Competitions & Contests

52nd Annual Members Outdoor Fine Art & Fine Craft Show (all applicants)

Entry Dates 2025-03-03T16:00:00+00:00 - 2024-10-08T00:00:00+00:00 118 Days Left

Description

52nd Annual Members Outdoor Fine Art & Fine Craft Show
All Applicants:This call is open to all RAL Member Artists. Membership must be current from the time of this registration through the dates of the event. For membership information, new or renewal click here.
Deadline for Submission: March 3, 2025 (4pm).Notification to Artists: Tuesday, April 1, 2025.
EVENT DETAILS:
When: August 2-3 and 9-10, 2025
Where: The Rehoboth Art League Campus
Times: Saturdays: 10:00am-5:00pm, and Sundays: 10:00am-4:00pm
Rain or Shine!
Registration Fee: $25.00 (Registration fee is non-refundable).

Located in the Delaware Beach resort area, the Rehoboth Art League’s (RAL) two-weekend Annual Outdoor Fine Art and Fine Craft Show draws local discerning collectors as well as those from the Baltimore-Washington, Philadelphia, and New York City areas. The historic campus of over 3.5 acres draws over eight thousand patrons for the event. Many are returning patrons eager to see their favorite artist’s new works. Adult attendees pay a $5 entry fee which is valid for both days of a single weekend. The event is free for children 12 and under. Advertisements are placed in regional magazines, newspapers, and on radio. Direct mail, social media, Chambers of Commerce, and Tourism event calendars feature the show as a signature event in the Coastal Delaware region. Our 2024 Outdoor Show made Sunshine Artist Magazine's Top 200 Best Shows in America list for art and design coming in at #68. The Art League is within walking distance of the beach and downtown Rehoboth. Artist booths are set up throughout the unique wooded property creating a welcoming atmosphere for art patrons to view the best in fine art and fine crafts.

IMPORTANT DATES:
Artist submission deadline (online): March 3, 2025 (4pm)
Acceptance notification (by email): by April 1, 2025
Booth fee due: May 1, 2025
Weekend One dates: August 2-3 (Early Artist Set-up is July 31 and August 1)
Weekend Two dates: August 9-10 (Early Set-up August 7-8)
Late Breakdown: Monday, August 11, 10:00am-4:00pm

PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION CAREFULLY AS RULES AND PROCEDURES HAVE CHANGED:

ALL ARTISTS, both new and returning, must submit images and go through the jurying process each year. RAL MEMBERSHIP MUST BE CURRENT to participate.

ACCEPTABLE WORK: Only ORIGINAL fine art and fine crafts are eligible. All works must be created by the artist and all work must be for sale. All work displayed must be of the same or better quality than the work submitted for the jury process.

JURY AND SUBMISSION PROCESS:
All mediums are juried separately. Artists may only exhibit artwork in the medium for which they are juried in. Artists who wish to exhibit multiple mediums must apply separately for each medium. All art must be 100% created by the artist. Machine-made or mass-produced work is not permitted. All jury decisions are confidential and final. Each application package must consist of a total of five images: four (4) of your work, and one (1) of your booth and display. Decisions of the jury are based on the quality, uniqueness, consistency, and professionalism of the artwork and display. Your booth image will affect your jury score. Invitations are extended based on jury score, regardless of category. The jury process is blind and is viewed by the jurors via a computer monitor and applications are sorted and viewed in random order. 
Collaborating Artists:“Collaborating artists” is defined as two (2) artists that work together on any one piece of art. If two artists collaborate, it is regarded as one joint entry. If accepted, all work exhibited must be collaborative. Both artists will be required to be present at the show.Multiple Categories:If you wish to apply in more than one medium, a separate application fee and a different set of images must be submitted for each additional category. Artists may submit as many applications as they want. Artists are not permitted to bring any artwork in a second medium unless they are accepted in that second medium. NO EXCEPTIONS.

BOOTH SPACE:
11’ x 11’ booth space: 11’ x 11’ spaces to accommodate a 10' x 10' tent are located throughout the property. All tents must be WHITE. No canopies are permitted in the tent area. One tent is permitted per space. All tents must be WELL anchored. The Rehoboth Art League is an historic property. Artists may not make any changes to the landscape, including trimming or cutting branches, without the consent of the RAL Executive Director. Keep in mind that if your tent is exceptionally TALL, it may be OBSTRUCTED BY FOLIAGE. Artists may not extend beyond their 11' x 11' booth allocation. A $150 fine will be charged to artists who extend their display beyond their allotted 11 x 11" space. If an artist does not comply to keep their display within the allotted 11 x 11' space, they may be asked to leave the event. All booths and displays should be well secured in place by weights. The show is rain or shine. Be prepared for weather. Uneven campus topography makes it imperative to bring items with which to level your booth and displays.

BRANDING / SIGNAGE:
Artists are allowed signage inside their booths. Signage must be similar to what is submitted for jurying. Signage on the outside of an artist's tent (i.e., the artist's name, logo, or name of business) can ONLY be in black and white. Free-standing signage such as banners, yard signs, or any type of signage that attaches to the tent is NOT PERMITTED.

ARTIST BOOTH ASSIGNMENT:
RAL does NOT guarantee the same booth placement as previous years but will take requests for specific accommodations under consideration. There will be NO BOOTH CHANGES once booth assignments have been provided to artists. If space is available, artists may request a double booth space. Artists participating in both weekends will be assigned first.
FEES AND PAYMENTS:
Application Fee: Twenty-five dollars ($25.00) non-refundable application fee must be paid to start your application submission.
Booth Fee (if accepted): $450 for one weekend / $800 for both weekends. Payment is due May 1, 2025.
Fee Refunds: No refunds will be given after May 15, 2025. Refunds will be given prior to this date minus a twenty-five dollar ($25) administrative return fee.
SET UP & BREAKDOWN:
Participating artists can set up the Thursday or Friday before the show weekend (between 10am and 4pm) and tear down the Monday after the show weekend. Artists who show both weekends may keep their tent and display material up between the weekends during the week. With the exception of one-weekend-only artists wishing to breakdown their tents on the Monday after the first weekend (the first Sunday after the show is also a breakdown option), or tents damaged by inclement weather, artists are asked to not hang around their tents on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday between the show weekends. For safety concerns artists are NOT TO BRING THEIR VEHICLES ONTO THE RAL CAMPUS UNTIL ALL PATRONS HAVE LEFT THE PROPERTY at the end of each show day. Barricades will be in place at the entrances and RAL staff will signal when vehicles can enter the property. Artists MUST COMPLETELY BREAK DOWN AND BE PACKED UP BEFORE BRINGING VEHICLES ONTO THE PROPERTY to load up.

PARKING:
Artists receive a free parking permit with a guaranteed parking spot for each weekend (Saturday/Sunday) in the show. The Town of Henlopen Acres in which the Rehoboth Art League is located is a small community with limited parking. We provide parking to our participating artists in order to guarantee parking for our artists and to maximize available parking for show patrons. Parking assignments are given at artist check-in.

ARTIST AMMENITES:An artist Comfort Station is available in the RAL Children's Studio, which offers free water, air conditioning, and a restroom for PARTICIPATING ARTISTS ONLY. Complementary breakfast items and coffee are provided to artists each show morning from 8:30 to 10:00am in the Comfort Station. An artists' reception is held each Saturday of show weekends from 5 to 6:30pm.
ART SALES:
Artists are responsible for processing their own sales transactions. The Rehoboth Art League does not provide sales books or wrapping materials for artist sales. RAL provides access to Wi-Fi for participating artists.

SHOW POLICIES:
PLEASE READ CAREFULLY 
Below are rules and regulations of the 2025 Outdoor Fine Art and Fine Craft Show:

RAL expects a level of professionalism from artists that participate in the Outdoor Show. Any artist who berates the RAL staff, volunteers, or other artists or who uses offensive and vulgar language will not be tolerated. You will be asked to leave the grounds immediately and you WILL NOT be allowed to participate in the Outdoor Show again.Artists MUST be present on all days of the Show from the opening to the closing. No commercial dealers, agents, friends, or relatives are permitted to represent the artist. The Show reserves the right to close or remove any booth in which the artist is not present. Only one exhibitor is allowed per space.
The show is held rain or shine. You are responsible for your booth and its contents. Be prepared to protect your artwork and display in the event of bad weather. Make sure your booth is well secured.
The Rehoboth Art League is not responsible for damage to artwork or display materials due to weather or unrelated incidents. Artists store art and materials at their own risk.
No smoking/vaping is permitted on the Art League campus, parking lot, or in any buildings/structures.
Applicants must be current members in good standing with the Rehoboth Art League.
Works must be original and conceived, designed, and executed by the exhibitor. No commercially produced or kit items are permitted.
Giclée prints must be identified as such, and be limited (numbered and signed) with an emphasis on original work.
Photography reproduced on commercial and functional items such as tote bags, mugs, pillows, and clothing is strictly prohibited. Only 2D photography is allowed.
Artists misrepresenting themselves from what they submitted will be asked to break down their tent and leave immediately.
Booth areas must be free of clutter and garbage on all sides of the tent and artwork must be displayed in a professional manner.
Artists are encouraged to set up in advance of the show weekend. ARTISTS ARE STRICTLY PROHIBITED FROM ENTERING THE RAL GROUNDS PRIOR TO 8:30AM ON THE SATURDAY OR SUNDAY OF THE SHOW WEEKEND. IN FACT, THIS IS SO IMPORTANT THAT ANY ARTIST VIOLATING THIS RULE WILL BE DOCUMENTED AND WILL RESULT IN BEING BANNED FROM ALL FUTURE SHOWS.ALL VEHICLES MUST BE MOVED OFF RAL PROPERTY BY 9:30AM ON EACH SHOW DAY.
Parking guidelines are strictly adhered to in the town of Henlopen Acres. Artists are provided with a parking permit and MUST park in their designated space or risk towing or fines.
Due to limited space and maneuverability, artists MUST unload trailers/vehicles then remove their vehicles before setting up and completely tear down before retrieving vehicles at the end of the Show.
Displays must be professional in appearance.
Artists are responsible for picking up trash around their display area.
Boxes, supplies, extra artwork, etc. must be put away and kept out of sight.
Exhibitors may not display ribbons, awards, or prizes received at previous shows.
Artists who misrepresent their work will be dismissed from the show and forfeit all fees.Artists may not sleep in their tents overnight.

Any breach of the above policies forfeits all rights of the artist and will result in immediate removal from the show without a refund and/or possible exclusion from future shows.
SAFETY:
The Rehoboth Art League follows local and CDC COVID guidelines for operating. Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are real dangers during the August Outdoor Show. Please come prepared with plenty of cold water, ice in a cooler, and take breaks in the shade to avoid overexposure to the summer heat when setting up, during the show, and for breakdown.
APPLICATION / SUBMISSIONS:
This call is set up so that you first register and pay the $25.00 fee prior to uploading your images. For all applicants to the Outdoor Show, your total submission must consist of five images: four (4) images of your work, and one (1) image of your booth and display. All works must be created within the past two (2) years.  PLEASE NOTE THAT YOU WILL BE ASKED TO SUBMIT ONE (1) APPLICATION. After uploading your first image, select "ADD ATTACHMENT" to upload the remainder of the required images. Do not submit a separate application for each image. If your first image is of your booth, simply type your medium, and then 'booth'. After that, press "Add Attachment" to upload the other four images.

Images submitted must be less than 4 MB (each) in size. All images must be of high quality to best represent your work as images are used by RAL for promotional purposes. Upon submission, you will receive an email confirming receipt of your application. You may re-enter the call until the deadline to delete, change, and/or edit your submissions. Check out this instructional video to resize larger images using both Mac and Windows operating systems.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
DO NOT submit booth images with any identifiable sign or photo of the artist or artist information. (This is a blind jury and points will be deducted for failing to follow this direction).DO NOT submit a virtual (3D rendered) booth image. Virtual booth images will not be accepted and your application will not be considered. Failure to comply will be considered a sufficient reason for disqualification.Poor-quality images will affect the jurors' scores.

WAITLIST:
A waitlist will be developed based on jury scores. Artists placed on the waitlist will be notified as cancellations are received. Should you be placed on the waitlist, you will be given the opportunity to accept or decline the invitation to exhibit if or when an opening arises.

Contact Jenny Morningstar, Events and Outreach Manager at jenny@rehobothartleague.org or 302-227-8408 ext. 206 with any submission-related questions or issues.

BY SUBMITTING YOUR APPLICATION, YOU AGREE TO THE ABOVE TERMS AND CONDITIONS
RAL will monitor compliance with these rules during the show. Any artists not complying may be asked to leave the show with no refund. Artists understand it is the discretion of the RAL to modify show policies at any time.