New Artist Applicant Procedure 2025-2026

  • Submit via email photos of work, prices and size for us to evaluate possible inclusion in Blue Portal .
  • Our intake committee reviews the work taking all the following into consideration: uniqueness (meaning we do not have several other artists doing similar work), finishing of pieces, potential pricing, and is in a category that can use additional representation.
  • All applicants are notified of the committee’s decision and always includes an explanation.
  • If accepted, an appointment will be made for intake, and the artists will be emailed the contract, the intake inventory list, and any supplementary information that may be particular to their work.
  • General Notes for New Artist: accept 4-6 items maximum to see what interest develops in patrons-a trial period.  If sales are successful additional inventory is requested.  ALL inventory is taken on an up to 90-day trial period.  If we see patterns that would be important for the artist to know (pricing, color, whatever) those will be communicated to the artist for consideration.  Work not sold within 90 days is generally pulled and returned to consignor.  Payment for sales is made monthly, and sales must total $30 before payment is issued.  Payment is at the start of the following month.
  • Once Blue Portal has accepted artist work, it is in our care totally. As an all-volunteer staff we cannot change out items or prices frequently-it is too labor intensive and only certain volunteers are authorized to do those changes.  That is why it is critical to have discussion particularly about pricing at the initial intake appointment.  Blue Portal will give you our best advice on the history of pricing of similar items in the recent past.
  • The Big Season in past years is BALLOON FIESTA, DIAS DE LOS MUERTOS AND CHRISTMAS WITH THE OLD TOWN STROLL ON FIRST FRIDAY IN DECEMBER. This year is proving to be unusual in many ways, but the most normal time is likely to be these months.  We start taking Balloon Fiesta Labor Day September 1 – this means we take a wider number of specifically Fiesta related items, so we are well stocked for Fiesta…this includes not only balloon themed but NM and SW as well.  Mid-month we increase a bit on the Dias materials which is the end of Oct- now a full week celebration in Old Town.  Christmas with the traditional Christmas themes comes in generally at the start of November.
  • All unsold inventory will be returned to the artist in January.