Welcome to the Eighth Annual Portland Fine Craft Show! This private page is your guide for all of the dates, deadlines, and aspects of the event. The guide will be updated throughout the spring/summer as more is finalized. All exhibitors are responsible for reading this guide to understand all the show policies and details.
Thank you for joining us!
SHOW DESCRIPTION
The Portland Fine Craft Show is free and open to the public and features exhibitors from Maine and the Northeast exhibiting fine craft in the following media categories: basketry, ceramics, fiber decorative, fiber wearable, furniture, glass, jewelry, leather, metal, mixed media, paper, printmaking, stone, and wood, as well as outreach booths featuring New England arts organizations, schools, and guilds by special invitation. Starting in 2015 The Portland Fine Craft Show remains one of the only Maine craft shows open to artists not living in Maine, is well-organized, with a reputation for high quality and high attendance.
SHOW PRODUCER
The 2023 8th Annual Portland Fine Craft Show is produced by Shop Maine Craft.
Shop Maine Craft is a hub of craft artist resources, retail sales, fine craft shows, and special events designed to support Maine’s creative economy by creating income opportunities for craft artists. Shop Maine Craft profits from sales and events that directly support individual craft artists, as well as, the Maine Crafts Association, a non-profit organization serving Maine artists, their studio practices, businesses, and community since 1983.
Shop Maine Craft is a c-corporation created through the restructuring of the Maine Crafts Association completed in 2022. The Maine Crafts Association a 501(c)(3) established in 1983 continues to offer craft-based educational, community-building, and outreach programs to its members and the larger community. Shop Maine Craft now manages the programs, developed by the MCA, which directly focus on shopping: two galleries, several shows & markets, and the webshop.
SHOW STAFF CONTACT INFORMATION
Show Director:
Simonne Feeney
simonne@shopmainecraft.com
207-805-4918
SHOW DATE AND HOURS
Saturday, August 26, 2023, from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Rain or Shine
SHOW LOCATION
Free Street Parking Lot, 120 Free Street, Portland, ME 04101, otherwise known as the Show Zone.
2023 SPONSORS & PARTNERS
Want to know about sponsoring the show and the sponsorship benefits?
Contact Simonne@ShopMaineCraft.com
Booth fees are due by March 24, 2023 and will confirm your place in the show. You must let SMC know by March 24 if you plan to exhibit. Your payment confirms your place. In years past you would receive a PayPal invoice for this fee. For 2023 you will register and pay, using the link below.
BOOTH POLICIES:
PLEASE NOTE THERE ARE MORE RULES AND GUIDELINES TO FOLLOW, SEE BELOW
1. Standard 10×10 Ez-up (or equivalent) tents are required.
2. Proper Tent Weights are REQUIRED! Must be attached to tent poles and of substantial weight-the standard is 40lbs at each corner. We will not be weighing your weights but will insist that your weights are heavy enough to firmly ground your tent and that the weights are properly attached to the tent poles. If you’re in the market for tent weights, we suggest PVC pipe, end caps, big eye bolts, and concrete. If you arrive without tent weights you will not be allowed to set up with no refunds issued.
3. No tarps are allowed, tent side flaps that came with the tent are acceptable
4. No electricity or WiFi is available
5. Exhibitors must adhere to ONLY bringing the craft media they juried with and accepted craft media.
MCA PROFESSIONAL MEMBER BOOTH FEES
MCA Member Single Booth 10×10 in-line fee: $195.00
MCA Member Double Booth 10×20 in-line fee: $360.00
MCA Member Triple Booth 10×30 in-line fee: $540.00
+$50.00 charge for corner booth
NON-MEMBER BOOTH FEES
Non-Member Single Booth 10×10 in-line fee: $225.00
Non-Member Double Booth 10×20 in-line fee: $420.00
Non-Member Triple Booth 10×30 in-line fee: $630.00
+$50.00 charge for corner booth
CANCELLATION/REFUND POLICY:
- 90 days or more prior to the event (Sunday, May 28th): Full refund less $25
- 31-89 days prior to the event (Monday, May 29 – Wednesday, July 26): 50% refund
- 30 or fewer days prior to the event (Thursday, July 27): No refunds
EXHIBITOR RULES & REGULATIONS
1. Exhibitors must be present at the show for all show hours and must be wearing exhibitor badges in lanyard/holders provided at load-in. Your badge also doubles as a day of show exhibitors’ guide.
2. Partner exhibitors may be represented by one member of the partnership.
3. Exhibitors must set up within the allotted time frame of 6:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. set-up.
4. Exhibitors must move vehicles from the show zone to a parking lot by 9:15 a.m. Exhibitors must be ready by 10 am for attendees.
5. Only the following media categories may be exhibited: baskets, ceramics, fiber, furniture, glass, jewelry, leather, metal, mixed media, paper, printmaking (hand printed using analog techniques only), stone, and wood. The following Media/Products may not be exhibited: specialty foods, personal care, candles, books, CDs/DVDs, cards, 2D fine art, photography, flower arrangements, buy-sell items, or any products made from commercially available kits.
6. As a reminder, you were juried based on the work used in your application and the media category you selected. You must adhere to bringing only this type of work with you. As an example, if you applied in the ceramic media category, please do not bring jewelry work, wood, etc. If you have questions about the accepted media and or media you wish to bring please contact the Show Director at Simonne@ShopMaineCraft.com
7. Standard 10×10 Ez-up (or equivalent) tents are required.
8. Proper Tent Weights are REQUIRED! Must be attached to tent poles and of substantial weight-the standard is 40lbs at each corner. We will not be weighing your weights but will insist that your weights are heavy enough to firmly ground your tent and that the weights are properly attached to the tent poles. If you’re in the market for tent weights, we suggest PVC pipe, end caps, big eye bolts, and concrete. If you arrive without tent weights you will not be allowed to set up with no refunds issued.
9. No tarps are allowed, tent side flaps that came with the tent are acceptable
10. No electricity or WiFi is available
11. Exhibitors must load out between 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. and adhere to a pack-in-place period from 5:00 pm – 5:30 pm.
12. Exhibitors must fill out a Hold Harmless Agreement by the deadline.
13. Exhibitors must fill out the Exhibitor Load in Sign Up Form by the deadline.
ME STATE SALES TAX ID
Pre-show: If you are not already collecting ME state sales tax, REGISTER your Business
During the show: charge 5.5% on all your sales
Post-show: File / Pay sales Tax
For more info at https://portal.maine.gov/salestax/
Maine Revenue Services Contact Info:
(207) 624-9693 or email sales.tax@maine.gov
LIABILITY AND INSURANCE
Exhibitors display all work at their own risk and should carry appropriate insurance. Exhibitors are urged to carry ALL-RISK INSURANCE to protect against damage, loss, and all other hazards, from the time the materials leave their place of origin until they are returned after the show. Riders can usually be added to existing policies to get the needed coverage.
SALES EXCHANGE/REFUND POLICIES
SMC recommends that exhibitors post their refund, return, and exchange policies in their booths. It is not sufficient to have the policy printed on sales receipts as the receipt is received post-sale.
COVID-19 SAFETY/ MASK + FACE COVERINGS POLICY
At this time, the State of Maine is not requiring masks and face coverings for outdoor events. This section will be updated if there is a change and exhibitors will be required to follow any updates accordingly.
BADGES
Shop Maine Craft provides all exhibitors with name tag badges and a mini-show guide at load-in; these must be worn throughout the show. The mini show guide has show staff contact information, and the itinerary.
MEMBER SIGNS
A reminder to MCA Professional Level members- Bring your member sign to display in your booth. If you are an MCA member at the Professional Level and have not received your sign, email simonne@mainecrafts.org. Additionally, you can pick one up during the show at the SMC info booth.
SHOW AWARDS
Three exhibitors will be selected during the show for show awards, to be announced by social media. Be sure to follow the SMC on Instagram @ShopMaineCraft
Awards for Best Booth Design and Best of Show will be juried by the 2023 Show Awards Juror and announced during the day via social media.
The People’s Choice Award will be selected from visitor ballots throughout the day and announced at 4 p.m. via social media.
About the 2023 Awards Juror: Ramey Mize, Assistant Curator of American Art at the Portland Museum of Art.
Ramey Mize- Assistant curator of American art at the Portland Museum of Art
Specializes in art of the Americas from the nineteenth century to the present day, with a focus on cultural exchange, expressions of place, and the intersections between U.S. and Indigenous art. Her curatorial practice is dedicated to expanding the field, notably through the reinstallation project Passages in American Art (2023). Before joining the PMA, Mize was the Lois and Arthur Stainman Research Assistant in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s American Wing, where she supported the exhibition Winslow Homer: Crosscurrents (2022). Previously, she held curatorial positions at the Colby College Museum of Art, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts.
COFFEE-
Coffee will be available for purchase from the Vagabond Coffee Truck
WATER-
We will provide roving and stationary water carts to refill water bottles. Please help eliminate the use of throwaway plastic bottles by bringing a container for drinking water.
LUNCH- Starting at 11:00 AM
A brown bag lunch from City Deli will be provided for all exhibitors. Sandwiches will have a few meat options and a vegetarian/vegan option. Please note we cannot provide gluten free options at this time and can only provide lunches to juried artists and not assistants.
CELL PHONE CHARGING STATION
The Shop Maine Craft info booth is located behind the Dogfish Bar and Grille, in the center of the show. SMC will provide battery-powered cell phone chargers at the Info Booth for exhibitor use. The use of these chargers is limited and comes on a first come first serve basis.
BATHROOMS
The show provides Porta-Potties, located at both ends of the show zone.
BOOTH SITTERS
SMC volunteers are on-hand for booth sitting. A cell phone number to a coordinator will also be provided for the day of the event for sitter requests, inside of your exhibitor badge.
This an opportunity for those who need a professional booth image for juried show applications (like this show!) or for those who would like to update their existing image.
While not having a booth image does not necessarily prevent your acceptance into this show, the jurors are instructed to score for professional presentation, so you will need an image for the years to come.
For 2023 we have invited Bret Woodard of Hey Tomorrow Photography to join us at the show for those exhibitors who would like to take advantage of this opportunity.
- Images are $50.00 a piece. Exhibitors will pay the photographer directly. Payment is due when you receive the images.
- Each exhibitor will receive a 20 minute time slot with the photographer. These time slots are for booth shot images only! Exhibitors looking for more detailed product shots must connect with the photographer for another time.
- Exhibitors MUST sign up using the form below by August 14th, no exceptions. The photographer will only be taking images for those who sign up in advance.
- While the show is rain or shine, this opportunity is not! If it is rainy weather, we will need to cancel with the photographer.
ITINERARY
FRIDAY, August 25th:
6:00 pm – 8:30 pm- Advanced day load in for booth materials only. Please see the Load In/Out section below.
SATURDAY, August 26th:
6:00 am – 10:00 am – Check in with SMC staff members and load in to the show zone. Upon arrival, you will receive your exhibitor badge, which will have your day of information and itinerary. Badges must be worn by exhibitors.
9:15 am – vehicles must be removed from the show zone at this time.
10:00 am – 5:00 pm – Show is open to the public.
11:00 am – Exhibitor lunches delivered.
4:00 pm – Show awards are announced via social media and show evaluation forms are due. A show volunteer will be collecting these forms at this time, please have them filled out by 4:00 pm.
5:00 pm – Show closes.
5:00 pm – 5:30 pm- Pack in place period, no exceptions.
5:00 pm – 8:00 pm – Exhibitor loadout from the show zone.
LOCATION: 120 Free St. Portland, ME, 04101
- When pulling up to the show zone on Free Street, exhibitors need to stop and follow the directions of SMC Staff / Volunteers. Look for the electric blue t-shirts!
- If your booth is close to Free Street (example booth # 807-808/ 1407-1408) you may be asked to pull into a reserved parking space directly adjacent to the show zone. Please let us know if this is not possible for your booth set up on the load in sign up form below.
- If you would like to use the advanced day load in, please see the specific required guidelines below.
- While we do have your booth number, it is important for you to have this information on hand to help show volunteers direct you through the show zone.
ADVANCED DAY LOAD IN
Friday, August 25th 2023: 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
To assist with load and day of show zone traffic SMC is offering an additional advanced day load-in time, the night prior. The lot will be monitored by security staff throughout the night.
PLEASE NOTE: This load in time is for BOOTH DISPLAY MATERIALS ONLY! Exhibitors using this time are not allowed to bring any craft objects, work or technology to leave overnight in the show zone. If you are taking advantage of this advanced day load in time, you are required to set up your tent with the required tent weights and your materials must be enclosed in your booth space, with closed tent walls. No materials of your booth should be visible after attaching tent walls.
There will be security officers guarding the show zone overnight, this does not mean it is safe to leave anything but booth and display materials in your booth space. These officers have been instructed to not allow anyone in the lot during this time, including artists, as you receive your exhibitor badges during morning load in on Saturday, August 26th and will be indistinguishable from the public at this time.
DAY OF LOAD-IN:
Saturday, August 26th 2023: 6:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
All vehicles must be removed from the show zone by 9:15 a.m.
The show starts at 10:00 a.m. and is open to the public till 5:00 p.m.
LOAD-OUT:
Saturday, August 26th, 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m
All exhibitors must adhere to a 30-minute pack-in-place period up until 5:30 pm. No vehicles will be allowed to enter the lot during this time.
EXHIBITOR PARKING
Please use the following lots and garages that are closest to the Free Street Parking Lot.
Midtown Lot: 44 Free St. In view of the show zone!
Spring Street Garage: 45 Spring St.
Gateway Garage: 181 High St.
One City Center Garage: 1 City Center
We will continue to accommodate trailer and large vehicle parking, but no longer in the show zone. Our trailer parking will now be located at the address below with a shuttle service.
Running with Scissors Artist Studio: 250 Anderson St. Portland, ME
This location is not walkable to the show zone (in a timely manner) which is why there is a shuttle service!
To use this service exhibitors must:
1) Fill out the sign up form by Tuesday the 22nd at NOON
2) Understand that you need to move your trailer and be at the lot for pick up at 9:15 AM sharp! The volunteer will have a list with your names please take in travel time consideration as there is one shuttle for all using this service.
3) Understand that you need to be at the SMC Information booth (located behind the Dogfish Bar & Grille building at 5:15 sharp for pick up and shuttle to the lot.
4) Understand that your trailers cannot be left for overnight or longer than the show is open and can only be parked in the designated spaces.
PRINTED MARKETING MATERIALS
Posters + Postcards can be picked up at either of our retail gallery locations OR we can mail them to you. Please reach out to Simonne@ShopMaineCraft.com if you need to make shipping arrangements.
MAINE CRAFT PORTLAND CENTER FOR MAINE CRAFT
521 Congress St. 24 Service Plaza Dr
Portland, ME 04101 West Gardiner, ME 04345
SMC FACEBOOK AND INSTAGRAM
The SMC will be featuring the show on Facebook and Instagram before and throughout the show. Be sure you are following us and please promote the show through your social media networks!
Account: @shopmainecraft
Hashtags to use: #shopmainecraft #portlandfinecraftshow #portlandfinecraftshow2023
SHOW GUIDE MAP + LISTINGS
In partnership with the West End News (WEN), a local paper serving the Greater Portland area including South Portland, Falmouth, Scarborough, Westbrook, and Brunswick, we have printed a four-page color Show Guide Map. The Show Guide will be an insert in the August edition of West End News (8,500 copies distributed) and will be distributed as a stand-alone piece to show visitors. Additionally, the Show Guide Map will be added to the Maine Sunday Telegram for the first Sunday of August. The Show Guide Map serves as both marketing prior to the event and the show program the day of the event with the show layout and vendors listed with their booth numbers.
ARTIST AD SPACE AVAILABLE ON THE SHOW GUIDE
Exhibitors have the opportunity to place ads on the Show Guide Map. Follow the link below for an example of ad placement and sizing. Please contact Simonne@ShopMaineCraft.com if you would like to be connected with the staff at the West End News for additional front and or back-page ad placement and pricing.
SPACE/COSTS AVAILABLE – Please see pages two and three of the template below.
– 4 Top Horizontal Banner Ads | 4.83″ wide x 2.36″ tall | $150.00
– 4 Verticle Ads | 2.36″ wide x 4.62″ tall| $125.00
– 4 Bottom Horiztona Bannerl Ads | 4.8″ wide x 2.3″ tall | $150.00
All ad design, copy, and payment are due to the West End News by June 30.
WATER BOTTLE
We will provide roving and stationary water carts to refill water bottles. Please help eliminate the use of throwaway plastic bottles by bringing a container for drinking water.
THERMOS FOR COFFEE/TEA
Please help eliminate the use of coffee cups by bringing a thermos.
TENT + TENT WEIGHTS REQUIRED
Each exhibitor must bring a 10 x 10 ft EZ-up style or equivalent tent plus tent weights. Weights must be attached to each tent leg, 40lbs each leg recommended (please see show rules and policies, this is a requirement!)
TAPE + CLIPS FOR YOUR EXHIBITOR SIGN
An exhibitors sign will be provided by SMC to help the public vote for you for peoples choice, for our Show Awards Juror to make their selections, and for the booth shot photographer to locate your booths.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS TO THE SHOW ZONE:
SHOW ZONE TRAFFIC FLOW:
NEW DRIVING INSTRUCTIONS DUE TO FREE STREET CONSTRUCTION PROJECT:
As there is a construction project at the entrance of Free St. you will be unable to use this road to reach the show zone.
To access the show zone, please take Congress St. coming from either direction and take Oak St to turn right onto Free St. This will take you in front of the show zone where you will be able to enter the lot. A staff member or volunteer will be there to direct you prior to entering the lot, please check in with show staff.
