ARE YOU INTERESTED IN BECOMING A MEMBER?
Are you a creative individual who has a passion for original design, impeccable technique, and an interest in joining a collective of people who are driven by similar interests? Then you may want to Jury to become a member of Artisans Northwest.
We are a self juried collective of Artists and Artisans that have been working together for 50 years. We pride ourselves on our one of a kind creations, mentorship from existing members to new, and community relationships
NO PATTERNS, KITS, OR DESIGNS CAN BE FOLLOWED
OR
THE COMPOSITION MUST NOT BE CREATED FROM ANOTHER SOURCE.
from our current Selection Chair Susan Wright-Cassan
Over the years, Artisans Northwest has grown to be Thunder Bay's longest running juried art and fine craft organization. Artisans Northwest provides a professional outlet for our members with one major show each year.
To join Artisans Northwest, a Selection Committee must jury your work to ensure that the work meets our standards of creativity, originality, and workmanship.
If your work is accepted, you will be offered membership into Artisans Northwest. Membership gives you honour and respect in, Thunder Bay, Ontario and across Canada. Being a juried member of a collective often assists you in obtaining entry into other shows and events across Canada.
Once you are a member you also are included in all of our marketing and advertising, we have an active website and year long social presence on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.
Once you are a member you can also learn about the structure and organization of our group and volunteer for different positions to broaden your experience and skill set.
In your first year as a member we ask that you participate in our Artisans Northwest Art and Fine Craft Show, which is held annually in November. After your first year you can take a break from our show as long as you keep your membership active.
Membership is renewed annually. Once you are a member, you do not have to have your products juried again unless you wish to submit work in a different medium, add new products that are substantially different from the current ones, or you do not renew your membership and wish to reapply at a later date.
Please take the time to review the below information and do not hesitate to contact me directly if you have any questions or concerns.
We look forward to meeting you and seeing your work.
Susan Wright-Cassan
Selection Committee Chairperson Artisans Northwest
email: selectionchairanw@gmail.com
Please fill out this form in full and send your payment for application no later than 2 days before
the jury date of June 15, 2026.
sooooo, now you have filled out your form and sent your application fee in, what do you do now?
Artisans Northwest Spring 2026 Jury
located at Canvas and Clay
106 Simpson Street
on June 15, 2026
drop off is at 6:00pm to 6:30pm
pick up is at 8:30pm
On June 15th,
Please bring 3-7 original works in your selected medium that you wish to have reviewed by the Selection Committee. These works should be brought to the jury location at the drop off time. You should be prepared to arrange an attractive display for jury purposes. Please ensure that you have representative samples of the entire price range of your work.
If it is not possible for you to bring items in personally, please arrange to have a family member or friend bring and setup them up. If you live outside of Thunder Bay, you may send detailed photos, (JPEG in high resolution with multiple angles of each piece please) to me at the email address below.
Information for the Prospective Member
For our purposes, medium* is defined as 'the mode of artistic expression'. You must submit at least 3- 5 original works in your selected medium. High quality digital images are acceptable, but actual work is preferred. It is easier to judge quality and workmanship with an actual product. Images must include close-ups, or you take the chance of their not being considered. We must be notified in advance if you are submitting images and may require they be submitted if they are not detailed or in high resolution.
We also require some background information on you and your work. The above Jury Application form must be filled out completely and sent at the same time as your jury application fee.
Please send two checks or or etransfers, one for $15.00 and the other for $15.00. The first payment is the non-refundable jury application fee. If your work is accepted, the second cheque or etransfer for $15.00 pays for your membership for the year. If your work is not accepted, the second payment for $15.00 will be returned to you.
If you have questions about this process please contact me.
If paying by etransfer Lisa our treasurer will require a password to accept it, please send your password in an email to Lisa before you send your payment: Lisa's email is artisansnorthwesttreasurer@gmail.com
Please note that:
● The work must be the result of an original idea, interpretation, and design.
● Items assembled from kits are not acceptable.
● No products that are a direct copy from a pattern are allowed.
● No reselling of other people's work is allowed.
● Items using found objects are only acceptable when the found objects have been transformed with creativity and technical proficiency to form a new entity and are acceptable to the Jury.
● Items made from commercial moulds, patterns and findings are not acceptable unless
a) the original mould is the design and product of the crafts-person
b) the commercial mould, pattern, or finding is subordinate to the design and is acceptable to the Jury.
● All scented products must be individually wrapped, except for one sample of each.
● Any items that have not been accepted by the Selection Committee and are for sale at our show will have to be removed (unless that product is strictly for enhancement/display purposes only).
● Assistants involved in the creation/design of the product are also required to be juried and pay a separate membership fee.
Artisans Northwest Membership Information
Once you become a member of Artisans Northwest, it is required that in your first year you participate in our Art & Fine Craft Show, which is held in November. You will be provided with an application form and information regarding the show. This year our show is on November 14th and 15th, with set up occuring on November 13th.
You should be aware of the following information:
● The registration fee for an 8’X 10’ space at the show is set annually. This fee is used to pay for expenses for the show. Most shows charge a registration fee such as this. Last year's fee was approximately $380 for a 8x10 booth at the show.
● You must collect Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) where applicable.
● Personal liability insurance is advised. Artisans Northwest carries Insurance for our Board of Directors and our annual event.
● It would be advisable to have a range of prices to ensure that you profit from your first time at our show.
● Often it takes time to establish yourself in the Artisans community so do not be discouraged if your sales are not high at first. Sometimes this may take 5-7 years. We do our best to highlight our new members in our marketing and advertising, and we encourage all our members to do the same, we work together to make our show great! We also have a member mentor and assist new members where applicable. Our executive is open and easy to speak with to assist you in your questions and concerns.
● Memberships are renewed at the Annual General Meeting in February/March of each year.
● PLEASE BE PREPARED TO COMPLETE YOUR SHOW REGISTRATION ON THE NIGHT OF THE JURY AND PAY YOUR FEE AT THAT TIME.
Your membership fee goes to offset costs associated with Artisans Northwest. When you pay for a space at the Art & Fine Craft Show you receive:
● The opportunity to participate in the only juried show in Northwestern Ontario
● Exposure to a large audience that is looking for quality creations
● Extensive advertising including but not limited to, local, regional and across border print advertising, video/television advertising, local and community radio advertising, social media advertising in still images and videos, and local billboards.
● Information sharing, resources, and opportunities for other shows
● The opportunity to participate in a non-profit organization
● The opportunity to network with colleagues in the artistic community, in person and through social media
● Year round contact with the public through the Artisans Northwest website and social media.
● The opportunity to join committees or the executive, learn about many facets of an art collective, and show production