The following information is for artists only. If you are interested in participating as a:
- Musician: See details at the Music page.
- Food Vendor: contact Barry Schlecker at barry@brandywinearts.com.
Brandywine Festival of the Arts welcomes 250 juried artists and crafters in a wide range of styles and mediums. Whether you are a painter or a jeweler, a potter or a leather worker, you will find a willing audience of thousands of art lovers ready to peruse and purchase your creations.
The 2012 event takes place on Saturday, September 8 (10am – 6pm) and Sunday, September 9, (10am – 4pm). The BFA is held outdoors at Brandywine Park in Wilmington, Delaware. We set up around the Josephine Fountain, across from the Brandywine Zoo and along the banks of the Brandywine River.
The final application deadline is June 29, 2012. We do rolling admission and space is limited to 250 artists, so it’s best to get your application in early!
We’ll notify you by email of your acceptance or rejection. Please add barry@brandywinearts.com to your email program’s safe list.
Click below to download the full application (PDF). Here you’ll find additional information about the rules and regulations, application and booth fees, and contact information. You can fill in the form digitally and email it to us, or print it out and snail mail it.
Application Checklist
- Complete and sign application with artist information
- $35 non-refundable application fee
- $400 (single) or $750 (double) booth fee
- 3-4 digital images of artwork and 1 image of booth on a labeled CD or e-mailed to bailey@brandywinearts.com
Application is due by June 29th, 2012!
FAQ
Click the arrows to expand answers.
Is there a rain date for the Festival?No. The Brandywine Festival of the Arts will be a rain or shine event! This decision is based on feedback we have received from many traveling artists who have a very tight schedule.
Yes! There is a limit of 2 artists per single space (10’ x 10’) or 3 artists per double space (10’ x 20’). Entries for shared booths will be juried based on the overall quality of the booth. Each artist must send in a separate application form and jury fee. We can do some matchmaking if you want to share a booth but don’t have a partner. Make a note on your application, and we’ll pair you up with someone.
The BFA is a great place to start. Let us know if you’re new at this and we’ll put you in contact with a veteran BFA artist who will advise you on displaying and pricing your work, accepting payments, and all the logistical things that go into doing the show.
You can find tents at online retailers like Amazon.com, or eBay for good second-hand deals. Tents may also be purchased at a warehouse club, like Costco or BJ’s. Be sure to get one with sidewalls that either roll up or unzip. New tents run about $200-300.
Alternatively, you can rent a tent from a local vendor for about $100-150, including delivery and installation. Rental information will be provided closer to the show date.
Nope, sorry. If you process credit cards with a smartphone app, you’ll have to use 3G.
It’s extremely limited. If you need electricity or want to bring a generator, talk to us first.
We do! We charge a 5% processing fee and send you a check as soon as the charges clear.
We understand! Get your application and jury fee ($35) in as soon as possible, so we know you’re interested. You can write a post-dated check or pay in installments. Just contact us and we’ll work something out.
The Brandywine Festival of the Arts is being organized and run by Barry Schlecker. Barry is a professional event planner and art collector who has been involved with the Wilmington community for over 50 years. Barry is being assisted and advised by respected local artists and seasoned festival organizers John Schoonover, Olga Ganoudis, Mitch Lyons, Larry Anderson, Joy Davis, Chuck Ogden and Bill Nicholl.
No. Neither Barry nor any of the advisory board was involved in the canceling of the Brandywine Arts Festival of 2009. With a new name and a new management team, The Brandywine Festival of the Arts will carry on the 50+ year tradition of art on the Brandywine that was sadly absent in 2009.
The Festival will be advertised through print ads in regional publications, internet advertising, social media through our Facebook and Twitter pages, local billboards, e-blasts to businesses and potential visitors and through local radio. The News Journal will be particularly instrumental in marketing and have already agreed to an exclusive partnership with the BFA. With the help of corporate sponsorships, the Brandywine Festival of the Arts will have a marketing budget to help spread the word to tens of thousands of potential visitors. See our Press page for a sample of our past coverage.
