--- title: Soirée 2027 description: Two-day outdoor arts festival in downtown Anderson, SC with juried artist booths and over $2,000 in prizes. url: https://www.artsume.com/programs/289d3957-a4d7-4efb-9ff1-0afad7212b80 type: program status: open createdAt: "2026-10-24" updatedAt: "2026-10-24" programType: Festival/fair organization: City of Anderson organizationUrl: https://www.artsume.com/o/city-of-anderson deadline: "2026-12-06" entryFee: 15 USD location: Main Street and Carolina Wren Park, Downtown Anderson, Anderson, SC, United States isOnline: false compensationRange: Over $2,000 in prize money distributed for Best of Show, Fine Artist Runner-up, Artisan Runner-up, and Best Booth. disciplines: - painting - drawing - fiber - sculpture - mixed media - photography - printmaking - ceramics - digital art - jewelry - home goods - stationery and paper accessories - bath body and candles - culinary products - apparel and accessories --- # Soirée 2027 **Hosted by:** City of Anderson **Type:** Festival/fair | **Location:** Main Street and Carolina Wren Park, Downtown Anderson, Anderson, SC, United States | **Deadline:** December 6, 2026 | **Entry fee:** $15 ## About This Program ### About This Call The Soirée is the City of Anderson's signature two-day arts festival, celebrating the best of visual art, live music and performances, and local food. Enjoy performances across multiple stages, browse unique artisan vendors, experience chef-driven culinary offerings, and explore a dedicated kids' area filled with hands-on activities. ### Summary The Soirée is the City of Anderson's signature two-day arts festival, celebrating the best of visual art, live music and performances, and local food. Each year, thousands gather in the heart of Anderson to celebrate creativity, community, and culture—and we can't wait to welcome you. ### General Information Location: The Soirée takes place in downtown Anderson, SC on Main Street and Carolina Wren Park. Exhibitor booths will be located along Main Street. Anderson is located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in the Upstate of South Carolina. Advertising and Promotion: The Soirée will be advertised through a targeted marketing campaign focused throughout the Upstate of South Carolina, emphasizing social media, billboards, and print media campaigns. ### Awards Over $2,000 in prize money will be distributed at the Soirée. Awards will be given to Best of Show, Fine Artist Runner-up, Artisan Runner-up, and Best Booth. Awards are distributed at the discretion of the onsite judges and determined by consensus. - Best of Show = $1,000 - Fine Artist Runner-up = $400 - Artisan Runner-up = $400 - Best Booth = $250 All work exhibited MUST be original, handcrafted work produced by the artist and may not be the result of work from commercial kits, molds, patterns, or plans. Any commercially-made embellishments must be subordinate to the original work. ### Categories **Fine Art:** painting, drawing, fiber, sculpture, mixed media, photography, printmaking, ceramics, and digital art. - Digital Art must be in limited editions, signed and numbered on archival quality materials. AI generated artwork not allowed at this time. - Ceramics are to be original, non-functional works. - Printmaking should be original prints pulled by artists from traditional methods, produced in signed and numbered limited editions. - Photography includes all photographic prints made from artist's original negative or digital image processing, in limited editions, signed and numbered. - Mixed Media should be original 2-D or 3-D work incorporating more than one material/medium. - Sculpture is to be original non-functional, three dimensional work of any material. - Fiber should be original work of primarily fiber including soft sculpture, batik, or painted fabric intended to be wearable or decorative. - Drawing is work created using dry media including pen, pencil, charcoal, pastel, chalk, or fluid medium of inks and washes. - Painting should be original works made with oils, acrylics, or watercolors. **Jewelry:** original work made from materials such as sterling silver, enamels, glass, ceramic, paper, polymer clay, etc. No production studio work permitted. **Home Goods:** functional and/or decorative items of your own creation including textiles, functional ceramics, furniture, utensils, forged items, wooden cutting boards, etc. **Stationery and Paper Accessories:** items of your own creation such as greeting cards, notepads, stickers, etc. **Bath, Body, and Candles:** handcrafted items such as soap, lotion, candles. **Culinary Products:** products of your own creation to use in food or packaged to eat such as dip mixes, chocolate, popcorn, etc. **Apparel and Accessories:** items of your own creation including hats, knit or crochet items, t-shirts, aprons, bags, patches, etc. ### Jury Process Each exhibiting artist must complete an online application with only one artist per entry, unless entering as a team in collaboration. No booth sharing/splitting is allowed. All artists must be juried by our review panel. Artists may apply in more than one medium category, but a separate online application must be filled out for each category. All applicants will be reviewed by a jury review panel consisting of curators, art professionals, and an Anderson Arts Center representative. Jurors score artistic excellence using the following criteria: Artistic Merit, Technical Competence, Overall Quality of Work, and Booth Presentation. Artist images are reviewed in a blind jury process; the identities of the artists are not disclosed to jurors. Artist statements are shared with jurors while images are viewed. Images #1-4 must represent the complete range of work that you plan to show. Image #5 must be your booth with your work displayed; your application will not be considered without a booth image. Applicants are asked to submit an artist statement of 200 characters or less to be read by jurors during the review process, describing materials, technique, and process rather than meaning behind the work or inspiration. Applicants will be notified by December 22, 2026 as to whether they have been accepted. A Wait List will be established by medium category based on jury scores. ### Booth Information and Fees BOOTH FEE $100 - You will be supplied with a 10'x10' exhibit space and electricity. You may bring your own tent, or pay the optional Tent Fee $120 for a 10'x10' tent and 8-ft table (no side walls). Set up and breakdown included. Booth and/or Tent fees are paid after you receive your invitation to the show. Final booth assignments are determined solely at the discretion of the festival jury; location requests are a preference only and cannot be guaranteed. ### Rules & Regulations - Artists must be present and must personally staff their exhibit space during the entire event. - All work exhibited MUST be original, handcrafted work produced by the artist. - Exhibitor agrees to open and close to the public at published festival hours. - Use a straight leg, sturdy tent with 40lb weights for each tent leg in the event of strong winds. - All sales are handled by the exhibitor. The Soirée collects no commission on sales. Sales tax must be collected by the exhibitor. - Artist must be at least 18 years of age to be eligible. ### Event Dates & Times - Artist Check-In: Friday, April 23 (10am – 2pm) - Festival Hours: Friday, April 23 (4pm – 8pm), Saturday, April 24 (10am – 8pm) - Artist Vendor Hours: Friday, April 23 (4pm – 7pm), Saturday, April 24 (10am – 8pm) - Artist Load-Out: Saturday, April 24 (8pm – until) ## Eligibility & Requirements - **Disciplines:** painting, drawing, fiber, sculpture, mixed media, photography, printmaking, ceramics, digital art, jewelry, home goods, stationery and paper accessories, bath body and candles, culinary products, apparel and accessories - **Age Requirements:** 18+ years old - **Note:** Artist must be at least 18 years of age to be eligible. Each exhibiting artist must complete an online application with only one artist per entry, unless entering as a team in collaboration. ### Additional Requirements - 5 images (a booth shot is required) - Artist statement of 200 characters or less, describing materials, technique, and process - $15.00 non-refundable application fee ## Compensation & Benefits Over $2,000 in prize money distributed for Best of Show, Fine Artist Runner-up, Artisan Runner-up, and Best Booth. **Includes:** Prize ## Timeline - **Opens:** October 24, 2026 - **Deadline:** December 6, 2026 - **Program Start:** April 23, 2027 - **Program End:** April 24, 2027 ## How to Apply Apply at: https://www.zapplication.org/event-info.php?ID=14992