SAM FAQ for Artist Applicants

To be a SAM artist, you need to be connected to the ASLD community. As a minimum, you must have an ASLD membership. We do jury based on connectivity to ASLD, so students, staff, volunteers, board members, and faculty are encouraged to apply. We are only trying to highlight mediums that can be studied at ASLD. To learn more about taking classes, click here.

In 2025, there is a $65 application fee. Once accepted, the booth fee is $700 ($350 for a shared booth). Booths are 10 ft x 10 ft, and artists will have access to display art on inside and outside walls. Instructor & student shared booths are available if there is a willing instructor to help a group of students show artwork in a 10 ft x 20 ft booth. First-time participants must have a shared booth. If you are interested in being a part of a faculty-led shared booth, please talk to your instructor on whether they would like to take that on (Faculty members can reach out to Executive Director, Rachel Basye, for more information). 

Yes! Many artists have their first experiences selling art at Summer Art Market.

If this is your first time participating in SAM you must share a booth. This allows more artists in the show, and is helpful for new artists. Unless you coordinate with another applicant, ASLD will match you with another participant. It may be helpful to meet with your match to talk about the set up of your booth. Both you and your fellow booth mate must indicate each other on your separate applications.

Regarding the day of set up, if you are accepted, be prepared to bring enough artwork, materials, and storage to make sure that you have a presentable manner. Be mindful of your game plan of load in and load out and if you may need a cart or more help. The overall design of the booth will vary depending on your medium, but it's important to keep in mind how it can be a functional mobile gallery while replenishing. If you have small artwork, it may be nice to have a banner to draw people in. It is helpful to have clear labels for prices. We recommend talking to people who have done fairs before for tips if possible.

The SAM application will ask whether you prefer to share a booth or not. If you wish to share a booth with a specific artist, you must note that in your application, and make sure that they note you in theirs as well. Artists who prefer to share a booth but do not list a specific artist to share with will be randomly assigned a booth partner.

Artists are juried in on the basis of their connectivity to ASLD. Artists who frequently take or teach classes, volunteer at events, etc. are more likely to be accepted into SAM. Artists at varying stages of their artistic journey are encouraged to apply!

Faculty members may apply for a double booth (10’x20’) to be shared with at least 3 and up to 10 students. All participating faculty members and students must apply separately and indicate in their applications with whom they plan to share a booth. The booth fee ($1400) will be split between however many artists are participating.

Applications close on March 31st and we will notify artists of their acceptance in April 2025.

Booths are assigned randomly.

ASLD does NOT provide tents, chairs, or other equipment. You are welcome to bring your own tent and equipment, or you can opt to rent one from our rental vendor. More information on this will be shared with accepted artists.

Social media, emails to your subscriber list, personal invitations to family/friends/previous collectors, and website updates are all great ways to market yourself and share that you are participating in SAM before, during, and after the event. To hear more about how previous artists have marketed themselves watch our panel (marketing questions time stamp at 23:09).

Bring more than you anticipate selling throughout the entire weekend. As a participant, you are agreeing to show the entirety of the weekend, so it is good to prepare enough backup in case you sell a lot of your work the first day and need to replenish.

All artwork must be original handmade artwork. Giclee’s are not allowed. Some other types of original types of printmaking and photography may be allowed in limited editions. To learn more, look at the details in the application.

It is helpful to bring a storage mechanism for backup and other materials that you may need such as trash bags and cable ties.

You are in charge of all of the money transactions and taxes for your art work. We recommend bringing change for cash sales, and a credit card reader. You can find more specific tax information in the Artist Packet, which will be distributed to accepted artists.

NOTE: Both the City and State will be sending representatives to the event to check for tax compliance. Each artist is responsible for being properly licensed.

• When you price your work remember you will need to add tax. If you want to include the tax in your price, make sure you break it down on your receipt.
• Vendors who do not file their taxes for this event will be subject to enforcement action.
• The organizers of this event are required by law to supply the State of Colorado and the City of Denver with a list of all vendors who attend this event. Be sure to file and pay your sales tax.

Since SAM is at the end of August, the temperatures are typically pretty high. Be mindful of this when it comes to attire, hydration, and sun protection. To be prepared for possible rain, past artists have recommended bringing trash bags, tarps, and zip ties to protect your artwork. 

Though it is not required we encourage artists to bring help if available for set up throughout the weekend. Assistants will not be provided.

Artists choose how to best display their artwork depending on their medium, the size and fragility of artwork, etc. Please keep in mind that artwork should be displayed professionally. You may choose to have artwork in frames, and bin work as well as artwork on tables, display boxes, etc.