Cobleskill Art In Action Festival & Auction

Artist Application

2026

The Cobleskill Art In Action Festival & Auction is held to promote original visual art and to contribute the vibrancy of the Cobleskill community. The festival will occur in the heart of downtown Cobleskill in Veterans Centre Park and Main Street sidewalks. Rain Location will be SUNY Cobleskill.

Please select which activities you would like to participate in. Information about each category is shown below this section. Only one booth/site reservation is needed if participating in multiple categories. Field is limited to 25 Quick Draw artists and a total of 25 artists from remaining categories.
Please enter a brief bio and upload samples of work for consideration to be selected. A maximum 500-word artist bio statement is required. It must describe your medium, techniques/process, and the number and role of any assistants. Quick Draw applications are reviewed through a blind jury process. If applying to the Quick Draw category, your name or business name must not appear anywhere in your artist bio or on the images of your work.
Applicants, if selected will be notified by early May. Once selected, a $75 site/booth security deposit is required to be submitted by May 20th, and will be refunded after 4pm on the day of the festival. No shows, late arrivals, early departures or cancellations within one week of the festival are not eligible for deposit refund. Booth space/sites are preassigned, are at least 10x10 and can accommodate a pop-up canopy/tent (not supplied). Limited larger sites are available.
The artists holding a site/booth must be present. No stand-in exhibitors or sales representatives.

Quick Draw Artist Information:

Quick Draw Artists will have exactly 90 minutes from 10–11:30 AM to create a complete work of art from a blank surface. Immediately following, works are to be framed or prepared for display (if applicable) and moved to the auction block. We understand that some works require further processing (example: clay sculptures to bronzes) to become salable finished pieces, so deposits may be taken from successful bidders with delivery of finished work to occur at a later date. Proceeds from the auction will be split equally between the artist (50%) and CPI (50%) to support future community programming. This is a juried event. Only 25 artists will be selected to participate to ensure a high-caliber experience for bidders. Artists will be selected on the basis of technical skill, originality and a technique that demonstrates speed/efficiency (a style that can be successfully executed in 90 minutes). The Quick Draw theme is for this year's fesitval is "America 250". Artists are asked to align their work to this theme at their discretion. If you are also selling your work, you must check "Artist Vendor" below. After the auction, artists are encouraged to participate at their booth/site through the remainder of the festival and may participate in another Artist Category (Structured Activity or Vendor).

Structured Activity Artist Information:

Structured Activity Artists will provide demonstrations, exhibitions, workshops, or interactive experiences for attendees from 9 am - 4 pm. No fees are to be charged to festival attendees for participating in a structured activity unless they leave with a finished piece of work. Price and fee collected by the activity artist, if charging a price, must be visible and made known to participants. If you are also selling your work, you must check "Artist Vendor" as well. We would like to host a diverse group of activities including those for children, people with disabilities, and the community as a whole (such as a community mural).

Artist Vendor Information:

Artist Vendors will be selling your own original (no kits) artwork while producing work live at your booth from 9 am - 4 pm. Pieces of work for sale may have been produced in advance of the festival however, we want you to demonstrate to the public your technique on-site throughout the festival. You are solely responsible for collecting and remitting your own sales tax and are required to comply with all state and local tax laws. A 10% commission on all your sales is collected by CPI to support future programming. (honor system).

Artist Information

Artist/Business Name

Primary Contact First name

Primary Contact Last name

Phone

Multi-line address

Country/Region

Address

Address - line 2

City

Zip / Postal code

Website/Social

Accessibility Accommodations Requested (if needed):

Primary Discipline / Medium

In the Bio Statement, describe your experience, medium, and techniques. Quick Draw applications are reviewed through a blind jury process. If applying to the Quick Draw category, your name or business name must not appear in your statement.

Bio statement (maximum 500-words)

Participation Categories (select all that apply)

Quick Draw Artist - 25 artists will be selected by a jury to participate. Applications will be accepted on a first come-first served basis and capped at 100. Deadline to apply is April 15th. Application portal will close before this date if we reach our cap.

Structured Activity Artist - A total of 25 Structured Activity and Vendor Artists will be selected by our committee. Applications will be capped at 100 and are accepted on a first come-first served basis. Deadline to apply is April 30th. Application portal will close before this date if we reach our cap.

Artist Vendor - A total of 25 Structured Activity and Vendor Artists will be selected by our committee. Applications will be capped at 100 and are accepted on a first come-first served basis. Deadline to apply is April 30th. Application portal will close before this date if we reach our cap.

Artist Work Samples

Please upload 3-5 images of your artwork for consideration (Max 5MB per file. Accepted formats: JPG, PNG, PDF)

If applying for the Quick Draw category, we encourage you to include at least one image that demonstrates a technique that is likely to be completed in 90 minutes. Your name or business name must not appear anywhere in your images.

Is a booth larger than 10x10 needed?

Yes

There are a limited number of sites that can accommodate a 10x20 space. Only check this box if a larger space is REQUIRED, not for convenience.

Is electrical power needed?

Yes

There are a limited number of sites that have power. Only check this box if electrical power is REQUIRED, not for convenience. Lead cords will not be provided.

Cobleskill Art In Action – Artist Participation Terms

By registering for Cobleskill Art In Action, I acknowledge and agree to the following:

Live Creation Requirement
I will create work live during my participation.
Equipment & Materials
I am responsible for providing all necessary equipment and materials.
Festival Theme
I understand it is encouraged that my work align with this year’s theme, “America 250.”
Financial Terms
- Quick Draw participants: 50/50 split of auction proceeds.
- Vendor participants: 10% of gross sales contributed to the festival.
Media Release
I grant Cobleskill Partnership, Inc. (CPI) permission to use photographs or video of me and/or my work for festival-related promotional purposes, including future Cobleskill Art In Action events. Use will not extend beyond event-related promotion.
Setup & Participation
I agree to be set up and ready by 9:00 AM and remain participating until 4:00 PM. Failure to do so may result in forfeiture of my security deposit.
Weather & Relocation
I agree to participate if inclement weather requires relocation to SUNY Cobleskill indoor facilities. Safety considerations related to tools, heat, fumes, or other materials will be reviewed prior to final placement.
Assumption of Risk
I understand I display and participate at my own risk. CPI is not responsible for damage, theft, loss, or personal injury arising from participation.
Site Cleanup
I am responsible for cleaning my designated area at the conclusion of the festival.
Tax Responsibility
If selling goods, I am solely responsible for collecting and remitting all applicable New York State and local sales taxes and complying with all tax laws.
Auction Tax Reporting
If I receive $600 or more in auction proceeds, I agree to provide required tax documentation for reporting purposes.

I have read and agree to the Cobleskill Art In Action Artist Participation Terms & Conditions.

Communication & Contact Information Use

By submitting this form, I consent to CPI using my provided contact information for:

Event coordination related to the Cobleskill Art In Action event
Follow-up communications related to this or future CPI events
Organizational announcements relevant to participating artists

CPI will not sell or share my contact information with third parties. I may unsubscribe from non-event communications at any time.

I have read and agree to the Cobleskill Art In Action Communication Policy.