Our members love to find out about talented artists in our community. Please read over the requirements carefully to be sure your work and studio are a good fit for this tour before applying. Members will jury in new applicants according to requirements and conditions agreed upon by the group. The process requires a completed application, photos and scheduled visits to see the studio.
Accepted members will be reevaluated after two tours.
Free to apply.
Member artists must produce high quality original art or craft.
Member Studio must have separate studio space in a “countryside” setting in Maryland within 30 miles of Sugarloaf Mountain. Member Studio may be attached to the home but must have its own entrance. Member studio is limited to 2 member artists, both of whom must be juried in. Exceptions are evaluated upon request.
These criteria will be determined at the sole discretion of the Countryside Artisans.
Member Artists must be present at their studios during studio tour hours. Friday - Sunday, 10:00am - 5:00 pm. (In cases of emergency, every effort should be made to keep the studio open with a substitute.)
Member Studio must maintain and have a safe and welcoming setting surrounding the studio and the environs that visitors will encounter. Member Studios are responsible for providing safe conditions in inclement weather.
Member Studio must participate in at least 2 tours per year, but are encouraged to participate in all tours (April, October, December).
Members are required to participate in promoting each tour. This includes: developing and using studio mailing lists, posting promotional materials to social media (Facebook, Instagram, etc), physical distribution of promotional materials to community locations.
Members must have a website and Facebook and / or Instagram showing examples of their work. Artists are encouraged to update these social media platforms leading up to the tours.
Member Studios are required to accept credit cards.
Member artists are expected to collect and report sales tax in accordance with Maryland State Law.
Guest artists are permitted to show at a Member Studio so long as a majority of the Countryside Artisans Member Studios are satisfied with the quality of the work of the guest artist/s. Member Studios need not obtain prior approval from the Countryside Artisans for guest artist/s.
If a Member Studio takes a leave of absence for a year or more, Member Studio must reapply.
Major changes in Member Studio’s location, studio, or products sold must be brought to the group’s attention for consideration as to suitability for the tour.
All logos, wording of promotional material, style of logos, designs and website are the property of Countryside Artisans and cannot be used or copied except for purposes of promoting the Countryside Artisans.
Group Operating Procedures
Annual publicity fee of approximately 300.00 - 350.00, per Member Studio is due in January. The amount may change from year to year, by vote of membership. The fee covers the cost of printed promotional materials, website updates, marketing, advertising, and publicity expenses.
New members are charged a one time $50 fee for initial Member Studio set up on Countryside Artisans website.
Each Member Studio is allotted one space with approximately 6 photos on the Countryside Artisans’ website and a link to the artist’s business website. Member Studios are encouraged to maintain updated and season-appropriate or season-neutral photos on the Countryside Artisans website. Member Artists will need to produce high resolution photos (300 dpi or greater; 2M or greater) for use in marketing and publicity. Every effort will be made to promote all artists in the publicity over time.
Member Studio is encouraged to participate in the annual meeting held late January or early February. Your voice and vote is important. Meetings are scheduled to accommodate as many studios as possible. Each Member Studio has one vote.
Member Studio must hang a yellow flag at least 3' x 2' at the roadside during each tour (obtaining the flag is your responsibility.)
Yellow directional yard signs will be provided by the Countryside Artisans to each Member Studio. The studio entrance should be clearly marked.