Meet the Makers Application

About the Event

Made in Gastonia: An Arts & Creativity Festival is a new community event celebrating local artists, makers and hands-on creativity as part of Gaston County Arts Month.

Taking place in downtown Gastonia, the festival will feature interactive art activities, local artists and makers, food as art experiences, food trucks, live music and more.

Our theme is “Made by artists. Made by makers. Made by you.” The goal is to give attendees the chance to explore creativity, meet local artists and experience how art is made.

About Meet the Makers

Meet the Makers is a curated area highlighting the people and processes behind creative work. We want attendees to see artists in action, learn about their craft, ask questions and connect with the people who make the things they love.

We welcome painters, potters, woodworkers, jewelry makers, illustrators, sculptors, photographers, textile artists, printmakers and other artists and craftspeople.

Selected participants are expected to actively demonstrate their craft, work on a piece during the festival, interact with attendees and, when appropriate, offer brief demonstrations or explanations of their process.

Artists may sell their finished work during the festival, but the focus of the "Meet the Makers" section is to demonstrate how your art is made.

Food trucks and prepared-food vendors must apply through the designated food vendor application, or if you would not like to demonstrate your work, please apply to the artist & vendor application.

Event & Participation Details

• Date: Saturday, April 17, 2027
• Time: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
• Location: Rotary Pavilion, Downtown Gastonia
• Participation fee: Free
• Sales: Artists may sell their work.
• Space: Limited. Participation is subject to approval.
• Application process: This is a curated opportunity. Applying does not guarantee acceptance.

The City will assign spaces based on the event layout and the needs of participating artists. Specific setup instructions and available amenities will be provided to approved participants.

Who Should Apply?

This opportunity is intended for artists and makers who create their own work and are interested in sharing their creative process with the public.

Examples include:

• Painters and illustrators
• Potters and ceramic artists
• Woodworkers
• Jewelry designers
• Sculptors
• Photographers
• Textile, fiber and weaving artists
• Printmakers
• Other visual artists and craftspeople

This is not intended to be a standard retail booth or a general business promotional space. If your primary goal is to sell products without demonstrating your creative process, please apply for the separate Artist & Vendor Marketplace instead.

What We Ask of Participating Artists

Selected artists must:

• Be present and participate for the full festival, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Bring work in progress and actively demonstrate or work on their craft during the event.
• Engage with attendees and be willing to answer questions about their process.
• Offer informal explanations or brief demonstrations when practical.
• Bring the materials, tools and display items needed for their demonstration, unless otherwise arranged.
• Clearly communicate any special space, equipment, electrical or safety needs in their application.
• Keep their assigned area organized and clean throughout the event.

Demonstrations should be suitable for a public, family-friendly festival. Any tools, equipment or processes that require special safety considerations must be disclosed and approved in advance.

Space and Setup

Participation is free, and spaces are limited. The City will determine space assignments based on the overall layout, available space, demonstration requirements and variety of participating artists.

Artists should plan to provide their own tools, materials, display equipment, tables, chairs and tents unless the City confirms otherwise. Please identify any equipment or space requirements in your application.

Application Review

Applications will be reviewed based on the quality and originality of the work, suitability for the event, willingness and ability to demonstrate the creative process, engagement with attendees, and overall variety of artists represented.

Applicants should include clear photographs of their work and provide enough detail for the review team to understand what they make and how they would participate.

Selected artists will be contacted through Eventeny with acceptance and additional event instructions.

Booth Information 

• Booth set up/break down information:Individual vendor booth area is 10ft x 10ft.
• Vendors will be set up in the Rotary Pavilion parking lots. You will be able to pull one vehicle up to your spot at a time and unload. As soon as you unload, you need to move your car to a parking lot nearby (parking lot on 321 or lot between S. South St. and 321.)
• Booth set up will at 9:00 AM. A final, confirmed time will be sent out at least two weeks prior to the event.
• Booth breakdown is no earlier than 3:00PM and must be completed no later than 4:00PM.You will not be able to bring any vehicles into the pavilion parking lots until the crowds have cleared.
• It is the responsibility of the vendor to keep the booth and surrounding area clean. Each vendor shall leave the area in the same condition as it was found.
• Vendor booths serving food: Vendor booths may not grill, cook or smoke any food on-site.
• Vendors are required to adhere to all applicable laws and provisions established by North Carolina, Gaston County Health Department, and the City of Gastonia Police and Fire Departments. Vendors shall adhere to all federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations applicable to its business.
• All vendor activities must be suitable for a family event. Offensive materials, ads, or public displays will be removed and participation refused.
• The site map, set up information and timeline will be sent via Eventeny at least two weeks prior to the event.
• Please review the attached event vendor policy for a complete list of rules, regulations and vendor allowances. 

Application deadline: March 14, 2027

This is an electronic agreement and by signing, you are validating and approving this agreement electronically. 

Thank you for your interest in being part of Made in Gastonia! We look forward to showcasing the talented artists and makers who help make Gastonia creative!

By signing the vendor application, you agree to all rules and regulations outlined in the Event Policy document and on the vendor application. 

Hold Harmless Clause and Insurance

All authorized vendors participating in the Event shall be individually and severally responsible to the City of Gastonia for any loss, bodily or personal injury, deaths, and/or property damage that may occur as a result of the vendor's negligence or that of its servants, agents, and employees. All vendors hereby agree to indemnify and save the City of Gastonia, its officers, and employees harmless from any loss, cost, damages, and other expenses, including attorney's fees, suffered or incurred by reason of the vendors' negligence or that of its servants, agents and employees; provided that the vendors shall not be responsible nor required to indemnify the City of Gastonia for negligence of its officers or employees. No insurance is provided by the City of Gastonia to participants in the Event. Participating vendors will be required to provide a signature in acknowledgement of this clause on the vendor application.