Merry Marketplace 2026

Crooked Tree Arts Center – Traverse City is pleased to present Merry Marketplace, our annual indoor holiday art market celebrating handmade, original artwork.

We’re offering three ways for artists to participate, creating a month-long opportunity for holiday shopping. Please review the following options and details carefully:

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Option 1: Expanded Holiday Gift Gallery

Dates: November 13 – December 12
Location: Cornwell Gallery

We’ll feature a curated selection of juried, handmade art in all mediums, priced between $6 and $100. The Cornwell Gallery will be transformed into an expanded sales space filled with unique giftable pieces.

• Artwork Drop-off: October 26 – October 30

• Inventory: Selected artists must complete an electronic inventory form prior to drop-off (instructions provided upon acceptance).

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Option 2: Merry Marketplace Two-Day Pop-Up Art Market

Dates: 
Friday, November 13, 11AM-7PM
Saturday, November 14, 10AM-5PM
Time: 10 AM – 4 PM

This two-day holiday art market transforms the building into a festive shopping destination filled with artist booths, seasonal décor, and holiday cheer. Visitors can sip wine or hot cocoa, enjoy festive treats, and discover one-of-a-kind gifts while celebrating the season.

Merry Marketplace
Expanded Holiday Gift Gallery

• All art is priced $6-$100
• Standard 60/40 commission (Artist/CTAC)
• Artists will fill out an electronic inventory form & consignment agreement form prior to delivery work so labels can be generated. 
• Art work can be dropped off: October 26 - October 31 during gallery hours. 
• Unsold Art work to be picked up:  Monday, December 14 - Friday, December 18. Saturday, December 19 by appointment only

Merry Marketplace Holiday Pop-Up Market

Set-Up:  

• Artist Set Up: Thursday, 10am-5pm or Friday, day of between 8am-10:30am.
• Booth space will be approximately 8'x6'
• Artists are responsible for table and table covering.  CTAC will provide chair(s) and access to electricity.

Take Down:

• Saturday, immediately following the event at 5pm

Application/Acceptance Deadline: 

• September 21, 2026: Deadline to apply.
• October 7, 2026: Deadline for invited artists to accept via ZAPP and confirm space in show by paying booth fee in full.

Requirements:

• Media Images: Five high resolution images. If being considered for pop up art market please submit a booth photo. Please make sure images are of your current work and can be used for social media/advertizing needs.

Promotion/ Benefits to the Artists:

• Promotion will begin when you are juried into, and accept your invitation to the Merry Marketplace.
  • Artists will be included/tagged on our website, Facebook page, and email marketing. 
  • Artist names will be listed on CTAC website.
  • Select artists may be featured in other print materials.
• CTAC will provide light snacks and beverages during the event.

Acceptance Criteria:

• Artists are responsible for their own cash drawer, credit card processing, and sales tax. Artists can access CTAC Guest Wifi Network.
• You must be designer and producer of the work.
• Your work is DIY craft-oriented. Think Etsy at CTAC!
• Your items are artfully and professionally represented in your application photos/and or website.
• All artwork must be handmade, original work, not the work of mass production studios.  No work that has been made with commercial kits allowed.
• Jewelers must be the designers and hands-on makers of their work (purchased, facet-cut gems may be used/assembled, but pre-fabricated jewelry is not allowed).
• The Merry Marketplace committee reserves the right to refuse exhibition of work not consistent with submitted images and/or these guidelines.
• Commercial photographs, giclees, and prints are permitted, but must be signed and numbered.
• Your product, booth design, and application information will be juried for quality, authenticity, uniqueness, salability, and overall presentation.
• The Merry Marketplace Gift Gallery will be marketed as an affordable marketplace for handmade goods, therefore the average price of your items should fall within the $6 - $100 price range. 
• The Merry Marketplace Holiday Pop-Up will be marketed as an affordable marketplace for handmade goods, therefore the average price of your items should fall within the $5 - $250 price range.
• Artists or their representatives must be present with their work for the entire two days of the show.
• All applications must be submitted online through ZAPPlication at www.zapplication.org.  To be considered, you will be asked to:
  • Create an online artist’s profile
  • Prepare and upload five digital images of your work including four images of your CURRENT work  and one image of a booth presentation/stocked table display (images must be a minimum of 1920 pixels on the longest side, in .JPG format).
• Submit a $10 non-refundable application fee
• Complete the online application and submit it before midnight on September 21, 2026.

• Booths will be located throughout the second floor (Carnegie building) of Crooked Tree Arts Center and will be assigned by CTAC staff.  
• Artists are responsible for booth displays, including table and linen.  CTAC will provide up to two chairs upon request.
• Additional display pieces and embellishments are allowed for display purposes, but are the responsibility of the artists and must conform to the allotted space.  Spaces vary slightly. On average booth size is 8'x6' (depth).  Artists will be notified of their booth assignment and footprint prior to the event.
• Tents and canopies are prohibited.
• Electrical hook-up is available.  Artist must supply own power strip and extension cord.

Standard Booth: approx.  8’ X 6’  

• Booth fees: $125
• Do not send booth fee until notified of acceptance. 

Application Refund Policy:  No refunds

Merry Marketplace Holiday Pop-Up Booth Refund policy:
Cancellation before October 30, artist will receive 50% refund of booth fee
Cancellation after October 30, no refunds