Rules & Regulations

  1. Artists must have a booth in the Cherokee Art Market in order to be eligible for participation in the Cherokee Art Market competition
  2. Artists are allowed to submit two (2) art pieces into the competition.
  3. All artwork in booths and submitted into competition must be for sale. No artwork is to be sold before the Saturday morning preview hour.
  4. If an artist fails to remove their artwork from competition area or winners’ display area after the awards reception, a $30 handling fee will be charged to the artist when recovering item from Cherokee Art Market staff.
  5. To be eligible for the competition, the following rules must be met:
    1. Artwork must be handmade by the registered artist in the last 18 months.
    2. Artwork must follow the guidelines for its medium.
    3. Artwork must be the sole property of the registered artist.
    4. Artwork must not have been commissioned.
    5. Artwork that previously has been awarded Best of Show at the Cherokee Art Market will not be eligible for the Best of Show award in any subsequent Cherokee Art Market.
    6. Artwork must not include any part of an endangered species.
    7. All two-dimensional art must be appropriately framed and ready to hang.
    8. No wet canvases will be accepted.
    9. Artwork must be complete.
    10. Artwork must be for sale.
  6. If there are not enough participants in a category, artwork may be added to the judging of another category at judges’ discretion.
  7. Management has the right to make the final decision regarding all rules and regulations set forth by the Cherokee Art Market.
  8. If entering a collaborative piece, all artists must be registered for Cherokee Art Market with a booth.
  9. Artists must be at their booth at all times. Agents may assist but may not represent artists. Volunteers are available to relieve artists for short breaks. The breaks must take no longer than 15 minutes; after 15 minutes the volunteer will leave the booth in order to relieve other artists. Volunteers are not allowed to sell artwork. Volunteers will circulate throughout the day to offer their assistance.
  10. A break room (Artist Lounge) will be available to the artists throughout the day. Water and coffee will be offered in the room. Each artist will be given a hospitality bag filled with snacks.
  11. Please be respectful of other artists and their booth space. Artists must keep their art within the confines of their purchased booth space, unless granted prior permission by Cherokee Art Market officials. Excessive and disruptive lighting to other artists is not acceptable.
  12. Booths cannot be dismantled until the end of the market (5 p.m. Sunday). Artists who sell out of inventory must contact Cherokee Art Market staff at the information booth to be released officially from the show. Artists who leave early (without being released officially) will not be invited back for one (1) year.
  13. Artists who are accepted into the show but fail to set up their booth by Saturday at 9:00 a.m. will not be invited back for two (2) years.
  14. It is each artist’s responsibility to comply with all federal and state laws regarding migratory birds and endangered species.
  15. Books or videos of cultural, historical or educational content produced or pertaining to the artist, as well as magazines or artists’ portfolios, will be allowed for display but not for sale.
  16. Giclée prints and note cards will be allowed for sale, provided giclée prints are SIGNED and NUMBERED in a limited edition of no more than 50 and must be labeled clearly in the booth. Note cards MUST be high quality and depict original artwork of the registered artist. The total inventory of prints and note cards must NOT total more than 25% of the overall booth inventory.
  17. No items other than fine art are to be sold during the Cherokee Art Market. Items not allowed for sale in booths include the following:
    1. Commercially produced t-shirts, caps, mugs, mouse pads and non-handmade items.
    2. Any medium other than those specifically accepted into the Cherokee Art Market, unless previously authorized by a Cherokee Art Market official.
  18. Cherokee Art Market officials will visit artist booths to ensure the market’s rules and regulations are being observed.
  19. Cherokee Art Market reserves the right to prohibit an artist from participating in the market based on the artist’s failure to comply with the rules, regulations and guidelines of the market.
  20. Artists may not gift anything to the Cherokee Art Market staff.
  21. Competition Entries.
    1. Each paid booth receives 2 competition entries.
    2. Shared artist booth fees include additional entries for the second artist.
    3. Co-Ops receive 2 competition entries per booth purchased.
      1. Co-Ops may purchase additional competition entries at $50 per 2 entries.
  22. Reception Ticket.
    1. Each paid booth receives 2 award reception tickets.
    2. Shared artist booths will receive 2 award reception tickets total. Fees do not include additional tickets.
    3. Co-Ops receive 2 awards reception tickets per booth purchased. (A double booth = 4 tickets).
      1. Co-Ops may purchase additional award reception tickets at $40 per ticket.
  23. Artists who cancel within 15 days of the Cherokee Art Market will not be invited back for two years.
  24. Artists who are no-shows to Cherokee Art Market will not be invited back for two years.

Class Divisions 

These guidelines pertain to all work for sale during the Cherokee Art Market as well as work entered into the competition. Co-op booth fees will include competition entry for up to two artists per booth. Other artists in the co-op may enter into the competition with an additional $50 fee per artist. Please carefully review the specific guidelines for each medium.

Definitions

Traditional: Pieces constructed with customary materials and processes. (See each division for specific allowances)  

Contemporary: Pieces constructed utilizing customary and/or modern materials paired with innovation in fabrication. (See each division for specific allowances) 

CLASS 1: PAINTING, DRAWING, GRAPHICS & PHOTOGRAPHY

Division A – Painting
Two-dimensional works on a solid surface

Allowable:

      • Original works in oil, watercolor, acrylic, gouache, tempera, etc.
      • All two-dimensional art must be appropriately framed, finished and ready for hanging with picture wire, or if size requires, “z-bar” or cleat type hanger.

Division B – Photography and Digital Arts
Two-dimensional works on a solid surface.

Allowable:

      • Traditional photography, film or digital.
      • Digitally rendered or manipulated paintings, photos or graphics.
      • Prints must be signed and numbered, not to exceed editions of 50.

Non-Allowable:

      • Note cards, clothing, mugs, and other mass-produced items.

Division C – Drawing, Graphics, and Mixed Media
Two-dimensional works on a solid surface.

Allowable:

      • Original works including but not limited to: pencil, colored pencil, pastels, charcoal, oil crayons, pencil, pen & ink, mixed media, collage, and scrimshaw.
      • Printmaking hand printed by artist including but not limited to: block print, lino print, lithography, relief, etching, mezzotint, aquatint, dry point, screen printing, monotype, monoprint, mixed media prints.
      • Prints must be signed and numbered, not to exceed editions of 50.
      • All two-dimensional art must be appropriately framed, finished and ready for hanging with picture wire, or if size requires, “z-bar” or cleat type hanger.

Non-Allowable:

      1. Digitally manipulated or reproduced works.
      2. Any photomechanical reproduction, including but not limited to posters, t-shirts, tiles or mugs.
  •  

CLASS 2: SCULPTURE

Division A – Stone, Bronze, Other
Three-dimensional representative or abstract forms.

Allowable:

      • Hand-wrought materials including but not limited to: stone, wood, bone, antler, metal, ceramic, paper, cloth, hand-blown glass, fabricated glass, fiberglass, etc.
      • Cast bronze sculpture in numbered editions, not to exceed 10 for 6’+, 24 for 3’ to 6’, 30 for 1’ to 3’ and 50 for less than 12”. All must be signed and numbered. A certificate of authenticity is recommended.

Allowable With Disclosure:

      • All decorative stone, shell and metal elements must be properly identified and comply with the same standards established for allowable materials and non-allowable materials for jewelry.
      • Fixatives can be used to stabilize pigments but must be disclosed.
      • All termite-bored or aged wood must be non-infectious and must be disclosed. Staff reserves the right to examine and refuse such items.
      • All feathers used must comply with current laws and regulations of state and federal agencies. Endangered species legislation is observed.

Non-Allowable:

      • Cast resins.
      • Cast miniature sculpture intended for use as jewelry.
      • Production cast open editions.

CLASS 3: BEADWORK/QUILLWORK

Division A – Traditional
Ornamental work in beads or quills on customary objects or attire.

Allowable:

      • Purchased glass beads, quills, commercially tanned leather.
      • Handmade objects that are hand-beaded or quilled i.e. attire, accessories, dolls etc.
      • Natural pigments and dyes.
      • Nickel and brass beads made by the artist.

Allowable With Disclosure:

      • All feathers must comply with all state and federal laws and regulations.
      • All attached materials, including buttons, collar tabs, beads and tin tinklers, must be properly identified and comply with jewelry standards.

Non-Allowable:

      • Plastic or synthetic parts of any kind, including beads, buttons, hair, hair pipe or polymer clay, or commercially beaded or manufactured items of any kind.
      • Commercially dyed quills.

Division B – Contemporary
Ornamental work in beads or quills on modern or unconventional objects or attire.

Allowable:

      • Purchased glass beads, quills, commercially tanned leather.

Allowable With Disclosure:

      • Commercially produced objects that are hand-beaded i.e. pins, tennis shoes, bottles, etc.
      • Nickel and brass beads not made by the artist must be disclosed.
      • All feathers must comply with all state and federal laws and regulations.
      • All attached materials, including buttons, collar tabs, beads and tin tinklers, must be properly identified and comply with jewelry standards.

Non-Allowable:

      • Plastic or synthetic parts of any kind, including beads, buttons, hair, hair pipe or polymer clay, or commercially beaded or manufactured items of any kind.

CLASS 4: BASKETRY

Division A – Traditional
Weaving or sewing pliable materials into three dimensional objects, such as baskets, mats, etc. Pieces must be constructed with customary materials and processes.

Allowable:

      • Hand gathered, hand processed, and hand hewn natural materials including but not limited to: natural plant fibers, barks, honeysuckle, buck brush, river cane, horse hair, yarn, etc.
      • Natural dyes, and decoration made of natural materials.

Non-Allowable:

      • Commercial reed, splints, or other materials not harvested and hewn by the artist.
      • Commercial dyes or decoration.

Division B – Contemporary
Weaving or sewing pliable materials into three dimensional objects, such as baskets, mats, etc. Pieces can be constructed utilizing customary and/or modern materials using customary processes and innovation in fabrication.

Allowable:

      • Hand worked natural or commercial fibers including but not limited to: yucca, willow, three lobed sumac, ash, hickory, honeysuckle, buck brush, pine needle, devils claw, commercial rattan or reed, metal, fabric, etc.
      • Natural and commercial dyes.

Allowable With Disclosure:

      • All attached decoration or embellishments must be properly identified and comply with the jewelry standards for allowable and non-allowable materials.

CLASS 5: POTTERY

Division A – Traditional & Figurative
Vessels and hollow objects formed from hand cultivated clay; fired to vitrification.

Allowable:

      • Pottery must be hand built and made using customary tribal methods for clay preparation, construction, and firing.

Allowable With Disclosure:

      • All decorative stone, or shell elements must be properly identified.

Non-Allowable:

      • Greenware, slip-mold, wheel thrown, or pottery constructed by any method other than hand built.
      • Commercial glazes or décor.
      • Kiln fired pottery

Division B – Contemporary
Vessels and hollow objects formed from clay; fired to vitrification.

Allowable:

      • Pottery fired in any manner.
      • Pottery made with commercial clay, glazes and temper.
      • Wheel thrown pottery.

Allowable With Disclosure:

      • All decorative stone, shell or metal elements, and shell, glass or metal beads must be properly identified.

Not Allowable:

      • No greenware or slip mold commercial pottery is allowed.

CLASS 6: TEXTILES

Division A – Traditional Weaving and Sewing
Hand woven, loom woven, and hand sewn objects and replicas of customary tribal objects (rugs, blankets, etc.) and attire.

Allowable:

      • Hand-woven, hand-sewn, knitted, crocheted, and hand-embroidered textiles are accepted.
      • All textiles must be constructed with natural materials. (Wool, cotton, silk, plant fibers, leather, etc.)
      • All sewn items must be designed and sewn by the artist.
      • Handmade tinklers, beadwork, German silver or silver buttons and ornaments will be given special consideration if made by the artist.
      • Handspun and vegetable dyed yarn, rendered by the artist will be given special consideration.
      • All clothing must include artist’s label.
      • Vertical loom woven (no cut warps).

Allowable With Disclosure:

      • Any embellishments not made by the artist must be disclosed.
      • Commercial materials such as linen or calico are allowed with disclosure and must be hand-sewn.

Non-Allowable:

      • Synthetic fabrics, ribbons, yarns, or other materials.
      • Commercially made garments or accessories.
      • Liquid embroidery. Iron-on appliqué.
      • Manufactured or non-Native made die-struck metal buttons or conchos.
      • Hot glue.

Division B – Contemporary Weaving and Sewing
Hand woven, loom woven, and sewn objects and attire.

Allowable:

      • Handwoven, vertical or horizontal loom woven objects and attire.
      • Synthetic yarn and commercial materials allowed as well as vegetable dyes and handspun yarns.
      • Woven mixed media.
      • Machine sewn garments and objects and attire.
      • Knitted, crocheted, and embroidered objects and attire.

Allowable With Disclosure:

      • Machine or other non-traditional ornaments may be included with disclosure.
      • Machine Embroidery must be disclosed.

Non-Allowable:

      • Commercially made garments or accessories.
      • Liquid embroidery. Iron-on appliqué.
      • Manufactured or non-Native made die-struck metal buttons or conchos.
      • Hot glue.

CLASS 7: JEWELRY

Division A – Traditional
Pre-Columbian to Trade-Era (1840’s) style jewelry using customary, culturally acceptable materials, techniques, and designs.

Allowable:

      • Organic and stone materials.
      • Shell and natural organic materials, such as bone, wood, natural stones (turquoise, coral, lapis, etc.), other natural untreated stones and gemstones.
      • Natural pearls, finished stones, and gemstones in cabochon shapes set in metal settings.
      • Non-plated metals are allowed and must be identified clearly. Gold must be 14 karat or higher.
      • Multiple strand glass bead necklaces strung in tribal tradition of the maker are allowed.

Allowable With Disclosure:

      • Minimal findings: limited to belt or bolo leather, earring and pin backs.
      • FOR SHELL AND BEADMAKERS ONLY: single bead/cone combinations to finish ends of necklaces or earrings.
      • Trade-era glass and stone beads.
      • Cast jewelry mold must be handmade, hand carved and poured by the artist, and limited to an edition of 12, signed and numbered.
      • Feathers or animal materials must be properly identified and comply with all State and Federal regulations.
      • Commercially available glass seed beads in combination with handmade items.

Non-Allowable:

      • Commercially produced chains, jump rings, clasps, barrette clips, money clips, hook & eyes, etc.
      • Mass produced castings.
      • Plated metals.
      • Plastic or other synthetic materials
      • Any element not hand worked by the artist with the exception of allowable findings.

Division B – Contemporary
Any handmade, personal ornamentation to be affixed to the body or clothing.

Allowable:

      • Organic and stone materials.
      • Shell and natural organic materials, such as antler, bone, wood, natural stones (turquoise, coral, lapis, etc.), other natural untreated stones and gemstones.
      • Natural pearls, finished stones and gemstones in cabochon, and faceted shapes set in metal settings.
      • All non-plated metals are allowed and must be identified clearly. Gold must be 14 karat or higher.

Allowable With Disclosure:

      • Allowable Findings: For the purposes of the Cherokee Art Market, these are defined as “an ingredient part of the finished product that adapts the product for wearing or use.” This includes jump rings, earring backs, clasps, barrette clips, money clips, hook & eyes, leather for bolo straps or concho belts, etc.
      • Stabilized turquoise must be disclosed to consumer.
      • Commercially available coral from temporary strands must be natural and undyed. The use of this coral can be used only in combination with handmade items.
      • Commercially available glass beads can be used only in combination with handmade items.
      • Multiple strand glass bead necklaces strung in tribal tradition of the maker are allowed.
      • Cast jewelry mold must be handmade, hand carved and poured by the artist, and limited to editions of 12 signed and numbered.
      • Wax carving and lost-wax casting can be used only for one-of-a-kind items.
      • Commercial chain may be used (as a finding) with hand-crafted items.

Non-Allowable:

      • Imported or non-Native handmade stone or shell beads and fetishes, excluding coral.4
      • Imported and/or color treated nuggets or tumbled chips of any material.
      • Plastic or synthetic block reconstituted or compressed materials, such as coral, lapis, opal, etc.
      • All color-treated (dyed, heated or irradiated) materials such as blue onyx, blue topaz, irradiated red coral, etc.
      • Items assembled from non-Native or manufactured components: Machine-made or die-struck components or purchased cast blanks, rings, bracelets, bezel cups, leaves, bolo tips, silver or other metal beads
      • Commercially drilled or pre-strung gemstone, natural pearls or glass beads, including restrung necklaces, “treasure” necklaces, made with commercial “found” objects.
      • Machine-made “liquid” silver and gold or plated materials, gold under 14 karat.
      • Rubber mold casting(s) or ANY mass-produced items by any casting method.

CLASS 8: DIVERSE ART FORMS

Division A – Traditional
This division encompasses cultural objects that are functional and customary to tribal traditions.

Allowable:

      • Includes but is not limited to: moccasins, drums, fans, regalia, gourds, hats, gloves, dolls and figures, marbles, bows, knives, clubs, etc.
      • All weaponry must be made and sold for display purposes only.

Allowable With Disclosure:

      • Cultural accessories may be presented on commercially made items, i.e., hats, furs, and commercially tanned leather, but the commercial items must be disclosed.
      • Feathers or animal materials must be properly identified and comply with all State and Federal regulations.

Non-Allowable:

      • Sensitive materials and endangered species.

Division B – Contemporary
This division encompasses cultural objects that have been altered and embellished for display and are no longer functional as cultural objects.

Allowable:

      • All work must be created by the submitting artist.
      • All beadwork and quillwork must be beaded by hand application.
      • Decorative stone, shell and metal elements must be properly identified and comply with the same standards allowable for jewelry.

Allowable With Disclosure:

      • For hides, special consideration will be given to items made with native brain tanned or smoked hides. Entry form should disclose curing/preservation method used.
      • Feathers or animal materials must be properly identified and comply with all State and Federal regulations.

Non-Allowable:

      • Plastic or synthetic parts, manufactured non-Native or die-struck metal charms, buttons, etc., or commercially beaded items of any kind.
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