Art in The Loop 2027

Art Works Foundation's 10th annual Art in The Loop is a juried fine-art and fine-craft festival in Memphis, Tennessee, April 9–11, 2027. The festival focuses on selling artists' work, including metal, glass, clay, wood, fiber, jewelry, sculpture, painting, photography, printmaking, found objects and other 2-D media. Approximately 60–75 artists will be admitted, with participation limited by category. Five judges review applications, and cash prizes will be awarded.

Applicants must be at least 18 years old. The application does not accept applications from emerging artists. Complete the Zapplication entry module and submit five images of representative work, including one booth shot. The artist's name or business name must not appear anywhere in the application; blur signatures on paintings, for example. Up to two applications may be submitted. The jury fee is $30 and nonrefundable. Jury review runs January 13–23, 2027, with notification by email by January 26; the purchase deadline is March 6, 2027. Booth space costs $375 for 10 × 10 feet; a double booth costs twice the booth fee. All spaces are corners, with 3 feet of rear storage. Extensions cannot exceed the allocated space by more than 2 feet and must be removed if the promoter objects.

All sale items must be handmade by the accepted artist, and all designs must be original. No buy/sell work, jewelry stringers, soap, candles, food items, work from commercial molds, kits or patterns, or copyrighted designs not owned by the artist. Commercial embellishments must be subordinate to handcrafted work. Other embellished manufactured articles, antiques and collectibles are prohibited. All work must be for sale. Two-dimensional artists may offer reproductions comprising no more than 20% of inventory, in a bin labeled "reproductions"; only originals may be framed or displayed on walls. Three-dimensional artists may offer T-shirts, note cards, calendars and similar items bearing reproductions of their work, comprising no more than 10% of inventory. Organizers may remove work not submitted to the jury or otherwise objectionable. Violations result in immediate expulsion without fee refunds.

Artists must personally attend throughout show hours, staff their own displays and handle sales; assistants or agents cannot replace them. Credentials are available for up to two assistants, and booth sitters are available as demand permits. Maintain full inventory through the show's last minutes, restock displays and provide packaging. No price reductions, show specials or sales promotions are permitted. Exhibitors are responsible for Tennessee sales tax of 9.75%. Accepted artists may not participate in another show or sale, including private house shows, in Shelby, Tipton or Fayette counties in Tennessee, DeSoto County in Mississippi, or Crittenden County in Arkansas during this show's run. Cash prizes will be awarded.

Liability insurance must name ArtWorks Foundation, 60 North Century, Memphis TN 38111, as additionally insured. Accepted artists without coverage will receive an ACT Insurance link and discount code. Exhibitors display at their own risk; organizers, venue and sponsors do not insure exhibitors' personal property. Submitted photographs may be used to promote the show upon the artist's acceptance.

Displays are on asphalt. Tents require at least 50 pounds per corner suspended from the top of the frame, not resting on the base; weights will be inspected. Real tents are preferred, but popups are accepted, with heavy steel legs preferred. Stabilizer bars are strongly recommended. Electricity must be battery powered; sound amplification is prohibited. Artists should display identification showing their name, any business name and medium. Follow assigned vehicle-access and immediate unloading procedures. The overview states setup begins at 9 a.m. Friday, April 9, 2027; a separate vehicle-access paragraph inconsistently says Friday, April 11, so confirm assigned access with the organizer. Public hours are Friday 1–6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.–5 p.m., and Sunday 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Do not pack or remove displays before 4:05 p.m. Sunday, April 11, except when promoters authorize an emergency exception. Leaving early without director authorization bars participation in ArtWorks Foundation shows for at least two years.

Friday parking is restricted to promoter-designated lots; unauthorized parking results in towing and removal from the show. Limited trailer/RV parking without hookups requires an email request and is allocated first come, first served. If the promoter cancels the show, 100% of fees are refunded. An 80% exhibition-fee refund is available by March 6, 2027, or afterward for loss of life in the immediate family as defined by the source (self, spouse or child); serious personal-illness exceptions after that date are at the foundation board's discretion.