Soirée 2027

The Soirée is the City of Anderson’s signature two-day arts festival, celebrating the best of visual art, live music and performances, and local food. Enjoy performances across multiple stages, browse unique artisan vendors, experience chef-driven culinary offerings, and explore a dedicated kids’ area filled with hands-on activities. Each year, thousands gather in the heart of Anderson to celebrate creativity, community, and culture—and we can’t wait to welcome you.

PLEASE READ ENTIRE APPLICATION

KEY DEADLINES:
December 6, 2026: Deadline to submit application
December 22, 2026: Artist Notification
January 17, 2027: Acceptance of Festival Participation and Booth Fee Due, Optional Tent Fee Due
February 14, 2027: Final Date for Cancellation and Receipt of Refund
April 23 - 24, 2027: Soirée Dates

Location: The Soirée takes place in downtown Anderson, SC on Main Street and Carolina Wren Park. Exhibitor booths will be located along Main Street.
Anderson is located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in the Upstate of South Carolina. Anderson, SC is 30 minutes south of Greenville, SC and about two hours from Charlotte, NC and Atlanta, GA.

EVENT DATES & TIMES:
Artist Check-In: Friday, April 23 (10am – 2pm) 
Festival Hours: Friday, April 23 (4pm – 8pm)
Saturday, April 24 (10am – 8pm)
Artist Vendor Hours: Friday, April 23 (4pm – 7pm)
Saturday, April 24 (10am – 8pm)  
Artist Load-Out: Saturday, April 24 (8pm – until) 


Advertising and Promotion:
The Soirée will be advertised through a targeted marketing campaign focused throughout the Upstate of South Carolina. We will be emphasizing social media, billboards, and print media campaigns.
 

Awards:
Over $2,000 in prize money will be distributed at the Soirée. Awards will be given to Best of Show, Fine Artist Runner-up, Artisan Runner-up, and Best Booth. Awards are distributed at the discretion of the onsite judges. Awards are determined by consensus.

Best of Show = $1,000 , Fine Artist Runner-up = $400, Artisan Runner-up = $400, Best Booth = $250

All work exhibited MUST be original, handcrafted work produced by the artist and may not be the result of work from commercial kits, molds, patterns, or plans. The artist guarantees the accuracy of the description of the work presented and the authenticity of the work as their creation. Any commercially-made embellishments must be subordinate to the original work. For upcycled work, the finished  pieces must show a manipulation of the materials in design to be eligible. Copyrighted designs not owned by the artist may not be used.

Artists must exhibit work only in the media categories in which they are accepted. For example, all jewelry must have been juried into the jewelry category. The work exhibited must match the quality, category, and body of work submitted in the application.

Categories:

Fine Art: Fine art includes painting, drawing, fiber, sculpture, mixed media, photography, printmaking, ceramics, and digital art.

• Digital Art is any original work for which the original image, or the manipulation of other source material, was executed by the artist using a computer. Work in this category MUST be in limited editions, signed and numbered on archival quality materials. *AI generated artwork not allowed at this time*
• Ceramics are to be original, non-functional works.
• Printmaking should be original prints pulled by artists from traditional methods, including etching, engraving, silkscreen, stone and plate lithography, linoleum block or woodblock, produced in signed and numbered limited editions from an original image created by the artist.
• Photography includes all photographic prints made from artist's original negative or digital image processing. Work must be limited editions, signed and numbered on archival quality paper.
• Mixed Media should be original 2-D or 3-D work that incorporates more than one material/medium. 
• Sculpture is to be original non-functional, three dimensional work of any material.
• Fiber should be original work of primarily fiber including soft sculpture, batik, or painted fabric intended to be wearable or decorative. No factory produced wearable items, regardless of additional modification or enhancement by the artist.
• Drawing is work created using dry media including pen, pencil, charcoal, pastel, chalk, or fluid medium of inks and washes applied by pen or brush.
• Painting should be original works made with oils, acrylics, or watercolors.

Jewelry: original work made from materials such as sterling silver, enamels, glass, ceramic, paper, polymer clay, etc. No production studio work permitted.

Home Goods: includes functional and/or decorative items of your own creation including textiles (blankets, throw pillows, etc.), functional ceramics (mugs, bowls, etc.), furniture, utensils, forged items, wooden cutting boards, etc.

Stationery and Paper Accessories: includes items of your own creation such as greeting cards, notepads, stickers, etc.

Bath, Body, and Candles: includes handcrafted items such as soap, lotion, candles.

Culinary Products: includes products of your own creation to use in food or packaged to eat such as dip mixes, chocolate, popcorn, etc. Knives and cutting board items, please apply under Home Goods.

Apparel and Accessories: includes items of your own creation including hats, knit or crochet items, t-shirts, aprons, bags, patches, etc.

2-D Reproduction Policy: 
A reproduction is defined as any existing work of art (such as painting, watercolor, drawing, photograph, etc.) that is copied by digital or photographic means and printed on an offset press, a serigraph press, or through a computer by means of an inkjet or electrostatic printer. This definition includes giclees and reproductions with additional enhancement by the artist.

Reproduction pieces MUST be clearly marked as a “reproduction” or “limited edition reproduction” on the piece. No laser prints or color photocopies will be permitted.

Jury Process: 
Each exhibiting artist must complete an online application with only one artist per entry, unless entering as a team in collaboration. No booth sharing/splitting is allowed. All artists must be juried by our review panel. Artists may apply in more than one medium category, but a separate online application must be filled out for each category. Each application must include its own set of images.

All applicants will be reviewed by a jury review panel. The jury review panel consists of curators, art professionals, and an Anderson Arts Center representative. Jurors are instructed to score artistic excellence using the following criteria: Artistic Merit, Technical Competence, Overall Quality of Work, and Booth Presentation.  Artist images are reviewed by the jury review panel in a blind jury process. The identities of the artists are not disclosed to jurors. Artist statements are shared with jurors while images are viewed. Please Note: This is a blind jury process, please do not submit booth images with any signage that could give away your identity. Please do not submit a booth image with you in it.

Images #1-4 must represent the complete range of work that you plan to show. Image #5 must be your booth with your work displayed. Your application will not be considered without a booth image. All applicants must submit a booth image. You may use Photoshop techniques ONLY to remove the name(s) visible in your booth picture.

Applicants are asked to submit and artist statement of 200 characters or less to read by jurors during the review process. The artist statement should describe materials, technique, and process rather than meaning behind the work or inspiration. Jurors can see the statement so please so not personalize the information.
 


Applicants will be notified by December 22, 2026 as to whether they have been accepted. Those accepted will receive additional information regarding payment of the booth fee and/or tent fee.

A Wait List will be established by medium category based in jury scores. Images from Accepted and Wait Listed artists will be retained for promotion.