Sausalito Art Walk- Guidelines for Participating Artists

Artists are what make Sausalito Art Walk what it is. Showing art in a merchant space is a privilege. These merchants are welcoming to artists and are freeing up wall space, to accommodate your artwork. They will hold an opening reception for all artists and allow your art to be exhibited for sale for an entire month, until the next event. As long as your respectful and follow some simple guidelines, exhibiting at Sausalito Art Walk can be an equitable and a lot of fun. Merchants are trying to manage their businesses, while making arrangements for artists to hang their work. So you will need to have a certain amount of flexibility to arrange a mutually convenient time to hang your work. The merchants are very accommodating and are supporters of Art Walk, so have some respect by exhibiting the following courtesies:

All artists must submit their work through this web site, by contacting the following email: artsubmissions@artwalksausalito.org
Do not simply show up. Artists are juried to ensure they are appropriate for our event, accomplished in their medium and help add to the diversity to every Art Walk. If you are selected to participate, you will be assigned a position on the walk, whether it be in a merchant space, or as an easel artist. We assign positions to avoid chaos at the event, ensure that artists are spread out evenly and they don't set up in areas that are off limits. You do this by sending a link to your web site or a couple examples of your work (@ 72dpi) to our email address.
After you're approved to exhibit at our event, your art will be added to the "Artist Pool." Merchants will select which artist they feel will best suit their environment and you will be contacted with the opportunity to exhibit. It is your responsibility to make sure we do put up your contact info and an example of your work. It is to your advantage, as many people who visit the event, may try to find a particular artist they discovered at Art Walk, to purchase work in the future. Your listing will stay up indefinitely.
Merchants may take a split and that varies from merchant to merchant. It is the responsibility of the artist to find out what that percentage is. 25% is a typical commission. If you display a piece and a sale is made, you will be expected to pay your agreed percentage to the merchant. If you attempt to sell work on display out from under the merchant, you will be banned from showing in future events.
Artists may only show in a merchant space once per calendar year. We have many accomplished artists who have been waiting to show in a merchant establishment. It is only fair to all participants that they follow this procedure.
Most merchants may expect you to bring refreshments or a platter of hoer d'oeuvres. This is the cost of having a reception hosted in a merchant space and having your work hang in their establishment for the next month.
You must be present the night of Art Walk for your opening reception, no exceptions. That is an important aspect to showing in a participating venue. It is definitely to your advantage and it will give you to do some salesmanship, converse with interested parties and collect contact information (which is definitely a good idea). Your work will remain on display at the establishment and for sale until the next event.
Artists are to be respectful of the establishment's environment and not punch holes all over their walls and wallpaper their business with your artwork. It is not to your advantage, art doesn't sell well bunched together. "More is less." When you remove your work, you must leave things as you found them. If that means filling holes with spackle and touching up with a little paint, that is what is required. This is at the discretion of each merchant.
You must be respectful to the proprietors of the establishments and not over-step your bounds by making demands that are unreasonable to the owner of the business. Combative behavior and intoxication will not be tolerated. It is not only unprofessional, but it is contrary to the cooperative environment we are trying to create at the event.
At no time should you take alcoholic beverages outside the walls of any establishment allowed to serve alcohol and if you do so you will be putting the event in jeopardy. It is not only a violation of city ordinances (open container law), but we are trying our best to cooperate with local authorities and the ABC, We do not want negative confrontations and fines from these organizations. This is not a "booze fest," it's an art exhibition.
We have a no tolerance for intoxication, or drug use by participants.
Combative behavior, disrespect to visitors in attendance and merchants will not be tolerated. If you have an issue with a guest, bring it to the attention of the manager of the establishment, or an organizer of the event. We take care of our artists, as well as the merchant participants at the event.
Artists may only show in a merchant space once per season. This doesn't mean you can't participate as an easel artist in that same season. We prefer you vary the art you display to keep things fresh. This is not "Find Waldo." We want to avoid people seeing the same artists, with the same body of work at the same place location at every event. This is part of what distinguishes us from other events of our kind in the region.
If you do exhibit in a merchant space, be sure to have small placards for each piece, giving the title, medium, dimensions, price and any other relevant info you want to include. Without placards, people may not even realize your work is for sale.
We also suggest attaching a card to the back of each piece. This may help you realize future sales, if they love with your work. Bring plenty of promotional materials and a guest book to get contact info from clients and prospects. These steps will help you fully capitalize from your participation in Sausalito Art Walk.
Alcoholic beverages can not be consumed anywhere outside at the event. If you do have a glass of wine, it must be consumed inside an establishment with a license to serve alcohol. The City of Sausalito and the ABC of California are on the look out for violations of this law. Please be respectful of this as it is a city and state requirement. We don't want to have to police the event and take away alcoholic beverages, so pleased cooperate with this requirement.

These guidelines are common sense which any professional should have no problems adhering to. Artists are welcomed with opened arms. The merchants are happy to participate in the event and enjoy exhibiting the artwork of talented artists from the Bay area and hosting an opening reception for your work. They believe that local artist's work should have a place in our community and are providing an invaluable platform for area talents.

We want this to be a win-win situation. We promote diversity of style and disciplines. It doesn't matter if you are a brand named commercial artist, only that you have demonstrated that you put time your craft and are accomplished in your discipline.

You are not bound to accept to show in any merchant space, it is your call. If you are not available, no longer interested, or don't want to show in a particular location, we will respect your decision. There is no lack of willing artists. As long as you don't commit, no harm-no foul. If you are a no-show, leave us hanging and don't have the courtesy to call to inform the merchant, or organizers you can't participate, you will not be offered the opportunity to participate in Art Walk in the future.

By no means do we want to impose regulations on people who participate in the event. We only want to make Sausalito Art Walk a pleasant experience for all persons participating in the event. These guidelines are designed to avoid conflicts and ensure that your appearance is a positive experience for all parties, including people in attendance.

Remember, this is a family friendly event and you need to behave in a manner which will not be be offensive, obscene, or inappropriate for minors.

Presentation is important and makes a positive impression on people interested in your art. Artists that have done well at our event, had a professional appearance, had plenty of promotional materials and presented their work in a way that complimented their art.

If you have any problems and need assistance, inform the proprietor and you will be given a number to call and we will be there to assist you. There is no need to wander aimlessly looking for someone to help you.

Just a reminder: When submitting your work, be sure to include samples of your, preferably a link to your web site. Be sure to include medium, dimensions, number of pieces you have ready to hang, a link to your web site, and all your contact info. You will be added to the artist pool if we feel your work is appropriate for our event. If you are accepted, you will be contacted. If you are to show in a merchant's establishment, you will again be notified.

If you have any questions in regards to these guidelines feel free to contact us at:

We are not out to impose restrictions on anyone. These guidelines are in place to help the event run smoothly and we appreciate your cooperation.