey and invite you to reapply at a later date.
What do I gain from joining?
The annual Sheltowee Holiday Market in November is our largest event and offers opportunities to showcase your work, sell directly to local customers, and build a network of other artists to collaborate and share experiences with. Many of our members represent themselves nationally at wholesale/retail shows, in addition to regional galleries/shops, which brings a wide range of experience back to the group. We will also list you on our website’s artist directory, give you a discounted booth fee at our holiday market, forward local artist opportunities your way, and promote you on our social media when possible. Meetings are typically held on a monthly basis, giving guild members the opportunity to give direct feedback and input on the direction of our organization.
Ready to Apply?
Interested in joining our organization? Fill out some info and we will be in touch shortly! We can't wait to hear from you!
All work must be designed and created by the artist submitting the application. No buy/sell distribution; no work from kits; no manufactured items; no imported work; no work from commercial molds will be allowed.