The Soirée is back for its fourth year as a signature arts festival that electrifies the streets of downtown Anderson! The 2025 Soirée will continue the same standard of excellence with a focus on visual, culinary, and performing arts.
This community-led festival, hosted by the City of Anderson, will provide an entertaining two-day cultural experience attracting visitors from near and far. The Soirée Committee will provide participating artists with convenient set-up, artist parking, complimentary snacks & beverages, booth sitters, and security throughout the festival.
The Soirée is coordinated by the City of Anderson with artistic guidance from the Anderson Arts Center and support from community volunteers. Any proceeds realized will be used to subsidize production of this annual arts festival, as well as to provide funding for new art initiatives in Anderson.
Key Deadlines:
December 6, 2024: Deadline to submit application
January 10, 2025: Artist Notification
February 7, 2025: Acceptance of Festival Participation and Booth Fee Due, Optional Tent Fee Due
February 28, 2024: Final Date for Cancellation and Receipt of Refund
April 25-26, 2024: Soirée Dates
Location:
The Soirée takes place in downtown Anderson, SC on Main Street and Carolina Wren Park. Exhibitor booths will be located along Main Street.
Anderson is located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in the Upstate of South Carolina. Anderson, SC is 30 minutes south of Greenville, SC and about two hours from Charlotte, NC and Atlanta, GA.
Event Dates and Times:
Artist Check-In: April 25 (10am – 2pm)
Festival Hours: Friday, April 25 (4pm – 8pm)
Saturday, April 26 (10am – 8pm)
Artist Vendor Hours: Friday, April 25 (4pm – 7pm)
Saturday, April 26 (10am – 8pm)
Artist Load-Out: Saturday, April 26 (8pm – until)
Categories:
Fine Art: Fine art includes painting, drawing, fiber, sculpture, mixed media, photography, printmaking, ceramics, and digital art.
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Digital Art is any original work for which the original image, or the manipulation of other source material, was executed by the artist using a computer. Work in this category MUST be in limited editions, signed and numbered on archival quality materials. *AI generated artwork not allowed at this time*
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Ceramics are to be original, non-functional works.
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Printmaking should be original prints pulled by artists from traditional methods, including etching, engraving, silkscreen, stone and plate lithography, linoleum block or woodblock, produced in signed and numbered limited editions from an original image created by the artist.
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Photography includes all photographic prints made from artist’s original negative or digital image processing. Work must be limited editions, signed and numbered on archival quality paper.
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Mixed Media should be original 2-D or 3-D work that incorporates more than one material/medium.
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Sculpture is to be original non-functional, three dimensional work of any material.
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Fiber should be original work of primarily fiber including soft sculpture, batik, or painted fabric intended to be wearable or decorative. No factory produced wearable items, regardless of additional modification or enhancement by the artist.
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Drawing is work created using dry media including pen, pencil, charcoal, pastel, chalk, or fluid medium of inks and washes applied by pen or brush.
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Painting should be original works made with oils, acrylics, or watercolors.
Jewelry: original work made from materials such as sterling silver, enamels, glass, ceramic, paper, polymer clay, etc. No production studio work permitted.
Home Goods: includes functional and/or decorative items of your own creation including textiles (blankets, throw pillows, etc.), functional ceramics (mugs, bowls, etc.), furniture, utensils, forged items, wooden cutting boards, etc.
Stationery and Paper Accessories: includes items of your own creation such as greeting cards, notepads, stickers, etc.
Bath, Body, and Candles: includes handcrafted items such as soap, lotion, candles.
Culinary Products: includes products of your own creation to use in food or packaged to eat such as dip mixes, chocolate, popcorn, etc. Knives and cutting board items, please apply under Home Goods.
Apparel and Accessories: includes items of your own creation including hats, knit or crochet items, t-shirts, aprons, bags, patches, etc.
Question about the artist application? Contact Erin Spainhour at erins@andersonarts.org
