Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival 2027

ANNUAL ISLE OF EIGHT FLAGS SHRIMP FESTIVAL
Fine Art & Crafts Show in Historic Fernandina Beach
on Beautiful Amelia Island, Florida

  
The Fine Art and Crafts portion of this show is administered by the Island Art Association, Inc. in conjunction with the Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival Committee.  This show is an annual juried event consistently rated by “Sunshine Artist Magazine” in the top 200 of North America’s best events. 
   
The street festival features fine art and crafts, antiques, food, open air entertainment and special events, providing an excellent atmosphere to exhibit and sell your work.  Annually, over 100,000 visitors are expected for the 3-day event.
 

NOTICES FOR 2027:

• The rule against manufactured / mass produced items will be strictly enforced.  Artists/craftspeople with such goods in their booths will be removed from the show without refunds and will be barred from future shows.
• We require a booth shot in the application.  Artists should be aware that the Jury looks carefully at those images and your score includes an evaluation of the attractiveness of your booth and display.  
• Artists causing disruptions, failing to follow instructions of festival, city, or IAA staff, or disregarding the rules and regulations in this application may be asked to leave without refunds and refused entry in future shows at the sole discretion of the IAA staff. 

COMMUNICATION

All correspondence will come to you via e-mail through the ZAPP system.  Be sure to add the ZAPP address to your e-mail contacts and make sure to check your spam and junk mail folders to ensure our communications are not going there by mistake.  

CATEGORIES AND AWARDS

All works for judging must have been completed since 2024.   For all categories except creative crafts, all items must be one-of-a-kind or limited edition objects that have been conceived and perfected by the artist's own hand and created in the artist's studio.  In applicable categories: all work must be signed by the artist and must use * Archival quality materials (ie. high quality materials meant to last a long time), and editions must be limited to 250 inclusive of all sizes.  Pay attention when choosing your entry category to place your work in the appropriate group for judging or creative craft.  The festival reserves the right to re-assign work to a more appropriate category when needed.  

SHOW CATEGORIES: 
Artists are encouraged to choose their category carefully to comply with the following guidelines.  During the application review and jurying process your category may be changed to more accurately fit the category requirements below. 

•  Oil Painting -  Artistic creation using a painting comprised of pigment on an appropriately prepared 2D surface.
• Acrylic Painting  - Artistic creation using a paint comprised of pigment, acrylic polymer as the synthetic binder of the pigments and water on an appropriately prepared 2D surface
• Watercolor Painting - A painting technique using pigments diluted with water to create transparent washes (including egg tempura).
• Mixed Media -   Two dimensional, one-of-a-kind works created by the artist in which the primary intent is the union of two or more physical materials. 
• Drawing, Printmaking, Digital, ArtInks and Pastels- Original two-dimensional work created using graphite, charcoal, chalk, pastels, wax crayon, inks, and washes or art printmaking techniques. Two dimensional printmaking is a transfer process of producing original art, usually in multiples.  Printed original works are hand manipulated by the artist using etching engraving, silk-screening, stone and plate lithography, linoleum block or woodcut, etc. which have been properly signed and numbered as a limited edition no greater than 250 using archival quality materials. Digital art works may be created solely on a computer or by using computer programs to significantly manipulate or alter source material(s) such as scans or digital files. Works must be in limited editions, signed and numbered, no greater than 250 inclusive of size per image using only archival quality materials *(see descripton above). Digital art plrints must be made from the artist's original digital file under the artist's supervision. 
• Fiber – Original work created by the artist from fibers, or leather including basketry, weaving, quilt making, papermaking and fine wearables. No factory produced items, regardless of additional modification or enhancement by the artist, may be exhibited in this category. Any items using handpainted or screen printed components must apply in the Creative Crafts category.
• Sculpture - Orignial 3D work created by the artist may be in any medium or combination of two or more mediums, used for artistic sculpture such as  stone, metal, mixed media.  
• Wood – Original work created by the artist from wood.  No factory produced items, regardless of additional modification or enhancement by the artist may be exhibited in this category.  Any items using pre-made components must apply in the Creative Crafts category.
• Glass-  Original work created in glass by the artist including blown glass, fused glass or stained glass.
• Metal - Original work in metal created exclusively by the artist.
• Ceramics – Original shaped and fired clay (including earthenware, porcelain, stoneware and terracotta). Non-jewelry. May not be machine-made or mass produced.
• Photography – Two dimensional work created by the artist that includes digital and film photography that has not been manipulated to achieve results beyond what could be produced in a traditional dark room.  Hand-colored photography and emulsion transfers are accepted in this category.  Only artist's original source material is acceptable.  Work must be printed by the artist or under the artist's supervision in limited editions no greater than 250 inclusive of size per image, properly signed and numbered on archival quality materials* (see description above).  Signage of an overtly commercial nature listing the availability of numerous sized, print surfaces and/or framing options is prohibited. 
• Jewelry – All jewelry, whether the work is produced from metal, glass, clay, fiber, paper, plastic or other materials, must be entered in this category. No commercial cast or production studio work is allowed. Jewelers whose process consists primarily of assembly and the use of commercially produced components such as charms and findings must apply in the Creative Crafts category.
• Creative  Crafts This category consists of traditional crafts generally considered functional and may include beadwork, leatherwork, needlepoint, quilting, brooms, dolls and toys, calligraphy, pressed flowers, and hand painting on items that are not created by the artist. Wearable fibers in this category include hand painted on or modified fabric not made by the artist. This show does not accept food items such as sauces, pickles, jams, or other similar products.   This  is a juried category that will not be judged for awards at the festival.

This show does not accept the following items and applicants entering these will be rejected and the application fees will not be refunded. 

• Food items such as pickles, sauces, jams, spice mixes,  etc.,
• Books 
• Soaps and Candles
• Plants/botannicals - except where incorporated into an art or craft item 
• Mass produced/manufactured items of any kind are prohibited.

Awards: 

Best of Show: $5,000
First Place Overall $2,500
Second Place Overall $1,500
Third Place Overall  $1,000
2026 Iris Allen Award for Jewelry  $300
15 Judges Choice Awards  $300 each
15 Awards of Distinction : $100 each

 

Booth and Merchandise Rules
 

• Exhibitors may not sub-lease, assign, or apportion their booth space.  
• No commercial booths, signage or past award ribbons are allowed on or in the booth.
• Exhibitors must keep their merchandise within the allotted boundaries of the booth space
• Accepted artists must be present in their booth on both weekend days until the festival ends and on Friday evening if they elect to open that day.  No dealers or stand-ins are allowed, although a companion may fill in for a short comfort break morning and afternoon. 
• ONLY WORKS CREATED AND MADE BY THE ARTIST MAY BE DISPLAYED IN THE BOOTH.  Manufactured products, mass produced works, manufactured: wood, ceramics, pottery, jewelry, leather, craft kits etc., are prohibited and will be cause for the artist's removal from the show without refund of their fees. 
• Only work representative of what the artist submitted for their application can be in the booth.  (for example you cannot apply with one category of work like painting then add jewelry into your booth at festival time).  
• A two-person team producing a single item may qualify as a single exhibitor. This must be explained in detail at time of application
• Unframed art must be in a browser box.
• Reproductions can be hung, but cannot exceed 25% of the tent inventory.  Each reproduction must be clearly marked as such. (Giclee, digital reproduction, etc.)  THIS WILL BE ENFORCED.
• Tee shirts are strictly prohibited for display or sale on Centre Street. 
• Toys which will propel a projectile, etc. are not allowed in this show.
• Shirts, hats or other wearables or merchandise with the words “Isle of Eight Flags ShrimpFestival” are prohibited and will be strictly be enforced.
• Unacceptable works will be removed from the show by the IAA Shrimp Festival Committee. 
• No pets, other than registered service animals, are allowed in or near the exhibitor booths.
• Generators are not allowed
• Exhibitors are encouraged to safeguard their products as Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival and Island Art Association will not be liable for any losses.  Overnight security will be provided but does not guarantee safety of items left unattended.  
• Smoking is offensive to most of our health conscious customers.  As a courtesy, Exhibitors are asked to take their smoking breaks away from booths and customers.
• Food, beverages and other items for personal comfort are not supplied during the show.  Please plan accordingly for your own comfort.

Licenses / Insurance / Tax
 

• It is the Exhibitor's responsibility to collect and remit state sales tax to the State of Florida on items subject to state sales tax.  Exhibitors are required to supply tax ID information when applying as we are required to provide that to the State of Florida. 
• Exhibitors are to comply with all federal, state, local, and special statutes/ordinances regarding public health, safety and welfare
• Exhibitors are responsible for their own personal liability and product liability insurance.  Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival Inc. and Island Art Association Inc. are not responsible for any liability arising out of negligent acts of the exhibitor or their employees or for any injuries sustained by employees or exhibitors. 

Event Set-Up / Restocking / Dismantling

• All accepted exhibitors are required to check in at the Island Art Association Festival headquarters (Art Education Center) at 18 N. 2^nd Street before setting up. A picture ID and acceptance notification are required for check-in.

 

• Exhibitors agree to abide by the following schedule:
  • ​Open to Public:  
    • Friday April 30              5:00 PM to 10:00 PM (optional for artists) 
    • Saturday May 1            9:00 AM to 7:00 PM
    • Sunday May 2            10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
  • Vendor Set Up:      
    • Friday April 30            9:30 AM to 3:30 PM
    • Saturday May 1         6:30 AM to 8:30 AM
  • Breakdown            
    • Sunday May 2          5:30 PM to 8:30 PM

 

• Only hand carried re-stocking may be done while event is open to the public
• Exhibitors may not break down booths or bring vehicles into the event area while event is open to the public and visitors are in the area
• Exhibitors are responsible for cleaning the area of any debris prior to leaving.  Any fines or fees charged to Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival for trash removal will be the responsiblity of the exhibitor.  Failure to pay such fines/fees will eliminate exhibitor from future events. 

Space Assignment and Notification

Notification of acceptance or rejection will be by March 1, 2027 and include your space assignment or waitlist status.  Artists must pay their booth fee by March 10, 2027 to confirm their participation in the show.  Spaces not confirmed by March 10, 2027 will be re-assigned to artists on the waitlist. 

• Space assignment is based upon jury scoring and category size limitations.  Specific space requests are honored if available and consistent with score.  
• EXHIBITORS ARE NOT GUARANTEED THE SPACE IN THIER INITIAL ACCEPTANCE. The show reserves the right to change an initital booth assignment prior to the show date when needed.  
• If you want to request the same space as prior year you MUST PUT THE SPACE NUMBER in your request when you fill out that part of the application. 
• Unless notified as below, each accepted artist is assigned a single booth space.
• You may request a double space when filling in the application, however the festival cannot guarantee availability.  If your request is filled, two space numbers or the term double booth will be shown in the acceptance notice.  Exhibitors receiving that notification will be required to pay for two booths to confirm their reservation.  DO NOT pay for more than one booth space unless specifically notified of a double space assignement in your acceptance notification. 
• All booth spaces measure 12 x 10 feet (long measurement is parallel to the curb) and are outside.  

Booth Payment 

• Payment for the space assignment is a commitment to the show, artists cancelling after that payment do not get refunds.
• Booth fee is $375 per booth/space and is payable upon notification of acceptance through ZAPP.
•  The booth fee must be paid by March 10 to reserve your place in the show.  

Artists cancelling after paying the booth fee do not get refunds.   

Application fees and booth fees are non-refundable. 

If you have applied and must withdraw please notify us as soon as possible so we can exclude you from the jury process. 

If you have been accepted and paid a booth fee but must withdraw please contact us. 

In the event the show is cancelled we will fully refund the booth fees.  We will notify you through ZAPP of the cancellation and the refund details.