Wake Forest Area Artists' Studio Tour
It all begins with an idea,
and a little paint,
or maybe a lump of clay~
When artists add their expertise and emotion
to cultivate individual works of art,
something beautiful develops.
Explore it all through the Studio Tour
Founded in 1995, the Wake Forest Area Artists' Studio Tour is a two-weekend, annual event designed to educate the community about the artistic process and to support the area's working artists.
By visiting an artist's studio, visitors can purchase an original work of art from its creator, and also experience the process the artist uses to transform ideas and raw materials into beauty.
The Studio Tour has drawn several thousand attendees from Wake County and surrounding areas each year since its beginning. The Studio Tour is free and open to the public.
PARTICIPATION GUIDELINES (Subject to change, following consensus of the board.)
LOCATION
Artists' working studios must be located in the greater Wake Forest, South Franklin County area. This includes in Wake County: Wake Forest, Rolesville, Raleigh North of the Neuse River, Knightdale, Zebulon, and Wendell. In Franklin County: Youngsville, Franklinton, Louisburg and Bunn.
DEFINITION OF STUDIO
A studio is any space in which an artist regularly works. The artistic process can happen in any creative place, a formal studio or a garage or a kitchen table. This excludes retail galleries or shops without a permanent separate and designated space for the artist. When a retail gallery space is located in conjunction with an artist's regular working studio, the retail business must purchase a gold sponsorship. Other interested parties who do not meet the above description are encouraged to be sponsors. There is a place for everyone to be part of the tour.
ARTIST ELIGIBILITY & EXPECTATIONS
Participating artists must be deemed proficient by tour jurors. All work displayed must be the artist's own work with at least half of the work displayed available for purchase.
Participants must show an educational component related to their work, such as demonstration, visibility of tools and equipment, or pieces in progress. Artists must be present in their studios for the hours of the event.
Prior to the tour itself and throughout the organizational stages of the tour, all artists are asked to serve on a committee and/or in a volunteer position that facilitates the group's objectives.
PARTICIPATION FEE
Participation fee is $100, which will be returned in full if the application is denied. This helps fund extensive publicity, listing in the tour guide, one page on tour web site, one sign, and bulk mailing of addresses submitted. Please make check payable to Wake Forest Area Artists' Studio Tour.
APPLICATION PROCESS
1.Each artist must complete the application in its entirety, and return to the tour committee with all appropriate attachments postmarked by June 1, mailed to Wake Forest Area Artists' Studio Tour, PO Box 603, Wake Forest, NC 27588.
2.Each artist must submit three to five prints or slides of their work, labeled with name and medium. Images must represent the type of work be displayed and sold during the tour. Include a self-addressed #10 envelope with sufficient postage on it for the return of photos after the tour. These photos may be used for tour publicity.
3.Each artist must submit a photo showing their studio space.
4.Applications must be accompanied by a brief artist's statement or a biography which describes both work and artistic process. The jury will evaluate applications on the basis of professional quality, artistic vision and original content.
5.Artists will be notified in early June. Following notification of acceptance, each artist must submit 1-4 digital photo for use on the tour's web site as per specifications listed in acceptance packet.
6.Following notification of acceptance, each artist may provide 50-200 local area names and addresses for a mailing list database. Mailing labels will be provided at no additional cost to the artist. Tour promotional literature will be provided to the artists to distribute as they wish. Throughout the year, mailing labels will be provided to artists upon request at cost.
7.Returning artists do not need to submit photos to be juried in. However, all other requirements remain the same (submit updated application, submit photos for website, serve on a functioning committee).
TOUR ORGANIZATION
The Wake Forest Area Artists' Studio Tour is a non-profit organization staffed by artists and patrons in a cooperative volunteer effort. Decisions are made by consensus of the board. Please choose a subcommittee on which to serve. Subcommittees include:
Tour Coordinator(s)
Secretary
Treasurer
Publicity & Paid Advertising
Events
Membership & Registration
Website (Filled)
Signage
Sponsors/Fundrasing
Database
Layout/Design and Printing of Tour Brochure (Filled)
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
There is a place for everyone interested in supporting the Wake Forest Area Artists' Studio Tour. Sponsorships help make the tour possible by facilitating much of the tour promotion.
All paid advertising for this event comes directly from sponsors. Each artist is encouraged to do their part in obtaining sponsor funds and contributions.
BENEFITS OF SPONSORSHIP
Those who support the tour through sponsorship will be listed (unless they choose not to be) on the website and in the tour guide literature used by everyone who attends the tour. For last year's tour, over 10,000 tour guides were printed and distributed. Your sponsorship communicates your support for the arts in the area.
Sponsorships are available at three levels with various benefits. The tour also welcomes patrons at a higher level. Please call or talk to a tour representative about this.
MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR SPONSORSHIP
Businesses are encouraged to use the studio tour as an opportunity to promote their businesses by offering a promotion or discount on one item/service during the tour.
LEVELS OF SPONSORSHIP
GOLD $100 - Includes listing of business/individual name, address, phone, email and website; location marked on the tour map (must be within tour area); and up to 21 words describing the sponsoring business, or of support for the tour (written by sponsor). Also includes a sign for use during the tour weekend, if desired, identifying the business as a "Proud Sponsor of the Studio Tour."
RED $60 - Includes listing of business/individual name, address, phone, email and website.
YELLOW $25 - Includes listing of business/individual name.
ARTISTS' CALENDAR
Artist application deadline: June 1
Jury notification of acceptance/denial: Early June
Wake Forest Area Artists' Studio Tour, PO Box 603, Wake Forest, NC 27588, by July 1
Sponsor forms & checks to
Wake Forest Area Artists' Studio Tour, PO Box 603, Wake Forest, NC 27588, by July 1
Tour Guides & post cards available mid August
Signs distributed at Reception
Service contribution of 8 or more hours
Deliver work for Tour Exhibit to Sunflower Studio prior to 5 pm, September 8
Studio Tour Exhibit: September 14 - September 23, at Sunflower Studio
Opening Reception: September 14 at Sunflower Studio
TOUR: September 15, 10 am to 5 pm; September 16, 1 pm to 5 pm
September 22, 10am to 5 pm; September 23, 1 pm to 5 pm
Post-Tour party: To be announced
APPLICATION CHECKLIST
WE MUST receive the following by June 1:
Completed application
$100 fee, check payable to, Wake Forest Area Artists Studio Tour, PO Box 603, Wake Forest, NC 27588
Artist statement/biography
Three (3) to five (5) prints or slides of work for jury
Photo of studio space
SASE for return of materials
