3rd Annual Summer Art Fest - Pop-up Gallery and Vendor Call for Art

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Summary of event:

3rd Annual SUMMER ART FEST 

Where: Quackenbush Square & Clinton Market Collective, Downtown Albany

When: Saturday, July 18, 2026 from Noon - 5 p.m. 

Why: To celebrate the arts and artists as a community

Summer Art Fest is free and open to the public. This immersive ALL AGES outdoor art festival has a kid’s art corner, interactive activities, live art-making, pop-up gallery, and much more on Saturday, July 18! NEW this year, there will ALSO be a curated Vendor Market featuring the work and creations of various local artists, artisans, and makers - that could be you!

Last year, this event drew a large crowd of over 1,000 attendees from all across the Capital Region. With our expansion into the Clinton Market Collective this year, we will have more space activated for guests to enjoy an artful Downtown Albany!

Please read carefully for the guidelines for the Pop-up Gallery and Artist Vendors. There are SEPARATE GUIDELINES. 

If you would like to submit to both the Pop-up Gallery AND to be considered as an Artist Vendor, you MUST submit TWICE (1 submission for the Pop-up Gallery and 1 submission for the Artist Vendor).     _______________________________________________________________________________________

POP-UP GALLERY GUIDELINES:

This is a curated selection of artwork by ACG installed on several temporary walls during the event where attendees can view and enjoy; festival goers have the option to purchase, if the artist chooses. ACG handles art sales, installation, labeling, etc, on site.

  • Submit up to three pieces of artwork for consideration, along with the title, medium, dimensions, year (if known) and price of each work.
  • Maximum artwork size is 36”x36” including frame or matting due to space constraints. Artists who submit multiple smaller works have a higher likelihood of showcasing more than one. If the work or frame/matting is larger than 36”, we cannot accept or hang the work.
  • All two-dimensional artwork is welcome. Work must not need an outlet and be ready to hang.
  • If you have three-dimensional or sculptural work and are interested in applying, please email Emily at operations@albanycentergallery.org
  • Images must be saved as .jpg, 150 dpi or larger, color.
  • Save images as “Lastname_Firstname_Title.jpg” 
  • Back of work must be labeled with artist name, email, phone number, and title.

Pop-up Gallery Submission:

  • Submission for consideration is FREE. Deadline: Wednesday, June 10, 2026 @ 11:59 P.M.
  • We will notify you by June 17, 2026. If your work is selected for this pop-up, artists must confirm participation by June 20, 2026.
  • If your work is selected there is no fee for members of Albany Center Gallery, and a $15 fee for non-ACG members. This is per person, not per piece. Join/Renew your ACG membership here 
  • For accepted artwork of non-ACG members: payment must be received online or checks delivered at the latest by Saturday, June 20 to confirm participation. Missing or late payment will potentially forfeit your spot in the Pop-Up Gallery.
  • All submissions must be sent through Submittable.com. It is free to sign up. No emailed submissions will be accepted.

Pop-up Gallery Commission: ACG will take a 25% commission on sold artwork. Please adjust your pricing accordingly.

Artwork Drop-Off: Drop-off date is Saturday, July 11 between 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. at Albany Center Gallery (48 N Pearl St, Albany, NY 12207). The Saturday PRIOR to Summer Art Fest. All artwork must be suitably framed, wired and ready to hang. If it is not able to hang safely, ACG will not install the piece. Please note that this is an outdoor event and there may be wind, and ACG will not take any chances in hanging work safely that is not properly prepared. Albany Center Gallery is unable to store or mail artwork back. 

Feel free to bring your business cards and socialize, if you hang out with us at the event.

To become a Member or learn more, visit www.albanycentergallery.org/donate#membership 

Artwork Pick-Up: Plan to pick up your work between 5:00 - 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 18 at the Summer Art Fest location - Quackenbush Square, Downtown Albany. We will call you if your work is sold. If this time does not work for you, please confirm alternate arrangements to pick up your work at the time of drop off or upon acceptance.

Please Note: If work is left behind, there will be a $5/day fee for transportation & storage. ACG is not responsible for any damage for the duration of drop off, during the event, or until pickup. This event is rain or shine. ACG’s Pop-up Gallery will be under a tent and/or overhead covering.

Albany Center Gallery is not responsible in the event of any damages occurring to any artwork once dropped off and during the event. 

Please contact Emily at operations@albanycentergallery.org with any questions regarding the application process.

For more information about Summer Art Fest, visit http://albanycentergallery.org/SummerArtFest2026

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VENDOR GUIDELINES:

A curated selection of artists, artisans, and makers promoting or selling products & services in a 10 x 10 foot booth space. If selected, vendors are required to handle all loading in/out, set up, etc independently. 

Equipment requirements:

  • Table & table coverings
  • Up to 2 chairs, optional but strongly recommended
  • Tent and weights, if using
    • Pop-up canopy tents are strongly advised, but not required. The event is rain or shine, and it is the responsibility of the vendor to ensure you, your staff, and your products are protected from rain or other possible weather conditions.
  • Signage displaying your business, artist’s name, etc.

Setup

Location: Clinton Market Collective and Quackenbush Square, Albany, NY 12207. Exact location and details will be confirmed if accepted into the event. 

LOAD-IN: 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. | Vendors should be fully set up and ready to vend by 11:30 a.m.

EVENT: Noon - 5:00 p.m. | Vendors must remain open and operational for the duration of the event. By participating as a vendor, you agree not to leave the event early.

Breakdown/cleanup

Vendors are responsible for clean-up at the end of the event by removing all equipment, supplies & trash, and leaving the public space in the same or better condition as initially presented. Vendors must bring their own trash receptacles, trash bags, and be responsible for disposing of their own trash. The public should be directed to use the event trash containers located throughout the footprint.

 

Terms & conditions

1.        Vendors are expected to conduct business in accordance with accepted standards of professional ethics and to comply with all applicable municipal, state, and federal laws, regulations, and code requirements. Vendors who do not adhere to event policies may be deemed ineligible to participate in future Albany Center Gallery (ACG) events. Final determinations regarding vendor eligibility are made by ACG.

2.        Albany Center Gallery will provide vendors with written notice of the designated load-in and load-out times prior to the event. Vendors must arrive, load in, park their vehicles, and return to their booths within the assigned timeframe. Failure to arrive on time may result in forfeiture of the vendor’s space. Vendors are responsible for supplying all equipment necessary to safely and effectively operate their booths and must arrange for the transport of all products, materials, and equipment to and from the event. Event staff are not available to assist with vendor setup, transport, or storage.

3.        Vendors must staff their booths at all times during official event hours and may not open or close outside of those hours without prior approval from Albany Center Gallery. Each booth space may be operated by only one business or organization and may not be shared, reassigned, or sublet. Vendors may only display or sell products associated with the business listed on their application and must remain within the boundaries of their assigned space. Vendor placement and any adjustments to booth sizes or layouts are determined solely by Albany Center Gallery.

4.        Vendors are responsible for maintaining clean, professional, and visually appealing booths. Boxes, carts, and other non-display materials should be kept out of sight. Vendors must manage and properly dispose of all waste generated by their operations and comply with the New York State Source Separation Law for recycling and waste disposal.

5.        All sales, promotions, and distribution of materials must take place within your assigned booth space. Please avoid soliciting or advertising outside of your designated area. Music or activities that could disrupt neighboring vendors or guests are not permitted. Albany Center Gallery reserves the right to address and resolve any situations that may impact the experience of others at the event.

6.        Vendors must follow all event parking and safety regulations. Vehicles may not be driven on sidewalks or parked near vendor spaces unless specifically authorized. At the conclusion of the event, vendors must dismantle their booths promptly and wait for authorization from event staff before bringing vehicles into the event footprint for load-out.

7.        Albany Center Gallery reserves the right to modify event locations, dates, hours, or cancel the event if necessary. Reasonable efforts will be made to notify vendors in advance of any changes. Weather conditions do not automatically result in cancellation; official notices will be provided by Albany Center Gallery staff if adjustments are required.

8.        Animals are not permitted within the event area or vendor booths, except for service animals as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Vendors and their staff are expected to conduct themselves professionally at all times. Vendors displaying merchandise containing discriminatory messaging, hate speech, profanity, or other objectionable content may be required to remove such items or leave the event.

Certificates, Licenses, & Insurance

**** If you have any questions regarding insurance for this event, please email Andrew at info@albanycentergallery.org

A.      Vendors are responsible for the safety and security of their own equipment and property and should maintain appropriate insurance coverage for loss or damage. Albany Center Gallery is not responsible for theft, vandalism, damage, or other losses.

B.       Vendors agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless Albany Center Gallery, Capitalize Albany Corporation, Albany Parking Authority, the City of Albany, and their respective employees and agents from any claims, damages, losses, or expenses arising from the acts or omissions of the vendor or its employees or agents.

C.        Albany Center Gallery may use photographs or information obtained before or during the event for promotional purposes.

Vendor Application

Deadlines | Vendors must submit applications by Wednesday, June 10 at 11:59 p.m. or sooner to be considered. All submissions will be notified by Tuesday, June 17, and if they are accepted, must confirm participation by June 20 with payment (online or with check). You MUST PAY to confirm your attendance or we may reach out to additional vendors from the waitlist, forfeiting your vendor booth spot.

Artist/artisan/maker vendor fee for a 10' x 10' booth: $50

For questions about pricing, please email Andrew at info@albanycentergallery.org

PAYMENTS: Payments do not need to be completed until your application has been accepted. We will send you an online checkout link with your confirmation email, or you can mail a check to Albany Center Gallery. You MUST PAY to confirm your attendance (payments must be received online or checks delivered latest by June 20), or we may reach out to additional vendors from the waitlist, forfeiting your vendor booth spot.

We use Submittable to accept and review our submissions.
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