EAST LANSING, Mich. — The artist and emerging artist application deadline for the 52nd Annual East Lansing Art Festival (ELAF) is fast approaching. Artists and emerging artists interested in exhibiting at the 2015 festival must submit their application by Jan. 31, 2015.
The 2015 ELAF will take place Saturday, May 16 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sunday, May 17 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. The festival annually welcomes more than 200 talented artists from across the United States and Canada to the streets of downtown East Lansing. Rated one of the top art festivals in the country, the East Lansing Art Festival draws an estimated attendance of 70,000 people.
In addition to artist exhibitors, the festival features an Emerging Artist Program, free musical performances, an international-style food court and a hands-on art activities area for children. A qualified on-site jury awards exhibiting artists with cash awards, totaling an estimated $10,000.
ARTIST APPLICATION INFORMATIONArtists and emerging artists interested in participating in the 52nd Annual ELAF can showcase the following accepted media at the event: paintings, printmaking, drawings, photography, digital art, 2-D and 3-D mixed media, sculptures, functional and non-functional ceramics, metalsmithing, glass, wood, fibers, jewelry and leather.
Three images of an artist’s work and one image of an artist’s booth must be submitted with an artist application by Jan. 31, 2015 for consideration. Applications will be reviewed by a panel of art experts for inclusion in the festival after the application deadline.
Artists must apply online through Zapplication, www.zapplication.org, a universal online application for art shows across the United States. The application fee is $35. Accepted artists must have original work for sale and must be on site the entire weekend of the festival. No representatives, brokers, imports or commercially-made items or forms are permitted. The artist booth fee is $325.
EMERGING ARTIST APPLICATION INFORMATIONEligibility for the Emerging Artist Program requires applicants to be currently enrolled in, recently graduated from or affiliated (within 2-3 years) with a university, college or art school; or, a new exhibiting artist. All emerging artist applicants will be reviewed and selected by a panel of art experts.
Selection will be based upon quality, creativity, design, technical competence and presentation. The East Lansing Art Festival will waive the $325 booth fee for all emerging artists.
Artists interested in applying to the Emerging Artist Program must submit an application and four images of their work by Jan. 31, 2015. The following media will be accepted: painting, printmaking, drawing, photography, digital art, 2-D and 3-D mixed media, sculpture, functional and non-functional ceramics, metalsmithing, glass, wood, fibers, jewelry and leather. Artists are required to be present at all times designated.
Similar to the regular artist application process, emerging artists must apply through online registration at www.zapplication.org. The online application fee is $35.
Artists and emerging artists can learn more at www.elartfest.com. Questions can be emailed to Michelle Carlson at info@elartfest.com.