08/31/2026
CALL FOR ARTISTS
Carthage College invites local and regional artists and makers to apply for Wassail Wonderland, a festive holiday marketplace held during the 152nd Annual Carthage Christmas Festival, December 4–6, 2026.
Wassail Wonderland offers guests an indoor and outdoor holiday experience featuring seasonal food and beverages, live musicians, children’s activities, photo opportunities, and shopping from a curated group of artists and makers.
Event Dates and Times
Friday, December 4, 2026
5:30–7:30 p.m.
Saturday, December 5, 2026
5:30–7:30 p.m.
Sunday, December 6, 2026
2–4 p.m.
Selected artists may participate on one or multiple days.
Location
Carthage College
Todd Wehr Center, Jockey Rooms 2001 Alford Park Drive
Kenosha, Wisconsin
Application Requirements
Applicants should submit:
● Five to ten high-quality photographs representing their work
● A brief description of their materials, artistic process, and how the work is produced
● Artist or business name
● Email address and phone number
● Website and social media links, if applicable
● Preferred event date or dates Applications should be sent to:
Heidi Baehr
Visual and Performing Arts Office Manager
[email protected]
Curated Selection Process
Wassail Wonderland is a curated event with a limited number of available spaces. Applications will be reviewed based on quality, originality, craftsmanship, and the overall balance of the marketplace.
To provide guests with a varied shopping experience, Carthage may limit the number of artists working in similar media or selling similar merchandise. For example, only a limited number of jewelry, ceramic, textile, woodworking, or candle vendors may be selected.
Preference will be given to artists and makers selling original or handcrafted work. Commercially purchased merchandise intended primarily for resale is not appropriate for this event.
Vendor Deposit
Accepted artists will be required to submit a $40 refundable deposit to reserve their space. The deposit will be returned after the artist completes their scheduled event date(s). The deposit will be forfeited if the artist fails to attend or cancels without sufficient notice.
Vendor Space and Amenities
Each participating artist will receive:
● One six-foot table
● Access to a power supply, if requested in advance
● An assigned indoor vendor space in the Todd Wehr Center
Artists are responsible for providing their own table coverings, displays, signage, extension cords, payment systems, and packaging materials.
Setup
Artists may begin setting up two hours before each event:
● Friday and Saturday: Setup begins at 3:30 p.m.
● Sunday: Setup begins at noon
Artists participating on multiple days may leave tables and display structures in place overnight. However, Carthage College cannot guarantee the security of merchandise or personal belongings. Artists are encouraged to remove valuable items each evening. Additional arrival, parking, unloading, and day-of contact information will be provided to accepted artists.
Sales and Transactions
Artists are responsible for:
● Collecting all customer payments
● Providing receipts when appropriate
● Supplying bags, boxes, or other packaging
● Managing their own payment-processing equipment
● Complying with applicable sales-tax requirements
Carthage College does not collect payments or process sales on behalf of participating artists.
Important Dates
Application Deadline: October 1, 2026
Acceptance Notifications: October 19, 2026
Deposit Deadline: November 1, 2026
Questions may be directed to Heidi Baehr at [email protected] or [email protected].
We look forward to celebrating the holiday season and showcasing the work of talented artists and makers from our community.
