Exhibiting at SAAF
Welcome to the SAAF 2023 Call for Artist information page. Please carefully read all of the information below before submitting your application. We welcome both artists and artisans at SAAF.
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Saturday May 20 | 10am - 6pm
Sunday May 21 | 10am - 4pm
What is SAAF?
The Sweetly Affordable Art Fair (SAAF) is an outdoor art show taking place at Wesley Clover Parks (located at 401 Corkstown Road) during the May long weekend, on Saturday May 20th, and Sunday May 21st.
SAAF is Wall Candy's flagship event, and is an "affordable" art fair. This means that the cost to participate as an exhibitor is priced accessibly, and other costs (e.g. tents, parking, commission) are not an added expense for our exhibitors. The affordable model also means that the event is free for visitors to attend!
In the spirit of affordability, we also ask our exhibitors to have some pieces for sale that are $50 and under, and to try have most of the pieces at the show be under $1,000.
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This year's SAAF is co-occurring in collaboration with the Ottawa Dressage Festival, which will have thousands of visitors in attendance. This means that SAAF exhibitors can expect many visitors on site each day of the event!
Eligibility Criteria
SAAF welcome both emerging and established artists and artisans. Mediums and art-forms that we are currently accepting applications for, include:
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Painters: oil, acrylic, watercolour
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Wax artists: cold wax, encaustic
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Drawing artists: pastels, graphite, ink
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Glass workers: stained glass, blown glass
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Fabric and Fibre artists: tapestry, macrame
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Potters and Ceramicists
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Woodturners and Woodworkers
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Photographers
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Jewellers
If you don't see your medium or art-form listed, please apply anyway, as we will evaluate your application on overall merit.
IMPORTANT: All pieces must be original, handmade or hand-crafted, or prints of your own original art.
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Applying to SAAF
All applicants will be asked to submit 5 - 10 images of their work, in addition to a brief artist statement, and url links to your online presence.
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The application must be submitted through the SAAF Exhibitor Application in Google Forms. (You can also access this by using the "Apply Now" button below).
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Applications NOW EXTENDED, closing March 25th.
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RESULTS
Early Applications (received prior to February 28th) will receive their results by March 15th.
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Late Applications (received by March 25th) will receive their results by April 15th.
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Evaluation Criteria
Your application will be evaluated by a Selection Committee, using the following areas of consideration:​
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Is the quality of the work professional?
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Do the images clearly depict the work? (i.e., proper lighting, resolution, focus, etc.)
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Does the artists statement clearly explain the body of work in context of the medium being used?
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Is there a professional online presence? (i.e. website and social media)
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Registration Fees
Once you have been selected, you will receive further instructions for the registration process. Registration will be through Eventbrite, at which point you will be able to select your booth location. Please note that this will be on a first come first served basis, and are therefore encouraged to register early to secure your preferred spot.
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What your fee includes:
SAAF is an outdoor show, on the Wesley Clover Parks grounds, in their stabling area. Exhibitors will receive one 10' x 10' ft booth, with four hard-plastic walls, a door, and a canopy roof. The stabling area is a series of horse-stalls, with a fine-gravel ground, and ample room to drive up to your booth for loading and unloading. Your fee also covers some of advertising from us, but in order to make this an affordable event, all exhibitors are expected to participate in promoting the show. Please review the FAQ section at the bottom of this page for more details.​
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Registration / Booth Fees:
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$195 - Standard Booth Fee
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$225 - End-unit Booth Fee
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We do not charge any commissions; exhibitors get to keep 100% of their sales!
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Set-up and Venue
We strongly encourage you to check out the Venue info page, for pictures and detailed information pertaining to measurements, set-up ideas, and more. We also ask that you review the FAQ section at the bottom of this page.​
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Venue Location
Wesley Clover Parks
401 Corkstown Road (located by the Moodie exit off Highway 417)
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Venue Type
Outdoor, in the stabling area of Wesley Clover Parks.
This is an equestrian competition site.
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SAAF Dates and Times
(May 20) Saturday 10am - 6pm
(May 21) Sunday 10am - 4pm
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Set-up Time
Friday May 19th
11:00 am - 4:00pm
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Parking
Ample parking on site.
We have secured free parking for our event.
You may drive up to your booth area for unloading but only during designated set-up times
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Ottawa Dressage Festival
Please note that we are co-occurring in collaboration with the Ottawa Dressage Festival.
This means that there will be horses on-site (in a separated area) during SAAF.
It also means more potential visitors for SAAF!
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FAQ
What are the hours of SAAF will be open?
Saturday 10am - 6pm (May 20)
Sunday 10am - 4pm (May 21)
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When will exhibitors be able to set-up?
Friday between 11am - 4pm
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What size is the booth?
10' x 10' ft, by approximately 15' ft tall
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Do I get to keep all of my sales?
Yes! SAAF does not ask for any commissions, so exhibitors get to keep 100% of what they make.
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What does the Dressage Festival mean for the exhibitors?
The Dressage Festival is an equestrian event, which means that there will be horses on the grounds (in a separate area, but still close to SAAF). This event brings in thousands of visitors, who will be on-site during our event (this means we have built in visitor traffic).
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Will there be food available on-site?
Yes! There will be various food vendors.
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Can I register for two booths?
Yes! Please reach out to us once you have been accepted, and we will arrange it for you.
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Will there be bathrooms?
Yes! We will be supplying porta potties again this year, along with hand-washing stations.
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Are the stalls clean?
Yes! Wesley Clover Parks will be refreshing the stalls for our event. Please note that this is a stabling area at an outdoor venue, which means the ground in the stall may be un-even, and the walls may have some staining.
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What do I need for setting-up my booth?
We are providing exhibitors with the booth space (i.e. four walls, a roof, and a door). You may bring grids, easels, tables, or any other creative display you might have for your work. It is not permitted to drill or nail anything into the walls. You may however use chains, zip ties, etc.
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Is there Wifi or Electricity?
As with many other outdoor art shows, exhibitors are expected to be prepared with their own internet data solutions and back-up batteries as needed.
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What type of advertising will there be?
While Wall Candy is committed to always advertising its events (including social media ad campaigns, press releases, various local event calendars, cross-promotion collaborations, and more depending on the event), in order to keep SAAF affordable, all exhibitors are expected to promote the show to their communities and networks.