Handmade Neighborhood Artist Portal
For Artists:
The Handmade Neighborhood Artisan Market is held annually on the Saturday before Thanksgiving at the Winona County History Center. Originally established by a group of Winona area artisans, Handmade Neighborhood continues to strive to create a unique market with this primary criteria:
1. All items must be handcrafted by the individual artist.
2. Items must be produced in Southeastern Minnesota, Southwestern Wisconsin or Northeast Iowa.
Applications are open online only August 1 – 31 annually. Please read the instruction drop-downs to the left before submitting your application.
For further inquiries, please email us at handmadewinona@gmail.com.
Applications are open online only August 1 – 31 annually.
Accepted participants will be chosen through a jury process. Applicants will be judged based on the quality of work, originality, and technical difficulty. Categories will be limited to provide a varied selection to shoppers. This event is open to all mediums of original art and craft.
All items to be sold must be original and made by the participating artist(s). Each artist (or group of artists) will be juried based on the artist’s statement, process, and images of recent work. Agents and sales representatives for individual artists (or groups of artists) are not eligible, although collaborative art is allowed.
Please note that previous participation at Handmade Neighborhood does not guarantee acceptance. All applicants are equally judged each year, new or returning.
The application requires an upload of pictures of recent work – you will need a Gmail account created for this upload.
After submitting the application form, you will see a confirmation page. This confirmation will NOT come as an email.
Artisans will be notified, via email, regarding their acceptance or regrets no later than September 30.
If accepted as a participating artist a $55 fee per space (approx. 8 x 6 ft.) is due by October 15 (no refunds).
Artists are responsible for having enough items to sell for the entirety of the sale.
Artists will be responsible for their own sales independently. Wifi is available.
All artists are responsible for paying any applicable sales tax. ST19 forms will be required with space fee payment.
All participants are expected to assist with promoting the event.
Artists selected for Handmade Neighborhood will receive additional information by email prior to the event.
Load-in and set-up is done the Friday afternoon before the sale with scheduled time slots to unload vehicles and/or an hour prior to the opening of the market the day of.
More details will be emailed to participating artists.
For further inquiries, please email us at handmadewinona@gmail.com.
Tips for a great application:
READ all the application information carefully and thoroughly.
The application asks about how you create your work. What inspires you and what is your artistic process?
Take good pictures! The jury looks for the quality of your work, so use good lighting and arrangements that highlight how awesome your creations are. All applicants will be asked to upload pictures of their work in the application.
Before clicking that submit button, double-check that you entered your and spelled your information correctly.
Am I eligible?
We require that all items sold at the sale must be designed and handmade by you and your group/guild/collective, and that it be locally produced in Southeastern MN, Southwestern WI, or Northeastern IA. Preference is shown to work that is original to the creator rather than assembled. The artist must be in attendance for the whole event date to sell their wares.
How do I apply?
Handmade Neighborhood artist applications are only accepted online in this portal. Complete applications are then juried for selection and artists will be notified by email if they were selected for the sale or not. Application submission confirmations do not come as emails.
When is the deadline to apply?
The online application portal is open August 1 – 31 annually. Late entries will only be given consideration if spots are unfilled after the original due date.
How much does selling at HMN cost?
It is free to apply, then if accepted through the jury process, vendors pay a space fee of $55 to seal the deal.
What does “juried” mean?
Each completed application is evaluated by an organizing committee. Applicants are judged first and foremost on the process, quality, creativity and originality of their wares. Secondary consideration is given to maintaining an eclectic, complementary mix of local artists and artisans. The Handmade Neighborhood team is committed to curating a diverse and interesting market to draw the largest number of serious customers. Finally, keeping it local is of great importance to us, so applicants residing closest to Winona County will be given preference.
What is the jurying process?
Selections are based on the artistic process, originality, and quality of handmade, locally produced items. To offer a wide variety there are limited spots for similar products. The selection of items is based on craftsmanship, originality, and to curate a varied and unique offering. Being a past vendor does not guarantee selection, we give equal consideration to all applicants each year.
How does the sale event work?
The Handmade Neighborhood sale is an annual event the Saturday before Thanksgiving with about two dozen artisan booths throughout the Winona County History Center’s Laird Norton Addition. Each artist pays a space fee ($55), with a multi-space option if available. Spaces are approximately 6 x 8 feet. Each artist is responsible for their own sales. Wifi is available for card transactions. Load-in times are assigned the day before or morning of the sale. All artisans must be set-up and ready for customers by 10 a.m. and cannot leave before 4 p.m. Plan your space with thoughtful design, boutique quality displays and room for shoppers. The sale day often sees over 1,000 shoppers.
