2026 Feature Artist Application at Creative Liberties Artist Studios

2026 Call for Artist  (hand-made/local-made goods only)

ALL PREVIOUS FEATURE ARTISTS SHOULD FILL OUT THIS APPLICATION AGAIN TO BE CONSIDERED FOR 2026. 

You are applying to be a Feature Aritst at Creative Liberties Artist Studios. PLEASE READ ALL INFORMATION CAREFULLY AND COMPLETE THE APPLICATION FULLY. INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

Begining in January 2026, our indoor display walls at our 901B Apricot Avenue location and at our 927 N Lime Avenue location will be rented on a 10 month basis. These are semi-permanent display spaces, January - October. At the end of October, all work will be removed and there will be an exhibition at both locations for November and December. 

PRICING:

At 901B Apricot:
Cost for rental of a 4'x8' wall $75.00, per month | commission 80/20 split
Cost for rental of a 8'x8' wall $125.00, per month | commission 80/20 split

At 927 Lime:

Cost for rental of a 4'x8' wall $75.00, per month | commission 80/20 split
Cost for rental of a 8'x8' wall $125.00, per month | commission 80/20 split
Cost for rental of a 9'x8' wall $150.00, per month | commission 80/20 split

WHAT'S INCLUDED?

Creative Liberties will:

• Hang your work with your assitance
• Create artwork tags and a bio display
• Promote you on our social media and monthly newsletters
• List you on our website with your picture and meduims and links to your website or social media
• Handle sales
• Host bi-monthly Limelight Artist Night Receptions for our Studio and Feature Artists
• Ability to change out artwork once every 2 months or as it is sold
• NEW! Provide opportunities for networking, peer critique and educational info on the business of being an artist. 
• Artwork does not have to be your most recent work.
• No exclusivity is required - you may display and sell other work elsewhere. Artwork that is on display at Creative Liberties may not be for sale elsewhere (website, social media store, etc) to prevent duplicate sales.

WHAT IS THE ARTIST REQUIRED TO DO?

• Take one of the two "Artist Toolbox 101" classes. It will be offered on Saturday, January 10, 10a-1p and Tuesday, January 13 1-4pm. This class will discuss preparing artwork for display, self-promotion, pricing and more. In order to be considered for selection, you MUST be able to attend one of these. It is free of cost for our selected Feature Artists. This class includes a free headshot photo for our use and yours. 
• You must be able to attend at least three out of the five scheduled Limelight Artist Night Receptions. Receptions will be in February, April, June, August, and October, all 4-7pm (dates TBD). All artists - studio and feature - will be asked to contribute food/drink items for the receptions.
• You must be able to volunteer for five (5) hours in the gallery, one time a month on the days we are open to the public (Thursday - Saturday, 10am - 3pm). Your day will be scheduled in advance the month before. More frequent volunteering is welcome and appreciated, but not required. It is to your advantage to be present in the gallery - you are your own best advocate and sales person! And people enjoy meeting the artists. A list of other activities that can be done while in the gallery will be provided. Attending / helping with events IS NOT part of the volunteer hour requirement.
• Gallery sitting artists are encouraged to bring art to work on so that the public can see you at work.  
• You must promote Creative Liberties on your website or social media at least 1 time per week. We will talk about social media and websites in Artist Toolbox 101. 
• You will be asked to attend Creative Liberties Studio Meetings as they occur. 
• Creative Liberties communication is done via text and emails.  You will be part of a text group that will require responses.
• Artists who are not willing to be an active participant need not apply.  
• Make sure that all artwork is in good condition and properly prepared for hanging - either with d-rings or with a tautly pulled wire. 3D artists must provide their own display (pedestal, table, etc) that will be approved by CL.
• Artwork displayed must be 50% original, not giclee, etc. If you would like to sell prints of your work, it may be possible to have a print rack (provided by the artist) but it must be approved by CL. (Some walls do not allow for racks or tables. Inform CL that you would like to use one in this application.)

WHAT'S THE APPLICATION/ACCEPTANCE PROCESS?

• Applicants must make sure that they can fulfill all the requirements listed above
• Applications must be submitted no later than November 30, 2025, 11:59pm
• Applications will be reviewed by a panel we have assebled of respected local art leaders that share Creative Liberties' affinity for inclusion. We are open to and encourage artists of ALL career levels, styles and mediums to apply. 
• There are 13 available spots: Three - 4'x8' walls, Five - 8'x8' walls and Five - 9'x8' walls. Artists can indicate size preference, but not building location preference.
• Accepted applicants will be notified by December 5, 2025. You will receive a contract that lists all of the terms noted in this application.
• Move in dates for accepted artists are scheduled for January 6 and 7, 2026.
• Wall spaces fees are due monthly with the first payment due at move in and susequent payments due the 1st of the month, with the last payment due on October 1, 2026. 
• Wall space fee can be paid by check made out to Creative Liberties, to our Zelle - info@creativeliberties.net, in person in cash or by Credit Card (there will be a 1% service fee charge added to Zelle and and 3.5% fee added to Credit Card transactions). Checks can be mailed to: Creative Liberties, 901B Apricot Avenue, Sarasota, Florida, 34237 or cash, check or credit card payments can be made during our business hours - Thursday - Saturday, 10am - 3pm. Payments are non-refundable.
• Non-payment of wall space fee without any prior arrangements will result in 10 day notice to vacate and your space will be offered to a new artist. 
• Proceeds from sales will be paid once a month on or before the 15th of the month. (Example: if you have sales in January you will be paid by the 15th of February for the January sales)
• Creative Liberties takes a 20% commision on all sales. Any taxes or service fees that occur as a result of a credit card sale or electronic payment are also deducted.
• Artists that decide to leave before the end of the 10 month agreement will not be eligible to reapply. They will also be responsible for paying the rest of their contracted rent.

Call 941-799-6634 or email us at info@creativeliberties.net with any questions or for more information.