2025 Art In The Pearl Festival of Fine Arts & Crafts:
Thank you for your interest in applying for the 2025 Art In The Pearl Festival of Fine Arts & Crafts. Applications for our 2025 Art In The Pearl Festival of Fine Arts & Crafts are NOW OPEN and are processed through ZAPPLICATION.ORG. Here is a direct link to our application page.
Here is the information for our 2025 Festival. Please read our prospectus and rules carefully to assure a successful application.
EVENT INFORMATION
The 29th annual Art In The Pearl Fine Arts & Crafts Festival takes place Labor Day weekend Saturday, August 30 through Monday, September 1. The show is located in the North Park Blocks of the Pearl District in Portland, Oregon. 130 exceptional visual artists have been selected to exhibit by an independent jury panel composed of both working artists and art professionals. The Emerging Artist Program provides regional artists in the early stage of their art career an opportunity to gain experience marketing and showing their work. In addition to the exhibiting artists, the show offers art education, demonstrations and performance art.
Art In The Pearl is a nonprofit organization founded and produced by a dedicated volunteer board of directors composed of local professional artists. Our focus is on promoting the arts, educating the public and strengthening creative and educational bonds with the community.
We acknowledge that the history and culture of arts and crafts shows have not been inclusive to BIPOC artists historically and currently. We are working to dismantle this structure, and our own, to generate a more equitable space for artists and arts workers. All are welcome to our show and to apply. BIPOC, LGBTQUI2S+ artists and people from historically marginalized communities are especially encouraged to apply. -Art In The Pearl Board of Directors
GENERAL INFORMATION
2025 Artist Prospectus & Application
The 29th annual Art In The Pearl Fine Arts & Crafts Festival consists of 130 artists. Art In The Pearl will invite the top scoring juried artists to exhibit at the 2025 event. A waitlist is also determined based on jury scores. This three day event gives patrons the special opportunity to meet and purchase art from exhibiting artists in-person.
Important Dates
Application Deadline:
February 15, 2025
Jury Notifications:
April 1, 2025
Deadline to accept invitation to participate and pay booth fee:
May 15, 2025
Last day to cancel participation in 2024 show and still receive 50% booth fee refund less the $45 admin fee:
June 30, 2025
Load-In/Set-up:
Friday, August 29, 2025
Festival Dates/Hours:
Saturday, August 30, 2025
10am – 5pm
Sunday, August 31, 2025
10am – 5pm
Monday, September 1, 2025
10am – 4pm
JURY SELECTION AND PROCESS
A total of 130 artists will be chosen to exhibit through a highly competitive jury process. Applicants remain anonymous during the jury process. All of the jurors will view each artist’s set of images on a monitor in a horizontal grouping. The materials, dimensions for each image and artist statements will be made available to the jury. Artistic excellence and innovation are the sole criteria for selection of exhibitors. The five jurors will view all artist images at the same time. Scoring is based on originality, design, technical proficiency, and craftsmanship. All scores are combined and averaged. Art in the Pearl establishes no quota or entitlement by media category. The top scoring artists receive invitations to exhibit. Remaining applicants in the final round are placed on a waiting list of alternates. Decisions of the jury panel are final. We reserve the right to move applications into the most appropriate category.
Monitor Jury: Images are viewed simultaneously from left to right horizontally.
Jurors: There will be five jurors composed of professional artists, art educators and gallerists.
Jury Format: Two days: First day scoring Yes, No, Maybe and second day scoring 1-10
Applications for Jury: Sorted by the date the application is received
Digital Images
– Five images are required for each application. Four images must be of individual pieces of work (No groupings). The fifth image must be a booth shot. If you are applying as an emerging artist or it is your first time applying to an art fair, please submit professional photos of your work in a gallery or displayed as a body of work.
– The purpose of the booth image is to ensure the artist has a complete body of work which is represented both in the first four images and also within the fifth image. It also helps identify the scale of the artist’s work.
– Note: This is a blind jury process. Applications with identifying information will not be shown to the judges. Do not submit any booth images with any identifiable signage, photos, name or business names of the artist(s)!
– In addition, any work outside of the medium and context of the 4 images submitted that may appear in the booth shot will not be considered accepted by the jury, due to its mere presence in the booth image. If artists have multiple bodies of work, Art In The Pearl encourages them to submit these in separate applications.
Images: 4 images of work + 1 booth image are required.
Collaborating Artists
Artists submitting an application as a collaborating artist or partnership must submit the names of both collaborators with the application. Artists may not add a partner after the jury.
Waitlist
Artists will be notified if they are on the waitlist and if a spot becomes available. Please do not call.
The Regional Emerging Artist Program
The Emerging Artist Program is designed to assist regional (Oregon and Washington based) artists who have minimal to no experience exhibiting and selling their artwork. Artists who are in the early stage of their art career and/or have made a recent career change to art are encouraged to apply. Emerging artists may not have previously participated in more than 2 juried art shows and/or gallery exhibitions. Acceptance to the Emerging Artist Program will be determined by a combination of jury scores and committee review.
Upon acceptance, emerging artists will pay a discounted booth fee of $300 and will exhibit in a 10×10 booth space. Art In The Pearl will provide the canopy. Emerging artists will be responsible for their own display setup. Art In The Pearl will provide a mentor to help guide the emerging artist participant through the details of festival preparation, display, and sales.
– If a booth image is not available, submit an image taken of a grouping of works representative of the works to be exhibited at the show.
Artists may apply to either the Emerging Artist Program or the general show, but they may not apply to both. Art In The Pearl reserves the right to prescreen and research any emerging artist applicant to make sure they conform with the requirements for this category and have the level of experience represented in the application.
Booth Fees and Acceptance of Offer to Exhibit
Notifications will be sent via email April 1, 2025. Selected artists must confirm and pay the booth fee in Zapplication by May 15, 2025. Failure to respond by May 15, 2025 will result in revocation of the invitation and immediate invitation of an alternate from the waitlist. A $45 administration fee will be charged if an artist withdraws after having submitted booth payment. The applicant is responsible for keeping their contact information current on their Zapplication profile. Please see the detailed refund policy in General Rules and Regulations.
Booth Fee:
10 wide x 10 deep – $650
15 wide x 10 deep – $1055
20 wide x 10 deep – $1295
Emerging Artist Program 10 wide x 10 deep – $300.
Sales
Art In The Pearl is a nonprofit organization that receives no commission on the sales of artwork. Artists keep all proceeds. There is no sales tax in Oregon.
Admission
Our extensive marketing program is directed towards a diverse population from the Portland metro area, as well as a nation wide audience. Admission is free to the public.
Artist Statement
The application requires a description of materials, process, and technique. Please describe your work and process, not your philosophy or inspiration. This statement (to be posted in your booth) is part of our mission to educate the public.
Awards
Three Best of Show awards are given to artists for outstanding work. Award winners are invited to return in their awarded category the following year. The artists will be featured on the Art In The Pearl website and social media platforms.
Media Categories
Media categories are used by Art In The Pearl as a tool for organizing artistsʼ images into logical, related groups for the juryʼs review. While a balanced show that equitably showcases both works of fine art and craft, as well as diversity among media is a principal objective, Art In The Pearl establishes no quota or entitlement by media category.
2-D Mixed Media: includes any combination of a variety of materials used to create an original work of art that is by design to be displayed on walls with a one-sided orientation.
3-D Mixed Media: incorporates more than one type of physical material to form an original work of art visible from 360 degrees.
Ceramics: all original clay work other than jewelry is accepted in this category. No machine-made or mass produced work is permitted. Work produced from commercial molds is not acceptable. No more than 15% of display may consist of slip cast work which has been designed by the Artist. If multiple pieces of the same design are displayed, each piece must be signed.
Digital Art: this category includes any original work created solely by the artist utilizing computer technology to craft visual images. Work must be properly signed and numbered as a limited edition, not exceeding 250 per image, using only archival quality materials. Traditional photographs taken through a digital media should apply in the Photography category. No work printed on canvas will be accepted for display at the Festival.
Drawing: compositions that are created by the artistʼs hand using dry media including chalk, charcoal, pastels, pencil, wax crayon, etc. or from the fluid medium of inks and washes applied by pen or brush are to be entered in this category.
Fiber: all work crafted from fibers including basketry, embroidery, weaving, tapestry, leather work, batiking, and papermaking. No machine tooling, machine-screened patterns or other forms of mass production are permitted. All pre-manufactured
wearable items are prohibited, regardless of additional modification or enhancement by the artist. The Fiber Wearable category includes all items that are worn or used for adornment.
Glass: No forms of mass production are permitted. All pre-manufactured items are prohibited, regardless of additional modification or enhancement by the artist.
Jewelry: all jewelry, whether the work is produced from metal, glass, clay, fiber, paper, plastic or other materials, must be entered in this category. Work must be designed, created and executed by the artist. All work displayed must be similar in style, quality and method to the work presented in the artistʼs images. No more than 15% of a piece may consist of commercial findings, and no commercial casts, molds or production studio work is allowed.
Metalwork: original work created through the forging, twisting and fabricating of various metals. No production studio work is allowed.
Painting: original compositions created by the artistʼs hand in oils, acrylics, watercolor etc. are in this category.
Photography: Photographers are encouraged to do their own printing. Photographic prints made from the artist’s original image, which have been processed by that artist are included in this category. Photographers are required to disclose a detailed process description.
***All work must be signed, numbered, and dated in limited editions of no more than 250 per image***
No photographic images printed on canvas are allowed. The photography category includes hand colored, Polaroid transfers, emulsion transfers, etc. Please do not enter such work in the Mixed Media category. Signage of an overtly commercial nature listing the availability of numerous sizes, print surfaces and/or framing options is prohibited.
Printmaking: defined as multiple originals where the artistʼs hand has manipulated the plates, stones, blocks, composite reliefs, or screens. Prints must be properly signed and numbered in limited editions not to exceed 250. Printmakers are required to disclose both their creative and printmaking processes.
Sculpture: three-dimensional original work incorporating any materials that are designed and executed by the artist. Any work that is reproduced must be signed and numbered. No production studio work is permitted.
Wood: original works in wood that are hand-tooled, machine-worked, turned or carved.
Thank you for your interest in Art In The Pearl Fine Arts & Crafts Festival!
BOOTH INFORMATION
Booth Details
Accepted Artists will be allocated a space measuring 10ʼ deep by 10ʼ wide for their display. (A limited number of double wide booths are available.)
Artists are responsible for appropriate insurance, the security of their belongings, and protection of work and display.
Artists are to provide their own display structure appropriate for an outdoor event. Booths must be of sound construction, conform to fire code regulations, and must be capable of withstanding inclement weather.
Artist is responsible for the back, sides, and top of the booth. Please keep your back-storage and back of the booth area neat and covered. Booths must be visually presentable to adjoining booths and must not obstruct or endanger neighboring booths or the general public.
Artists must confine booth structure and all work, boxes, chairs, and other display materials within the allotted exhibit space.
Contracted security will be provided 6:30pm Friday until load-out Monday evening. Art In The Pearl will not be responsible for damage to work or display due to weather or unrelated incidents.
There will be a security fence around the perimeter of the show installed Friday and will remain up through the duration of the event.
If an exhibitor does not have a tent, a local rental company is available for assistance.
Browse bins may occupy no more than 15% of booth space, must be aesthetically pleasing, and may not obstruct traffic flow.
***These requirements will be enforced for reasons of safety and crowd control, at the sole discretion of the Art In The Pearl.
FEES
Upon receipt of an acceptance letter, the selected artist is required to reserve and pay for their booth space through Zapplication by May 15, 2025, if they wish to exhibit.
The following are the booth space fees
10ʼ wide x 10ʼ deep – $650
15′ wide x 10′ deep – $1055
20ʼ wide x 10ʼ deep- $1295
Emerging Artist 10′ x 10′ – $300
Electricity – 600 watts – $95
All space is subject to availability at the time of reservation.
REFUND POLICY
In the event of a cancellation, Art In The Pearl will refund 50% of the booth fees paid in advance if Art In The Pearl receives written notice of cancellation no later than June 30, 2025. No refunds will be made for cancellations after this date. A $45 administration fee will be charged if an artist withdraws after having submitted booth payment. In the event that Art In The Pearl withdraws its invitation to an artist or removes an artist from the show for violating a rule or policy, any prepaid booth fees will not be refunded.
2025 JURORS
Sadé DuBoise, Painter, Portland, OR
Sadé DuBoise was born and raised in Portland, Oregon. She is a painter with a career spanning over seven years, whose work vividly portrays African American women in natural landscapes, blending rich colors and intricate textures. Her portraits explore themes of identity and nature. DuBoise is a recent graduate of the Pacific Northwest College of Art, recently the youngest artist exhibited at the Portland Art Museum’s Black Artists of Oregon Exhibition in 2023-2024, and has been featured on Oregon Art Beat
.
David Giulietti, Jeweler, Berkeley, CA
Never intending to become a jeweler, David studied painting and then moved into sculpture where he got his BFA. Buying a book in a coffee shop, during a post-art school graduation road trip up the California coast, didn’t seem like much at the time, but a copy of “The Complete Metalsmith” sowed the seed for a future as a jewelry artist. Growing his skill set working at a bronze foundry, welding together the cast metal pieces of sculptures, David later moved into a job building metal body guitars for National Resophonic Guitars. While there, a co-worker sold him two gravers (small hand chisels for engraving metal) and David taught himself how to engrave from a book at home in his spare hours. In very little time he was in his garage engraving metal guitar bodies for National and embellishing objects for other musical instrument makers around the country. After a while engraving on other peoples work was interesting but not entirely satisfying. The little jewelry making book supplied the answer. He began to make his own jewelry pieces and engrave them. He now works each day in his Berkeley, California studio creating jewelry pieces of enduring beauty and still finds time to take on engraving commissions for private clients around the world.
Lisa Kattenbraker, Fiber Artist, Olympia, WA
Lisa Telling Kattenbraker is a fiber artist specializing in batik. With over 30 years of experience, she explores traditional methods while expanding the boundaries of the medium. Her work has been exhibited nationally and has garnered awards for excellence in innovation and design over the past 20 years. As a member of the International Batik Guild, she is dedicated to promoting education and awareness of batik while working to preserve and elevate the art form and its rich history for future generations. Lisa resides in Olympia, WA.
Matt Conlon, Ceramicist, Ogden, UT
Matt Conlon creates high-fired porcelain with intricate hand-carved patterns. His work draws influence and technique from both historical and contemporary themes. While many of his forms are inspired by early examples of Korean, Japanese, and Chinese ceramics, the patterns and imagery reflect the simple, elegant structure and color theory found in Art Deco and Mid-Century artwork.
Born and raised in Perry, Utah, Matt gained early inspiration from watching his family members work with metal, wood, painting, and drawing. Although none of his family had formal education in the arts, their creativity and craftsmanship made a lasting and profound impact on him. As a result, Matt began working with many of the same mediums as a child, ultimately discovering his love for ceramics in high school. Matt has been working with clay since 1999. He received his Associate’s degree from Utah Tech University in 2008 and his BFA in ceramics and secondary art education from Utah State University in 2012. After graduating, he taught ceramics at DaVinci Academy of Science and the Arts from 2011 to 2022. He currently lives in Ogden, Utah, with his wife and children, where he runs a studio production in their home studio.
Matt’s artwork has been featured in publications such as 500 Prints on Clay and 500 Teapots Vol. 2. He has won numerous awards while participating in art festivals throughout the country, including Best in Show at the Kimball Art Festival in 2021, Tempe Festival of the Arts in 2023, and Boise Art Museum in 2023. His work is showcased in several galleries and permanent collections throughout the country. He has received national awards, including the Award of Merit in the National K-12 Exhibition in 2004 and 3rd place in the National Undergraduate Exhibition in 2012. Additionally, he exhibits his work in twelve to fifteen juried shows per year.
Teri Sund, Gallerist, Astoria, OR
Teri Sund began her professional career in visual arts some 40 years ago. She graduated with a degree in fine art from Western Washington University, which included study of art history in Greece and Turkey as well as an internship at Whatcom Museum of History and Art, in Bellingham, WA. She has held numerous positions working in visual arts for both profit and nonprofit venues, including management of the cooperatively owned Northwest Woodworkers Gallery in Seattle, the White Bird Gallery in Cannon Beach, Director to the Royal Nebeker Gallery of Clatsop Community College, and Exhibition Director to RiverSea Gallery before opening Imogen Gallery in historic Astoria, Oregon in 2012. Sund has enjoyed working with artists of all career levels and is dedicated to continued support towards a strong and vibrant art community.
Art In The Pearl is a nonprofit organization that receives no commission on the sales of artwork. Artists keep all proceeds. There is no sales tax in Oregon.
Thank you for your interest in Art In The Pearl Fine Arts & Crafts Festival!
If you have further questions you may contact us at [email protected] or call us at (503) 512-9071.