Calls to Artists
Whether you're a seasoned pro or taking your first steps into the art world, the Festival of the Arts is the perfect place to showcase your talent. Explore our current calls below for details on deadlines and registration.
Take the leap! Share your creativity with the world! And don’t forget to spread the word to a fellow artist.
Thank you for being part of the Festival of the Arts. We can’t wait to celebrate your work!
Applications and registrations open at different times throughout the year. These dates are subject to change:
- Small Works Show: Old School / New School: Opens Late September 2025
- Joan Eliot Sappington Gallery: Opens Early October 2025
- Art in the Park: Opens November 2025 on ZAPP
- Open Show Express: Registration June 1–15, 2026
- Food Vendors: December 2025
- Open Show All-Stars: May 2026
We do not accept retail vendors, services, non-profits or other businesses wanting a booth.
Most of our calls are by jury or invitation, except for the Open Show Express, and are exclusively for artists making one-of-a-kind items.
Regardless if it is a juried show or not, we will always need your contact information and a valid mailing address. Every year dozens of checks come back to us as undeliverable due to incorrect addresses.
The information you enter goes directly into our database. No human eyes confirm it, so please ensure you get all of the info correct- including pricing!
If you need to submit images (our juried shows only) please make sure the image you're uploading is under 1MB.
How do I apply? Click on the logos below to go to the application/registration pages for any OPEN calls.
Is it the same process for every exhibit? Each call is different and has different deadlines. Please make sure you read the rules and follow the procedures to ensure your application is successful. Most calls open in November or January for the upcoming Festival.
How can I find out as soon as the calls open? The COMING SOON calls will not have registration pages available. If you want to be the first to know then calls open, sign up for our mailing list! Head here and be sure to check FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS- CALLS TO ARTISTS when signing up.
When can I register for the show in the tent? The Open Show Express is online-only registration. The registration window is, and has always been, June 1-15.
Ten students be selected to showcase and sell their work in a special exhibit at the 2025 Festival of the Arts. Displayed on the Lakewood Center's main floor, their art will be judged separately from the Youth Exhibit, and they’ll join the professional artist reception—marking their debut as professional artists!
READ THE FULL CALL & APPLY
Art in the Park, set amidst the natural beauty of George Rogers Park, is a juried booth show that celebrates the best in original, hand-crafted fine art and crafts. We welcome artists and makers across all mediums—those who honor time-honored traditions, push the boundaries of contemporary art, or bring fresh perspectives as emerging voices.
In 2025 we exhibited art from over 30 schools! Registration opens SOON!
Our Open Show- the exhibit in the big white tent- is for Artists at all career stages. One small fee gets you space to exhibit and sell your work!
Registration opens June 1, 2026 and runs though June 15, 2026.
The Invitational to past Festival Award Winners will be back in the hall at Lakewood Center during the Festival.
If you've won an award with us, check your email! You can learn more about the exhibit by clicking here.