Art in the Park- 38th Annual

Art in the Park is an annual event dedicated to fine art, craftsmanship, and community that creates a unique opportunity and tradition for artists, collectors, and patrons of the arts. Artists and artisans showcase a wide variety of works and mediums inside of Tom Varn Park - a natural setting surrounded by beautiful oak trees in Brooksville, Florida. This will be our 38th annual show bringing in a diverse crowd of 6,000 attendees from Hernando County and our neighboring communities for a celebration of artistry in a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. Check out the website for more info and to register. https://www.hernandoarts.org/apply-aitp

GENERAL INFORMATION

Festival Dates and Times

Saturday, March 11, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Sunday, March 12, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Fees

Jury Fee: $35 (non-refundable)

Fine Arts Exhibitor Fee: $250 (apply at this link)

Fine Crafts Exhibitor Fee: $200 (apply at this link)

Business Exhibitor: $400 (apply at this link)

Food Vendor Selling Up to 4 items: $200 (apply at this link)

Food Vendor Selling More than 4 items: $300 (apply at this link)

Deadline: All applications must be submitted by January 12, 2023. Notification of acceptance will be in January 2023.

Show Size: Art in the Park is host to 130+ fine artists and artisans.

Booth Space Size: Each booth space is 11’ x 11’ and may not be shared.

Categories (Limit 1 application per category):

Fine Arts Painting

Fine Arts Ceramics

Fine Crafts

Fine Arts Drawing & Graphics

Fine Arts Fibers

Fine Arts Sculpture

Fine Arts Jewelry*

Fine Arts Photography*

Fine Arts Digital Art*

Fine Arts Mixed Media

*Jewelry: No buy-sell, commercial casts or mass produced by another manufacturer, molds, or production studio work allowed.

*Photography: Includes photographic prints made from the artist’s original image (film or digital) which have been processed by the artist or under their direct supervision. Images edited through software such as Photoshop are to be entered in this category, not in mixed-media or digital art.

*Digital Art: Original work which the original image or the artistic manipulation of an appropriated source material is executed by the artist using a computer. Original, limited-edition prints of digital art will be permitted and must be signed. Photographs taken through a digital camera should apply in the photography category. Browse Bin Rules (see below) apply.

Difference Between Fine Arts and Fine Crafts

The word ‘craft’ is generally used in the sense of ‘skill’ or ‘expertise’. Craft is a word associated with craftsmanship and materiality. Fine Craft refers to an object that is created with the primary motive of decoration. Any object of decoration that may be used in homes may be called a craft.

Visual art is a depiction of a personal expression, and application of imagination and creative skill. Fine Art refers to the art that needs creativity to produce.

Judging

Two judges will be selected from prominent regional art professionals. The judges will have extensive backgrounds in the arts, as well as past judging experience. Judging will be held Saturday, March 11, 2023, from 9 a.m. to completion. Awards will be presented at the Saturday Night Artists’ Reception.

Awards: Totaling $6,500

Best in Show: $1,250

Fine Art Award of Excellence: $1,000

Fine Art Award of Distinction: $800

Fine Art Award of Achievement: $600

Fine Art Award of Recognition: $400

Fine Art Award of Merit: $200

Fine Art Honorable Mention: $150

Fine Craft Award of Excellence: $675

Fine Craft Award of Distinction: $475

Fine Craft Award of Achievement: $350

Fine Craft Award of Recognition: $275

Fine Craft Award of Merit: $200

Fine Craft Honorable Mention: $150

Saturday Night Artists’ Reception and Award Ceremony: Saturday, March 11, 2023, at 5:30 p.m.

Requirements for Jurying

Screening, or jurying, is conducted by a separate panel of experienced and knowledgeable art professionals. Jurying is based solely on the quality of the work submitted. Artists may apply in more than one category. A separate online application with digital images and entry fees must be submitted for each category entered. Please make sure there is NO PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION on your booth images, we conduct a blind jurying process. Acceptance is a commitment to show. No refunds will be made for cancellations or weather. Artists must submit three digital images of their artwork and one digital image of booth (four images total) for each category entered. Digital images must be current and show artwork completed since 2019.

Artwork

All work must be original art created since 2019. Any artwork, including photographs, that is produced by any mechanical means (i.e., giclee, offset printing, or any other reproduction technique) must be labeled a “REPRODUCTION” and placed in browse bins.

Browse Bin Rules

Unframed, matted original work may be shown in a browse bin. All reproductions must be marked as such.

Exhibits

Artists may only display work in the category(ies) in which their work has been accepted. All exhibited artworks must be accurately represented in the images submitted.

Accepted artists must be in attendance during both days of the show. No stand-ins or agents permitted (although assistants are permitted).

Booth spaces are 11’ x 11’ each and may not be shared. Tents may not exceed 10' x 10'. Artists must furnish their own tents, tent weights, tables and display material. Tents weights are REQUIRED, and displays should be strong enough to withstand crowds and poor weather conditions. Art in the Park is open rain or shine; exhibitors should be prepared for inclement weather. Refunds will not be made for inclement weather. Water and electricity are not available. Generators are not allowed.

Artists will be provided with and must display a card showing name, city of residence, category and space number.

Ribbons and prizes from previous shows or publicity materials may not be displayed.

All exhibitors must abide by City of Brooksville rules in the Festival area.

Artists are to collect State of Florida and Hernando County sales tax.

Artists must leave their spaces clean after packing up on Sunday evening.

The Hernando County Fine Arts Council will make every attempt to accommodate specific booth space requests provided on the application; however, there are no guarantees.

SET-UP

Further instructions will be sent with artist’s acceptance packet.

Artist Benefits

• Security is provided by the Hernando County Sheriff's Department Friday and Saturday from 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.

• Friday check-in & set-up (8:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.). Saturday check-in & set-up available (7:30 a.m. until 9:45 a.m.).

• Free parking, disabled parking, and RV and trailer parking provided.

• Booth-sitting staffed by volunteers.

• Complimentary coffee and doughnuts Saturday from 7:30 – 9:30 a.m. and Sunday from 8:00 – 9:30 a.m. for artists and their assistant.

• Artists' reception and award ceremony on Saturday at 5:30 p.m.

• Award winners will be featured on Hernando County Fine Arts Council website & social media platforms.

• Art in the Park is accessible to all artists with or without disabilities.

ART IN THE PARK RULES OF PARTICIPATION

Please read the following carefully. Failure to comply with the rules will disqualify you from participation in Art In The Park.

1. This is a juried fine art and craft show. All work displayed must be original and solely attributable to the single displaying artist who must be present during the entire show. NO kits, ceramic cast from molds, machine-made, commercial reproductions, or mass-produced work is allowed. Artist guarantees the accuracy of the description of the works presented and the authenticity of the work as the creation of their own hands.

2. No political candidates or political parties

3. The Hernando County Fine Arts Council (HCFAC) reserves the right to reject any entry which does not meet the guidelines specified or is not representative of the work juried.

4. Upon arrival, artists MUST CHECK IN. Photo ID is required. Registration and booth set-up will be Friday, March 12th from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. and Saturday from 7:30 a.m. until 9:45 a.m. Past booth spaces are not guaranteed. All spaces are pre-assigned and are FINAL. All displays must be neat and orderly, and any items not for sale must be out of sight. Water and electricity are not available.

5. Exhibitor must prominently display the ID card provided by the HCFAC. Participants may NOT display awards or ribbons from other shows.

6. No exterior displays, flags, etc. outside of the tent.

7. By City Ordinance, animals and pets are NOT allowed in the park. Service animals only.

8. Exhibitors are responsible for the collection of Florida and Hernando County sales tax.

9. All awards are at the sole discretion of the judges. Judging will begin Saturday morning. Cash awards and ribbons will be awarded at the Artists' Reception on Saturday evening.

10. Exhibitor fees are non-refundable. Should Art in the Park be cancelled due to acts of God, fire, casualty, or other causes beyond the control of either party, then the HCFAC may offer the Exhibitor options for the use of the Exhibitor fees, including the return of all monies paid to the Arts Council. The health and safety of our exhibitors, community and council members are our highest priority. See our website for evolving direction from local and state officials.

11. HCFAC reserves the right to ask exhibitors not complying with the stated rules to remove their exhibit with forfeiture of all fees.

12. HCFAC reserves the right to photograph work on display for use in promotions of the Art Festival and for future promotional materials for HCFAC.

13. Artists may only show work in categories and body of work selected by the Jury.

14. All work exhibited must be of the quality, category, and body of work of that shown in the images juried.

Host or Publisher Hernando County Fine Arts Council