Artisan Gift Sale 2026

About the Show

Fine Line Creative Arts Center is holding its annual juried Artisan Gift Sale from December 3 to December 8, 2026. We invite you to apply and sell your handmade, one-of-a-kind fine arts and fine crafts. Works will be displayed throughout the Fine Line Kavanagh Gallery and building. No individual booth spaces are available. The entire show is set up in a gallery shop format. Your work will be inventoried, so you need not be present to conduct sales. This is an in-person show, meaning no items will be sold online.

Membership

All accepted artists must be members of Fine Line. You do not need to be a member to apply to this show, but you will need to become a member if your application is successful. A 12-month membership costs $60.00.

Number of Items

The number of items any artist can submit will be determined once we know the total number of artists participating. Still, all artists will be able to submit at least 30 items.

Volunteer Shifts

This is a community art show that cannot proceed unless all participating artists help. Each artist will be required to work 1-2 (4-hour) shifts, depending on the number of participating artists. We will have a limited number of behind-the-scenes shifts on campus before and after the event. Artists DO NOT need to be present on all days of the show but must be able to be at Fine Line to work their assigned shift(s). Accepted artists will be notified via email when the shift signup schedule is available. Fine Line is in St. Charles, Illinois. Please do not apply if you cannot physically be at Fine Line.

Jurying

We are always looking for that spark of freshness, originality, and creativity - whatever you call that quality that brings a piece to life. During the jury process, we will be looking to see that your finishing techniques and presentation convey refinement and quality that enhance the overall design. All work must be original and made by the artist within the last 3 years. Commercial items or items from kits will not be accepted. Items should not include original art that has been transferred onto commercial products such as tote bags and mugs. In the final analysis, when we are setting up the show, Fine Line and the Artisan Gift Sale Committee reserve the right to refuse the exhibition of work that is not consistent with the submitted images or the show's guidelines.

Sales & Commission

All items placed in the show MUST be for sale. Fine Line will take a 30% commission on all sold items. All unsold items must remain in the show until it closes and inventory has been taken. No artist is allowed to pick up unsold work before Thursday, December 10, 2026. All unsold items must be picked up on Thursday, December 10, 2026, between 10 am and 6 pm. If you cannot make this date, you will need to plan for someone to do this for you. Personnel will NOT be available to check you out, nor will we be responsible for your items after Thursday, December 10, 2026. Checks (less 30% Fine Line commission) for merchandise sold during the show will be issued within one week of inventory pickup.

A jury fee of $25.00 is due with your completed application.

Important Dates

• Monday, October 4 - Application Due
• Tuesday, October 13 - Notification to Artists
• Monday, November 23 - Deadline to return completed inventory form (this form will be sent after acceptance into the show)
• Wednesday, December 2 - Drop-off of work
• Thursday, December 3 - Opening Night (6-9 pm)
• Friday, December 4 - Tuesday, December 8 - Show open to the public
• Wednesday, December 9 - Inventory of unsold work
• Thursday, December 10 - Pickup Day for unsold work

How to Apply

You are required to provide an artist statement. In the statement, you are required to describe the work you plan to submit including materials used, and types of items such as jewelry, wearable fibers, ornaments, vases, mugs, cards, books, towels, etc. For example, "I will be submitting ceramic bowls, woven towels and fused glass jewelry." The purpose of this statement is to enable Fine Line to plan for the range of items coming in and ensure the images on your application represent the items you bring in on drop-off day.

You must submit 2-10 images. The system will not finalize your application without at least 2 images. The title of your image must reference what is shown in the image. For example, if you provide an image showing a bowl, plate, and mug, then the title for the image should be bowl, plate and mug. If you only title the image mug, it will be assumed you are only submitting mugs. These images are representative of the type of work you are expecting to enter into the show, so please ensure you have images of ALL types of works that you will be submitting. Do NOT show up on check-in day with jewelry if you did not provide images of jewelry in your application. These images must be of YOUR work. Also, please remember that these images are used to publicize the event so they should be clear with a neutral background.

Every application must include a $25 jury fee. When you have completed the application, you will be taken to the Fine Line website to pay your fee online. You can also pay your fee in person at Fine Line. Once you have paid your fee, your application will be changed to submitted by Fine Line. This may take up to 48 hours.

We are always looking for that spark of freshness, originality, and creativity - whatever you call that quality that brings a piece to life. During the jury process, we will be looking to see that your finishing techniques and presentation convey refinement and quality that enhance the overall design. Fine Line and the Artisan Gift Sale Committee reserve the right to refuse the exhibition of work that is not consistent with the submitted images or the show's guidelines.