VENDOR INFORMATION
Zapplication opens
September 19,
2023
Welcome!
2024 Applications -- we will not be taking paper/mail-in applications. Applications will be taken only on Zapplication (which is free for the artist to use!). Apply HERE: https://www.zapplication.org/event-info.php?ID=11700
Ridgway is located at the junction of Highways 550 and 62, in Southwest Colorado, Gateway to the beautiful San Juan Mountains. Montrose, Ouray, and Telluride are just a few miles from Ridgway. We are an important town on the San Juan Scenic Highway, the most beautiful and popular tourist route in Colorado. We offer artists and patrons a well organized, quality show. We are known as one of the most picturesque locations for booth set-up and for shoppers in our spacious town park and for successful sales for our vendors. The Rendezvous is a juried show with a commitment to quality.
The show is attended by several thousand customers and is hailed by many of our regular participants as “one of their best shows of the year”. The organizers offer live musical entertainment all day both days of the show and several attractions are geared specifically to children. The event is fun for the whole family and there is no admission charge. Our show is based on ALTITUDE (Ridgway is 6,985’ in elevation with cool, clean air) and ATTITUDE (we treat our vendors and patrons right!). We hope to see you this summer!
The Ridgway Rendezvous Arts and Crafts Festival is hosted and sponsored by Weehawken Creative Arts.
QUICK DETAILS
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APPLICATION DEADLINE
APPLIATIONS STILL BEING ACCEPTED
Applications WILL be accepted after February 28th and through the end of July, however late fees will apply and notice of booth location may be delayed up until check-in.
MORE DETAILS
About the Host Organization
What your fees are funding
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ELIGIBILITY:
Weehawken Creative Arts is a 501c3 Non-Profit Organization with a mission of providing high-quality arts education and personal growth programs within our community year round.
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Weehawken programs are currently offered in Ridgway, Ouray, Silverton and Montrose with over 300 programs offered annually.
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In addition to running classes and workshops for adults and children year-round, Weehawken also operates The 610 Arts Collective in Ridgway. This space highlights a single-artist in the exhibition space and over 50 additional artists in the "gallery shop" area. You can shop the gallery at www.610arts.com
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Many of our performing arts programs (theater and dance) culminate in incredible performances which have grown to serve over 8,500 audience members each year.
Further, Weehawken hosts and organizes several beloved special events each year:
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The Annual "Rally Through the Alley - Ridgway 1k" Fun Run (May)
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The Annual Ridgway Amateur Sculpting Contest (June)
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The Ridgway Rendezvous Arts and Crafts Festival (August)
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The Sneffels Fiber Arts Festival (Sept)
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The Annual Gingerbread House Decorating Workshops for families in Montrose & Ouray (Dec)
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The Annual Gin and Ginger Gingerbread House Decorating Workshops for Grown Ups in Ridgway (Dec)
About the Jury
Weehawken Creative Arts and Event Directors feel a jury is an essential element to the success of a vibrant and enticing show. Our jury consists of professional artists and craftspeople, a Weehawken Creative Arts Board Member, Ouray County art patrons and collectors, and Rendezvous Award Judges. There are anywhere from 7-11 members at any given review session. Further, the jury is flushed and refreshed each year.
The jury review catagories as a whole based on photographs, written statements of work, materials and techniques. Though you may have participated in this festival in the past, previous participation will not serve as an assurance of automatic accemptance. Assume that all members are reviewing applications with a “blank slate”. Be sure to take time showcasing your work the best you can through crisp, clean detailed photos and a quality, descriptive application.
About Ridgway, CO
Ridgway, Colorado is a welcoming, community-minded rural town situated in a beautiful mountain valley. We support learning, creativity and culture. We share a deep connection to the outdoors. We are committed to being economically sustainable and ecologically responsible.
Ridgway is nestled in the picturesque Uncompaghre Valley and surrounded by the majestic snow capped peaks of the Cimarrons and San Juans, some of the most photographed mountains in the world.
The town is located at the northern entrance of the San Juan Scenic and Historic Byway, one of America’s most spectacular highways. With nearly 300 glorious days of sunshine, it is the perfect town to enjoy and explore a broad spectrum of outdoor activities and year-round cultural events.
The Ridgway Rendezvous Arts and Crafts Festival was “gifted” to Weehawken Creative Arts in 2009 from the previous organizers, Ridgway Community Pride. This gift was given on the condition that Weehawken would enhance the artistic and children’s content at the Ridgway Rendezvous and that proceeds from the Rendezvous would support children’s arts programming. Naturally, Weehawken chomped at the bit.
All proceeds from the Ridgway Rendezvous are earmarked for children’s arts programs such as theater, dance, art and even karate through Weehawken Creative Arts. These funds support not only children’s programs, but also youth student scholarships for children at Weehawken.
Any artist or craftsperson exhibiting his or her own original works of art may apply. Any exhibitor whose work does not meet these standards will be required to withdraw without refund. Photos are retained until after the show in order to compare juried work to exhibited work. Participation in prior years in no way guarantees acceptance for this year, but we encourage you to apply in future years, since the jury committee changes each year. A jury fee is required even if you have participated in other years.
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WE DO NOT ACCEPT
Meet our Managing Team
The Ridgway Rendezvous is directed by Weehawken's professional programming team which includes Ashley King and Colin Sullivan. Colin is a professional event programmer and promoter -- and has been for many years. Ashley is a career arts administrator -- and this will be her 36th time running an arts festival in the Mountains of Colorado. They are assisted by Kentee Pasek, our former show Director and onsite coordinator. Hospitality is managed by the Board of Directors at Weehawken as well.
The administrative and artistic managing team of two is actually split between two arts organizations (Weehawken and The Sherbino) and the team collectively is responsible for running and curating over 500 programs and events each year in three communities for both Weehawken Creative Arts and the Sherbino.
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In addition the team runs and curates the galleries at the 610 Arts Collective on Clinton Street in Ridgway, where over 100 artists showcase their works annually.
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In this, we ask that you PLEASE take into account that our team does not solely manage the Ridgway Rendezvous Arts Festival. We care deeply about the festival and its success -- but we also care deeply about ALL of the programs we produce for the two organizations we work for. We strive to return inquiries promptly, but your patience and kindness will go a long way.
2024 FEES
Jury Fee:
$35 (separate check / non- refundable)
for everyone except food vendors.
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Late Fee (after February 29): $25
Art Booths & Gourmet Booths: Click here
$350 for 10×10 space
$675 for 10x20 space
Concessions/Food: for on-site consumption: $275 for each 10×10 space (call or email for details: 970-318-0150) Food Vendors APPLY HERE
Electric Fee: $50 (if requested by a vendor. Electricity is limited and is limited to a particular location/area in the park. First requested, first-reserved)
Late Fees (in addition to the jury fee):
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March 1—June 31: $25
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July 1—July 15: $35
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July 16—August 1: $40
CANCELLATION DEADLINE: If you cancel before July 1st we must have your WRITTEN notice with an additional SASE to receive a booth refund. Requests prior to July 1 have a $25 cancellation fee. After July 1 fees are non-refundable.
Camping:
Dry Camping is not always a guarantee, though we always try to coordinate an option for vendors. As in most cases, there is a cost to rent and insure a lot with private owners, vendors can expect a camping fee for use of this option. In 2024, this camping option cost $50 per camp vehicle for the fest (Fri & Sat). Spaces were limited to 20.
Any manufactured items, ceramics cast from commercial molds, promotional postcards, books, decoupage, kits, imported, resale or mass produced items, silk screened T-shirts, decorated or painted t-shirts and clothing. Articles not made by the exhibitor will not be considered. Any exhibitor whose work does not meet these standards will be required to withdraw without refund.
Application Categories
Bath Products & Candles: Must be hand-made and of high quality.
Ceramics: Original clay and porcelain work OTHER THAN jewelry will be accepted in this category.
Drawing & Graphics: Works created using a dry media (chalk, charcoal, pencil, etc.) or a fluid medium of inks and washes applied by pen or brush.
Fiber Arts: Includes basketry, embroidery, leatherwork (unless wearable), weaving, tapestry and paper-making.
Food/Concessions: Food intended for consumption at the event as an event snack.
Glass: All handmade glass EXCLUDING JEWELRY and mass produced items.
Gourmet: Homemade, pre-packed food items intended for home consumption off-site and/or gift giving. (Samples must be sent in for jury)
Jewelry: All jewelry, regardless of clay, metal, paper, plastic, glass or fiber components, must be entered in this category. No commercial casts, molds or mass produced items will be considered.
Metal: Includes all non-sculptural, NON-JEWELRY works crafted from metal.
Mixed Media: Both 2 and 3-dimensional works that incorporate more than one type of physical material.
Other: Unique one of a kind art not placed in the other categories. Including but not limited to computer arts, feather or egg painting, and stone art.
Painting: Traditional oil based painting regardless on the surface it is painted on. OR, Traditional water based painting regardless on the surface it is painted on. Including but not limited to acrylic, watercolors, water based oils and water mixed pastels.
Photography: Photographic prints made from the artist’s original image.
Sculpture: Three dimensional original sulpture in any medium.
Wearable Art: No mass produced items will be accepted, regardless of embellishments. Hand made hats, belts, clothing of any kind should apply in this category.
Wood: Original works in wood that are hand-tooled, machine-worked, turned or carved.
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NOTE: Any legitimate complaints against participating vendors by town/taxing authorities, customers, other vendors, event/admin staff, or volunteers during or after an event will be entered into consideration in the jury process with future applications and may impact approval.