The Liberty Arts Festival is returning to downtown Morris, Illinois!
If you know anything about Morris, you know this town produces great events: 3 French Hens French County Market, Morris Cruise Nights, the Liberty 5K, Grundy County Corn Festival, Home For The Holidays and that’s just a few! Morris is a charming town located on the I&M Canal, with a thriving downtown packed with unique stores and great restaurants. It serves as the perfect backdrop for an amazing Art Festival!
The Morris Downtown Development Partnership (MDDP) is sponsoring the annual Art Walk on Saturday, October 2nd this year. We are hoping that the fall weather will be more enjoyable than the high temperatures that we have experienced in recent years. Additionally, we anticipate that some COVID-19 mitigations will be lifted by that time, and we will be able to bring back the music, dance and creative kid’s activities that have been enjoyed in past years.
The Art Walk will be held from 10am-4pm and will be literally taking over the streets. Portions of Washington and Liberty streets, in the heart of downtown Morris, will be closed to cars, and attendees can walk the streets enjoying beautiful art and more!
We’re looking for artisans of all types: painters, photographers, metal crafters, leather workers, sketch/caricature artists, woodworkers, jewelers, paper crafters, etc. The out-of-pocket expense is low – only $25 to participate. And high school and college students can participate at no cost! That’s it! And you can recoup the participation fee by selling your artwork! We encourage you to set-up your booth as your own mini gallery. Once again, this year’s event will be juried. Ribbons and cash prizes will be awarded to 1st, 2nd and 3rd place participants in the Fine Art Walk.
Based on the success of past year’s events, we are bringing back the “Makers Market”. The market will be adjacent to the Fine Art Walk, giving visitors a variety of shopping options.
Can we include you? Review the details, and submit a few photos of your work. We hope to see you there!
Thank you, Liberty Arts Festival/Art Walk Committee
P.S. Please note that unless mitigations state otherwise, all artists will be required to wear masks, as well as those visiting your booth. Additionally, you may need to limit the number of visitors to your booth at one time.
We are looking forward to packing the streets with artisans of all types: painters, photographers, sculptors, metal crafters, jewelers, woodworkers, ceramics, etc. The Liberty Art Festival features both a Fine Art Walk and a separate Makers Market. While we know art can only be judged by the artist themselves, we feel some guidelines need to be set. We reserve the right to accept or deny any application. If the sample photos of your work do not meet the qualifications of either the Fine Art Walk or the Makers Market, your participation fee will be refunded. Please note that all art must be original.
Artists must submit 3 photos (or digital images) that accurately represent their current art. Do not send actual work. Photos and digital images should be labeled with the artist’s name and medium. Please note that photos submitted will not be returned. Notification of acceptance will be sent within three weeks of the receipt of your application.
Each participant will receive a 10’x10’ space to set-up and sell their original artwork. Additional spaces are available. Only one artist per space, please. Participants will need to provide their own tent, tables, chairs, props, weights, etc. Weights are required. Your tent will be set up on a city street, so please plan accordingly. The Art Walk will not be cancelled due to weather, so plan ahead for any and all weather conditions. Please note, that we cannot guarantee the location of your space. However, we will make every effort not to place similar artists next to each other. Should you need electricity, please note it on the application. A limited number of 10 and 20 amp circuits are available.
Artists are required to be in attendance during show hours. You are responsible for keeping your space clean throughout the event, including end of day clean up. Vendors are expected to be able to provide proof of their own insurance. No pets will be allowed. Vendors are responsible for delivering and handling the setup and removal of their displays, tents, tables, etc. Artists are required to display original art.
October 2, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm. The Fine Art Walk and Makers Market will be located on Washington and Liberty Streets in downtown Morris. Artists will be located near the Grundy County Courthouse and other festival activities.
Set up will begin at 8:00am. Please note that all spaces must be setup by 9:30am and remain until 4:00pm. Disassembling your area or packing up before 4:00pm will disqualify you from participation in future Art Walks.
The cost for a 10’x10’ space is only $25. Free for high school and college students! Participants will be responsible for collecting sales tax, paid in accordance to the Illinois Department of Revenue. Please note that the entry fee is nonrefundable.
1st Place: $200 and ribbon
2nd Place: $150 and ribbon
3rd Place: $50 and ribbon
Judging begins at 10:00 am and will be based on the overall quality of artwork and display.
Application, check and photos must be received or postmarked by September 10, 2021.
Applications may be considered after Sept10, but the participation fee will be $40/space.
Send digital images to [email protected] Those who prefer, may mail application, photos and check to:
Morris Downtown Development Partnership
105 E. Main Street, Suite 302
Morris, IL 60450
