Artists and art-lovers, you are in the right place! Since 1996, FestivalNet has listed events from coast-to-coast offering all event types! Not only event-goers and shoppers, but the fine artist and craftsperson can use FestivalNet to locate the perfect art show for their business. Whether you are interested in juried fine art shows or festivals that welcome fine art booths as well, FestivalNet lists all types of art events. Once you are logged in as a member, you can search by attendance, event type, and so many other cool filters! Discover an art fair near you today.
When you think about it, an art festival is essentially a trade show – the “art” being the trade. And like any trade expo, these events are gatherings that bring potential buyers and sellers together in one place. With the globalization of the arts and crafts, the number of art fairs has increased exponentially over the last few years.
An art festival is a great opportunity for you to be “discovered” by potential customers and make a more stable income outside of galleries. Â
For collectors, there are a lot of reasons for one to attend an art festival. The sheer array of artworks to be seen is one of them, of course; it’s about coming across a piece that moves you so much that you want it for your home or a gift for a loved one. But there are also social mixers and educational seminars sponsored by galleries and cultural organizations full of like-minded souls. Some of the state-sponsored events also offer scholarship programs for budding artists.
On this page, you will find several types of fairs and festivals, ranging from carnival-style fairs to high-end marketplaces that sell one-of-a-kind items.
Cañon City Art Festival, Cañon City (Colorado)
Celebrate the handcrafted goods and fine visual arts over the Labor Day weekend in the charming city of Cañon. Over 70 juried artists from across the country will be featuring their works this year representing a wide range of media, from woodwork, ceramics, and photography, to glasswork, sculptures, paintings, and more. A plenitude of artisans and craftsmen will also be offering an extensive selection of handcrafted candles, jewelry, soaps and lotions, pottery, toys, and much, much more.
Springville Art Festival, Springville (Utah)
Whether you want to buy, sell, or even learn about art, the Springville Arts Festival is a must-attend this year. It will feature over 120 fine art booths, culinary arts, hands-on art activities, chalk and Plein air painting competitions, and other live entertainment. Art lovers of all ages will be spoiled at this 2-day extravaganza spanning the Springville Civic Center Park, Main Street, and Springville Art Museum.
Art Spectacular At the Carillon, Springfield (Illinois)
Art Spectacular is not just any juried fine art and craft show; it is regarded as one of the greatest art fairs in Illinois for high-caliber, original artwork. Both patrons and artists flock to the event for its quality of artwork, size, and balance of media.
It features over 50 artists who showcase their imaginative artwork in an eclectic variety of at least 14 different media, demonstrations, Patron Bucks, food vendors, live music, Kids’ Art Sale, and a Kids’ Place. They really have it all – which explains why Art Spectacular consistently ranks in the “Best 100 Art fairs in the US” by Sunshine Artist Magazine!
Festival of the Arts, Inverness (Florida)
First held in 1971, this is the longest-running juried art show in Citrus County, Florida. As they say, some things are better left unchanged, which is certainly true for this affair. The 2-day festival attracts thousands of visitors, who come to see distinctive artwork from over 50 fine artists. The entry is free, so we highly recommend visiting the event in historic downtown to explore and shop.
If you’re an artist, the Inverness Festival of the Arts can be an amazing opportunity for you to get your work in front of potential patrons. The art festival is held right before Thanksgiving and Black Friday, which means people are in a major shopping mood.
Mulberry Street Arts & Crafts Festival, Macon (Georgia)
Just when the cherry blossom trees start blooming to mark the arrival of spring and the promise of summer, Downtown Macon comes alive with hundreds of vendors and thousands of visitors from across the country. If you like collecting unique works of art and craft, head to the Mulberry Street Arts & Crafts Festival to see stuff you won’t find anywhere else.
The festival attracts artists who specialize in handcrafted items like scarves, soaps, jewelry, home décor, quilts, wall art, candles and scents, handbags, handmade and painted signs, and more.
Harvest Festival Original Art & Craft Show, Ventura (California)
Art lovers, head over to Ventura County Fairgrounds this fall to shop thousands of American, handmade arts and crafts in this 3-day fair. There will be unique home décor, ceramics, hand-turned wood, photography, specialty foods, clothing, jewelry, metalwork, glasswork, sculptures, wall art, and more.
The show is family-owned and operated, and is one of the nation’s oldest arts festivals that has continued honoring some of the finest American artists over the years. Visit the event to see extraordinary, one-off pieces you won’t find anywhere else.
The Harvest Festival offers a full day of fun for people of all ages, with more than 24,000 handmade creations from hundreds of exhibitors, contests, demonstrations, strolling performers, specialty foods, and even a Kids Zone. If you want money from your purchases to support a non-profit organization, they have got you covered for that too. Proceeds from the festival go toward several local charities.
With such an extensive collection of arts all under one roof, there is always something new waiting to be discovered at this indoor showcase. From ornaments, furniture, and accessories to eclectic keepsakes and holiday décor, each item is an expression of ingenuity from the creators who are passionate about their work.
You can further promote the spirit of giving back by bringing non-perishable items for donation to the local food bank; this will give you a discount on your entry fee.
3 Tips To Help You Get Accepted to More Art Fairs
While more and more art fairs are popping up thanks to their popularity, the competition is getting fiercer as well. With so many opportunities, plus different applications and jurors’ requirements for each, knowing how to prepare your applications can make a world of difference.
Whether you are an artist, artisan, painter, sculptor, woodworker, photographer, or pursuing another passion, the following tips will ensure your application gets accepted to art fairs.
Apply to the Right Shows
Think about the fair and ask yourself, “Is this opportunity right for me and my work?” If you are not a clear fit, you will be wasting your money, time, and effort. It doesn’t matter how good your pieces are, if they are not what the fair is looking for, you don’t have much of a chance of getting accepted.
When applying to fairs and festivals in your area, consider becoming a member of FestivalNet to get a clear description of the event and its requirements.
Don’t Overlook the Small Details
So you have picked a show and you know you’re a great fit. The next step is to double-check the requirements before you even start on the application.
Don’t fall into the trap of going above and beyond; this is not the place to do that. Send exactly what the application asks for – be it the number of image submissions, piece details, file sizes and types, or the subject matter.
Remember: jurors at these events usually have hundreds (or thousands) of artists to look over. Playing by their rules will actually set you apart as a professional who is respectful of the show.
Take High-Quality Pictures of Your Work
Photos are an extremely important part of this whole affair. When it comes to submitting images of pieces, the same rules apply as they would for any juried competition.
This means using pictures that are crystal-clear, well-lit, in-focus, and color-corrected to show your artwork in the most accurate light. It should be photographed parallel to the camera, and either on a neutral background or cropped.
If you are submitting more than one picture, it must be super cohesive. So, keep them consistent with similar styles and colors. You need a highly distinctive and recognizable style that pops out in the pieces you are submitting. You may work in different mediums and styles, but this is not the place to show off the breadth of your work. Â
Think of it like this: your entire work will be judged on the weakest piece submitted by you. If a juror sees one piece that doesn’t fit or that’s weak, it will make them question your ability and judgment.Â
Another thing to keep in mind is a booth shot. Fair organizers don’t want an ugly or unprofessional-looking booth to make them look bad, so they want to see what you’ll bring to the show before they accept your application. If you don’t have a picture of your booth already, set up your example display either inside or outside your studio – it could be any space with good lighting.
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FestivalNet contributors have been sharing their art fair experiences and tips for years on our Blog. Browse the articles to learn from the pros!
Turn Your Passion into a Thriving Business with FestivalNet
Do you want to leave your 9-to-5 desk job for a more fulfilling career, using your talent to sell handmade goods? FestivalNet helps connect growing artists with buyers, event planners, and online vendors to make this a reality. Sign up today to become a FestivalNet member and let us help you create a profitable business by reaching out to the right people.
