2025 Fairy House Artist Invitational
A major attraction of the Annual Fairy House Tour are the artists' entries received and incorporated into the Tour grounds. The competition will be limited to 15 fairy house submissions by creative professionals and will be judged by a panel of community members. Entries will be judged based upon the following criteria: imagination/creativity, innovation, and use of natural materials.
All accepted Artist Invitational fairy houses will be publicly displayed on the grounds of Strawberry Banke Museum and the Governor John Langdon House in downtown Portsmouth, NH and will be specially marked on all tour maps and directional signs.
Entrant Awards
Grand Prize: The winning fairy house will be photographed and used, with artistic credit noted, as the primary fairy house image for the 2026 Tour publicity.
Additional prizes will be awarded to the grand, second and third place winners with honorable mentions in the categories of creativity, imaginative use of natural materials and innovation.
Each Artist Invitational entry also will receive:
- Family Pass or four tickets to the Fairy House Tour
- Invitation for two to the Fairy House Pre-Party on Friday, September 19th, 7-9 pm at Strawbery Banke Museum
- Professional photograph of their entry
- Chance to win a $250 prize!
Experience magic through the eyes of local creators!
Invitational Design Specifications
- Natural materials must be used for all surface elements (e.g. dry grasses, leaves, sticks, pebbles, shells, fallen bark, milkweed pods, acorns, berries, gourds, miniature pumpkins, pinecones).
- All fairy houses must appear to be made entirely of natural components. Hot glue, acrylic spray, natural twine and other man-made items can be used, but must be completely concealed by natural elements. No glass beads, artificial flowers, or plastic elements can be used.
- Platforms or man-made support materials suggested for easier delivery and transport but must be concealed with natural materials when installed onsite.
- Houses may be any size and the theme of the house may be anything your imagination conjures.
- Houses will be displayed outdoors and should be able to withstand normal weather conditions over a 48-hour period. Bring a plastic bag to protect your design if it is raining.
- No political commentary or themes inappropriate for young children will be accepted.
Installation & Removal
Submissions must be delivered to the Tour grounds on Thursday, September 18th by noon. Judging results will be announced during the pre-Tour party that evening.
Fairy Houses must be picked up after the Tour ends between 4-5pm on Sunday, September 21st. Any houses not removed by 5 pm on Sunday will become the property of the Friends of the South End.
Applications for Artist Invitational
Applications for the Artist Invitational must be received by midnight September 1, 2025. Complete this application and send it to info@fairyhousetour.com.
Interested in building a fairy house for display, but don't want to be part of the competition? Bring your house to Strawbery Banke Museum on Friday, September 19th between 9am and 12pm.