Creative Spirit Guidelines for Exhibiting Artists

 

Art Exhibit Mission

Creative Spirit’s (CS) community art exhibits are NON-JURIED  for the sake of inclusivity and the celebration of all artists, regardless of background, experience, training, etc.  Artwork which complies with all requirements will be hung for the duration of the specified exhibit, and the work may be priced for sale. 

​

All artwork must be dropped off and picked up in person;  We're unable to handle shipped work.

 

Gallery Location

All exhibits take place at MacRae’s Sustainable Goods located at 108 Washington Street, in Marblehead, MA

 

Registration

An exhibit registration form should be completed and submitted (online) to CS prior to the registration deadline.  Images of artwork are not required.

 

Hanging Fee

The cost to exhibit a single piece of art is $30.00.  Artists may enter up to 3 pieces per exhibit. 

 

Show Themes

Each exhibit is curated around a theme, which should inspire the creation or selection of the artist’s submitted work(s). 

 

Selling Your Work  

CS wishes for each artist to experience the joy of selling their art; Therefore, we urge artists to price their work to sell.  CS will gladly consult artists on appropriate pricing to help increase selling potential.  Artists may also mark their works “NFS” (Not For Sale).   

 

All sales will be made through MacRae’s Sustainable Goods.  MacRae’s will receive a 15% commission from the sale price of any piece sold (pre-tax).  A 6.25% MA sales tax is applied to all sales. Artists will be paid by MacRae’s within one month after the sale.

 

Artwork must remain hanging in the exhibit until the exhibit closes. All artwork must be paid for at the time of purchase.

 

Acceptable Artwork 

Artwork must be 2D (paintings, drawings, collage, photographs, etc.).  Shadowboxes and assemblage pieces are acceptable as long as they fulfill size/hanging requirements.  Please no reproductions or prints of any original artwork.  3D artwork, such as sculpture, cannot be accepted due to limited space. CS reserves the right to refuse any artwork that it deems inappropriate for community and family viewing. 

 

Framing, Hanging, & Size Requirements 

Requirements insure that a) artwork is properly protected, b) the customer is satisfied with the quality of their purchase, c) the gallery maintains a professional appearance, and d) the gallery can accommodate the maximum number of pieces. CS has the right to reject any piece that does not comply with the following requirements.

 

Each piece must be no more than 24″ on any one side, including the frame.

 

All work must be ‘hang ready’ at the time of drop-off.  Work must be securely framed and have screw eyes (or D-rings), wire, or saw tooth hangers securely fastened in place on the back of all pieces.  Wire should be secured 1/4 to 1/3 down from the top of piece to ensure that artwork hangs at a pleasing angle. 

 

Matted work must be framed with glass or plexi-glass.  Metal frames should have hardware that screws securely in the track (no sliders).   Gallery wrapped canvas without a frame is acceptable and must be 1.5 inches thick, stapled on the back with clean or painted sides.  Wet paintings will not be accepted.

 

Please contact Creative Spirit (ppugmire@creativespiritma.com) if you have any questions regarding these requirements.

 

Exhibit Dates
Shows are roughly 6 weeks in length. Please check CS’s website for all exhibit related dates.

 

Drop-Off & Pick-Up Dates
Artwork must be dropped off and picked up during the specified timeframes. Please contact Creative Spirit to discuss alternate arrangements, if necessary.  Scheduling exceptions cannot be guaranteed and will be made only if reasonable for CS and Macrae’s. 

 

Due to a lack of storage space, CS will assess a $5/day late fee on all work not picked-up within the designated timeframe.  Neither CS nor MacRae’s are responsible for work that is damaged, lost, or stolen after that date. Artwork left more than one month after the pick-up date becomes the property of CS.

 

Publicity
CS and MacRae’s will advertise each exhibit through various outlets, including website, press releases in local newspapers, social media, and business subscriber e-newsletters.  Artists are highly encouraged to help spread the word, as well. CS and MacRae’s reserve the right to photograph, reproduce, or use an image of artwork for promotional purposes. 

 

Opening Reception 

Each exhibit is kicked-off with a wine and cheese reception, which is open to the public.  These take place on a Friday evening, the opening day of each exhibit.  Exhibiting artists are encouraged to attend to meet patrons, network with other artists, and discuss their work.  

 

Artwork Protection
Neither CS nor MacRae’s is responsible for the loss, damage, disappearance, or harm of any kind to an artist’s work. It is recommended that all artists insure their own work(s) for the duration of the show. 

​