Artist Awards for 2024:
Tracey Jacobs (image courtesy of Jacobs/Ramgoolam family)
Tracey Jacobs’ Best in Show: Selected by the DECAF organizing team as the year’s top artist overall. The Tracey Jacobs Best in Show Award is named in memory of Tracey Jacobs, a long-time Danforth East Craft & Arts Fair supporter, local business owner, and artist. Tracey was deeply committed to building community through creativity and the arts and exemplified what the Best in Show Award is all about.
In 2011 when Tracey and her partner Shamie were preparing to open Silly Goose Kids, they approached DECAF organizers offering to run free kid’s crafts at the arts fair. It was a resounding success, and the kids tent became a fixture at the fair.
The Tracey Jacobs Best in Show Award will ensure that Tracey will forever be part of DECAF and acknowledges the countless volunteer hours she contributed to the Danforth East Community Association and her deep commitment to community and arts.
Fine Arts Award: Awarded by the DECAF organizing team to the top artist practising in media of paint, sculpture, photography, print-making, drawing, collage, or illustration.
Sponsored by MikeNguyenArt
Artisan Award: Awarded by the DECAF organizing team to the top artist practising in media of jewellery, textile craft, cards & stationery, food & drink, cosmetics, or other.
Sponsored by Danforth East Wellness
People’s Choice Award: Selected by DECAF visitors! Each fair visitor is encouraged to vote for their favourite artist. The winner is awarded a free booth for the following year’s fair. Artists will be given a card to display with a QR code for visitors to access the voting online. They can also vote in person at the DECAF tent (top of the hill). We collect votes and award a winner on Sunday afternoon.
MPI+D Design Award: Awarded to the top artist creating home decor and design elements.
Sponsored and selected by Melissa Peretti Imagination & Design
Rising Star Award: Awarded by the DECAF organizing team to the best emerging artist of the season.
Sponsored by Deserres
Frequently Asked Questions:
Where is the Fair located?
East Lynn Park, Toronto (1949 Danforth Ave.) Between Coxwell and Woodbine. We are visible from the busy Danforth Ave and in close proximity to the Woodbine subway and other valuable TTC routes.
What hours is the Fair open to the public?
The event runs from 10am-6pm on Saturday and 10am-5pm Sunday, rain or shine!
What are the application deadlines?
The application deadline is April 30, 2024. Successful applicants will be contacted by May 15, 2024.
Any exhibitor who is accepted to the fair but withdraws on or before July 22, 2024, will be subject to a $50 administrative charge; the rest of the application fee will be refunded. Exhibitors who withdraw after July 22, 2024 will not receive a refund.
How much does an exhibitor booth cost?
The cost of a booth is $225. All payments will be collected through PayPal and you can pay with your PayPal account or with a credit card if you do not have a PayPal account. We do NOT accept cash, cheques or money orders.
What photographs should I include in my application?
Please include current images of your product(s). Allowable file types are .jpg and .png. Limit of 5 images. Include your last name or your business name in each file name. Ex: myBusinessName-products1.jpg, myBusinessName-products2.jpg
What amenities are available for exhibitors?
The Fair is located less than a block from Woodbine subway station. Banks such as CIBC, TD, Scotiabank and BMO (with ATMs) are close by. We provide onsite washrooms with a hand washing station and of course volunteers to help you unload, set up and even watch your booth if you need to take a washroom break. Parking instructions will be provided before the fair. There are excellent local food vendors onsite for lunch. We contract onsite security overnight. Music and various children’s activities are scheduled throughout the weekend to help draw crowds.
How can I be sure my booth will be secure outdoors overnight?
We have overnight security posted in the park should you choose to leave your booth set up Saturday after close. However, we highly recommend removing all goods and valuables from your booth. Danforth East Art Fair is not responsible for any lost, stolen, or damaged goods at any point over the weekend.
How are successful applicants chosen?
Applicants are chosen by a jury of community artists, business owners and volunteers. Successful applicants will be contacted by May 15, 2024.
How is the event promoted?
You will notice that our fees are less than the majority of Toronto outdoor art fairs. This is because we keep the ‘extras’ at a minimum. Our application process and information packages are now paperless, our marketing and media strategies rely heavily on online and social media promotion, such as Facebook and Instagram. We have a poster campaign that goes up in local businesses a number of weeks before the Fair.
How much booth space will the Fair provide?
Successful applicants will be designated a 10’ x 10’ space in which they can set up their tent, chairs, shelves or whatever you choose. We do not provide tents or other booth decor. Tents may not be staked into the ground; you may use sandbags, weights or bricks to anchor your tent. Please refer to our full Fair Policies for more information.