Sioux Narrows Annual Arts Festival
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Sioux Narrows 62nd Annual Arts Festival 
​Saturday August 5th and Sunday August 6th, 2023 

2023 CALL TO ARTISTS IS NOW OPEN 
This is a juried show. Artist Applications are due by March 27, 2023 

2023 CALL FOR PERFORMERS and DEMONSTRATORS

There will be several openings for entertainment on Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th between 11 am and 4 pm in the downtown strip. Interested parties can inquire at siouxnarrowsartsfestival@hotmail.com. 

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ARTIST APPLICATIONS AND FESTIVAL INFORMATION WILL BE EMAILED OUT.
Please request an application from Maury Swenson at  
​​snartscouncil@gmail.com

The Application/Registration Package is in a Microsoft Word format as well as a PDF.
If you have any questions please contact Maury Swenson.
We look forward to receiving your application.  
​
​Dear Artist:
 
The 2023 Sioux Narrows Arts Festival is now accepting applications for our 62nd year of celebrating the unique artistic talents of Lake of the Woods and beyond. This annual show will be held Saturday, August 5th and Sunday, August 6th from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm at the Curling Club on Panorama Road in Sioux Narrows, Ontario. Exhibitors are expected to only display work hand-crafted by themselves and to exhibit for the entire length of the show.   
 
Our festival is a juried show and we invite all artists to submit 3 - 5 photos of their work with their application. Digital photos are preferred if possible. A brief resume may be included should you wish to offer more insight into interesting facts about your specific work.  We also invite you to share any connection/history you might have to our Lake of the Woods community. Previous acceptance does not guarantee a booth in the current festival. 
 
A registration fee of $75 must accompany a completed 2023 Application Form in order for artists to be juried. Student artists who have not completed high school will only be charged a $25 registration fee.  There will be no charge for an artist who is demonstrating only. If you are a festival participant, the Sioux Narrows Arts Council will request payment of 10% of your booth sales after the first $500. This includes all commissioned work that results from the show. If your work is not selected by the jury, or if you withdraw from the festival before July 1, 2023, the registration fee will be refunded. Payment can be made by cheque or e-transfer. (Note that if your registration fee is in the form of a cheque, the cheque will NOT be cashed until jurying is complete and you are accepted). In the event that we are unable to hold the festival due to government regulations, we can issue a full refund.
 
The deadline for receiving applications is Monday, March 27, 2023.
 
Successful applicants will be notified by April 10, 2023 by email or phone. We again anticipate being able to accommodate only a portion of applicants due to limited availability of space, and will notify those who have been waitlisted. In the event that an accepted registrant later finds that he/she is unable to participate, we ask that the arts council be informed promptly in order that a waitlisted applicant may be accommodated.
 
Please return your application form, photos and registration fee by March 27, 2023 to:

Mail:
Sioux Narrows Arts Council
P.O. Box 90, Sioux Narrows, Ontario   P0X 1N0 

 E-Mail snartscouncil@gmail.com 

Any profits from the festival are used to fund art scholarships for full-time and seasonal residents of the Sioux Narrows-Nestor Falls Township, as well as to subsidize local art related workshops.
 
We look forward to seeing you in 2023!
 
Registration fees can be paid by cheque or by sending an electronic funds transfer by email.
 
You will be sent a confirmation email that we have received both your application and registration fee. 
 
You will be notified by email by April 10, 2023 if the jury has accepted your application or if you have been waitlisted. Thank you for your application. 


 
2023 ARTIST SHOW INFORMATION & REGULATIONS
 
Set-Up Times:
The building will be open on Friday, August 4th from 12:00 to 5:00 p.m. and also on Saturday morning, August 5th at 8 a.m. for set up. (The show opens to the public at 10 a.m. August 5th .)   
 
Security:
A security person will be on the site on both Friday and Saturday nights, from the minute we close up on both days until the doors open again in the morning.  Your displays will be well taken care of.
 
Insurance:
The Sioux Narrows Arts Council carries liability insurance for the duration of the show. However, we cannot insure items we do not own, therefore, exhibitors should arrange additional coverage as required for their own pieces. 
 
Table Rentals:
Table fees will be collected during the show. They are $10 for 6/8 ft and $5 for a 4ft. Please bring your own chairs.
 
Fees/Receipts:
As stated in the registration letter, a minimum fee of $75 was payable upon registration.  An additional 10% of sales over $500 will be expected.  This includes all commissioned work that results from the show. An envelope will be distributed on Sunday in which your additional fee can be enclosed.  Receipts for both your table rental and deposit/fees will be available after the festival.  All pictures that were sent with your application will also be returned on Sunday unless already returned.
 
ATM:
In order to address the unreliable internet access within the building, we hope to have a portable ATM/Cash Machine to be available at the entrance to the curling rink.
 
Exhibits:
The work exhibited must be consistent with the photographs/application submitted.  Work must be hand-crafted by the exhibitor.  Note also that the artist is expected to be in attendance.
 
Artist Statement:
Exhibiting artists should display an artist statement in a prominent place within their booths.
 
Supplies:
Please remember to bring exhibits ready to display (frames, hooks, wires, tape, lights, extension cords). Although we have some supplies available for your use, we cannot guarantee supply.
 
Displays and Booths:
Artists will be responsible for securing their art to their displays in case of wind damage. Booth size is 8 ft x 11 ft.
 
Packing Up:
There should be no removal of displays or unsold goods before 4:00 p.m. on Sunday.  This will be strictly enforced.
 
Exchange:
Sioux Narrows has a high number of U.S. visitors and you may find U.S. funds being offered for payment of purchases.  Since the exchange rate fluctuates, the current weekend rate will be available.
 
Parking:
Check with the parking attendants as to where the exhibitors’ cars will be parked.   If you need to get out during the day, an accessible spot will be provided.  If you wish to leave your vehicles downtown at one of the designated parking sites, there is a shuttle bus service provided free of charge to the show site.
 
Show Site:
First-time exhibitors will have no trouble finding the Curling Club (the show location). The entrance to the road is immediately south of The Narrows gift shop.  Travel approximately 500 meters down the road and the Curling Club is on the left side.   Someone will be there to assist you.
 
Accommodations:
If you require accommodations, please book immediately.  Space is limited in Sioux Narrows in the summer.   Although there are over thirty resorts, most will be busy.   Arriving without a reservation will likely result in disappointment. 
 
Smoking/Pets:
For the comfort and safety of all artists and attendees, smoking is not permitted in the building.  No pets are allowed inside the building .
 
Concession:
We hope to provide, for the convenience of the participants, a concession with light snacks and beverages available during show hours.  
 
Fans:
The building is not air-conditioned and it can get very hot in August.  While we do have exhaust fans, you may wish to bring a small fan for your comfort.
 
Power Consumption:
Power consumption by exhibitors seems to increase each year and we are beginning to have problems with overloaded circuits. Please keep your power consumption below 500 Watts.
 
Free Entertainment:
The arts council has also sponsored a children’s craft tent outside of the festival site and afternoon musical performances downtown.
 
Show Profits:
For your information, profits from the show are used to fund art scholarships for full-time and seasonal residents of the Sioux Narrows-Nestor Falls Township, as well as to subsidize various art-related workshops in the Township.
 
If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to call us and 
we will do our best to assist you.  

Sioux Narrow Arts Council
snartscouncil@gmail.com
P.O. Box 90, Sioux Narrows, Ontario   P0X 1N0
(807) 467-7250  snartscouncil@gmail.com 

   
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2021
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January 2020
SEEKING OUR STORY
The Sioux Narrows Arts Council is collecting the names of artists and volunteers who contributed to the establishment of the Sioux Narrows Arts Festival since it began in the 1950's. We are looking for your stories, memoirs, photos and artwork created or purchased in Sioux Narrows to include in our collection. We look forward to sharing our findings in the summer of 2021 when we celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the Sioux Narrows Arts Council.
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​The Sioux Narrows Arts Council, by volunteer co-operative  effort, commits to supporting and promoting area art and artists via an arts festival and art education within our community. 

  • 2023 HOME
  • 2023 CALL TO ARTISTS
  • COMMUNITY ARTS EVENTS
  • SCHOLARSHIPS
  • ARTISTS IN THE PARK
  • FESTIVAL ARCHIVES
  • ACCOMMODATIONS
  • BEST OF SHOW WINNERS
  • 2022 PHOTO GALLERY
  • 2019 FESTIVAL EVENTS
  • 2018 PHOTO GALLERY