heART of the Valley art & artisan show & sale

Exhibition Dates: Thursday May 8th to Saturday July 19, 2025

The heART of the Valley Artist & Artisan Show & Sale is back at the Mac with categories for professional artists & artisans, community hobbyists, and 2 youth groups!The heART show is an open call for submissions for both members and non-members of the museum, and seeks to present an exhibition of diverse, creative artistic styles, using varied mediums & materials showcasing the amazing talent in the Annapolis Valley and other Nova Scotia artists. This event is for professional artists and artisans and community talent of all ages and abilities.

Thank you to all the artists and volunteers that made the first heART show such a success. We are thrilled to be back for another year of celebrating the incredible creative talent of the Annapolis Valley.


How to Apply

Professional/Community: Printable | Online
Youth: Printable | Online

Theme:  FOSTERING HOPE & COMMUNITY

The theme is purposefully broad, fostering hope and/or/in community, while still aiming to maintain a thread of cohesion.

An unofficial 19th century Nova Scotia motto, “We bloom amid the snow” was in reference to an early blooming wildflower. The mayflower was a symbol of resilience and a reminder that beauty and achievement can thrive amid, and despite, adversity. It felt hopeful and fittingly historical.

Your work can tie into something or someone that gives you a sense of hope.

It can be something that fuels your idea of community, or how community brings you hope.

Consider concepts like the interconnectedness and interwoven nature of our lives in our local community, or in a broader sense, even a sense of patriotism for our province or our country, or hope for our shared world and home.

Perhaps it is the hope of youth, of people doing good for one another or for the planet, or like the mayflower— the hope that comes with new life each spring.

If you are unsure how your art may fit into the theme, feel free to reach out

NEW for 2025!

  • Reduced Entry Fees
  • Longer Voting Period
  • Early Bird entry option for both Professionals AND Hobbyists
  • Two Youth Categories > 12 & under and 13-18 yrs (all FREE)
  • Reception moved to the weekend in the afternoon
  • NEW Facebook Group where you can follow to get reminders, up to date info, ask questions, and look at some of the art from last year’s entries https://www.facebook.com/groups/heartshow

ENTRY CATEGORIES, DEADLINES & FEES

There are 4 categories >>> Artist & Artisans, Community Artists, Future Artists (12 & under) and Emerging Artists (13-18)

Professional Fine Artists & Artisans

  • Early Bird Deadline: April 4, 2025 at a reduced rate of $25.
  • Regular Entry is $30 and will be considered until April 25, as space permits.
  • Professional Artists & Artisans are invited to submit original 2D or 3D artworks in any medium. Artists (fine artists – painting, photography, sculpture, etc. Installation artists please email prior to applying.)  Artisans (skilled artisans, crafters and makers of non-perishable goods)

How to Apply: Printable | Online

Community Artists
(hobbyists, dabblers, untrained or new artists)

  • Early Bird Deadline: April 4, 2025 at a reduced rate of $15
  • Regular Entry is $20 and will be considered until April 25, as space permits.
  • Community Artists are invited to submit original 2D or 3D artworks in any medium.

How to Apply: Printable | Online

Youth Artists

  • Emerging Artists (13-18) FREE
  • Future Artists (12 & under) FREE

*Emerging & Future Artists are limited to ready to hang original 2D artwork with maximum dimensions of 18″ x 18″ (including frame if applicable) as space permits.

How to Apply: Printable | Online

Multiple Entries Permitted as Space Permits

Artists may enter two pieces and may enter in more than one category if applicable, as space permits.
For example, someone could submit 2 paintings, or a painting and a sculpture, or someone may enter a painting in the Artists category & submit a separate entry such as a carved wooden bowl into the community category as a hobbyist. If you are unsure where your creation fits, please email heartofthevalleyartshow@gmail.com.

Each entry requires a separate completed application form, image, and payment.

Prizes & Reception

FOUR Prizes will be awarded to ONE winner from each category as determined by ballot entry by museum visitors >>People’s Choice Voting.

  • Professional Artists & Artisans $250
  • Community Hobbyists $100
  • 2 Youth Art Materials Prize Packages

Voting

Artists are encouraged to attend the exhibit to vote, as well as invite their friends and family to support the event by voting or perhaps purchasing art to help support local artists and the Macdonald Museum.Museum visitors may enter one ballot per visit to the exhibit. One ballot will list all categories and will be available during regular museum hours from May 8, 2025 to July 5, 2025 at 2:30 pm. The reception will be held July 5 from 2-4 pm.  Ballots will be accepted for the first 30 minutes of the reception only, until 2:30 pm. Winners to be presented as soon as ballots are tallied at the Reception by volunteers. Light refreshments will be provided.

Sales

Although sales are not mandatory, entrants are invited to sell their work during the show. Artists will receive 75% of the sale, and the museum will retain 25%. The artist may opt to contribute a higher percentage to the museum to support. Receipts will be provided.

Entrants must indicate if their work is for sale, and determine the sale value, via their entry application. No changes can be made after the application is submitted.

Art Intake & Pick Up

In-person registration and art drop off at the Museum will take place on May 2 (Fri) or 3 (Sat), 2024 between 1-3 pm.
*If you are unable to attend, please ensure your proxy has accurate information to confirm ALL art and personal registration details with the intake worker.

Pick up of unsold art will occur July 20 (Sun) OR July 21 (Mon) from 1-3 pm. If your piece is sold during the show you will be contacted on or before July 19, 2025 via email and the artist is then not required to attend and receipts and payment can be mailed out.
(*early pick up exception – Vendors in the Macdonald Craft Fair on Saturday July 19 may pick up their art after the craft fair if arrangements are made via heartofthevalleyartshow@gmail.com address only by July 15th)
**Art left at the museum after July 21 may be subject to a storage fee.

Please carefully read and adhere to the Intake Instructions.

Intake Instructions* – labels will be provided.
It is the artist’s responsibility to review the provided art label and wall label for accuracy. Any changes not noted at intake will be the responsibility of the artist e.g. incorrect spelling, price/value or whether or not the piece is for sale.

*If a proxy is sent to drop off your work, please provide a printed label with the following:
Artist Name, Title, Medium, Year Completed, Size in INCHES: 2D:     ”W x    ”H or 3D:     ”L x    ”W x    ”H

Is your piece for sale? Yes ? No?  Price: $______
If your piece is not for sale, a value still must be included.

All work must be registered, ready to hang or display, and must be suitable for installation or it may be rejected from the show without refund. Ensure work is completely dry, set, cured, fixed, and/or protected. Works on paper and board must be framed and mounted. It is recommended that delicate, intricate work should be protected by a frame. Please be mindful of weight. Large, framed pieces with heavy glass may pose hanging challenges. Artwork that cannot safely be hung may be rejected without refund.

All 2D artwork must be wired for easy hanging. Ensure that the wire is 2″ below the top edge of the work. Artwork that is not wired properly or cannot be displayed will not be hung in the show and no refund will be provided. (https://www.wikihow.com/Hang-Artwork-with-Wire)

All 3D artwork must be able to be set on a table or shelf without instruction.

Special installation is the sole responsibility of the artist and requires advanced notice by appointment only and must be arranged via heartofthevalleyartshow@gmail.comEmerging Artists (13-17)  & Future Artists (12 & under) may submit 2D artwork only.
Youth art is limited to maximum 18×18 inch stretched canvas on wood frame or in a frame ready to hang. If it does not hang on a nail, additional wire hanging will be required and will be the responsibility of the artist.

Entry Requirements

All entries require the following for each submission

  • Title
  • Medium:
  • Category:
  • Price (or Value if not for sale): $
  • Year:
  • Is it for sale? Yes or No
  • Dimension in inches HxWxD:
    All work must be measured in INCHES only for consistency and scale for clarity consistency.

Artists may opt to provide additional information with submission.

  • Business Name:
  • Website and Social media platform:

Optional:
Short Artist Statement of 1 to 3 sentences to a maximum of 350 characters to describe your work as it relates to the theme of the show. This statement may be used next to your artwork in the exhibit, used to promote the show or future art shows, and/or on social platforms.

PROFESSIONAL ARTISTS & ARTISAN IMAGE Requirement
(Optional for Community & Youth):
Send 1-3 high quality images of your artwork.

Note we do not accept images of artwork taken through glass or images showing a frame. Please crop images to the outer edges of the artwork or remove the background for a 3D work.

FILE FORMAT ACCEPTED:
.jpg, .png, 5Mb maximum, recommend 1400px on smallest side, 72 DPI. The image you submit will be used for social promotion and may be selected to represent you in an online capacity.

IMPORTANT ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The show is being directed by an experienced artist, art event coordinator, juried art show director & curator.

Although all reasonable efforts will be made to ensure art is carefully handled and displayed by museum volunteers, it is recommended that art is insured, particularly that which is of significant value. The museum cannot and does not guarantee full protection of your art in this space that is free & open to the public. By submitting an application, each artist agrees the artwork is left at their own risk and Macdonald Museum, employees, board members, members, volunteers, sponsors, or affiliates are not responsible for any loss or damage.

In the unlikely event of a tie in any category, the show organizer, Museum Director and/or Board of Director members will determine the winner.

The gallery is accessible with a ramp, elevators, accessible washrooms and automatic doors.

Please note this is a family friendly exhibit and art that is deemed inappropriate will be rejected without refund.

Terms subject to change at the Macdonald Museum discretion as needed.

Contact

Still have questions?

All art show related inquiries: heartofthevalleyartshow@gmail.com
Museum specific inquiries: macdonald.museum@outlook.com

Art Show www.facebook.com/groups/heartshow
Museum www.facebook.com/AnnapolisValleyMacdonaldMuseum
Instagram: www.instagram.com/macdonaldmuseum

How to Apply

Professional/Community: Printable | Online

Youth: Printable | Online

Detailed Entry Requirements: All Categories

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