At the Museum of Dufferin, Earth & Fire: Clay and Glass Event is a celebration of creativity, craftsmanship, and local culture. The market-style event brings together talented vendors and artists from across Ontario showcasing handcrafted pottery, blown glass, sculptures, and decorative art. Visitors can explore and purchase a wide variety of unique pieces while learning about the techniques and traditions behind these art forms. Earth and Fire also features interactive workshops and a silent auction, creating an engaging experience for guests of all ages.

Important Dates & Details

Event Date: Saturday, September 19, 2026, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Vendor Arrival: By sign-up only, from 7:30 AM – 8:50 AM

Vendor Departure: 3:00 – 4:30 PM

Application Deadline: Tuesday, June 16, 2026 at 12:00 PM

Acceptance/Decline Notification: Saturday, June 27, 2026 

Vendor Fee (if accepted): $50.00 + HST ($56.50)

How Do I Apply?

This webpage contains everything you need to know about becoming a vendor for Earth & Fire. Please read through all the sections carefully before applying. Once you’ve familiarized yourself with how the event works, you can find the application link and contact information for questions at the bottom of the page.

The Application Process

What is on the Application Form?

• Your contact information and any social media handles
• Your medium (the two options are Clay/Ceramics or Glass) and technique
• A short (no more than 250 words) artist description
  • Share a bit about your creative process, artistic journey, inspirations, or anything else you’d like the jury to know that offers deeper insight into your work and artistic practice.
• Whether you’d like to donate a piece for the silent auction (all proceeds go toward the Museum of Dufferin)
• Indicate your interest in an indoor or outdoor display space
• Accessibility support request
• Terms and Conditions

A Guide to Submitting Photos

• After submitting the application form, applicants will be automatically provided with a Dropbox link.
• If an applicant does not supply photos to the Dropbox link, the application will be considered incomplete and not included in the jurying process.
• Artists may submit UP TO 4 photographs for consideration.
• JPG images must be sized between 300 and 500 DPI and labeled as follows: Artist’s Last Name_Artwork Title_Today’s Date.jpg
  • i.e. Robinson_ Pastoral Grace_December 10 2024
• Artists may only submit original works they have the rights to.
• All entries must be submitted in digital .jpg format.

How are Vendors Selected?

• Museum of Dufferin staff first review applications for completeness, connection/relevance to the event, and overall quality of work to ensure they align with MoD standards and policies before being presented to the external jury. Some applications may not advance beyond this stage.
• The artwork will be juried by an external panel of peer assessors. Our jurors are artists, business owners and Dufferin County community members. Jurors make their top selections independently in writing and then submit their results to Museum of Dufferin curatorial staff for tallying. Museum of Dufferin staff act as administrators during this step.
• The jury meets in a committee setting, facilitated by Museum of Dufferin staff, to discuss and evaluate submissions with a focus on the following:
  • Quality of Work
  • Execution and Craftsmanship
    • Mass-produced products will not be considered.
  • Variety (If many submissions of a similar medium are received, they cannot all be accepted).
  • Space Limitations
• Due to the high volume of applications, the Museum of Dufferin and jurying panel are not able to provide individual feedback after the jurying process.
• Acceptance/decline notification will be communicated via email.

Vendor Responsibilities and Expectations

I’ve Been Accepted as a Vendor! What’s Next?

• Your acceptance email will include the following:
  • A vendor package containing important dates, event details, and vendor expectations for participating at the MoD. Please keep it accessible for future reference.
  • An insurance waiver. If you’re not providing your own insurance, you are required to sign an insurance waiver.
  • A signup.com link. On the day, vendor arrivals are carefully staggered by MoD Staff to ensure each vendor can unload their vehicle, locate their booth, and have enough time to set up their display without overcrowding the main gallery. You MUST sign up for an arrival time via the provided link so we know when to expect you. Vendors who do not show up at their designated time without prior communication with MoD staff, or who fail to sign up for an arrival time altogether, WILL be asked to wait until we can accommodate them.
• Vendors must pay a vendor fee of $50.00 + HST ($56.50). This fee will be e-mailed to them from the Museum of Dufferin via digital invoice which allows you to pay online. You can also pay in person at the front desk with cash or credit. This fee is non-refundable from Saturday, August 8, 2026, at 9 AM onwards.
  • Vendors who self-identify as belonging to a community eligible for a vendor fee waiver will not receive an invoice. If you would still like to pay the vendor fee, please reply to your acceptance email and an invoice will be provided.

Vendors who do not complete the required deliverables by the deadlines outlined in the vendor package may forfeit their participation in the event. If you are no longer able to attend after being accepted, please notify MoD staff as soon as possible so your space can be offered to a vendor on the waitlist.

What can I expect on the day?

• Vendors will be greeted at the unloading station located at the front doors. Staff will assist in directing you to your designated display area for unloading.
• Once unloading is complete, vendors will be directed to the designated parking area. Please note: vendors will not be parking on the grass hill this year. Vendor parking will be reserved at the side of the building.
• After parking, vendors may return to the main gallery to begin setting up their displays.
  • Vendors in the main gallery will be provided with a 6 ft. folding table and black tablecloth. You cannot opt out of the provided table. All props and display decorations must fit on your table.
• Vendors are responsible for their own sales. There is no ATM on site. We recommend vendors arrange to accept both cash and card.
• Vendors are welcome to take breaks and explore other booths throughout the event; however, the MoD is not responsible for any lost or stolen items. Please leave your booth unattended at your own risk.
• Please bring a packed lunch, as there will be no food vendors on site this year.
• Vendors may begin dismantling their booths after the event ends at 3:00 PM.
• All vendors must be fully offsite by 4:30 PM.
• Absolutely no items may be left behind or picked up at a later date. Any items remaining onsite after the event will be disposed of by MoD staff.

Our Values

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are priorities for the Museum of Dufferin. We believe it’s important to integrate these principles into the services we deliver. We continue to take steps to ensure marginalized and underrepresented groups are represented at the museum.   

“Equity is a principle and process that promotes fair conditions for all persons to fully participate in society. It recognizes that while all people have the right to be treated equally, not all experience equal access to resources, opportunities or benefits. Achieving equality does not necessarily mean treating individuals or groups in the same way, but may require the use of specific measures to ensure fairness.” – Canada Council for the Arts 

The MoD is an inclusive and safe space for all. The MoD will not allow the display of materials that are deemed offensive or harmful.

Terms & Conditions

• If my artwork is selected for the Earth and Fire, I hereby give permission to the Museum of Dufferin (MoD) to take and use photographs and video recordings of my material and/or of this festival for marketing and promotional purposes. Examples of use are, but are not limited to, submissions to print publications (with written consent from the photographer), posting on the MoD website and posting to MoD social media sites. I hereby release the County of Dufferin, MoD and its employees, and/or volunteers from all claims resulting from the use, editing and release of any of the above-mentioned material with respect to this.   
• Vendors and their representatives agree to act in a professional and respectful manner with fellow participants, staff, volunteers, and visitors. Failure to abide by any of the rules or regulations or to act in a professional manner may result in expulsion from the Earth & Fire Event. 
• Applicants who have not submitted all required pieces of the application by the time of the application deadline will be disqualified from consideration. 
• The Museum of Dufferin reserves the right to retract offers to vendors to participate in the Earth & Fire at any time, without cause. 
• All information and photographs submitted with your application are kept confidential.
• The Museum of Dufferin will not share any of your personal information.  

By submitting an application form, you agree that you have read the details and information provided on this webpage and agree to the Earth & Fire terms and conditions.

Ready to Apply? 

Click the yellow button to be redirected to the application form.

Questions?

Please send an e-mail to Abby at anorman@dufferinmuseum.com or call 519-941-1114 x 4020
The Museum of Dufferin is open from Tuesday to Saturday, 10 AM – 4 PM.