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Ann Lowe: American Couturier

September 9, 2023January 7, 2024

In 1964, The Saturday Evening Post referred to fashion designer Ann Lowe as “Society’s Best-Kept Secret.” Although Lowe had been designing couture-quality gowns for America’s most prominent debutantes, heiresses, actresses, and society brides—including Jacqueline Kennedy, Olivia de Havilland, and Marjorie Merriweather Post—for decades, she remained virtually unknown to the wider public. Since then, too little recognition has been given to her influence on American fashion. 

Ann Lowe’s recently emerging visibility as a designer stands in contrast to much of her career and the countless unrecognized Black dressmakers and designers who have contributed to American fashion for generations, including her own grandmother and mother. She blazed a path for others to follow and her legacy is still felt in fashion culture. 

This is the largest exhibition of Ann Lowe’s work to date, featuring 40 iconic gowns, many that have never been on public display, and it will illuminate her evolution as a designer from the 1920s to the 1960s. The exhibition will also feature the work of contemporary couturiers and fashion designers whose current design practices, perspectives, and career paths reflect the trajectory of American fashion emanating from Lowe’s foundation. These include B Michael, Tracy Reese, Amsale Aberra, and Bishme Cromartie. Elizabeth Way, associate curator at The Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology, is guest curator of the exhibition.

This exhibition is included with General Admission; no separate ticket is required.

  

Born in Clayton, Alabama, into a family of African American dressmakers, Ann Lowe (ca. 1898–1981) learned the skill of dressmaking from her mother and grandmother. She developed not only expert technical skills by the time she was a teenager but also her distinctive style—feminine, elegant, and often incorporating her signature hand-made floral elements. Her extraordinary career took her through the Jim Crow South, from Montgomery, Alabama, to Tampa, Florida, and in 1928 to New York City. Lowe’s work made her an asset to wealthy society women around the country, yet she also experienced the tumultuous hardships of the fashion business and segregated America in a period of dramatic change.  

Ann Lowe’s work places her among America’s significant fashion designers, and her life illustrates a legacy of Black women’s knowledge and skills that began as enslaved labor. Lowe modernized this legacy and expanded it to international visibility, positioning herself as a creative designer, a fashion insider, and a vital contributor to American culture.  


Enhance Your Visit

Get the most of your visit to Winterthur with these activities, included with your General Admission ticket, which is good for two consecutive days!

Take a guided exhibition walk and learn about the life and legacy of Ann Lowe, an American fashion designer who created couture-quality gowns for America’s high society yet remained virtually unknown to the wider public.

Take the Yuletide house tour. Experience a celebration of American elegance in holiday style, inspired by Ann Lowe: American Couturier. This year’s Yuletide features custom fashion by local designers Shawn Pinckney and Asata Maisé Beeks, whose creations reflect the history of Winterthur and the design sensibilities of Henry Francis du Pont and Ann Lowe. Explore the house decorated in all its finery with our signature traditions, including the show-stopping Dried-Flower Tree, artistic Christmas trees inspired by Ann Lowe gowns, and a spectacular table set for Christmas dinner. Tradition, style, and surprise await you around every turn this holiday season at Winterthur.

Enjoy Lowe-themed shopping. Visit the Museum Store for items inspired by Ann Lowe, as well as unique home décor, gifts, jewelry, and the newly-released book, Ann Lowe: American Couturier, a definitive illustrated volume on the work and life of Ann Lowe. Order your copy today and pick it up at the Winterthur Store, or have it shipped to your door! Call 302.888.4822 to purchase.

Explore the galleries and garden. Take a stroll in the world-renowned 60-acre garden or explore one of our walking trails throughout the 1,000-acre estate. And, no visit is complete without our garden tram tour. Our guides share highlights of the garden and the history of Winterthur on this 30-minute narrated tour. Then, head inside to be inspired by the galleries, featuring two floors of the finest examples of American decorative arts.

Ann Lowe: American Couturier

Vivid new photography of Lowe’s couture gowns—including lush details of her exquisite handwork and signature floral embellishments—accompany essays that explore the trials and achievements of Lowe’s life, contextualize her work within fashion history, profile Black designers whose work reflects her influence, and offer a behind-the-scenes look at the extraordinary efforts to preserve Lowe’s gowns.

Order your copy today for $55.00 by calling 302.888.4822. Pick up at the Winterthur Store or have it shipped to your door!

Behind the Seams

Follow us @WinterthurMuse as we share exciting behind-the-scenes features of the making of the exhibition.

Listen in Style

“Ann Lowe was an exemplary creator in American fashion who happened to be Black. While this was, no doubt, an important part of her identity, it was only one part. Lowe was a spectacular and multidimensional American fashion designer, and I wanted the exhibition music to reflect other amazing Black artists like her who excelled in their genre. Her work was classical and generally structured, while also embracing organic elements, especially flowers. She was highly technical but prioritized beauty and elegance. I wanted the music to convey these elements of her work.” -Elizabeth Way, guest curator of Ann Lowe: American Couturier

Inspired by Ann Lowe: American Couturier, this playlist celebrates Black creative excellence in fields that are traditionally homogenous with barriers to people of color.

Read more about the creation of our Ann Lowe Inspired Playlist and listen on Spotify!

Ann Lowe Symposium

Relive the In the Legacy of Ann Lowe: Contemporary American Fashion symposium and join guest curator Elizabeth Way, associate curator at The Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology, Winterthur staff, visiting scholars, contemporary designers, and students for a series of talks and demonstrations that explore Lowe’s legacy and how it continues to impact fashion culture today. 

Envisioning Boldness: Ann Lowe, America’s Couture Designer

Listen to the lecture “Envisioning Boldness: Ann Lowe, America’s Couture Designer,” presented by Elaine Nichols, supervisory curator of culture at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.

In the Press

The Powerful Story Behind Jackie Kennedy’s Wedding Dress, Vanity Fair

Everyone Thought He Had Made the Famous Gown. It Was His Wife. The New York Times

Ann Lowe Was ‘Society’s Best-Kept Secret.’ This Exhibit Aims to Make Her a Household Name. Elle

This Biggest-ever Ann Lowe Exhibit Is Set to Shine a Light on the Long Under-credited American Designer, Women’s Wear Daily

Getting Dressed with Ann Lowe: The Art of Mounting Historic Garments, PieceWork Magazine

Behind the Scenes of Winterthur Museum’s “Ann Lowe: American Couturier” Exhibit with Elizabeth Way and Alexandra Deutsch, Black Fashion History Podcast

American Couturier, UD Magazine

Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library— At The Height Of Fashion, The Story Of Ann Lowe, Antiques And The Arts Weekly

Preview the Ann Lowe: American Couturier exhibition soon to open at Winterthur Museum, Delaware News Journal

Curator discusses ‘Ann Lowe: American Couturier’ exhibit at Winterthur, Delaware News Journal

Ann Lowe: American Couturier at Winterthur, Chadds Ford Live

Remembering Ann Lowe, the unsung creator of Jackie Kennedy’s wedding dress, Financial Times

Winterthur honors Ann Lowe, unsung designer of Jackie Kennedy’s wedding dress, Delaware News Journal

Many who know the name Ann Lowe entered her story when she designed Jacqueline Bouvier’s wedding dress for her marriage to John F. Kennedy and wasn’t credited for it. Yahoo! Life


This exhibition is made possible through support from the Terra Foundation for American Art, the Coby Foundation, Ltd., and the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Getting Dressed with Ann Lowe

May 20, 2023 through Jan 7, 2024
Second-floor Galleries

In anticipation of the fall opening of Ann Lowe: American Couturier, peek behind the scenes at the work of fabricating, shaping, and dressing the mannequins in the exhibition. Learn about the special collaboration between the University of Delaware MakerGym and Winterthur’s textile conservation lab to create the custom mannequins for the gowns.

This exhibit will be closed on August 25, 2023.

 

 

 

Today, “radically old-school” Is Cutting Edge

As a champion of the traditional methods of hand-made rug weaving, remaining “radically old-school” in the way fine Tibetan rugs are made is keeping Erika Kurtz on the cutting edge of modern design and interiors.

“In a world of fast fashion, we are finally beginning to see a return to a time where consumers are being more thoughtful in their product choices and have a renewed appreciation for fine, artisanal goods and the impact products can have on communities and the environment,” says Kurtz, Chief Operating Officer and designer for New Moon Rugs, a company founded in 1993 by her father, the artist and renowned rug historian John Kurtz, in Wilmington, Delaware.

“Innovation then really comes in the form of unique design and using materials in new and surprising ways,” Erika continues. “Companies that strive to hold on to these century-old techniques to make something built that stands the test of time, and who push the envelope to create exciting new design trends, are the ones worth watching.”

Starting out as an antique-rug collector and dealer in the living room of his home before moving into a gallery, John enthusiastically searched for and found beautiful antique rugs and shared them with collectors from around the world. Early in his career, he was inspired to bring the wonderful art of rug weaving to an even larger audience. He did so with his popular PBS series Art Underfoot, which ran from 1988 to 1992, and then again on HGTV, introducing millions of viewers to the world of oriental rugs. In 1993, John began fulfilling a desire to have an outlet for his own creative process by taking his more than 20 years of experience as a dealer of antique rugs to create original designs under the New Moon label.

After discovering partners in Nepal with whom he could make this vision a reality, New Moon was founded. Since the inception of New Moon in 1993, John has been uniting his dedication to the highest standards of craftsmanship and design with his commitment to socially responsible business practices.

Since 2004, Erika has guided the operations at New Moon.

Many of the textiles in Winterthur’s collection can serve as inspiration for today’s designers, Erika says.

Erika is a featured speaker in March at the month-long Winterthur House of Style event. A lineup of sought-after design professionals will deliver flair to Delaware with talks, workshops, and demonstrations featuring their expertise in floral elegance, table décor, home fashion, wine, and entertaining throughout March at Winterthur.

Participants in the House of Style event series will dive into the latest design trends and learn how to use them in their living spaces. With different themes on March 4, 11, 18, and 23, every design devotee will find an event—or a day of events—that interests them.

“I will be providing a look into all parts of the living supply chain that creates my family’s line of Tibetan rugs that are made in Nepal,” Erika says. “It will be a crash course on how Tibetan rugs are made, from the raw wool to the finished product. From there we will discuss the evolution of design in the rug trade, from traditional to contemporary, and how the ancient traditions of fine hand-weaving juxtaposed with a contemporary design aesthetic pave a way where styles can evolve constantly without having to sacrifice any of the quality or traditions of this ancient art form.”

Other speakers include such industry leaders as Margot Shaw, Founder and Editor in Chief of Flower magazine, and Scott Kravet, Chief Creative Director of Kravet Fabrics.

Introductory House Tour: Contemporary Artists at Winterthur

Explore how historic and contemporary art inform our understanding of the past and present in this self-paced tour. Through seven installations of work by contemporary artists also featured in the upcoming exhibition Transformations: Contemporary Artists at Winterthur, see rooms you know and love in a new light. Included with general admission. Members free. No reservations required; capacity limited. Tours begin at the Conservatory.

Tuesday–Sunday, 10:00 am–4:00 pm.

Purchase tickets.

Behind the Seams: Ann Lowe: American Couturier

When Jacqueline Bouvier married John F. Kennedy in 1953, it was the social wedding of the year. The glamorous couple had a bright future ahead of them. Kennedy was a senator from Massachusetts, World War II war hero, and a rising star in the Democratic Party. The future First Lady’s wedding dress was highly anticipated.

Designed by Ann Lowe, the dress became one of the most famous and iconic wedding dresses of the 20th century. The original wedding dress is in the collection of the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum and is too fragile to be displayed.

In preparation for the upcoming Winterthur exhibition Ann Lowe: American Couturier, a reproduction was made of the dress by University of Delaware Fashion and Apparel Studies professor Katya Roelse and her students. Making the reproduction was an exacting process. Here are some fascinating facts about it.

  • The dress weighs at least 12 lbs.
  • The original wedding gown has a label with Ann Lowe’s name on it. This is incredibly rare; most of her gowns do not have her name on them.
  • A sweet touch is a six-loop blue bow stitched on the petticoat trim for “something blue.”  Jacqueline Kennedy wore her grandmother’s lace veil, presumably as something borrowed or old. 
  • The pleating across the bust took three days to create, drape, and assemble.
  • The “30-15” sleeves, which refer to the reported 30 hours and 15 minutes it took Lowe to develop the design, required a full day of work to drape and hand sew. The sleeve is a signature detail of Ann Lowe’s designs and is featured in many of her gowns.
  • The dress is 70% hand sewn.
  • It took two people approximately 18 hours over 3 days to completely measure the original.
  • Cutting the fabric for the reproduction took 15 hours. Sewing the dress (hand and machine sewing) took around 250 hours.
  • There are about 35 yards of fabric in the main part of the dress. Of these, about 20 yards were used to make the swags and rosettes which, trimmed and sewn, are transformed into 154 yards.
  • There are 10 yards of silk faille between the petticoat, corset, and the petticoat trim.
  • It took four people six days to gather, pin, and hand sew the swags and rosettes
  • It took six hours to hand baste the gathered trim, another six to pin and place it, and 20 hours to hand sew.
  • It took five hours to create, pin, and hand sew the ten layered rows of fabric at the hem of the gown that spiral into seven circular rosettes. Hand sewing them to the dress took at least another 50 hours. 

Follow along as we share more exciting behind-the-scenes features of the making of the exhibition Ann Lowe: American Couturier, opening September 9, 2023.

Artisan Market Sponsorship Opportunities

Winterthur’s Artisan Market will take place on July 19-21, 2024, with an anticipated attendance of 5,000+ visitors from across the region. Marketgoers will stroll the Winterthur estate to shop, eat, and learn about the history of Henry Francis du Pont’s former home and world-renowned garden. 

Artisan Market—where history, arts, and culture meet chic. Enjoy a weekend of shopping, indulging in local libations, and experiencing a bit of history along the way. Henry Francis du Pont was an aficionado of antiques, specifically American-made objects, which is what inspired him to share his home and collection with the public as a museum. Embrace your own style as you wander through the estate and become inspired to start your own collection while you explore local artisans’ crafts.

The deadline for certain sponsorship levels will be April 1, 2024, to ensure that sponsorship information meets deadlines for printed materials.

2024 Vision

  • 90+ Artisans
    • A Market Bites area to include culinary artisans and a Market Café, located near the historic greenhouses
    • Aspiring Artisans area to provide a venue for up-and-coming artists to share their work
    • Be Your Own Artisan campaign, a DIY and hands-on avenue for guests
  • 5000+ visitors across the three-day event weekend
  • Live music throughout the estate, house tours, and exhibition access
  • Marketing initiatives:
    • Billboard on I-95
    • News Coverage: 6ABC, Delaware Live, WHYY, Delaware Today, Main Line Today, County Lines, Delaware Tourism Office, Greater Wilmington, CVB, Philadelphia Inquirer
    • Printed Calendar of Events mailed to 20k homes (Artisan Market included in three quarterly COE mailings, so a potential reach of 60k homes).
    • Six eblasts to an average list of 38k with an average open rate of 16%
    • Website views for the Artisan Market Landing Page were 40,476 in 2023

Marketing Data

@WinterthurMuse by the Numbers

Facebook
Followers: 56k
Average Impressions: 8.7k
Average Engagement Rate: 2.63%

The current average engagement rate for Facebook is 0.15%. For NGOs, the average engagement rate is 0.17%.

Instagram
Followers: 36.7k
Average Impressions: 6.27k
Average Engagement Rate: 6.26%

The current average engagement rate for Instagram is 0.60%. For NGOs, the average engagement rate is 1.09%.

Numbers accurate as of July 2023.

Artisan Market 2023

Impressions: 204k
Engagements: 17k
Link Clicks: 2.2k
Shares: 696

Artisan Market 2023 Paid Advertising Campaign

Impressions: 485k
CTR: 1.8%
View Thru: 7,781
Attendance: 4,935

News Coverage Highlights

Guest and Artisan Feedback

Yesterday this event became a top highlight of my visit to your beautiful area, filled with beautiful people and beautiful artisanry. Thank you for creating such a memorable, easy experience. Locals and visitors alike: this is SUCH a wonderful and worthwhile sojourn, and it helps you celebrate and connect with humanity’s creative endeavors while supporting local small businesses. Loved everything about this event! Thank you to everyone who helped make it happen.”

—Market guest

“I love this event. I love how you plan for it and each and every part is well thought out. I don’t even care that it is hot because you all make it worth it. I have had two of my most successful markets last year and this year. I feel like Winterthur is my target audience and it is a delight to be involved.”

—Atwater Designs

Sponsorship Opportunities

With the Sycamore level of sponsorship, a company will be listed as the Presenting Sponsor for Artisan Market. This will include an exclusive logo on all marketing materials:

  • Market Map distributed to each guest (estimated 5k)
    • Pre-event promotional postcards (2–3k distributed).
  • Link and logo listed on the Artisan Market website
    • Traffic to Artisan Market website for 2022 was 40k+.
  • Included on social media promotion
  • Signage displayed throughout areas on the estate relating to Artisan Market

Sponsorship Levels

SYCAMORE LEVEL | $25,000 and above 

  • Company logo on Winterthur website
  • Company featured as the Presenting Sponsor (only one available) on marketing promotional materials (print, digital, and social media), including
    • Artisan Market postcard (2k printed and distributed throughout the community)
    • Artisan Market map (distributed to each guest upon entry) 

MAGNOLIA LEVEL | $10,000

  • Company logo on Winterthur website
  • Company featured as a sponsor on select digital marketing promotional materials (digital and social media)

DAFFODIL LEVEL | $5,000

  • Company logo on Winterthur website
  • Company listed as sponsor in a Thank You post on social media

PEONY LEVEL | $1,000

  • Company logo on Winterthur website

Additional Specialized & In-Kind Sponsorship Opportunities

FULL TENT SPONSOR | $20,000

  • Company name and logo displayed on one of the outside panels on all vendor tents
  • Company logo displayed on Winterthur website
  • Company featured as a sponsor on select marketing promotional materials, including Artisan Market postcard (2k printed and distributed throughout the community)

PARTIAL TENT SPONSOR | $10,000 

  • Company logo displayed on Winterthur website and hyperlinked webpage
  • Company featured as a sponsor on select marketing promotional materials
  • Artisan Market postcard (2k printed and distributed throughout the community)

TRANSPORTATION | $10,000 

  • Local transportation or bus company to supply transportation to Winterthur from underserved communities within Wilmington along with additional shuttles/buses to transport guests throughout the Winterthur estate
  • Company logo displayed on Winterthur website
  • Company featured as a sponsor on select promotional materials

DINING AL FRESCO | $8,000

  • Sponsor seating areas within the garden (Market Bites & Garden Café) for guests to dine and enjoy the atmosphere of the market (to include farmhouse tables, cross-back chairs, barrels, stools, lighting, umbrellas, and linens)
  • Company logo displayed on Winterthur website
  • Company logo on signage in the dining area 

COOLING TENT | $4,000

  • Sponsor a cooling tent, which will include water stations, cooling/mist fans, seating, and ice

UNDERREPRESENTED VENDOR SPONSORSHIP | $400 EACH

  • Provide funding for diverse, underrepresented, or start up artists to reserve a tent at the market. Eight sponsorships available.

Questions

The deadline for certain sponsorship levels will be April 1, 2024, to ensure that sponsorship information meets deadlines for printed materials.

For questions regarding sponsorship levels and Artisan Market, please contact Jennie Brown, jbrown@winterthur.org, or Abigail Miller, amiller@winterthur.org.


Sarah Bourne Rafferty, Atwater Designs; Snow, needle felted white labrador retriever dog, Tracy Shue, Walking Olive; and berry baskets, Jeff Stambaugh, Avant~Garden Pottery.

Artisan Market Vendor Information

Call for Artisan Market 2024 artisans! Present your outstanding wares to more than 5,000 visitors this summer at the Artisan Market in the beautiful setting of Winterthur’s garden and estate.

Events at Winterthur relate to the history, natural environment, and mission of the museum, garden, and library. Artisan Market evokes the mission of Winterthur by showcasing local artisans through a variety of handmade crafts relating to art, textiles, ceramics, glass, woodworking, antiques, and gardening as well as artisanal and small-batch gourmet goods. Each of these categories connects to Winterthur’s past, and we invite you to make a bit of your own history with us during this special weekend.

Please review all details below before applying to be considered for Artisan Market.

Contents

Dates and Times
Application Details
Types of Artisans
How Applicants are Evaluated
Artisan Spaces
Load-in/Breakdown
Market Locations
Terrain
Tents and Stands
Fees
Notifications of Acceptance
Payment
Waitlists
Cancellations
Insurance and Licenses
Promotion
Photography
Weather and Refunds
Concierge Service
Security
Artisan Grants
Sponsorships
Other Happenings

Dates and Times

This year Artisan Market will be a three-day market and will take place from July 19–21. Please find the times the market will be open each day below.

  • Friday, July 19 | 12:00 – 6:00 pm
  • Saturday, July 20 | 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
  • Sunday, July 21 | 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

All artisans must join for all three days of the market in its entirety.

Application Details

  • Each year, all interested artisans will submit an artisan application online for consideration. Given the competitive nature of the application process and Winterthur’s desire to have a variable selection of vendor mediums, your acceptance from previous years does not guarantee acceptance in future years.
  • All applications are reviewed together once applications close on March 11, 2024, and spaces are filled by ware category. A limited number of spaces per category are available within each hub to allow for differentiation across the Market. (See “Types of Artisans” for more information.)
  • On average, 400+ applications are submitted for the Market, and we will accept about 100 vendors for 2024, with three to five artisans per category.
  • Please review the descriptions for the types/locations of applications being accepted for the 2024 Artisan Market and apply to the one that best corresponds to your wares: Artisan Tent Vendor, Aspiring Artisan, Market Bites, and Food Truck.
  • Applications will be available online in late January, with final decisions made by April 1, 2024. Applications must be submitted online by March 11, 2024, to be considered. Artisans may request their first location preference, but it is not guaranteed. No changes are able to be made once acceptances have been sent.
  • Accepted vendors will receive an acceptance letter via email during the end of March (by April 1, 2024) and will have five (5) business days to submit payment to reserve their space. After April 5, 2024, any vendor who has not submitted payment will relinquish their space.
  • A waitlist will be kept in case any accepted artisans can no longer attend. (See “Waitlists” for more information.)

Types of Artisans

  • Antiques
  • Artwork (any medium)
  • Garden and floral items
  • Glasswork
  • Gourmet packaged culinary goods (small batch, artisanal style)
  • Handcrafted Beauty Products
  • Handmade Furniture and home décor items
  • Jewelry
  • Metalwork
  • Pet accessories
  • Pottery
  • Sculptures
  • Textiles
  • Vintage clothing and accessories
  • Woodworking

How Applicants are Evaluated

  • Artisans must create handcrafted products only. (See “Types of Artisans” for more information.) We hope to showcase innovative items that are differentiated, small-batch and connect to Winterthur’s history and mission.
  • Applicants are reviewed based on ingenuity, originality, design, and aesthetic with the hope of weaving the connection of modern-day wares with that of Winterthur and its history.
  • A connection to your community and an active social media presence are required since this is a collaborative market with many cross-promotional opportunities to engage and connect communities throughout the weekend.
  • We strongly consider artisans with a positive, energetic, and collaborative attitude.
  • Artisans must remain for the entirety of the three-day market. No shows or departing early for any of the Market days (July 19–21, 2024) will result in not being welcomed back in the future.
  • The Winterthur Artisan Market team will visit artisans’ websites and social media channels during the review process to determine the wares, aesthetic, style, and quality align with the goals of the Artisan Market. With acceptance to the Artisan Market, Winterthur reserves the right to select any brand, product or company-related photos from the artisan’s website and/or social media to use for marketing and promotional purposes for the 2024 Artisan Market at Winterthur. Winterthur will tag/credit the artisan in any photography or videography used for promotional purposes.

Back to the top.

Artisan Spaces

Outdoor Tent Spaces include locations at the Visitor Center Patio, Port Royal Circle, West Circle, Clenny Run Lawn, and Enchanted Woods Lawn:

  • Artisans may apply for a 10′ x 10′ or 10′ x 20′ space and must stay within these boundaries.
  • A 10′ x 10′ or 10′ x 20′ peaked white tent with clear side panels, one (1) 8′ table, and one (1) folding chair will be provided for each vendor, unless otherwise noted in the application/acceptance process.
  • Additional tables and chairs may be rented for an additional cost. Please indicate additional needs on the application. You are welcome to bring your own tables/chairs as well.
  • Additional 8′ tables are $15 each, and additional chairs are $8 each.

Market Bites Artisans will be outdoors near the Greenhouses:

  • These spaces will have a Market Stand (6′ L by 4′ W by 40″ H) with a canopy and one (1) stool per space.
  • All spaces will be on a paved surface, and parking will be adjacent in the Greenhouse Parking Lot.
  • There will be limited space for back-of-house storage, so artisans will have access to their vehicles throughout the weekend to replenish as needed. All spaces must maintain a clean and appealing aesthetic throughout the weekend (no trash, boxes, etc., within the space).

Aspiring Artisans will be indoors at Brown Horticulture Learning Center:

  • One (1) 8′ table, one (1) navy linen tablecloth, and two (2) chairs will be provided for each space inside the Brown Horticulture Learning Center.
  • All artisans within this space will park in the Greenhouse Parking Lot (adjacent to the building) for the weekend.
  • There will be limited space for back-of-house storage (beneath the table only), so artisans will have access to their vehicles throughout the weekend to replenish as needed.

Load-in/Breakdown

  • All requests for additional rental equipment (chairs or tables) must be made during the acceptance process. No additions may be made after the payment/acceptance is submitted. Artisans may bring their own additional tables/chairs (except Market Bites & Aspiring Artisan vendors), but no other tents or structures may be sourced for any location.
  • Artisans are responsible for their own setup and breakdown. Winterthur staff cannot provide assistance. Should you need help with Load-In or Weekend Setup/Breakdown, you are welcome to have helpers accompany you during those times. This is an intensive process for artisans with regards to the weather, terrain, tent panels, etc. Please be adequately prepared to complete setup on your own.
  • We highly suggest bringing a stepladder to assist with tent side panels as they do require some strength and height to attach along with zip ties to secure your tent space each evening (neither will be provided).
  • You will need to walk some distance from the parking location to your tent, with uneven terrain, slopes, stairs, etc. Please plan accordingly to be self-sufficient on Load-In and Breakdown days. Accepted artisans are welcome to visit Winterthur prior to the market to view their location and consider logistics.
  • Artisans must remain in their spaces for all three days. No booths or items may be taken down or removed prior to the end of each day of the Market. Should an artisan dismantle their space prior to the end of Market Day or weekend or not attend one of the days, that artisan will not be welcomed back.
  • Winterthur cannot provide volunteers to cover a tent while an artisan takes a break. Please plan accordingly with additional assistance. Each artisan will receive (2) two “Vendor Artisan Badges” to allow additional assistance in their space throughout both days. For any additional help required, please plan to reserve a ticket for Artisan Market either online or with the reservations team over the phone (800.448.3888 ext. 7029).
  • Electricity and wifi are not available. Please be sure to provide your own hotspot or necessary means to process electronic payments (credit cards + cash to be accepted).
  • Staked trash cans will be located behind the vendor spaces. Please place trash in these receptacles.
  • All artisans are expected to present a clean and aesthetically pleasing space for the entirety of the Market (no trash, boxes, clutter, etc., should be visible to guests)

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Market Locations

Visitor Center Patio

  • The Visitor Center Patio is located behind the Visitor Center, where all guests will enter and exit each day, and just outside the Café, which will be a hub for food and beverages.
  • All spaces are on a flat, paved surface, with tents ballasted on the patio.
  • Tented 10‘ x 10’ space fee is $550; Tented 10’ x 20’ space fee is $1,100
  • This space will have about nine artisans with seating available on the patio and the Pavillion Café open just inside with additional seating

Port Royal Circle

  • This is a new location for 2024 and is located just outside the door where guests exit from the tour of the house.
  • All spaces are on a flat, paved surface, with tents ballasted on the pavement.
  • Tented 10‘ x 10’ space fee is $475
  • This space will have about six artisans.

West Gallery Circle

  • This is a new location for 2024 and is located just outside the entrance to the Galleries.
  • All spaces are on a flat, paved surface, with tents ballasted on the pavement.
  • Tented 10‘ x 10’ space fee is $475.
  • This space will have about four artisans and will likely have a food truck within the area as well.

Clenny Run Lawn

  • Located behind the Museum Store and adjacent to the house and Galleries. All tents here are staked in the grass.
  • Clenny Run is the first shuttle stop and within the inner traffic flow of guests walking from the Visitor Center to the house and Galleries.
  • All spaces are on a flat grassy surface, with tents staked into the ground. This space is accessible by stairs or a slight slope in the grass, which should be kept in mind when planning setup/breakdown. For Load-In/Breakdown, vendors can park in the Post Office Parking Lot. Artisans must navigate stairs, a slight hill, and uneven terrain to reach their tent location. Please consider bringing carts or additional assistance.
  • Tented 10‘ x 10’ space fee is $475; Tented 10’ x 20’ space fee is $950
  • This space will have about 30 artisans with food available within the Cottage Café of the Museum Store, seating on the patio and live music throughout the weekend.
Clenny Run Lawn

Enchanted Woods Lawn

  • Located on Garden Lane between Enchanted Woods and the Sundial Garden, along the tram route. All tents are staked in the grass. Some tent spaces will require artisans to walk a short distance for load-in/breakdown.
  • Tented 10‘ x 10’ space fee is $400; Tented 10’ x 20’ space fee is $800
  • This space will have about 30 artisans and will have the “Garden Café” area with seating, food and beverage, a cooling tent and live music throughout the weekend.

Market Bites Spaces | Greenhouses

  • This space is adjacent to Brown Horticulture Learning Center near the historic greenhouses. This will be the second location for guests walking from the Visitor Center, and there will be a shuttle stop here as well.
  • Includes a 6′ L x 4′ W x 40″ H wooden Market Stand with canopy and one (1) stool.
  • All Market Stands will be placed on the paved walkway between Brown Horticulture Learning Center and the greenhouses. No tent is provided or permitted within this space.
  • This area will be exclusively for culinary artisans (food and beverage) to share samples and sell products.
  • Artisans within this area will park in the Greenhouse Parking Lot for the weekend to allow easy product replenishment since back-of-house storage is limited.
  • Market Stand spaces will be $250 for the three-day market.
  • This space will have about 10 artisans with seating available within the Greenhouses, food and beverage available within this hub, live music throughout the weekend, and restrooms/water fountains available just inside the adjacent building, the Brown Horticulture Learning Center.

Aspiring Artisan Spaces | Brown Horticulture Learning Center

  • This indoor area is adjacent to the Market Bites spaces. Artisans who apply for this space must be in business for fewer than three years to be considered an aspiring/emerging/up-and-coming artisan.
  • Includes one (1) 8′ table, two (2) chairs, and one (1) navy linen tablecloth.
  • Artisans within this area will park in the Greenhouse Parking Lot (adjacent to the building) for the weekend to allow for easy product replenishment since back-of-house storage is limited to beneath each table.
  • Aspiring Artisan spaces will be $250 for the three-day market.
  • This space will have about 10 artisans.

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Terrain

The terrain at Winterthur varies, with uneven surfaces and unpaved paths. All artisan spaces will require you to walk some distance to transport items during load-in/breakdown. For most tent spaces, artisans will need to navigate slopes, hills, and stairs. Cars cannot be parked near artisan spaces. All artisan spaces are on grass, except the Visitor Center Patio, Port Royal Circle, West Gallery Circle, Market Bites, and Aspiring Artisans locations.

  • Please be mindful that Winterthur is a historic garden, and all areas of the estate should be respected and navigated by the rules put in place by staff. No driving on grass is permitted. Should you wish to visit ahead of time to see the space and plan logistics, you are welcome to do so.
  • During Load-In (Thursday, July 18, 2024), you are welcome to bring as many helpers as you need. Only one car is permitted at the Load-In location, but additional help may walk to your vendor location.
  • Two representatives from an artisan shoppe are welcome to run the booth and will receive “Vendor Badges” for the weekend. Additional help will need to purchase a ticket for the Market.

Winterthur will make every attempt to provide you with your choice of location, but our goal is to have diverse offerings in each hub and for the entire Market. If one location is full, you will be offered another.

View our Garden Map for additional details on where each hub is located and an insight into the terrain at Winterthur.

Tents and Stands

Artisan Tents

  • 10′ x 10′ or 10′ x 20′ Econo XP High Peak Tent
  • Center mast has up to a 7″ adjustability and a brass wheel in the base for ease of erecting
  • Galvanized-steel welded fittings
  • An upright base with up to a 6″ adjustability and a 1-1/8″ hole for an additional anchoring option to be used with standard anchoring and guying requirements
  • 1/4″ white vinyl-coated cables
  • Top-tensioning system using 1″ ratchets with vinyl covers
  • White vinyl-coated cross cable supports a “flying” center pole that eliminates standing center poles, creating an open and unobstructed interior space; the cables connect to the corners

Market Bite Artisans Stands

  • Dimensions | 6′ L x 4′ W x 40″ H

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Fees

Fees are based on location and space type. Please refer to the “Artisan Locations” and “Terrain” sections for more details about each area. The fee for each includes a vendor space for the three-day Artisan Market.

  • Visitor Center Patio: $550 per 10′ x 10′ space | $1,100 per 10′ x 20′ space
  • Port Royal Circle: $475 per 10’ x 10’ space
  • West Gallery Circle: $475 per 10’ x 10’ space
  • Clenny Run Lawn: $475 per 10′ x 10′ space | $950 per 10′ x 20′ space
  • Enchanted Woods Lawn: $400 per 10′ x 10′ space | $800 per 10′ x 20′ space
  • Market Bites: $250 per 6′ L x 4′ W x 40″ H wooden Market Stand with canopy
  • Aspiring Artisans: $250 per indoor space; includes one (1) 8′ table, one (1) navy linen tablecloth, and two (2) chairs
  • Food Truck: $250 per space for three-days | $100 per single day space; includes paved space to park within the Winterthur garden. Must have all licenses and permits up to date to serve and sell food in Delaware.

We do not take any commission on sales, and there is no application fee. In addition to the space, all artisans are included in the Artisan Gallery on the Winterthur website and will have many opportunities for free promotion on our social media channels and in our email marketing. (See “Promotion” for more information.)

Fees cover the costs associated with producing Artisan Market, including but not limited to marketing and advertising, space and venue rentals, permit and licensing fees, vendor tents, police and public works, table, chair shade, cooling tent rentals, transportation rentals and much more in order to execute the expanse of this event.

Notifications of Acceptance

Artisans are notified via the email address listed on the application. Should an artisan not be selected, they will be placed on a waitlist and may be contacted should a space become available.

Payment

  • After the acceptance notification emails have gone out (by April 1, 2024, via email), artisans will have five (5) business days to remit payment in full for their space(s). After April 5, 2024, if payment has not been received, that artisan space will be relinquished and offered to another artisan.
  • A specialized link will be included with the acceptance notification email that will direct artisans to a payment portal. Payment may be made online with a credit or over the phone with Winterthur’s reservation team (800.448.3883 ext. 7029). 
  • Within the acceptance email, artisans will be required to finalize their application details and needs for the weekend (table/chair requirements, boxed lunch order, “Be Your Own Artisan” interest, “Meet the Artisan” interview, etc.). Payments and application details must be submitted within five (5) days of acceptance to confirm your space.
  • A short waitlist will be kept for artisans who are not accepted for 2024 and will be contacted via the email on the application should a space become available.
  • Should an artisan no longer be able to attend, written notice must be made to Winterthur no later than May 20, 2024, to receive a full refund. No refunds will be given after May 20, 2024, for artisans who can no longer attend. No exceptions can be made.
  • For questions about payment, please contact Abigail Miller at amiller@winterthur.org.

Waitlists

  • A small waitlist of applicants who submitted materials by the application deadline is kept to fill cancellations. Artisans who have not been accepted will be emailed by April 1, 2024, and may be contacted until Artisan Market weekend, should spaces become available.
  • On average, 400+ applications are submitted for Artisan Market, and we will accept about 100 for 2024. Each year, the committee reviews all applications with a fresh eye. Participation in a previous year does not guarantee acceptance in a future year because we aim to offer new artisans the opportunity to showcase their crafts each year.
  • A limited number of artisans (3 to 5) will be accepted per category to allow for variation and differentiation across the Market.
  • We thank you for your interest in joining Artisan Market at Winterthur. If you are not accepted, please do not be discouraged from applying again. The goal of the Market is to allow an equal opportunity for all artisans to share their craft with visitors while connecting the weekend to Winterthur’s history and mission.

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Cancellations

Should an artisan no longer be able to attend, written notice must be made to Winterthur no later than May 20, 2024, to receive a full refund. No refunds will be given after May 20, 2024, to artisans who can no longer attend. No exceptions will be made.

Insurance and Licenses

Winterthur is not responsible for insuring artisan items or displays and cannot accept responsibility for theft or damage. All accepted artisans are required to have liability insurance, and artisans must add Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library to their liability insurance and provide documentation showing this addition, along with a copy of their liability insurance declaration page. All products requiring licensing must have a copy of the appropriate license on file with Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library.

You are welcome to use whatever insurance you wish. Should you need assistance with insurance options, we have negotiated a discount with Artist Crafters & Tradesmen (ACT) insurance for non-food liability coverage and Food Liability Insurance Program (FLIP) for food vendor liability coverage. The discount coupon code for $5 off your policy is winterthur5. Use the links below to purchase coverage:

Accepted artisans only, please submit proof of insurance by June 1, 2024.

Artisans are expected to obtain any and all licenses or permits required for offsite events for their respective business.

Promotion

  • Artisan Market will be promoted through an integrated marketing strategy across paid, owned, and earned channels
  • The Market will be featured in Winterthur’s Calendar of Events, which is mailed to 22,000 homes each quarter (the market will be included in three calendar mailings), and in weekly emails, which go to approximately 33K recipients.
  • A dedicated Artisan Market website will have each artisan featured to allow guests the opportunity to visit your website/social and learn more about your craft leading up to the market.
  • Vendor photos will be used to promote each artisan on social media. Acceptance and payment for a vendor location grants Winterthur and its agents the right to videotape, film, and photograph you and use your likeness and any photos submitted in connection with the commercial production and in the distribution and exhibition thereof. Please contact amiller@winterthur.org with questions.
  • All artisans are expected to actively partner with Winterthur to help promote Artisan Market. Please share Artisan Market details through e-mail blasts, printed promotional materials and social media channels. When posting on social media, please tag @winterthurmuse for reposting and sharing opportunities.

Photography

The Winterthur Artisan Market team will visit artisans’ websites and social media channels during the review process to determine the wares, aesthetic, style, and quality align with the goals of the Artisan Market. With acceptance to the Artisan Market, Winterthur reserves the right to select any brand, product, or company-related photos from the artisan’s website and/or social media to use for marketing and promotional purposes for the 2024 Artisan Market at Winterthur. Winterthur will tag/credit the artisan in any photography or videography used for promotional purposes.

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Weather and Refunds

  • The event is rain or shine for all three days. No refunds will be given should Artisan Market have to be canceled or shortened due to unpredicted threatening or unsafe weather.
  • For severe weather, please reference the Emergency & Weather Protocol document.
  • Market Bites artisans will move indoors to Brown Horticulture Learning Center and Aspiring Artisans will move indoors to the Visitor Center if event organizers determine the weather not on our side.

Concierge Service

  • For guests who purchase any items that are oversized (e.g. furniture, lawn items, paintings, etc.) and unable to be carried by hand or taken on the tram/shuttle, guests are welcome to use the Concierge Product Delivery service provided by the Winterthur team.
  • Artisans will receive “slips” within the welcome packet that can be utilized to track items for pickup. Please communicate this service to your guests as they visit your space.

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Security

Winterthur is not responsible for insuring artisan items or displays and cannot accept responsibility for theft or damage. The grounds are staffed by a security team, should you wish to keep items at your tent or stand overnight.

Artisan Grants

A limited number of financial grants are available for vendors wishing to participate in Artisan Market. Grants cover the cost of an artisan space in the Enchanted Woods hub ($400 value) for the entire Market weekend (July 19–21, 2024). To apply for a grant, please complete the application by March 11, 2024. Grant recipients will be notified by April 1.

Sponsorships

Winterthur’s Artisan Market will take place on July 19 – 21, 2024, with an anticipated attendance of 5,000+ visitors from across the region. Marketgoers will stroll the Winterthur estate to shop, eat, and learn about the history of Henry Francis du Pont’s former home and world-renowned garden

Sponsorship Opportunities and Application

The deadline for certain sponsorship levels will be April 1, 2024, to ensure that sponsorship information meets deadlines for printed materials.

Other Happenings

  • Within the Market Bites area of the garden, there will be a food stand, seating options, music, and historical tours of the area.
  • Live music performances will happen throughout the estate across the weekend at Market Bites, Clenny Run Lawn, and near the Enchanted Woods Lawn.
  • Some artisans will be part of the “Be Your Own Artisan” (BYOA) initiative. Artisans will offer a hands-on/DIY component within their space. These artisans will be noted on the Market Map and Artisan Market website as a BYOA vendor (denoted by an asterisk) so guests can easily locate them during their visit.
  • Local food trucks will be on the estate, offering a variety of cuisines.
  • Guests are welcome to enjoy a self-paced tour of the house during Artisan Market or to explore the Galleries and current exhibitions: Outside In: Nature-inspired Design at Winterthur.

 

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