Artist Participation Fee: We strive to keep this event accessible for artists, who are already generously sharing their time and studio space. That said, to ensure committed participation, a $20 application fee is required to be considered. 

First Friday Gallery Display: Artists must provide 1–3 works to be displayed for the month of May at Gather as part of the Studio Tour exhibition preview. Artists are strongly encouraged (but not required) to stop by during First Friday to meet visitors. 

Tour Day Availability: Artists must be present for the entire duration of either Saturday OR Sunday. (You may request both days if interested.) 

Studio Location Options: 

• Artists may host visitors in their personal studio space (including home studios). ○ This is open to Fairbanks artists and surrounding neighborhoods (North Pole, Ester, Two Rivers, etc) 

• Artists without a studio may:

  • Propose a local business/organization to host them that complements their work, OR 

  • Request to set up at Gather. 

Visitor Experience Expectations: During the tour, artists should: 

• Be actively working on something, OR 

• Demonstrate their process, OR 

• Offer an interactive element such as a demo or small engagement activity. 

• Artists are welcome to sell work at their own studio locations. 

Note: Any work sold at Gather will be subject to a 40% gallery commission. All work sold in their own studios may go to the artist. 

Promotion Participation: We ask artists to actively help promote this event and their participation in it. We also ask that they promote each other. (We’ll provide promotional materials and guidance.) 

Planning Meetings: Participating artists will be invited to two informational meetings prior to the event. 

First Friday: The tour begins with a First Friday kickoff exhibition at Gather, featuring work from each participating artist. This preview gives visitors a taste of the weekend ahead and allows last-minute ticket purchases. This event is where participants either purchase or, if they bought their ticket online, grab their swag bag, which includes:

• Limited-edition merchandise 

• Small artist goodies 

• A participating lanyard 

• A beautifully printed tour map 

Tour Weekend: Using the guide, visitors create their own self-directed route across Fairbanks to visit working studios, view works-in-progress, experience demonstrations, and purchase artwork directly from artists. 

• Tour tickets: $60 

• Children 12 and under: Free 

• Reduced-fee options will be available 

About Ticket Price: We want to be transparent that ticket pricing was thoughtfully discussed with participating artists. After careful consideration, we’ve kept the tour at $60 because: 

• The experience spans an entire weekend of programming 

• Each ticket includes limited-edition merchandise and printed tour materials 

• The ticket helps ensure an engaged, committed audience who are genuinely excited to visit studios and support local artists 

Our goal is to create a meaningful value exchange that supports both visitors and the artists opening their spaces to the public.