NGAG Sweetheart Exhibit & Sale

Call to Artists and Application Information

Our newest exhibit is coming up quickly, and artists must apply in order to participate.

The Sweetheart Exhibit & Sale is a one-day curated exhibit celebrating affordable, giftable artwork—perfect for Valentine’s season.

NOTE: Please read through the entire email as it contains important information. If you have questions that are not answered here, feel free to respond to this email or ask at our guild meeting on Monday. 

Eligibility

Participation is open to artists who are members in good standing of the North Grenville Arts Guild (NGAG).

Artists who are not currently NGAG members are welcome to apply. Non-member artists who choose to participate will be required to obtain NGAG membership prior to the exhibition.

NGAG membership helps support local arts programming, exhibitions, workshops, and community initiatives throughout the year.

To join NGAG, see https://ng-arts-guild.ca/home/join-ngag/.

🖼️ About the Exhibit Format

The Sweetheart Exhibit & Sale will be presented in a gallery-style exhibit format, rather than a traditional artist-attended market. This approach allows us to create a calm, cohesive browsing experience and make the best possible use of the available space.

Because of space limitations and to ensure visitors have ample room to move comfortably through the exhibit, participating artists will not be present at their grids during the show, unless they are scheduled for a volunteer shift.

This format provides artwork professionally displayed as a unified gallery and supported by volunteers throughout the event. In addition, we’ll be enhancing the visitor experience with a few light, interactive activities that invite engagement while keeping the focus on the art.

How Sales Will Work

  • Volunteers will be stationed throughout the exhibit to assist visitors
    • Carefully remove artwork from the grids once a purchase is made
    • Bring purchased pieces to the checkout (Square / cash table)
  • Artists should ensure all work is clearly labelled according to NGAG standards to support smooth and accurate sales.

After the Event

  • Following the exhibit, artists who have sold work will receive a list of sold items
  • Once all sales have been reconciled and tallied, payments will be sent by e-transfer
    Our goal is to complete payments within 10 days of the event, whenever possible

This exhibit format allows artists to participate fully while also enjoying the event as visitors or volunteers, and helps create a welcoming, gallery-like experience for the public.

📅 Event Details

  • Date: Sunday, February 8, 2026
  • Time: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
  • Location: The Armoury, 23 Reuben Street, Kemptville

Each participating artist will be provided with two grid panels, each measuring 2’ x 6’.
Please note that no electrical power is available.

💲 Fees & Commission

  • Registration Fee: $40 per artist (non-refundable)
  • Commission: 10% on all sales
    • The first 5% helps cover event-related costs, including:
      • Square transaction fees
      • Bank fees
      • E-transfer fees to artists
    • The remaining 5% is donated to charity

This commission structure helps offset the real costs of running the exhibit while also supporting a charitable contribution.

🛠️ Set-Up, Take-Down & Volunteering

  • Artist set-up: Sunday, 8:00 AM – 9:30 AM
  • Show opens: 10:00 AM
  • Take-down: Begins at 4:00 PM (no earlier)

Artists are responsible for setting up and removing their own artwork.

Volunteer Requirement

All participating artists are required to volunteer. A volunteer sign-up list will be shared once applications are received.

Volunteer roles include:

  • Grid pick up and drop off
  • Set-up and take-down of grids
  • Welcome table
  • Wrapping table
  • “Share the Love” station
  • Checkout table
  • Customer support on the floor
  • Photographer
  • Live social media

Volunteer name tags will be provided for use during your shift.

🚗 Parking

  • Artists may park in the Armoury parking lot during set-up and take-down only
  • During show hours, if you are volunteering, please park farther away to keep spaces available for visitors

🎨 Artwork Guidelines

  • All artwork must be priced at $250 or less
  • For wall art, maximum size is 16” x 20”or 320 sq. in.
  • All wall art must meet NGAG exhibition and hanging standards

Hanging Criteria

NGAG has established exhibition standards for hanging artwork at exhibits. NGAG reserves the right to refuse any work that does not comply or is deemed unsuitable.

  1. Artwork must be the original work of the artist — no reproductions or copies of otherartists’ work or online images.
  2. Frames must be solid, undamaged, and clean. Glass should be spotless.
  3. All hanging work must have secure professional hardware — Example: D-rings and taut wire attached to the back of the frame or stretcher (not just canvas).
  4. Sculptures, pottery, mini paintings with easels, and other 3D work must be displayed safely and securely.
  5. No visible staples on edges of canvases.
    • Gallery-depth canvases (1½”+): edges must be painted.
      • Shallower canvases: preferred to be framed but may be displayed if edges are finished.
    • Paper works (watercolour, pastel, etc.): should be framed under glass.
    • Attach a label on the back with: artist name, phone number, title, price, and medium.
  6. Additional display items (matted originals, art cards, etc.) may be presented in racks or on grids. For exhibit type shows, they should be individually sealed with pricing on the front and name visible somewhere on the piece so that we can easily record the sale.
  7. All work must be family-friendly (no nudity, violence, or gore).

🧰 What to Bring

Required

  • Artwork to sell
  • NGAG labels for all items
  • Black cloth to cover the back of your grids
    • Landscaping cloth is acceptable
  • Binder clips to secure the cloth
  • Grid hooks or S-hooks for hanging wall art
  • Gridwall card and print holders if selling cards and matted works
  • Shelves or grid hooks for 3D work, plus a secure method to affix work to shelves

Optional but Recommended

  • Up to two additional pieces to replace sold work
  • Artist name, title and price on the back of paintings, in addition to front-facing labels
    Why? If a front label becomes detached, volunteers can correctly identify the artwork and price, reducing the risk of errors.

🖼️ Exhibit Presentation

  • The exhibit will be laid out as one cohesive gallery
  • Please do not bring personal banners or signage
  • No individual lighting will be used

🛡️ Insurance

  • This event is presented in an exhibit format.
  • Vendor insurance is not required.
  • While every care will be taken to ensure a smooth and welcoming event, the North Grenville Arts Guild cannot be held responsible for any damage to artwork or display materials. Artists are encouraged to take any precautions they feel are appropriate for their work.

📬 How to Apply

To apply, email: northgrenvilleartsguild@gmail.com

Subject line: Sweetheart 2026 Exhibitor Application

Please include:

  1. Three (3) high-quality images representing your work
    • Preferably horizontal
    • Artwork featuring pink, red, green or blue tones will stand out well in this event’s promotions.
    • Images will be used for marketing, so clarity and good lighting are important
  2. A very brief artist statement (may be lightly edited for space)
  3. Send payment of $40 by e-transfer to northgrenvilleartsguild@gmail.com ensuring that your name and the event name are included in the Message portion of the e-transfer.
  4. As specified in the Eligibility section, Non-member artists who choose to participate will be required to obtain NGAG membership prior to the exhibition.If you are not yet a member of the NGAG, please apply using the form at https://ng-arts-guild.ca/home/join-ngag/

⏰ Application Deadline

Monday, January 21, 2026 at midnight.