EAST LANSING, Mich. — The East Lansing Art Festival (ELAF) has officially issued its call to artists and emerging artists* for the 55th Annual ELAF, taking place this year on Saturday, May 19 and Sunday, May 20 in downtown East Lansing.
Artist and emerging artist applications for the 2018 festival will be accepted until January 31, 2018. Artists can apply at www.zapplication.org, a universal online application for art shows across the United States. Artists must submit their online application, four images of their work and one image of their booth by Jan. 31 for consideration. Emerging artists must submit their online application and five images of their work by Jan. 31 for consideration. There is a $35 online application fee.
All applications will be reviewed by a selection committee made up of art experts for possible inclusion in the 2018 festival. Selection will be based upon quality, creativity, design, technical competence and presentation. Selected artists will be invited to exhibit their work among other talented artist exhibitors from across the continent at the 2018 event. The following media will be accepted: printmaking, painting, drawing, photography, digital art, 2-D and 3-D mixed media, sculpture, function and non-functional ceramics, metal, glass, wood, wearable fiber, non-wearable fiber, precious jewelry, non-precious jewelry and leather. Accepted artists must have original work for sale and must be onsite the entire weekend of the festival. No representatives, brokers, imports or commercially-made items are permitted.
The ELAF is one of the region’s premier festivals. The festival was recently ranked 38th in the country in “Sunshine Artist” magazine’s list of the “200 Best” art fairs and festivals. This ranking is based upon artist responses regarding art sales at the festival. In essence, the top-selling festivals make it into the national standings.
The ELAF is held annually each May in downtown East Lansing. The two-day event draws an estimated crowd of approximately 70,000 visitors with its showcase of approximately 175 artist exhibitors, live music, an international food court, a children’s activities area and more. Visit www.elartfest.com to learn more about this nationally recognized festival.
Artists with questions about the application process can contact the East Lansing Art Festival office at (517) 319-6804 or info@elartfest.com.
*Emerging artists must not have exhibited at a fine art fair prior to applying to or participating in this event and must sign an affidavit confirming this status. Emerging artists can be affiliated with a college-level art program, or recently graduated from a college-level art program or may be self taught. This program is meant to foster the next generation of exhibiting artists by creating an opportunity for NEW artists to participate in a Fine Art show. Selected emerging artists are provided with shared booth space at the festival. The $340 booth fee is waived by the festival. The Emerging Artist Program is designed to provide exposure to talented, up-and-coming artists.