Policies

Jury Process:
Exhibitors who met all the previous year’s requirements will automatically be juried in for the current show. The committee meets approximately one week after the March 1 application deadline to jury the current applications. Entries are grouped by category. Voting takes place and the artists are notified by the end of March. Late entries will be accepted until all 85 booths are filled.

Refunds:
If the application is not accepted, the booth fee is returned. Once an artist has been accepted, however, refunds are not given.

Artist Attendance:
The artist must attend both Saturday and Sunday. Artists who leave early will be excluded from future fairs. Portside reserves the right to refuse any entry inconsistent with submitted slides.

Booth Selection:
Artists are asked to indicate their preferred location (section A, B, C) but the committee will assign the space. Returning artists will be assigned the same booth as last year unless they request a change and the request can be granted. Every effort is made to keep similar media from being placed in adjacent booths. Section C is on the point with some views of the lake. This section has some slope in areas, is all grass and cannot be driven on. Section B borders the paved drive (under some trees) and concession stand/eating area. Some booths will have grass floor and others will have pavement. Section A is shady, under a tree canopy and is a fairly tight fit for tents. Booth floor is dirt or mulch.

Artist Packet:
Pick up is available at the park either Friday night or Saturday morning. The packet includes: name tags, program containing map and exhibitor’s location, concessionaires MI sales tax return and payment form, two (2) coupons for one (1) doughnut and one (1) coffee available each morning (number of coupons will be issued based on names listed on application), and trash bag to help keep Elm Pointe beautiful.

Parking:
There are two small lots and one large lot available. The first borders the beach area just before the Elm Pointe driveway, the second is in the woods just past the Elm Pointe driveway and the third is the field across the road which is only available during the fair. Overnight parking is not permitted in any of the lots.

Vehicles:
Vehicles may be driven only on the paved driveway area. They are not allowed into Elm Pointe during Fair hours.

Set Up:
Elm Pointe will be open for booth setup on Friday night between 3 and 9 p.m. Booth setup cannot take place prior to 4 p.m. Setup on Saturday morning is by assigned time: Section C is 7-8 a.m.; Section B is 8-8:30 a.m.; and Section A is 8:30-9 a.m. Artists will line up single file on the highway until there is room to drive into the park. There is room for six vehicles/trailers at one time. Items may be dollied in from the three parking lots. Time is critical when unloading. You must empty your vehicle to your booth site, move your vehicle to a parking lot, and then start setting up your space. Booths may be left in place on Saturday night. A caretaker lives on the grounds, but the park is not locked at night and access can be gained from the beach entrance. PARKING OVERNIGHT AT THE PARK AND PARKING LOTS IS PROHIBITED. THE FIELD PARKING LOT IS ON PRIVATE PROPERTY. The City of East Jordan, Elm Pointe Estate, East Jordan Portside Art and Historical Society, and the Portside Arts Fair Committee are not responsible for artists’ possessions left in the park over night. Artists assume full responsibility.

Tear Down:
Artists will not begin disassembling their booths until one-half hour past closing to allow shoppers to finish making their final purchases. 1) Booths in Section C must be completely broken down and brought to the center circle (Section B) ready to be loaded. 2) Locate a committee member. They will confirm you are ready to load and give you a card with your booth number indicated on it. Now you are ready to bring your vehicle to the circle. Just give your card to the volunteer at the gate. This indicates that you are ready to load and will then let you bring your vehicle into the circle. There may be a short wait at the entrance as we coordinate incoming and outgoing vehicles. 3) No one will be allowed to bring a vehicle in until they have received a card from a committee member. If you do not need to drive your vehicle into the park, you do not need to check in with a committee member. Following this procedure will allow an orderly and quick tear down of the fair. This procedure has been in place for a number of years and works very well.

Purchase Prize Selection:
The juror will visit each exhibitor’s booth prior to the start of the show and judge their entire body of work and presentation. The judge and a committee member will then select the winning 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional pieces to be purchased at face value. Up to $1,000 will be divided between the purchase prize winners. Ribbons will be awarded for purchase prizes and honorable mentions. Purchase prizes become a permanent part of the Cygred Riley Gallery which is housed adjacent to the East Jordan Portside Art and Historical Society Museum at Elm Pointe.