Call for Entry for Guest Studio Locations
What the tour offers:
In October 1998, a group of artists from Dundas joined together to create The Dundas Studio Tour. Presently our board consists of core members who take on the responsibility to plan, publicize and run a fresh new tour for each year. Our goal is to invite the lovers of art and the merely curious to discover what is on their doorstep.
We work to have a compact series of locations. Each must be able to offer an interesting or beautiful viewing space and some proximity to an existing studio. In each of these spaces we hope to gather 3 or more talented artists and craftspeople so that the public will be drawn to visit each location.
We strive to create a balance in art medium and compatibility of artists within each space. We also introduce a new “theme” each year, something which can be interpreted through studio decoration, through use of colour, new trends in your work, or through refreshments offered to the public. The theme has been a great asset in helping us receive wonderful publicity through the years. Guest studios are judged on the basis of quality of work and the availability of space in their studio location to allow adequate room for guest artists and craftspeople with the intent to maximize visual presentation and sales.
Both community involvement and sponsorship from local restaurants and businesses have contributed to our success. We create a professional brochure with a brief introduction to participating artists and their work, and a map showing the location of studios and other important stops in town. The brochure is sent to a large mailing list and distributed to customers at art shows and public outlets throughout the Greater Hamilton area and beyond. We maintain a dynamic website, Instagram, and Facebook Page with links to other relevant arts organizations and businesses.
Past tours have enjoyed unprecedented publicity, large crowds and sales creating an energy and excitement in our town which benefited artists and businesses alike. The tour has been listed in major magazines as well as receiving coverage in Hamilton Magazine, The Hamilton Spectator, The Dundas Star, CHTV and Channel 14.
DUNDAS STUDIO TOUR GUEST STUDIO INFORMATION AND EXPECTATIONS
APPLICATION DEADLINE: March 1, 2023
Thank you for your interest in participating in The Dundas Studio Tour. As a Guest Studio Location on the Tour your studio must be located in the Dundas area. Please complete the attached form and return no later than March 1, 2023. Late applications will be considered based available guest artist slots.
In your submission please include all of the following:
1. Guest Studio Location application fully completed and signed.
2. Five high quality digital images of your current work (JPEGs at 1500 pixels on the longest side). These may be on a CD with your application, or emailed tmacpottery1@gmail.com.The images must feature complete works, not details, and be of professional quality for our brochure, website and media posts. Applicants may be rejected on the basis of poor quality images. Please include title, size and price of the work in the application.
3. Five images of your studio location, including exterior and guest artist locations (a guest artist may be located outside providing his/her own tent). Please include dimensions of the interior spaces.
4. A CV or resume of your artistic career
5. A cheque for $350 made out to The Dundas Studio Tour, post dated March 18, 2023. No refund can be provided for any cancellation, as work begins immediately on the brochure.
ACCEPTANCE AND EXPECTATIONS
Successful applicants will be notified if their studio location has been selected for the tour. Members of the DST Board will need to visit your location prior to making a final decision. Successful applicants will work closely with their guest artists to present a professional display for the public.
All successful applicants are expected to promote the Tour in any way they can, and by distributing our brochures wherever they show their work. Brochures are available early July in time for the summer shows.
Fees paid to the Dundas Studio Tour are for participation only. All participants are responsible for their own personal property, insurance and merchandise. The Dundas Studio Tour will not be liable for any loss or damage to such personal property or merchandise. All participants are responsible for collecting appropriate taxes, if applicable. All work presented at the show must be designed by the exhibitor and made by hand.
Application as a Guest Studio Location is for the 2023 Tour and is not meant to be a permanent studio location on the Tour. Acceptance into the 2023 Tour does not guarantee acceptance into future tours. If you are not successful in being accepted into the 2023 Tour this does not preclude you from being accepted into future tours.
Questions/Inquiries: thedundasstudiotour@gmail.com