Photo credit: Elizabeth Courtenay

Vendors Sought for 2017 North Charleston Arts Fest Events

The 2017 North Charleston Arts Fest is just over one month away, taking place May 3-7. Vendor opportunities are available for artists, crafters, guilds, antique merchants, and arts-related businesses and organizations at the Arty Block Party on May 4, as well as the Arts Fest Expo on May 6 & 7. Complete details and application instructions for these vendor opportunities are available for download at NorthCharlestonArtsFest.com/apply. The deadline to submit applications is Friday, April 14, 2017.

Arty Block Party
The North Charleston Arts Fest Arty Block Party is a new event combining what was previously the Arts Fest Art Walk and Arts Fest Street Dance. The event will be held from 5:00-9:00pm on Thursday, May 4, in the Olde Village area of North Charleston near Park Circle. East Montague Avenue will be closed to vehicular traffic between Jenkins Avenue and Virginia Avenue. Vendors will line the street between Chateau Avenue and Virginia Avenue. Aside from vendors, the event also features live music by the Shem Creek Boogie Band and Contemporary Violinist Daniel D., live painting demos, hands-on art activities, a kid's zone, and more. It's a night of art and culture for the entire family to enjoy! 

Vendor spaces are open to artists, fine craft artisans, crafters, guilds, and arts-related businesses and non-profit organizations. Fees range from $10 to $30.

Arts Fest Expo
The Arts Fest Expo, considered the festival’s flagship event, takes place May 6 & 7 from 11:00am-5:00pm at the Charleston Area Convention Center, located at 5001 Coliseum Drive in North Charleston. The Expo offers free admission and parking to more than 40 performances on four stages; judged art and photography shows; the SC Palmetto Hands Juried Fine Craft Exhibit; a gem & mineral show; children’s activities; a food courtyard; and art, craft, and antique vendors.

Vendor spaces are open to artists, fine craft artisans, and crafters selling original, hand-made items, as well as art guilds and antique merchants. This year, all vendors will be placed indoors in Exhibit Hall B, with vendor spaces separated by pipe and drape. Fees range from $50-$80.

The North Charleston Arts Fest has matured into one of the most comprehensive arts festivals in the state of South Carolina with a schedule that offers something for everyone, including concerts, theatre presentations, children’s programs, workshops and demonstrations, exhibitions, public art installations, and much more. For more information about the North Charleston Arts Fest, or to download vendor applications and entry instructions for the Judged Fine Art and Judged Photography Competitions & Exhibitions, visit NorthCharlestonArtsFest.com. For more information about other programs offered by the City of North Charleston Cultural Arts Department, visit the Arts & Culture section of the City’s website, northcharleston.org, or call 843-740-5854.