Tennessee Craft Fair Spring 2027 56th Annual - TN & Contiguous States

Tennessee Craft invites you to apply to join us for our 56th SPRING ART FAIR! The Tennessee Craft fairs, is honored the top 100 premier art shows in the country. Attracting typically 45,000+ visitors, an opportunity to directly meet and engage patrons, collectors and the public. This juried art show presents traditional and contemporary fine craft art, handmade by 200+ regional artists, held outdoors, and is free admission to the public. The 2027 Spring fair is our Regional Show and will be held May 7-9 in the heart of Nashville on the beautiful Parthenon lawn of Centennial Park. The 56th Annual Spring Tennessee Craft Fair offers cash awards including a $1,000 Best of Show.
 
Please note: This event is open to Tennessee residents, residents from contiguous states, as well as artists studying at Tennessee academia institutions. Contiguous states include: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina and Virginia. If you are ineligible due to residency, please do not apply for this spring regional show. Instead, please wait to apply to the 2027 FALL Tennessee Craft Fair which will be held October 8-10, 2027 and is open to all artists who are residents and reside in the United States. The upcoming FALL application opens on April 15, 2027 on zapplication.org.

56th ANNUAL SPRING TENNESSEE CRAFT FAIR 2027

EVENT IS OPEN TO TENNESSEE RESIDENTS, RESIDENTS FROM CONTIGUOUS STATES, AS WELL AS ARTISTS STUDYING AT TENNESSEE INSTITUTIONS. CONTIGUOUS STATES INCLUDE: ALABAMA, ARKANSAS, GEORGIA, KENTUCKY, MISSISSIPPI, MISSOURI, NORTH CAROLINA AND VIRGINIA. 

CRAFT FAIR LOCATION
CENTENNIAL PARK, NASHVILLE, TN
2500 WEST END AVENUE
NASHVILLE, TN  37232
Exit #1 from I-440 to West End Avenue (US 70). Drive EAST on West End approximately seven blocks

CRAFT FAIR DATES
May 7, 8 & 9, 2027.  Free to the public on the beautiful Parthenon Lawn

HOURS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC (Central Time)
Friday & Saturday, 10 AM - 6 PM
Sunday, 10 AM - 4 PM

APPLICATION DEADLINE
February 15, 2027 11:59 PM Central Time
(Late entries may be received on ONE ADDITIONAL DAY on February 16, 2027 with an additional late fee)

IMPORTANT DATES
Show Dates: Friday, May 7 through Sunday May 9
Application Deadline: February 15 (2/16 w/ additional late fee)
Notification: By March 4th 
Booth Payment Deadline: March 25th 
Cancellation: April 1st: Last day to cancel with booth fee refund
Load-In: Thursday, May 6. Staggered load-in times will be assigned
Last Minute Set Up: Friday, May 7, 7:00 AM - 9:00 AM Central Time

PRESENTED BY
Tennessee Craft
PO Box 120066
Nashville, TN 37212
615-736-7600
fairs@tennesseecraft.org
tennesseecraft.org

ARTIST AMENITIES

• Cash artist awards, including Best Of Show with all award recipients invited to the next season's spring show
• Past fairs have hosted up to 45,000+ patrons over the 3-day weekend
• Free artist parking for your vehicle(s). Artist designated parking is in close proximately to the fair layout. Limited RV/Camper parking located near police station per space available, first come availability
• 24-hour armed police security officers on-site from load-in day until 8 PM CT load-out day
• Robust full-scale marketing campaign including print, online, radio and/or TV media outlets
• Complimentary continental breakfast each morning of the fair
• Air-conditioned rest area and bricks & mortar bathroom facility available to artists
• Designated "artist only" port-a-lets
• Level booth spaces
• Patrons travel through fair on accessible paved walkways
• Booth buddy program for first-time exhibitors
• Volunteer booth sitting during show hours with artist available direct communication to request a booth sitter

FACILITIES AND SET-UP

• Exhibitors are responsible for their entire displays and their artwork.
• See IMPORTANT DATES, above, for set-up times.
• THERE IS NO SET-UP ALLOWED DURING SHOW HOURS.
• The show goes on rain or shine, and each exhibitor should make arrangements for wind, rain and other potential weather-related occurrences. Show temporary closures may occur if weather or weather forecast dictates such for the safety of all and their art and booth assets.
• THE ARTIST WHOSE WORK HAS BEEN ACCEPTED MUST BE PRESENT FOR THE COMPLETE DURATION OF THE SHOW TO SELL HIS/HER WORK AND MEET THE PUBLIC. No artist’s representatives will be permitted to exhibit or sell at Tennessee Craft Fairs.
• No vehicles allowed on any grass areas, sidewalk, or walking trails, even during load-in and load-out per Metro Parks. Expect to dolly in and out.
• Exhibitor tents must be WHITE. Exhibition quality tents are preferred.
• Tents must be secured with a weighted solution WITH AT LEAST 50 LBS WEIGHT ON EACH TENT CORNER. WEIGHT SOLUTIONS THAT IS CINDER BLOCKS OR WATER JUGS ARE NOT PERMITTED EVEN IF THEY WEIGH TO BE 50+ LBS. For the safety of all, this will be ENFORCED - weight solutions will be checked on Thursday load-in day and on Friday morning, and tents that do not meet required weight regulation will be taken down if additional weight is not quickly and properly secured and/or added. NO cinder block nor water weight solutions are allowed. Optional rental of sandbags is available in your ZAPP product cart as supply lasts. 
• Per Metro Parks, no tent stakes are allowed, regardless of stake size for tents, art, signage or other purpose.
• Booth signs, supplied by Tennessee Craft, must be displayed, attached to your tent, and visible from the walking path.
• Per Metro Parks, no straw, mulch or other materials are allowed in or around your booth; nowhere on the park's grounds. Use of rugs are permitted. Exhibit-specific flooring is permitted.

APPLICATIONS

• Artist must be at least 18 years of age to be eligible.
• Each artist wishing to exhibit must submit an entry form. (Two names may be listed if both partners are fully involved in the production of the craft and if the work is collaborative). Tennessee Craft Fairs focus on the work of individual artists, NOT groups, collectives, or production facilities. 
• If an applicant wishes to show in more than one eligible medium category, meaning the artwork to be exhibited is made from two different eligible material types, a separate application form and images must be submitted for each, plus a $35 application fee for each additional medium/application.  Each application must be accepted by the jury process in order to be eligible for invitation to exhibit. If the work you are exhibiting is all of the same material type, but the finished pieces qualify under more than one of the standard medium categories stated in this application, you may submit all in one application; however the art that is of the medium listed for you at the fair and juried under for the fair must be at least 90% of the total art pieces exhibited in your booth.  For example, if you are a clay artist and submit as medium CLAY, you must exhibit at least 90% of ceramic art which is non-jewelry, but you may exhibit in your booth and under the same application 10% of CLAY jewelry.  Another example, if you are a wood artist and submit under WOOD, at least 90% of your art pieces exhibited must be non-furniture wood items, but you may also exhibit in your booth and under the same application 10% of art which are wood FURNITURE items.  This is the case across all medium categories as long as all items exhibited are of the same media material type. In summary, selling items in your booth which are not of the media juried in and/or accepted are not permitted unless they are of the same media material type.  Doing so is considered "bonus inventory" and is not permitted.
• Submit a total of five (5) digital images of artwork executed in the past three years and a clear booth image with art inventory. Sometimes it is helpful to include a close-up of one work, showing in DETAIL the craftsmanship involved. Jurors will have the ability to of image close-up zoom when screening art and booth images. Images should demonstrate the quality of all work the artist intends to sell and your fair booth. If your work was pre-accepted and you wish to include work in an additional medium, images of that work must be submitted and juried.
• A BOOTH IMAGE OF YOUR BOOTH AND DISPLAY IS REQUIRED. In addition to submitting 5 images of art pieces that represent the body of artwork you will exhibit, an additional IMAGE OF YOUR BOOTH is required in your application. Your booth image must be an image of your actual tent, not a schematic or drawing. Contact the Fair Director at fairs@tennesseecraft.org if you do not yet have an image of an outdoor tent.
• ALL PRE-ACCEPTED ARTISTS MUST SUBMIT IMAGES OF CURRENT WORK AND THEIR BOOTH IMAGE EVEN THOUGH THEY WILL BE EXEMPT FROM SCREENING.
• No applicant will be excluded from participation in Tennessee Craft-sponsored events on the grounds of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age.
• Tennessee Craft reserves the right to refuse any application.
• Tennessee Craft reserves the right to reproduce accepted applicants’ digital images for promotional purposes.

ARTWORK ELIGIBILITY
Because we are a nonprofit with a mission to pass on the skills and knowledge of handmade craft art, our artwork eligibility may differ from many fairs. Work must be produced by the exhibiting artist, whose manipulation of the chosen medium exhibits an excellence in concept and technique, as well as the mark of individuality. Work exhibited must be consistent with the quality shown in digital images, including the booth image submitted and only media accepted by the jurors will be permitted in booths. Tennessee Craft reserves the right to require that any inappropriate or ineligible work be removed.

• Absolutely NO BUY-SALE OR RESALE. 
• Medium of the art must be highly manipulated by the exhibiting artist. Finished art pieces must show a substantial manipulation of the materials and originality in design to be eligible.
• Original artwork only. Produced by the artist. 
• Processes not done by the artist’s hand must be carried out under direct artist supervision and should be disclosed in the technique statement.
• Artwork produced mostly by assistants, or made using commercially sold kits, molds, patterns, plans, prefabricated forms or other commercial methods is not permitted. Molds, patterns and forms are allowed but must be made and designed by the artist and addressed in your technique statement.
• Any commercially made embellishments must be subordinate to the handcrafted work. No other mass-production or machine made work is permitted.
• Copyrighted designs not owned by the craft artist may not be used.
• Commercially manufactured items are not permitted (i.e. art on coffee cups, posters, postcards, calendars, stickers, other commercially made items).
• No food products may be exhibited or sold by the artist exhibitors.
• Tennessee Craft reserves the right to remove any work, which in its judgment does not reflect the caliber of the work presented in the digital images, is primarily commercially made, or work considered to be in poor taste.
• Tennessee Craft expects full and accurate disclosure by the craft artist of materials and methods used in his/her work.

MEDIA
Works eligible for exhibition include basketry, books/paper, clay, drawing, fiber/textile, furniture, glass, jewelry, leather, metal, mixed media/other, painting, photography, printmaking and wood. See regulations regarding exhibiting items of multiple media categories. 
 
REPRODUCTIONS POLICY
Reproductions of an artist's one-of-a-kind work may be exhibited under the following conditions.
1. Original work must be clearly visible and of primary significant importance to the display.
2. All reproductions must be signed and numbered.
3. All reproductions must be clearly and individually labeled "Reproduction".
4. Reproductions may be displayed on tent walls, but they should be a subsidiary part of your display and take up no more than 30% of your booth wall space.
5. Reproductions may also be displayed in browse bins, with a total limit of two (2) browse bins per booth. 
6. Note card reproductions of your art pieces are allowed but should be limited to a lesser quantity than your other art prints and originals. Notecards do not need to be signed or numbered.

Limited Edition Rules (for photography and printmaking): Limited Editions must be labeled as "Limited Edition Reproductions" and signed, numbered and dated. There is no restriction as to how many limited editions may be displayed. If displayed in bins, up to two (2) bins per booth are allowed. 

Basketry: Functional and sculptural works where the material used is woven or plaited. 
Books/Paper: Functional and sculptural work created primarily from paper.
Clay: Functional and sculptural work where the primary material is clay. All original clay and porcelain work is accepted in this category. If multiple pieces of the same design are displayed, each piece must be signed.  Molds, if used, must be made by the artist and subordinate to the overall finished work.
Drawing: Work created in which the main body is made by using dry media including chalk, charcoal, pastels, pencil, wax, crayons, etc. or from a fluid medium of ink. Reproduction rules apply.
Fiber/Textile: Wall hangings, quilts, rugs, wearable items, etc. where the primary material is fiber are to be entered in this category.  
Furniture: Work where the primary intention is furniture, including lamps. All media are included. 
Glass: Functional and sculptural work where the primary material is glass. No forms of mass-production are permitted.
Jewelry: Work made from precious or semi-precious materials as well as other materials such as glass, ceramic, paper, fiber, wood, leather, polymer clay, etc. Any commercially made components must be subordinate to the handcrafted work. No commercial casts, molds or production studio work is allowed. No stringer-only jewelry.
Leather: Functional and sculptural work where the primary material used is leather and is constructed, handmade by the exhibiting artist. Industrial processes are not allowed, unless to make minor parts that are subordinate to the greater handmade creation. Process and techniques must be disclosed in your application's technique statement.
Metal: Functional and sculptural work where the primary material is metal and includes non-sculptural, non-jewelry works crafted from metals. No production studio work is allowed. In addition, CAD- or CNC-assisted works are not allowed unless the generated components are not substantial to the finished artwork. 
Mixed Media / Other: For MIXED MEDIA, artwork that is three-dimensional and the primary intention of the work is the union of two or more eligible media. Note: Jewelry is not considered mixed media. For OTHER, artwork made from components which fall outside of media categories not previously listed; might include neon, musical instruments, brooms, kaleidoscopes and the like. Note: Package foods, medicinal, food trucks, living botanicals, candles, soaps, handcraft cards and other non-fine craft art items are not eligible, and should not apply under this category or any other category. Reproduction rules apply to both Mixed Media and to Other Media.
Painting: 2-D works created with acrylics, oils, watercolor/gouache or other type paints. Reproduction rules apply.
Photography: Photographic prints made from the artist's original negative or digital image, and which have been processed by that artist, or under his or her direct supervision, are included in this category.
Printmaking: Printed works from which the artist's hand manipulated the plates, stones or screens, and which have been properly signed and numbered as a limited edition, may be entered in this category. Artist must disclose your creative and printmaking processes. 
Wood: Functional and sculptural work where the primary material is wood. Original works must be hand-tooled, machine worked, turned or carved. Embellishment of manufactured wood is not allowed. Ensure that work fits medium as opposed to accepted Furniture medium.

SCREENING and JURY PROCESS
Important: Because we use a blind (artist anonymous) jury process, artist identification must be removed from digital images of artwork and booth, including artist signatures, business/studio names, photos of person, or other identifying marks if they are legible in the digital image. Identifying content cannot be stated in application statements. INCLUDING ANY IDENTIFICATION CAN RESULT IN WITHDRAWN OF APPLICATIONS.

• Digital images in applications should be of professional quality to assure a fair judging.
• Applications are scored by a panel of jurors, comprised of master craft artists and art professionals.
• All applicants’ images must be presented without identification or information other than the title of the artwork, medium, dimensions and the information supplied by the applicant in the “Brief Description of Materials and Technique” space on the application, which may be read by jurors at the time of screening.
• Your booth image must reflect to the jurors a representation of your body of work that you will be displaying at the fair, as well as your tent setup.
• Jurors score individually, and without consultation during a minimum of seven (7) days. Scoring is on the basis of technical and artistic excellence and originality, with each score representing equal parts craftsmanship and design.
• A wait list is created for art that is scored in a particular range.
• Include prices on artwork images uploaded into your application.

NOTE: TO HELP MAINTAIN THE REGIONAL FLAVOR OF THE FAIR, one (1) point will be added to the application screening scores (prior to averaging) for Current (CURRENT FOR CALENDAR YEAR OF THE SHOW) Tennessee Craft Members.

Double booths are limited so it is recommended to pay for these booth types sooner than later to ensure successful purchase.

• Booth spaces for purchase are SINGLE (12 X 12) and DOUBLE (12 x 24) only.  LIMITED double booth spaces will be secured in order of booth purchase, per availability.
• Returning artists will be given preferred booth assignment, when possible. Booth requests are appreciated, but Tennessee Craft has the right to deny.
• Outdoor events in wide open, flat venues can be more prone to high winds, along with being susceptible to other weather elements. Artists are encouraged to have professional grade tents and carry both liability and inventory insurance. 

BOOTH PRICING
• 12´ x 12´ space $420 member-discounted rate / $480 non-member rate
• 6´ deep additional backyard ADDITIONAL SELLING SPACE* / $85 – NOTE: This size backyard is ONLY available for those purchasing a 12’ x 12’ booth space.
• 24´ x 12´ double space $840 member-discounted rate / $960 non-member rate.  Limited availability.
• 12´ deep additional backyard ADDITIONAL SELLING SPACE* / $170 NOTE: This size backyard is ONLY available for those purchasing a 12’ x 24’ booth space

*All booth spaces allow for a 2’ back; however, if more backyard space WHICH CAN BE USED AS SELLING SPACE is needed, artists must purchase the additional real estate. Backyard spaces should be purchased in advance of exhibitor set up and cannot exceed the depth purchased. In the unlikely event an artist’s assigned booth prohibits additional backyard space, Tennessee Craft will refund the paid backyard booth fee. Your storage must be neatly in or behind your booth.

OPTIONAL ELECTRICITY $150
Limited availability. Secured in order of purchase. Allows usage of one outlet of a two-outlet 120-volt outdoor plug. Bring at least a 100' extension cord. Electricity may be run by artist's cord to city park electricity source. We do not have control of the working condition of the city's power. In the event that you do not have working power, we will refund your electricity rental fee, as we most likely will not be able to restore the city's power. Sources such as open flame are not permissible inside exhibitor tent or display area, unless pre-approved by Tennessee Craft and Metro Parks. Generators are permitted but must be a quiet model and artist must safely muffle the generator. It is encouraged to bring a 100' or more extension cord for the generator or other approved uses, and place as far as safely and appropriately possible from your and other exhibitors' fair tents.

OPTIONAL TENT RENTAL $425
10´ x 10´ white exhibition-quality tent, includes weights and complimentary set-up and removal. Back of tent will not have an opening.

OPTIONAL SANDBAG WEIGHT RENTAL (Qty of 1 = 4 Sandbags) $55.00
Sandbags will be delivered to your booth on load-in day and picked-up during load-out. Artists are required to supply ties and are required to attach to their tent.

Your booth fee constitutes an agreement to show. Booth space will NOT be reserved without full payment of fees and booth products purchased in Zapplication. If paying with a check, you still must still make your purchases in Zapplication and enter in Zapplication your check number.

OPTIONAL TENNESSEE CRAFT FAIR T-SHIRTS: $20.00 EACH
Sport a Tennessee Craft Fair T-Shirt to wear at the show and/or thereafter! Available for purchase on ZAPP when you purchase your booth. Tennessee Craft Fair T-Shirt with Parthenon design may be purchased now and will be delivered to your booth on Friday of the craft fair. (T-shirts do not state the show date or annual show number).  

Application fees are non-refundable, regardless of application's status.

Full booth fees are refundable for cancellations communicated to fairs@tennesseecraft.org or at 615-736-7600 by April 1, 2027, 11:59PM Central Time.

Refunded booth fees will not be given for cancellations communicated after April 1, 2027, 11:59PM Central Time.

Upon refund approval of booth fees, a Tennessee Craft check payable to the name listed on your Zapplication account will be mailed to the address listed on your Zapplication account. 

No refunds will be given due to interruption of the event or show cancellation for reasons beyond the control of Tennessee Craft, as stated in this application's Legal Agreement.