Non-profit gallery / art space · Reston, VA, United States · 1 program
An invitation to participate does not guarantee booth space; more artists are invited than there are available spaces, and any invited artist who has not paid their booth fee once the show reaches capacity will be moved to the waitlist.
Certificate of Insurance naming Tephra ICA as additionally insured is required 45 days before the show. Multiple applications are permitted for different media categories; jewelry requires a separate application.
Tephra ICA recognizes outstanding artwork through ten (10) Awards of Excellence and one (1) Judith Forst People's Choice Award. Jurors visit artist booths on Saturday, May 15 and assess them for quality, originality, consistency, and display. Awardees each receive a $500 cash prize, a blue ribbon to display on their booth, and are automatically juried into the following year's Festival (they must still complete an application; the application fee is waived).
Original Work & Artist-Made Requirement: all artwork must be original and handcrafted by the applying artist(s). Artwork produced by a production studio, employees, assistants, or other third parties is not permitted.
Artist Attendance & Identification: artists must be present in their booths during all open hours of the Festival, except for brief breaks when relieved by an authorized booth sitter. A valid photo ID is required at check-in, and artists must wear their Festival Name Badge during all Festival hours.
Juried Body of Work: artists may exhibit and sell only work within the category or categories for which they were accepted.
Festival Compliance: non-compliant artwork may be removed from display and/or a booth may be closed; violations may result in dismissal and forfeiture of all fees paid.
Artwork Security: each exhibiting artist is solely responsible for the security and protection of their artwork, booth, display, equipment, and personal belongings.
Insurance: all participating artists are required to maintain appropriate liability insurance coverage and provide a current Certificate of Insurance (COI) listing Tephra ICA as additionally insured.
Booth Sharing & Prohibited Work: booth sharing is not permitted. Buy-sell merchandise, imported work, work made from kits or commercial molds, commercially manufactured merchandise, t-shirts, candles, and weapons are not permitted.
2D Reproductions: all reproductions must be clearly identified as "Reproduction." At least 80% of displayed wall artwork must be original paintings.
Artist Statement: artists should prominently display an Artist Statement in their booth describing the techniques, materials, and processes used to create their work.
Overnight Parking & Camping: camping or overnight sleeping in any vehicle is strictly prohibited.
All booth spaces are located on asphalt in marked spaces measuring 10'x10'5". All booths must be weighted with at least 65lbs per leg attached at the frame (total weight per tent 260lbs) per Fire Marshal standards. Electricity is not provided. Security is provided by Festival Management, but anything left in the booth overnight is at the artist's own risk. No early breakdown is permitted.
The application fee is non-refundable. Cancellations prior to March 15, 2027 incur an $80 cancellation fee. No refunds are issued for cancellations made after March 15.
Contact: Robin Markowitz, Festival Director, rmarkowitz@tephraica.org, 703-471-9242 or 202-251-0637.
Booth Space · 10'x10', 10'x15', or 10'x20'
Compensation details
Tephra ICA recognizes outstanding artwork through ten (10) Awards of Excellence and one (1) Judith Forst People's Choice Award, each a $500 cash prize. Awardees also receive a blue ribbon and are automatically juried into the following year's Festival, though they must still submit an application (with the fee waived).
Artisanal food must be packaged for home consumption only and approved by Tephra ICA, limited to the 100 block.
Certificate of Insurance (COI) naming Tephra ICA as additionally insured, due 45 days before the show
More about eligibility
You must apply separately for Jewelry; you cannot showcase jewelry unless accepted in that category. Multiple applications are permitted when an artist has work in different media categories, up to three applications. Buy/sell merchandise is not allowed in any category. Accepted application types include both Artist and Non-Artist Vendor.
Craftsmanship
Overall booth display
Jury