Clinch River Spring Antique Festival 2026 (Artisan Application) 21st Annual

Historic Downtown Clinton welcomes artisans to apply to the 21st Annual Clinch River Spring Antique Festival to be held Saturday, May 2, 2026.  The event takes place from 9am – 5pm, and traditionally attracts over 10,000 shoppers. 

The festival is evenly split between antique vendors (Market St) and artisan vendors (Main St). Why set up as an artisan at an Antique Festival? For years, this festival has paired antiques and artisans to create a well-selling event for all. Clinton is one of the top antiquing towns in America, but also is a strong supporter of the arts, including three arts festivals each year and a historic district that features artisan storefronts. All artisans will be set up along Main Street to encourage maximum visibility for accepted artisans.  We welcome you as Artisans on Main!

Fine Craft, Fine Art, and Handcrafted are the focus of this event. The show will be a juried selection of up to 60 artisans. Artists who wish to be considered should submit five (5) photos (four of their work and one booth shot). 

Amenities:

• 10’x15’ booth space on flat pavement
• All booths along Main Street in the heart of downtown Clinton
• Booth sitters available 
• Best of Show prize(s)
• Number of artists in each category limited to ensure breadth
• Easy load-in
• Free and plentiful parking
• Well-established (21st year) and heavily advertised show
• Expected attendance between 10,000-12,000 shoppers
• Optional pre-purchased lunch delivered directly to artist's booth

Categories:
The categories below will be updated in blue text as categories are filled or waitlisted after a jury session concludes (see dates below for three jury periods); the number of artists in each category is limited. Read the criteria carefully to ensure your eligibility before applying, and note the cutoff dates for early bird and regular pricing. If you have questions about the eligibilty of your art, please reach out using the "Contact Event" button on the top right of this page - we are happy to answer questions before you apply! 

Apothecary: Hand-poured candles and handmade lotions, balms, soaps, bath/body, and/or herbal products. 
Clay / Pottery: Original clay, ceramic, porcelain, stoneware, or earthenware functional and non-functional work.  
Digital Art: Two- or three-dimensional works from which the original image is designed or manipulated by the artist using a computer.  This includes 3D printing, laser engraving, and CNC work if designs are original by the artist. It does NOT include art printed on commercially-made items such as t-shirts and tumblers and we do NOT accept AI-generated art.
Drawing & Printmaking: Original drawings made with pen, pencil, charcoal, pastels, chalk, etc.  The printmaking process may include pulled plates, linoleum prints, etching, engraving, silkscreen, or lithography. Prints of the artist's original work are allowed, as are reproductions on stickers, magnets, or cards.
Edibles: Handmade items such as jams, sauces, baked goods, etc. that are pre-packaged and not prepared onsite. [baked goods waitlist-only as of 3/1]
Fiber/Textiles: Works created from fibers/textiles including basketry, batik, crochet, macrame, weaving, papermaking, knitting, leatherwork, and quilting.  Wearables, rugs, and wall hangings are likewise included in this category. [crochet waitlist-only as of 3/1]
Furniture: Work where the primary intention is furniture, including lamps.  All media are included. 
Glass:  An object made of glass including blown, fused, stained, cast, and molded.  
Jewelry: Original jewelry crafted from metal, glass, stone, clay, wood, or other materials.  Commercial molds or casts are not permitted; any commercially-made components must be subordinate to the handcrafted work. 
Living Botanicals: Plants or flowers grown and cultivated by the exhibitor.
Metal: Functional and sculptural works incorporating metal.
Mixed Media: Includes more than one type of physical material, and can be 2-D or 3-D.  The finished art is suitable for wall mounting or display.
Painting: The use of oils, acrylics, watercolors, and tempera suitable for hanging. Prints of the artist's original work are allowed, as are reproductions on stickers, magnets, or cards.
Photography: Prints, transparencies, or digital images made from the artist’s original negative or taken with a digital camera.
Sculpture: Three-dimensional work done in any individual medium.
Wood: Original works in wood that are built, turned, carved, or tooled. 

Note: we are unable to accept

• AI-generated art
• T-shirts and commercially-produced clothing 
• Embellishment of commercially-made items, e.g., decorating store-bought hats, shirts, bags, etc.
• Resale 
• Permanent jewelry 
• Tumblers, decals, freshies
• Items made using kits
• Items that contain vulgar messaging or profanity
• Items outside the categories approved by the Jury

Application Tips:

• In your artist statement, clearly articulate your artistic process and what makes your work unique.
• For your product photos, use high-quality photographs and include descriptions on how the featured piece(s) is/are made.
• In your booth shot, show your full booth, so jurors can see your full set-up. The photo can be from a previous show or a mock set-up done at home.

1. All work must be produced by the exhibiting artist.
2. All work should exhibit an excellence in concept and technique, as well as the mark of individuality.
3. Absolutely no buy-sell, resale, or ineligible art (see above list).
4. Booth sharing may be permitted, but both artists must apply separately to have their work separately juried.
5. The event is rain or shine.

Each exhibitor is responsible for:

• Setting up and dismantling their display.
• Being ready at the appropriate time.
• Maintaining and staffing their booth. 
• All sales transactions.
• Payment of all sales taxes. 
• The artist presence during the entire festival.
• No early breakdown.

Accepted artisans must ensure they adhere to the payment deadlines, as below, and as reiterated in the acceptance/invitation email they receive upon jury review. Accepted artisans who do not confirm their participation (both accept and pay) by the deadline are considered to have declined the event and will not be assigned a booth space. Late payments / late acceptance will not be possible in ZAPP once final maps are issued - no exceptions. Lastly, artists who violate the rules are not invited back.

There are no refunds of jury fees.  Booth fees will be refunded minus a $20 administrative fee if requested by April 2, one month before the event.  There are no booth fee refunds after April 2.