Gallery Exhibit Application

Founded in 1963, the Creative Arts Guild is Georgia’s oldest multi-disciplinary community arts organization. Creative Arts Guild is located in Dalton, Georgia, approximately 20 miles south of Chattanooga, TN and 70 miles north of Atlanta, GA. The ARTS FEST 2026 Gallery Exhibition will open Friday, September 18th at our annual Preview Party and continue through Friday, October 16.  ARTS FEST weekend kicks off with our Friday evening ARTS FEST Preview Party, which serves as the opening reception of Gallery Exhibition. Our patrons enjoy making art purchases and sampling tasty treats from Dalton’s favorite restaurants. Saturday and Sunday also include our Outdoor Artist market, multicultural children’s activities, live performances, and self-guided tours of the Robert T. Webb Sculpture Garden. Admission is free. 

Awards:

Best of Show - $1000 

Best 2D - $200
Best 3D - $200

Patron's Choice Award - $100

Judging takes place prior to the opening Preview Party.  Awards will be acknowledged following the Preview Party reception on Friday, September 18. 

Judge:  TBD

Eligibility:  

• Open to all artists 18 years and older.

• All works must have been completed within the last two years and not previously exhibited at the Creative Arts Guild.  

• All work must be the original work of the applicant and must be for sale.

• Works on stretched canvas or panel may be unframed if there are painted/finished edges.  

• All work must have appropriate hanging hardware and be exhibition ready. Work without appropriate hanging hardware or not exhibition ready will not be accepted.   

Entrance Fee and Commission: $35 entry fee covers submission of six pieces for consideration by our panel of jurors, 0 - 6 pieces per artist may be selected. The Guild will receive 35% commission on all works sold. 

Selection: A panel of jurors chosen for their curatorial expertise will review the submissions and select work based on originality, skill, technique, concept, and appropriateness. 

Sales: Art patrons are invited to preview the exhibit at the annual Preview Party on Friday, September 18. The exhibit will remain open for sales during ARTS FEST weekend thru October 16. 

Preview Party: Artists exhibiting in the Gallery Exhibition will receive one complimentary ticket to the Preview Party and may purchase one discounted ticket for $25, additional tickets are at the regular price of $55.   

Drop-off Dates: Accepted work should be dropped off between Tuesday, September 1st, and Thursday, September 3rd between 11am-4pm. Artist assumes all responsibility for works shipped and a return label must be included to cover return of any unsold work. CODs will not be accepted. 

Pick-up Dates: Unsold work may be picked up Tuesday, October 20, 11:00 am - 4:00 pm or Wednesday, October 21, 11:00 am -  4:00 pm. Return shipping is at the artist's expense and the artist is responsible for making all shipping arrangements and payments at time of check-in. The artist must make arrangements for unsold art to be return-shipped at the close of the exhibit. Work not claimed within 30 days following the end of the exhibit becomes the property of the Creative Arts Guild.    

The Creative Arts Guild strives to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you have a physical or service  accessibility need, please notify the Creative Arts Guild staff so that we may reasonably accommodate your need. The  Creative Arts Guild is a nonprofit organization supported in part by private and corporate donations and grants from the City of Dalton.