Fairs/Festivals
Art on Main Clayton - GA 2027
Clayton (Rabun County), Georgia
Application Fee: $35
Contact Information
Requirement Overview
- Eligible Applicant Types: Artist
- Emerging Artists: Emerging artists may apply.
- Submission Limit: 1
Media Requirements
- Images | Min: 5, Max: 5
- Total | Max: 5
Opportunity Summary
Join us for 2027 Art on Main – Clayton, Ga Saturday May 1 & Sunday May 2
Eighty plus (80+) artists from across the Southeast will showcase their work on North Main Street in the Heart of Downtown, Clayton (Rabun County) GA. nestled in the scenic North Georgia Mountains. Your participation in Art on Main – Clayton, Ga is an opportunity to show your work to thousands of visitors throughout the festival weekend.
Here's why you should join us in 2027:
Eighty plus (80+) artists from across the Southeast will showcase their work on North Main Street in the Heart of Downtown, Clayton (Rabun County) GA. nestled in the scenic North Georgia Mountains. Your participation in Art on Main – Clayton, Ga is an opportunity to show your work to thousands of visitors throughout the festival weekend.
Here's why you should join us in 2027:
- A two-day, admission free, event that draws artists and visitors from neighboring counties, states, and beyond
- Produced by the North Georgia Arts Guild, Inc (est. 1994) - who is committed to giving you the best show experience possible
- An experienced staff, dedicated steering committee, and engaged volunteers ready to assist you with your needs
- Welcoming supportive community of art enthusiasts
- Established and emerging artists; traditional, whimsical, fine and folk art, and fine crafts
- Cash awards totaling $1500 for Best in Show and Producers’ Award
- Artist Amenities (see general information)
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General Information
Art on Main -- Clayton GA
In the Heart of Downtown Clayton, Rabun County, GA
Application Deadline: January 15, 2027
There is so much information to share - Please Read all of it!
Important Dates/Deadlines:
Jan 15, 2027 - Application Deadline
Nov 15, 2026 - Jury Begins
Feb 1, 2027 - Artist Notified
Feb 15, 2027 - Payment Due Artists Accept & Remit Booth Fees
April 1, 2027 - Withdrawal Date without forfeiture of booth fee
April 30 & May 1, 2027 - Artist Check-in
May 1, 2027 - Artist setup, with staggered assigned load-in times beginning at 6am
May 1, 2027 - Festival Hours 11am – 6pm
May 2, 2027 - Festival Hours 10am – 4pm
May 2, 2027 - 4pm - 6pm Break-down
May 2, 2027 - 6pm Main Street Opens to Traffic, Street MUST be CLEARED
Jury Process:
Art on Main – Clayton, GA uses Zapplication™ to administer its application process. Jurors will view images and artist statements on computer monitors, i.e., Monitor Jury. The three-member jury panel is composed of experienced art professionals selected for their art background and knowledge.
The artist statement, artwork images and booth images you submit with your application will be available to the jurors on their computer monitors. Your artist statement should convey the process used to create your work. The booth image should show your booth as it is set up for exhibition at an outdoor show with your work displayed. Images should be clear, in focus, with an uncluttered, neutral background. Images from accepted/invited artists will be retained to promote the festival and to ensure adherence to the rules and regulations.
Waitlist: A waitlist, by category, will be established based on jury scores.
Category Descriptions:
If you have questions regarding the appropriate category or work in more than one category, please contact us.
Our marketing plan combines all types of media: newspaper, magazines, billboards, e-newsletters, and social media posts with paid ads and organic postings. Promotions to target our robust tourist and visitor market include online and print ads across the southeast region, of Georgia, the Carolinas, Alabama and Florida.
Art on Main - Clayton, GA is on Facebook and Instagram and focuses on our organic and paid campaigns to best bring more buyers to artists. Social media works best when artists and art festivals work together. We encourage you to send your stories, follow us on Facebook and Instagram, and Like, Comment, and Share our posts to amplify reach.
Artist Amenities:
Art on Main -Clayton, GA is an artist-friendly, outdoor Rain-or-Shine, fine art/fine craft festival. Our staff and volunteer committee want your experience with us to be enjoyable and profitable. Our local businesses support us so that we can continue to provide you with the following:
In the Heart of Downtown Clayton, Rabun County, GA
Application Deadline: January 15, 2027
There is so much information to share - Please Read all of it!
Important Dates/Deadlines:
Jan 15, 2027 - Application Deadline
Nov 15, 2026 - Jury Begins
Feb 1, 2027 - Artist Notified
Feb 15, 2027 - Payment Due Artists Accept & Remit Booth Fees
April 1, 2027 - Withdrawal Date without forfeiture of booth fee
April 30 & May 1, 2027 - Artist Check-in
May 1, 2027 - Artist setup, with staggered assigned load-in times beginning at 6am
May 1, 2027 - Festival Hours 11am – 6pm
May 2, 2027 - Festival Hours 10am – 4pm
May 2, 2027 - 4pm - 6pm Break-down
May 2, 2027 - 6pm Main Street Opens to Traffic, Street MUST be CLEARED
Jury Process:
Art on Main – Clayton, GA uses Zapplication™ to administer its application process. Jurors will view images and artist statements on computer monitors, i.e., Monitor Jury. The three-member jury panel is composed of experienced art professionals selected for their art background and knowledge.
The artist statement, artwork images and booth images you submit with your application will be available to the jurors on their computer monitors. Your artist statement should convey the process used to create your work. The booth image should show your booth as it is set up for exhibition at an outdoor show with your work displayed. Images should be clear, in focus, with an uncluttered, neutral background. Images from accepted/invited artists will be retained to promote the festival and to ensure adherence to the rules and regulations.
Tips for Photographing and Submitting Artwork
- To ensure the artist's work can be viewed in its best possible light, the images need to be large enough for the details to be apparent. Similarly, proper lighting and exposure can bring out the fine details and highlight contrast and textures. The images should be sharp, crisp, and in focus so that the jury is not straining to make out the artwork. Consistency in look and feel of the images (background, lighting, theme, size) will add to the professionalism of the submission. The jury is looking at each of the submissions for a relatively short period of time, so first impressions are key. Anything over three years old will not be considered.
Waitlist: A waitlist, by category, will be established based on jury scores.
Category Descriptions:
If you have questions regarding the appropriate category or work in more than one category, please contact us.
- Ceramics - either functional or decorative; earthenware, porcelain, clay.
- Drawing/Painting, Mixed Media 2D- pencil, crayon, ink, charcoal, pastel; acrylic watercolor, and oil; Mixed media incorporates other media into the painting/drawing.
- Fiber - basketry, embroidery, sewing, knitting, quilting, weaving, tapestry, and book/papermaking.
- Glass - blown, fused, and stained glass, etc.
- Jewelry - Ornaments, such as bracelets, necklaces, or rings, made of precious metals set with gems, semi-precious gems, ceramic, glass, or any other product. Jewelry must always be entered under this category, and not in glass, ceramic, etc., that may be the type of material used – jewelry is always jewelry.
- Metal - forging, twisting, and fabricating various metals.
- Mosaic
- Sculpture, Mixed Media 3D – Sculpture is single medium; mixed media incorporates more than one type of physical material in the production.
- Photography
- Wearable Art — clothing or leather goods, such as belts or purses, that can be worn.
- Wood - functional or decorative, may be hand-tooled or machine-worked
Our marketing plan combines all types of media: newspaper, magazines, billboards, e-newsletters, and social media posts with paid ads and organic postings. Promotions to target our robust tourist and visitor market include online and print ads across the southeast region, of Georgia, the Carolinas, Alabama and Florida.
Art on Main - Clayton, GA is on Facebook and Instagram and focuses on our organic and paid campaigns to best bring more buyers to artists. Social media works best when artists and art festivals work together. We encourage you to send your stories, follow us on Facebook and Instagram, and Like, Comment, and Share our posts to amplify reach.
Artist Amenities:
Art on Main -Clayton, GA is an artist-friendly, outdoor Rain-or-Shine, fine art/fine craft festival. Our staff and volunteer committee want your experience with us to be enjoyable and profitable. Our local businesses support us so that we can continue to provide you with the following:
- Artists’ Hospitality: complimentary continental breakfast (pastries, water and coffee) Saturday and Sunday
- Booth sitters as requested
- Complimentary bottled water delivered to you throughout the 2-day festival
- Check-in either Friday 5-7pm or Saturday 6am
- Set-up Saturday 6-10am
- Drive up access to booth space for ease in unloading and loading.
- Professional overnight security Saturday
- Booth spaces with two feet between each booth and storage space located behind
- Free trailer parking
- GA State/Local tax forms FS-32 will be provided
- Great restaurants right on Main Street for breakfast, lunch and dinner; some will offer Grab-and-Go meals
Waitlist Policy - After all booths are filled, artists may be given the option to be added to the wait list.
Accessibility: Art on Main - Clayton, GA is accessible to all artists, including those with disabilities. Physical accessibility include Booths with no physical barrier to entry and same-level storage area; and Accessible bathrooms and on-site artist support volunteers for questions and solutions Indicate in your application any specific accommodations you need. We will do our best to accomodate your needs.
Application Requirements
Categories - The following categories are accepted: Ceramics, Drawing, Fiber, Glass, Jewelry, Metal, Mixed Media 2-D, Mixed Media 3-D, Mosaic, Painting - oil/acrylic/watercolor, Photography, Printmaking, Sculpture, Wearable art, and Wood.
Artwork must be original in design, and an artist may display and sell only in the medium category in which the work has been accepted. Work displayed and sold at Art on Main – Clayton, GA must be consistent with work represented by jury images. Artists are prohibited from selling non-original promotional items; reproductions of the artist's own work are acceptable. Commercial agents, dealers, manufacturers, or buy-sell vendors are not eligible to enter. Artwork produced with kits, castings from commercial molds, patterns, plans, or other commercial means is prohibited.
Booth Set-up/Requirements
Safety Rules - Artists must comply with all safety requirements, including weighted tents.
Georgia Sales Tax - Artists are responsible for collecting and remitting Georgia, Rabun County, 8% sales tax to GA Dept of Revenue. Forms FS-32 will be provided.
Refund Policy - Artists may withdraw from Art on Main - Clayton, GA and receive a refund of their Booth Fee if request is received on or before April 1, 2027. No refunds will be issued after that date under any circumstances. This includes artists invited from the waitlist, no matter the invitation date, with no exceptions. Art on Main - Clayton, GA is a rain-or-shine festival. Therefore, no refunds will be issued for weather or other unforeseen circumstances
Artwork must be original in design, and an artist may display and sell only in the medium category in which the work has been accepted. Work displayed and sold at Art on Main – Clayton, GA must be consistent with work represented by jury images. Artists are prohibited from selling non-original promotional items; reproductions of the artist's own work are acceptable. Commercial agents, dealers, manufacturers, or buy-sell vendors are not eligible to enter. Artwork produced with kits, castings from commercial molds, patterns, plans, or other commercial means is prohibited.
Booth Set-up/Requirements
- Only White Tent Canopies - No colored canopies accepted.
- Weights Required: Minimum 40lb weights required on each tent corner.
- Artists must confine their setup to the space allocated by Art on Main - Clayton, GA and not infringe on neighboring artists’ space. All chairs, goods, containers and supplies must be retained in the allotted space; walkways cannot be blocked; do not infringe on another artist’s space.
- Artists sitting in chairs outside their booth in walking area must use high chairs. Low chairs are a trip hazard for attendees. There are NO exceptions to this rule.
- Artists's Animals - No artist-owned animals are allowed in or around artists’ booths (service dogs are the only exception.)
- The Art on Main – Clayton, GA team will inspect booths on-site to assure compliance with the Rules and Regulations and reserves the exclusive right to interpret and enforce them. In any dispute, the decision of the Director shall prevail. Please comply with the rules to avoid removal from Art on Main - Clayton, GA without a refund or jeopardizing your participation in the future.
Safety Rules - Artists must comply with all safety requirements, including weighted tents.
Georgia Sales Tax - Artists are responsible for collecting and remitting Georgia, Rabun County, 8% sales tax to GA Dept of Revenue. Forms FS-32 will be provided.
Refund Policy - Artists may withdraw from Art on Main - Clayton, GA and receive a refund of their Booth Fee if request is received on or before April 1, 2027. No refunds will be issued after that date under any circumstances. This includes artists invited from the waitlist, no matter the invitation date, with no exceptions. Art on Main - Clayton, GA is a rain-or-shine festival. Therefore, no refunds will be issued for weather or other unforeseen circumstances
Jury Details
Average number of applications submitted each year
200
Average number of artists selected from the jury to participate in the event
76
Average number of exempt from jury artists who are invited to participate in the event
4
Booth Information
Application Fee: $35
The non-refundable Application Fee is due and payable upon submitting an application via ZAPP to participate in Art on Main - Clayton, GA.
Two artists may share a single booth; each must pay a separate application fee of $35.
Booth Fees: 10 x 10 $200
Artists who are selected by the jury and invited to participate in Art on Main - Clayton, GA, must remit the Booth Fee online by credit/debit card through ZAPP. The deadline for payment is February 15, 2027.
Booth Sharing: Booth sharing is limited to two (2) artists. Each artist must apply separately and remit the application fee. Each artist will be juried separately and notified. If one or both artists are invited, the booth fee must be remitted as a single payment.
Artist Setup/Breakdown:
The non-refundable Application Fee is due and payable upon submitting an application via ZAPP to participate in Art on Main - Clayton, GA.
Two artists may share a single booth; each must pay a separate application fee of $35.
Booth Fees: 10 x 10 $200
Artists who are selected by the jury and invited to participate in Art on Main - Clayton, GA, must remit the Booth Fee online by credit/debit card through ZAPP. The deadline for payment is February 15, 2027.
Booth Sharing: Booth sharing is limited to two (2) artists. Each artist must apply separately and remit the application fee. Each artist will be juried separately and notified. If one or both artists are invited, the booth fee must be remitted as a single payment.
Artist Setup/Breakdown:
- Check-in Friday April 30, 2027, 5-7pm; and Saturday May 1, 2027 6am.
- Staggered Set-up: Saturday May 1, 6-10am Artist set-up times will be staggered in consideration of traffic flow and artist access, beginning with the "first wave" at 6am, followed by "second wave," and so on. Vehicles must be moved as soon as unloaded to enhance traffic flow. If you have any specific requests for your setup time, please include them in your application.
- Break-down: Sunday May 2, 2027 4-6pm and must be completed by 6pm. Pack up all goods and containers prior to bringing vehicle to the booth site.
- No Early break-down.
- Main Street Re-Opens to Traffic: Sunday May 2, 2027 at 6pm – street must be clear
Other Booth Information
- White Tent Canopies Only - No colored canopies accepted.
- Weight Required: Minimum 40lb weights required on each tent corner.
- Spaces are 10x10 with two feet between.
- Keep Walkways Clear: All chairs, goods, containers and supplies must be retained within or behind the booth; walkways cannot be blocked; do not infringe on another artist’s space.
- No Electricity is available.
- Generators are NOT allowed.
Refund Policy
Refund Policy - Artists may withdraw from Art on Main - Clayton, GA and receive a refund of their Booth Fee if request is received on or before April 1, 2027. No refunds will be issued after that date under any circumstances. This includes artists invited from the waitlist, no matter the invitation date, with no exceptions. Art on Main - Clayton, GA is a rain-or-shine festival. Therefore, no refunds will be issued for weather or other unforeseen circumstances.
Additional Fees
Booth Fee: $200
2nd Artist Jury Fee: $35