Laudholm Nature Crafts Festival

About the Festival

The Laudholm Nature Crafts Festival is held in Wells, Maine, on the weekend after Labor Day. This prestigious event brings many of New England's finest exhibitors, selected by jury, to display their wares for thousands of browsers. Music and local food round out the 2-day festival.

Upcoming Shows

September 12-13, 2020
September 11-12, 2021
September 10-11, 2022

An Exceptional Year

The festival will not be held in 2020. Accepted/waitlisted exhibitors from the 2020 jurying are automatically advanced to the 2021 event. No new jurying is expected in 2021.

Support Artists

Taking the crafts festival off our calendar stings. It is our most important fundraising event of the year. 

For the people who were accepted as exhibitors for our 2020 show, the sting burns. The event would have been more than a weekend display of their work, it would have been an important boost to their livelihood.

We urge you to support these artists, and your local creative community, during a time of hardship for us all. Browse online, or make other arrangements, and as a sympathetic gesture buy handcrafted items on September 12 & 13. 

This gallery is presented alphabetically by town. We will add exhibitors often until everyone accepted for 2020 is represented (mid to late August).

For Prospective Exhibitors

Annual Timeline

We are always looking for new and exciting works to keep the festival fresh. Whether you are a returning artist or applying for the first time, this is our timeline.

1. January: Applications available
2. March: Jury makes selections (accepted and alternates)
3. April: Applicants notified of jury decisions
4. May: Commitment/payment due from accepted artists
5. August: Final detail letter mailed to participating artists
6. Weekend after Labor Day: Friday set-up, Saturday and Sunday show

Why This Festival?

• The ambience is professional vitality and country warmth
• More than 4,000 attendees over 2 days 
• Since 1988 — One of the longest-running juried craft festivals in Maine 
• A short drive from the Kennebunks and Ogunquit on Southern Maine's "gold coast" 
• Professional buyers from Portland, Portsmouth, Boston, and New York 
• Low application fee

Jurying Criteria

• Nature Theme — The world of nature is a unifying theme, though crafts that are not conducive to reflecting the theme will not be automatically excluded
• Quality — Workmanship should be exemplary. The applicant should be the primary creator.
• Originality — Unique design and technique
• Booth Setup — An attractive display with multi-level presentation, floor-length table coverings, screening from neighboring booths, and a sign with the artist or business name

Useful Tips

• Q&A: Why was I not accepted?

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We'll send important announcements a few times each year.