The Art Fair will take place inside Southport’s historic Wayfarers Arcade, inside its mahogany and stained glass fronted shop units. The main exhibition area was originally designed as an exhibition space in the 1920s. 

The space is fully indoors with access to toilets, lifts, electricity and WIFI.

There is long stay paid for parking on site. For artists needing accommodation we recommend exhibitors book early, since the Open Golf will add to demand.

The event space is accessible to anyone with mobility requirements from the main entrance on the ground floor and the loading bay. Access through the rear of the arcade is limited. The site covers a large area, and is filled with the quirks of a historic building such as stairs and heavy wooden doors. A lift provides access to the first floor. 

Toilets are available on both floors, with the access toilet on the ground floor.  

If you have any concerns about your access requirements, please let the organisers know.

It is free to apply, but once selected fees apply.  You can choose to enter art on either a 40% commission basis or alternatively pay £200 (including VAT) for a 2m x 2m exhibition area with zero commission. There is also the option to take a larger exhibition area, if this is of interest please let the organisers know. 

Fees have been costed to make taking part in an art fair more accessible. They cover the fair costs, including security and insurances. 

10% of all proceeds go to local charity Bebe’s Hive, that supports Southport’s grieving children through arts and crafts.

How your art is presented is dependent on how you have chosen to take part. 

Artists taking part on a commission basis will have their work curated by the organisers. Sales will be managed by the organisers.  

Artists choosing instead to take an exhibition area have the option to design and hang their own area and manage their own sales or hand over responsibility for this to the organisers. Your exhibition area will be allocated by artform, theme and display need. Display furniture is available at no additional fee. 

A paid for art wrapping and shipping service will also be provided for your buyers, plus you will be given access to an art storage area.

When you bring your art is dependent on how you have chosen to take part. 

Artists taking part on a commission basis will need to ensure their artwork arrives at the Wayfarers before the 11th July, to ensure the organisers have enough time to curate. The organisers will be in touch to coordinate this. The artwork will be taken down on Sunday 18th July and stored for collection. 

Artists choosing an exhibition area can access and install from 9am Thursday 16th July until the preview opens the fair at 5pm. It is expected work will be de-rigged on Saturday 17th July between 5pm and 9pm. 

There is a loading bay on site, further details of this will be sent to exhibitors in advance of the event. Please contact the organisers if you are concerned about the installation.

Yes, it is expected that exhibitors will have insurance for their artwork. Further, for artists choosing to take an exhibition area it will be necessary to have public liability insurance to the value of £2 million. If you do not hold either insurance we recommend artist newsletter insurance as an affordable option:  https://www.a-n.co.uk/about/insurance/

Exhibitors are selected by a panel comprising the organisers: Gallery More, Play On Productions, The Wayfarers Arts. They include members with comprehensive experience in curating, exhibiting, promoting, commissioning and retailing work by artists and makers at all levels of experience.

Selection will be done to ensure a balanced, high-quality art fair that reflects the breadth of contemporary art and design. 

Applicants will be notified of the panel’s decision within 3 working days of their application. The team will contact all exhibitors via email.