Thank you for your interest in participating in the Artist Market @ AthFest Music and Arts Festival 2026.
Background
The AthFest Music and Arts Festival is a fundraiser for AthFest Educates whose mission is to fund music and arts education for K-12 youth in Athens-Clarke County, GA. The three-day festival has been staged in late June since 2002. The Artist Market is an integral component of the festival. As part of our commitment to promoting local artistry, we dedicate a block-long section of the festival to visual and craft artists.
Vendor admission to the Artist Market is a juried selection process. Creativity and craftsmanship are integral to the Artist Market. All work must be original creation of the submitting artist.
65 – 70 booth spaces are available this year.
Artist Selection
The Artist Market showcases locally made fine arts and crafts for sale. Exhibited work may include ceramics, drawings and watercolor, paintings, folk art, furniture, photography, glass work, handmade musical instruments, jewelry, mixed media, prints, woodwork, or sculpture. Please visit athfest.com for examples selected for last year’s festival.
No commercial “kit” products, factory-made items, or found objects will be accepted. Commercial work suitable for a commercial vendor booth will be referred to our vendor relations contact.
No commercial “kit” products, factory-made items, or found objects will be accepted. Commercial work suitable for a commercial vendor booth will be referred to our vendor relations contact.
Artists must submit photos of their work in one of the following categories:
– Visual Arts (Painting, Drawing, Mixed Media, & Photography/Digital Art)
– Fabric, Clothing and Accessories
– Jewelry
– Hand-Crafted Items (Sculpture, Ceramics, Glass, Woodworking, & Furniture)
Work is reviewed by jury of local experts on the basis of:
– Handmade Nature of the Work
– Quality of Work
– Quantity Ability / Production Consistency
– Uniqueness and Inspiration
Booths
Location: The Artist Market is located on West Washington Street, between Hull and Lumpkin Streets in downtown Athens. This section of Washington is a hill with an approximate 10-degree incline. Not a super-steep one, but definitely a hill. Please plan accordingly.
All booth spaces are 10′ x 10′. The artist must supply their own tent, tent/canopy weights, tables, lights and fans, extension cords, seating, and display materials. Your tent, display cases, inventory, and other items must fit inside the 10’ x 10’ space. If you have an awning on your booth, you may be asked to move or adjust it based on festival footprint and traffic needs.
All booth spaces must be weighted down with 35 lbs. or more per leg. Failure to secure your booth may result in disqualification from future events.
Electricity will be provided. We work with the county and a power supply company to provide one electrical outlet at your booth, but you must provide your own extension cord and power strips. Surge protectors are recommended. You may be asked to move electrical cords and equipment as needed for festival footprint and safety.
Some security will be provided overnight. However, AthFest is not liable for any damage, theft, injury or weather-related damage incurred during the festival. Your signature on the Artist Market Application signifies your acceptance of these parameters.
Footprint and Flow of Traffic
Due to fire lane requirements, we are required to maintain some open spaces for both foot traffic and emergency vehicle access. As such, you must keep your art and equipment in your booth space or immediately beside the booth, without impeding access. We will have two rows of single booths along sidewalks on both sides of the street, and a middle row of single booths in the middle of the street. Those backing up to sidewalks may not obstruct the sidewalk. Those in the middle row can set up their booth as open on both sides or choose a direction to face if the booth incorporates a “back wall” or display.
Sales Information
AthFest does not charge a sales commission. Collection, reporting and payment of state sales tax is your responsibility.
Fees
Application Fee (per artist):
$25 until March 31, 2026
$50 from April 1, 2026 – April 10, 2026
Application fees are NOT refundable.
Booth Fees (per booth):
Middle Row (back optional): $200.
Sidewalk (can be set up with a back towards sidewalk): $225.
End-of-Row Request (limited spaces): $50 additional.
Booth-Sharing Fees:
Booths may be shared by up to 3 artists, but each artist must submit a separate application (i.e., selection is based on the individual artist).
There is a $35 booth-sharing fee per each additional artist due at the time of application. Please note on your application and payment with whom you are sharing a booth.
Refunds
The $25/artist application fee ($50 for late application) is non-refundable.
The submitted application shall be considered a commitment to exhibit. Refunds will not be issued once an artist has been accepted.
The submitted application shall be considered a commitment to exhibit. Refunds will not be issued once an artist has been accepted.
AthFest Music & Arts Festival is a rain or shine event. Some activities may be postponed or cancelled due to hazardous conditions. However, the event will continue. Refunds will NOT be issued because of delay or cancellation.
In the event that the AthFest Music & Arts Festival permit is canceled by Athens-Clarke County, you will receive a 100% refund of booth fees.
AthFest Music & Arts Festival is a rain or shine event. Some activities may be postponed or cancelled due to hazardous conditions. However, the event will continue. Refunds will NOT be issued because of delay or cancellation.
Deadline and Late Fees
All submissions must be received by March 31, 2025 and will be reviewed by a jury of respected local artists and members of the AthFest organization.
Each image should be submitted as a separate .jpg file attachment. Please do not send paper copies, CDs or actual artwork. Examples submitted in the wrong format will not be considered by the jury.
Due to the extra effort required to review late submissions, there will be an additional $25 late registration fee for any submission received after March 31, 2026 and an additional $50 late registration fee for any submission received after April 1, 2026 and we will stop accepting applications April 10, 2026.
Awards
Awards will be issued for:
Best in Show ($200)
Second Place ($150)
Honorable mentions ($50 each) in the following categories:
Best Booth
Visual Arts (Painting, Drawing, Mixed Media, & Photography/Digital Art)
Fabric, Clothing and Accessories
Jewelry
Hand-Crafted Items (Sculpture, Ceramics, Glass, Woodworking, & Furniture)
Application Steps
Fill out the online application below. Complete all required fields.
Upload at least three photo samples (.jpg or .pdf format) of artwork plus one photo of your booth. Please note that samples submitted may be used in publicity materials for the market, the festival website, and the festival social media. It is imperative that you send images that clearly and accurately represent the quality of the work you intend to show at the market.
Select, as appropriate, location of booth (middle or sidewalk row, end of row (additional fee), shared booth fee.
Electronically sign form.
Confirm agreement with stipulations by typing your initials.
Pay application and booth fees.