The Ellis Square Art Market is an open-air market in Savannah's Historic District, featuring talented local, regional, and national artists. It showcases an exceptional selection of original, handcrafted works and is free and open to the public.
Important Dates & Deadlines
Accept applications: November 04, 2026
Submission deadline: January 20, 2027
Wait List Released: March 03, 2027 (or as deemed necessary by the event Director)
Event Dates: April 16-18, 2027 (Friday/Saturday/Sunday)
Load In Dates: April 16, 2027 (Friday morning)
Festival Hours
Friday: 10 AM - 9 PM
Saturday: 10 AM - 6 PM
Sunday: 10 AM - 4 PM
Eligibility & Requirements
Required licenses: (First time attendees) City of Savannah Business License required ($85, good for 1 calendar year). Artists living in a county that immediately surrounds Chatham county are exempt from this requirement. Artists should list the event address as their business address.
Food Booth Requirements: This venue cannot accommodate food trucks. All food booths must register successfully with Savannah DPH and submit their business license and all required DPH paperwork. This process should start no later than 6 weeks prior to our event and/or immediately upon acceptance. We are unable to accept honey booths as they are outside the department of agriculture and certification to sell at our events cannot be completed.
Categories
2-D Mixed Media: Includes more than one type of physical material such as collage, papermaking, encaustic, pen and ink, paint, pencil, watercolor, or photography. The finished art is suitable for wall mounting.
3-D Mixed Media: Includes more than one type of physical material such as mosaic, papier mache, clay, fiber, glass, metal, wood, or any other 3-dimensional objects.
Ceramics: Original shaped and fired clay including earthenware, porcelain, and raku.
Every listing links to the organizer's official page. Always confirm deadlines, fees, and entry rules there before you apply.
Digital Art: Two-dimensional works from which the original image is manipulated by the artist using a computer using programs such as Drawing, Illustrator, Paint, or other software applications.
Drawing & Printmaking: Original drawings made with pen, pencil, charcoal, pastels, or chalk. The printmaking process may include pulled plates, linoleum prints, etching, engraving, silkscreen, or lithography. All prints must be signed and numbered by the artist. Photocopies are not permitted.
Edibles: Handmade items such as jam, sauce, baked goods, etc. that are pre-packaged and not prepared on-site.
Fiber: Works created from fibers including basketry, batik, weaving, papermaking, knitting, and quilting. An embellishment of manufactured materials is not permitted.
Glass: An object made of glass including blown, fused, stained, cast, and molded. An embellishment of manufactured materials is not permitted.
Handcraft: Handmade items made by the artist from manufactured, recycled, or repurposed materials transforming the combined materials into a unique product into a cohesive collection. A complete description of items is required.
Jewelry: All Jewelry is crafted from metal, glass, stone, clay, or other materials. Commercial molds or casts are not permitted. At least 50% of the organic materials in the finished product used must be produced by the artist.
Metal: Functional and non-sculptural works incorporating metal.
Painting: The use of oils, acrylics, watercolors, and tempera suitable for hanging.
Photography: Prints, transparencies, or digital images made from the artist's original negative or taken with a digital camera that has been processed by the artist.
Sculpture: Three-dimensional work is done in any individual medium.
Wood & Furniture: Original works in wood that are built, turned, carved, or tooled. Embellished manufactured wood items are not permitted.
Prohibited Items
T-shirts and commercial clothing (any re-sell or manufactured items)
Posters
Manufactured toys (any re-sell or manufactured items)
Commercially manufactured or reproduced items (resale)
Jewelry is made from more than 50% manufactured components
Any item that employs the use of commercially available molds or patterns
Sales Tax: Artists are responsible for collecting and reporting Sales Tax. The current Sales Tax rate for this event is 7.00% (4.00% GA, 3.00% Chatham County). Sales Tax reporting documents are provided to participating artists at check-in at the event.
Logistics
Load In: This is a dolly/wagon in event, located near City Market. Parking is close by.
Parking: $2.50 per hour 8am-8pm available in city owned spaces in a nearby lot. There is $5 daily parking available at the Savannah Convention Center accessible by Savannah Belles Ferry which runs approximately every 15 minutes 7am-10pm and drops off directly in our venue at the Hyatt on River Street.
Waitlist: A waitlist will be maintained. Selected wait-listed artists may be contacted when the Wait List is released one day prior to the event date. Late applications may be accepted at the discretion of the Director and included on the Wait List.
No Show Policy: Artists who have not checked in and/or called the Festival Emergency Number by Friday at 8:00 a.m. will be considered a 'no-show.' No Show artists are not eligible for refunds. Assigned space(s) will be forfeited to a wait-list artist.
Rain or Shine: There will be no 'rain date' and fees will not be refunded in the case of inclement weather. The event will take place rain or shine.
Amenities
Water will be provided for artists on Saturday and Sunday.
Booth Sitters are available during event hours upon request (limited bases).
Designated Festival Hotline available during event hours regarding assistance, emergencies, questions, concerns, etc.
Friday load-in (Friday only load-in)
24 Hour on-site Security
Advertising & Promotion
AFFPS is among the top award-winning art festival organizations in the southeast and has been voted Best Festivals by local media. They employ professional marketing strategies including PR and online media platforms, print and online media ads, radio and TV, billboards, banners, posters, yard signs, extensive business partner collaboration, social media, a dedicated interactive website, direct mail, and 300+ online calendar entries.
How Fees Are Used
All AFFPS Festivals support the GFPS, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to building a stronger arts community. The GFPS provides scholarships for artists to help them with their artistic careers.
Experience the charm, creativity, and artistic spirit of Savannah at the Ellis Square Art Market, located in the heart of Savannah's Historic District, just steps from the vibrant City Market.
Eligibility
Talented local, regional, and national artists are invited to showcase their original, handcrafted works.
Audience
Free and open to the public, this family-friendly event celebrates artistic expression, supports independent artists, and adds to the rich cultural traditions that make Savannah one of America's most beloved destinations.