Info For Artists
Sausalito Art Walk is the most diverse event of it's kind in the region, with nearly every imaginable discipline represented throughout the season.The event promotes the local art community and invites artists of all disciplines including visual art, literary works, performance artists, dancers and musicians who have an increasing presence at each event. Art Walk brings a larger representation of local artists work home where it should belong.
Sausalito Art Walk is presented by the Sausalito Art Commission and all interested parties must submit samples of their work and be assigned a position at the event. The Art Commission is in charge of the event, holds the permit and is responsible for all artists exhibiting in public spaces. Any artist, or performer that attempts to bypass the submission process and simply shows up to the event will be asked to leave, no exceptions. It is not a free for all and artists are screened and positioned on the walk, so there is good coverage of the entire street and there is diversity of art represented. We don't want artists clumped together and competing for position and our application process helps alleviate those problems. We are about diversity and opportunity for local artists to exhibit their work. It's not an exclusive club, nor is there a lot of red tape to participate. Just read the guidelines below to learn how to participate in the largest, most diverse, local art and music expo in the region.
If you have participated in past seasons, there have been some changes. You will be expected to follow these guidelines as well. We are not out to throw you out of the event. We appreciate the fact you have been participating in previous seasons. But there have been changes, due to the permit and insurance requirements of the City of Sausalito. There is now a permit in place and liability of the the event rests on the shoulders of the Art Commission. The Art Commission has set forth these guidelines to make sure the event is run smoothly. Again, all artists that want to participate are going to have to submit their work and do it only through this web site or by contacting the Sausalito Art Commission.
We have no interest in excluding talented artists from participating in our event, especially residents of Sausalito. We don't care if you are a commercial artist with a brand name. We simply want to ensure you have put time into your craft and are accomplished in your medium. We have a certain standard we need to maintain, for the benefit of the event as a whole. We are trying to keep the event diverse and well organized.
We are all about diversity and are welcoming to emerging and established artists of all disciplines. If you are interested in submitting art to be exhibited at Sausalito Art Walk click here>
Only fine art is allowed to be displayed at the event. There is absolutely no merchandising of any items that are not fine art. Art Walk is not a garage sale, flea market, craft fair, or Farmer's Market. People who try to circumvent these guidelines will be asked to leave. We don't have vendor booths, selling coffee mugs and kettle corn and that is part of what makes the event special. It's a grass roots effort that offers artists of all disciplines an opportunity to get there work seen in the community where they reside.
Your participation is what you make of it. Here are a few suggestions to help artists make the most of participating in the event:
- Bring plenty of promotional materials, so if a collector wants to contact you about purchasing work, they will be able to reach you. If you have your ducks in a row, you will be able to fully capitalize on your appearance at the event. If your effort is half-hearted, you will not realize the full benefits.
- Bring a guest book, or have forms people can fill out to provide you with their contact information. This will allow you to invite them to future exhibits or contact them in regards to new work you are currently exhibiting.
- Presentation is important. You may show work that is framed or even unmated if you desire. You may also market prints. As long as it's art and you represent it for what it is, you may exhibit it at the event.
- If you are showing in a merchant space, bring placards with information about each piece(ie:the medium and support, title, name and contact info). If you are showing in a merchant space you must be present the night of art walk. Merchants may take a 25% split at their discretion. It is important that you communicate with the establishment, so you know what to expect. End arounds will not be tolerated. If you are showing in a merchant space and try to sell the piece from under the merchant, we will ban you from participating in future events.
- Always set up facing Caledonia Street, not an adjacent side street, this will improve your visibility. We do not want you to be invisible. Feel free to actively talk to people about your art and interact freely. You don't have to be so absorbed in your art that you are neglecting interacting with prospective clients. You may bring a piece you're working on and just do touch up work, if you like. Not all mediums can be worked on at the event and you will not be excluded from participating as an easel artist. We are all about free expression. "Easel Artists" tend to receive more attention than artists in merchant spaces, because they are the most visible.
If you are an easel artist, you must work on a piece of art while you are at the event. You may also set up a small card table to display work, or a display rack. If you are an easel artist you pay no participation fee and take no split. Please do not block sidewalks, as that is encroachment. You must leave 36" of clearance at all times for wheelchair access and to not impede the flow of traffic on the sidewalk.
Our guidelines are designed to avoid chaos and preserve the diversity and integrity of Art Walk. You won't find hot dog vendors, kettle corn and cell phone accessories being hawked at Sausalito Art Walk. Our goal is to promote local artists and bring a larger representation of Bay Area artists work back home to our community where it should belong.
Free expression is the spirit of our event. You are welcome to create and display any work you choose, as long as it is art and doesn't violate obscenity laws. You're their for your own benefit and our community appreciates artists participating in our event. As long as you are respectful towards others and follow the basic guidelines, we will welcome you with open arms.
If you will be selling work, the City of Sausalito may a require a vending permit which costs $20 for a day permit. Sausalito Art Walk charges no fee for participation, which distinguishes it from other "art festivals." It is not a commercialized event. We are required to inform all artists of these requirements and please refer to the following page for more detailed information:
For City Licensing and Tax Requirments click here>
Related Pages:
Easel Artist Guidelines>
Guide to Exhibiting in a Merchant Space>
How to Submit Art>
Other Pages:Sausalito Art Walk Information>
About the Event>
Live Music Schedule>
2008 Art Walk Schedule>
Children's Entertainment and Art>
Art Walk Merchants>
How to Exhibit at the Event>
How to Submit your Music>
Guidelines for Artist Participants >
Previous Events>
Map to the Event>
Tour Sausalito's Caledonia Neighborhood >The Next Sausalito Art Walk takes place April 9th, 2008
from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM on Caledonia Street
"Second Wednesdays" March through October