Are you an artist or craftmaker?
Helfa Gelf 10 is our 5th annual Open Studios event for selected artists and makers in North Wales. It is held over three weekends, allowing the public the special opportunity to peek ‘behind the scenes’ right into the heart of creativity – your studio.
Helfa Gelf aims to promote you as an artist by showing and selling your work directly to the public. Helfa Gelf also gives you a fantastic chance to meet fellow artists as well as curators, arts officers and others who could help your career.
Who can apply?
Visual artists and makers of all genres, forms and media are welcome – for a current listing see our artists page. You need a space that you’re happy to open to the public for the duration of Helfa Gelf, whether it be a professional studio, gallery, your spare bedroom or garden shed. You can even find yourself a temporary workspace for the duration of the event. You could also arrange to share space with other Helfa Gelf artists.
What can you expect from us?
- bilingual professionally-produced marketing and publicity, of both the event and your work and studio, including:
- various printed publications
- this site, helfagelf.co.uk, which includes your own updateable page with text and photos of your work, and link to your own website
- event media coverage
- online forum for sharing information, ideas and discussions with other Helfa Gelf members
- various private views and events
- support and promotion of your practice
- masterclasses and free professional development workshops
- the chance to enter and be selected for several independently curated exhibitions. Curators will use the images you supply on your webpages as first port of call for selection.
What do we expect from you?
The Helfa Gelf members who have experienced the most visitors and sales during Helfa Gelf agree that the more commitment, enthusiasm and effort you put into it, the more you will get out of it!
All members will agree to:
- adhere strictly to the opening times (11.00am-5.00pm) and be open for visitors on the days that they have advertised as being open
- have a space set up for people to visit, and be actively working (as much as feasible) during this time
- display provided banners/flags as way-finders for visitors
- provide necessary information and print-quality images for our information and marketing purposes.
We also strongly advise:
- you market your studio
- you do your best to ensure that your visitors have a fantastic experience. Suggestions include hosting workshops, demonstrations, and/or inviting local schoolgroups
- If you can offer a cup of tea to visitors it’s often appreciated or if you happen to be near a pub or tea shop, why not ask them to help promote the event in return for sending customers their way?
- you consider collaborating with other artists in your local area to further raise the event (and your) profile.
The details:
When?
The event will take place from Fridays to Sundays for the last three weekends in September.
How much?
It will cost £50 to take part in this year’s event.
To be considered for inclusion:
- Complete the Application Form IN FULL and submit it online no later than 14 February 2010. The data you provide will be used in the printed publication (except where noted). You are responsible for ensuring your data is correct.
- Upload an image of your work for marketing materials. Please see the technical specifications.
- Upload an up-to-date CV
IMPORTANT!
Once all applications are in, we will select the artists taking part and then notify you as soon as possible. If you have been accepted we will send you an invoice for your fee for which you will receive a receipt on payment. Unfortunately if you drop out of the event we cannot refund your fees. If we have not received payment within 28 days of sending your invoice you will be deselected.
Health and Safety is an important consideration for all participants. Helfa Gelf is not responsible for insuring art and craft works but will arrange group Public Liability insurance for the event. Participants are responsible for ensuring their studio complies with Health and Safety Regulations.
Helfa Gelf/Art Trail does not take commission on sales/enquiries/commissions etc. that result from the Open Studios event.
For further information please contact Sabine Cockrill on sabine@helfagelf.co.uk, or contact the HG technical helpline on help@helfagelf.co.uk
We look forward to hearing from you!
