Holiday Market FAQ
—> Updated: September 21, 2023
What is the Holiday Market?
The Holiday Market is one of our most popular member benefits. It is a juried co-operative pop-up store that typically runs 6 weeks from early November thru December 24th.
Where is it located?
Each year, we look for an unoccupied retail space and ask the owners if we can set up a pop-up store. For a number of years, we were at the same location at 29 Hudson Road, Sudbury. For the last few years, we were in the TJMaxx plaza on Rte 20. We are currently looking at options for this year.
Do we pay rent for the space?
We have always paid for any utilities we incur. Last year, we paid a minimal monthly rent in addition to the utilities. It will depend on the space we secure.
How do you determine opening day?
Opening day is determined by the dates the landlord lets us into the property. We aim for an early to mid November opening.
How can I participate?
This is a juried event open to members of the Sudbury Art Association. If you are not already a member, you will need to register with SAA first. Click here for membership info. Once you are a member, you can apply to be in the Holiday Market. The application will be sent out to the membership when it is time.
Note, part of the jury process is to not have too many of one kind of art. We try to have a balance and part of that is determined by the size of the space and how many total artists we can fit.
How big a space will I have for my art?
The size of the space is determined by the size of the location and the number of artists. We try to give every artists enough space for a 6 foot table. Typically we have room for the addition of one other small item but again, that is really dependent on the location of the pop-up
When is the application deadline?
To be determined.
What are the guidelines this year?
Click HERE for the HM2022 Guidelines. We will have updated HM2023 Guidelines soon
NOTE: The Holiday Market will only run if we find a space. The number of participants will depend on the size of space we find
What does it mean that this is a co-operative event?
There is a committee of volunteers that organize the event. But there is a lot of work that goes into putting this event together. That means that EVERY participating artist will be required to take on jobs, work shifts in the store, help advertise the event thru social media, lawn signs and sending email to your followers.
Do I have to work the entire time the shop is open? How many shifts do I need to work?
Each artist will be require to work a number of shifts. The number is determined by the number of participants and how many days we are open. Each shift is 4 hours long plus 15 min (depending if you are opening or closing) Prior years, we have typically needed each artist to work 5 or 6 shifts. We always have at least 2 people working a shift and during the busier times, we try to have 3 people.
Want to know more about the jobs?
Click here. Note: we will be continuing to update this page so please check periodically.
How is this event organized?
We have a committee who organizes beforehand. This includes finding the location, jurying the participants, figuring out all the jobs we need done, determining the budget to list a few organizational tasks. Once the location is secured and we are given a date, we determine the timing: when we can clean up the space, decorate the space inside and out, have the artists set up and select shifts to work, and ultimately decide on our opening day.
How much does it cost to participate?
The fee had been between $150 & $250. This cost will be determined once we have secured a space.
What is the fee used for?
Signage, paper bags and tissue paper, decorations for both inside and out, food for events, advertising, post cards, cash register supplies, cleaning supplies, gift cards for raffle to benefit the SAA Art scholarship. Rent and primarily utilities make up the largest portion.
If there is leftover money, what happens to it?
Though we try to keep the fee close to what we think we will need, sometimes we have a surplus. It will be kept and used the following year toward the same event.
What do I need to supply for the application?
You will need:
A short description of your artwork (example: handmade & wheel thrown functional pottery)
6 good quality, not blurry photos (including 1 of your typical indoor setup and 1 in process photo) that represent your work. These will be used by the jury and for social media/advertising. The process photo will be used for the pre-advertising video. Show yourself at work, your hands while working, your art in process - whatever you want.
A short blurb that describes who you are and what you make. This will be used for social media advertising and should be between 3-6 sentences. We will not edit or shorten these so please be thoughtful and careful with what you give us, This should be written in the third person. PLEASE DO NOT SEND US YOUR ENTIRE BIO.
What kind of artwork is accepted?
We require all artwork to be handmade by the artist.
What do I need to do once I am accepted?
You will be supplied with a website link that should contain all/most of what you need (this is a work in progress). Here’s a short list:
Pay the fee. Note: if for some reason we are unable to procure the space, we will return the full amount of the fee.
An optional 1 minute video showing your art and how you make it. This video may be used for social media. It can be a series of pictures put together to make a video of your process, or you can take a video showing how you work. Have fun with it! And use it on your own social media!
Sign up for jobs (more on that later)
Sign up for shifts per instructions you will receive (typically 5-6 4 hour & 15 minute shifts depending on the the number of days and how many participants we have)
Label all your items per instructions you will receive and create an price sheet
Help us tell people about the Holiday Market by sharing posts on Facebook & Instagram, sending email to all of your followers, giving out postcards, setting up yard signs, telling everyone you know.
Attend a training session to learn how checking out customers works
Attend a mandatory meeting where we answer questions and explain the jobs, etc.
Attend the pre-opening night gathering at the store where we learn about each other’s art
Read the documents and watch the videos we supply you with
Read the emails we send you
Ask questions on what you don’t understand
Our motto: be flexible. :-)
How do we promote the Holiday Market?
We run multiple ads on Facebook and Instagram. Pictures you supply or ones we take at the Holiday Market will be used in these video ads
We promote each artist one day during the Holiday Market on Facebook and Instagram. We make up a schedule ahead of time based on when people are working so that we can promote you when you are in the store. We try to promote new people first and the long time participants later in the show. It really helps to let your followers know by sharing the post we make for you or your own when you are working in the store.
We promote on anything we can find that is free or inexpensive (such as the Patch). If you know of something, let us know!
We try to get articles in the local paper.
And lastly, signs, postcards, word of mouth, and you. Remember, you are not just promoting yourself but also your fellow artists!
Dates:
TBD: Application will be made available on the website
TBD: Application deadline
TBD: Jury process will be completed. Artists will be notified.