Blog

June 7 & 8, 2025
Riverside, Illinois
Guthrie Park
Saturday 10am-5pm & Sunday 10am-4pm
Deadline: February 15, 2025

No application fee/Booth fee starts at $150

The Riverside Arts Weekend is sure to please artists and patrons alike. Join us as we celebrate two days of fabulous art in downtown Riverside, Illinois. This fine art fair, established in 2008, has become a community highlight. Riverside Arts Weekend (RAW), includes a full line up of activities, featuring a juried fine arts fair along with musical performances, children’s art activities, and other art-related events.

Additional features of the Riverside Arts Weekend:
• Free visitor admission
• Convenient parking
• Food vendors
• Booth-sitting by our volunteers
• Complimentary coffee & snacks for artists
• Overnight security
Juried artist awards will be presented to 3 artists, along with honorable mention and emerging artist awards

Testimonials:

• This has been one of my favorite events to participate in for the past 2 years! I love the community support for artists and it is always such a well organized event - with the volunteers to help out vendors when needed and all of the attention to detail. Can't wait to participate again next year!
• Great volunteer staff and great diversity of vendors.
• Easy set up and take down. You were able to attract a lot of people to the event. The artist snacks very much appreciated.

This free community event is organized by the Riverside Arts Weekend, 
a non-profit organization comprised of a volunteer leadership,
along with the support of the
Village of Riverside and community businesses.

APPLY NOW:
https://form.jotform.com/243616018913152

Learn more: https://www.riversideartsweekend.org/
Contact: Charlotte Zia charlotte.zia29@gmail.com

August 31 & September 1, 2025
Lake Forest, Illinois
Market Square
Sunday & Monday 10am-5pm
130 Artists|
Deadline: March 1, 2025

Application fee: $35/Booth fee starts at $450

Join us for the 70th Art Fair on the Square! Immerse yourself in the vibrant creative energy of Lake Forest's Market Square, just 30 miles north of Chicago. As the signature event of the Deer Path Art League for an impressive 70 years, the Art Fair on the Square calls fine artists like you from across the country for this remarkable opportunity.

Situated strategically in a prime location and reaching more than 22 exclusive local communities, including major city hubs like Chicago and Milwaukee, we invite you to showcase your unique talent in the heart of our culturally rich community nestled within Illinois’ famous North Shore. Apply now to join an exclusive lineup of fine artists, presenting your work to a loyal audience of over 20,000 visitors.

Benefit from our curated layout, set against the backdrop of Market Square's classical architecture and lush, mature trees, creating a visually stunning and inviting ambiance for art enthusiasts. This is more than just an art show; it's an opportunity to be seen, engage with a vibrant artistic community, connect with potential buyers, and establish lasting connections with fellow creatives.

With an inclusive layout ensuring maximum exposure for your work, it becomes effortlessly accessible to patrons eager to explore and celebrate your unique expressions. Don't miss this golden opportunity to elevate your artistry, gain valuable exposure, and forge connections with an appreciative audience.

Based on Artists Surveys:

• I found the patrons art savvy and inquisitive: a joy to connect with.
• Best run show ever! Love it!!!
• Very much appreciated as well as the space between the booths.
• As an artist, I felt appreciated and cared for in a way that other shows could learn from.
• I had my highest sales all year at your show! Hope to be back!!!

Apply now for the 70th Annual Art Fair on the Square and let your creativity shine on a stage of cultural significance!
https://www.zapplication.org/event-info.php?ID=12881

For more info: https://deerpathartleague.org/
Contact: Elizabeth Franz info@deerpathartleague.org

June 21 & 22, 2025
Winnetka, Illinois
Hubbard Woods Park
Daily 10am-5pm
80 Artists
Deadline: February 3, 2025

Application fee $45/Booth fee starts at $475

The North Shore Art League is excited for our 12th annual juried fine art & fine craft fair on June 21 & 22, 2025. It will take place in Hubbard Woods Park. Winnetka is a charming upscale Chicagoland destination, highly sought after zip code, located along the shores of Lake Michigan. This boutique show offers great visibility, enthusiastic buyers, and free parking.

Testimonials

"The show is exemplary of how a show should be run - attention to important details without making things unnecessarily complicated. Thank you for all your efforts. It is a true pleasure to be included in this show."

"Thanks for a great show Linda and team. Keep up with curating a group of well crafted artwork and quality artists and makers to keep the show top of mind for the community. This is how the event sets it self apart from other similar events in the area. Looking forward to next year!"

Apply: zapplication.org/event-info.php?ID=12835

For more information: northshoreartleague.org

Contact: Sophie Candido scandido@northshoreartleague.org

September 21 & 22, 2024
Park Forest, Illinois
Village Green and Main Street in Downtown
Saturday & Sunday 10am-5pm
80+ Artists
Deadline: April 26, 2024

Application fee: $35/Booth fee: $175

The Park Forest Art Fair is the second oldest continuously juried fine art fair in the Chicagoland region. It is an exceptionally artist-friendly fair with helpers to assist with loading and reloading and distributing bottled water all day. A continental breakfast is provided both days and Board Members provide a wonderful dinner for the artists on Saturday evening at which time prizes are announced. Two years ago, the Board also added a healthy snack on Saturday since many artists could not take the time to visit the food vendors.

There are prizes totaling $3,000. Because Tall Grass is a not-for-profit and gets to know its artists well, it is sensitive to the impact of the costs of participating in an art fair. For that reason, it has kept its registration fee at $175 through the recession and beyond. Tall Grass feels it is especially important to keep the cost of the art fair registration low during the present economic environment.

This year, the art fair plans to include a sidewalk art event. For families and children, the event will be pure fun and not competitive but there will be a competitive element for professional artists. Inasmuch as 2024 marks the 75th anniversary of the incorporation of the Village of Park Forest, there will be a commemorative element to the fair. It is currently in the planning stages.

Testimonials:

To all the wonderful people who worked so hard to put together such a great art fair; I have always thought that you, at Tall Grass, accommodate the vendors most thoughtfully. Tall Grass art fair is a wonderful experience for participating artists, art aficionados and the Park Forest community.
Sue Wade, jewelry artist

The Park Forest Art Fair was simply amazing. I have never experienced an art fair such as this before. The attention and support given to the artists made one feel like royalty. I enjoyed the breakfast and was more than grateful for the spread that was laid before us for dinner. The award ceremony left me speechless. I have never experienced that level of appreciation for vendors at an Art Fair before. Wow!!! Is all I can say.
Tara McGee, Bayete Jewelry Collection LLC

This Tall Grass Art Fair was at its best for a number of reasons. First of all, the weather was great! Secondly, art lovers found so much to love. Third, Tall Grass did an amazing job. Last, but not least, I made plenty of sales. Thank you, Tall Grass Arts Association.
Patricia Stewart

This was a great fair with enthusiastic shoppers and talented artists.
Don Widmer, Paper artist

This longstanding art fair is small but extremely well run and always quality and diverse art. This year, sales exceeded all my previous shows, even with moderate crowds. I recommend this venue.
Ellen Grenier Bevill, handwoven fiber arts

Learn more: http://tallgrassarts.org
Contact: Janet Muchnik jmuchnik@sbcglobal.net

September 6, 7, & 8, 2024
Mount Vernon, Illinois
Cedarhurst Sculpture Park
Friday 5pm-7:30pm and Saturday & Sunday 10am-5pm
100 Artists
Deadline: March 22, 2024

Application fee: $25/Booth fee starts at $280

The Cedarhurst Art & Craft Fair, a Southern Illinois tradition, is celebrating its 48th year! Join us the weekend after Labor Day - Sept. 6, 7, & 8 - on the picturesque grounds at Cedarhurst Center for the Arts, where the Fair attracts approximately 6,000 visitors. Our Fair is supported by the City of Mt. Vernon, Mt. Vernon Tourism, plus regional, enthusiastic communities.

We invite you to be a part of the weekend festival as we celebrate the finest in American hand-made craftsmanship. Our jury committee is looking for quality artisans in a variety of mediums. In addition to traditional artists and crafters, we welcome applications from “indie” crafters, and those with a unique or unconventional sense of aesthetics.

NEW REFERRAL PROGRAM - Returning artists are invited to participate in a referral program and receive $50 off their booth fee. Please submit the name(s) of any new artists you have encouraged to apply. A new artist is categorized as someone who has not exhibited at Cedarhurst within the past five (5) years. Once the named artist has registered and paid their booth fee, a $50 refund will be issued to the returning artist. If multiple returning artists have named the same new artist, the $50 bonus will be split evenly amongst those artists. Artists can claim multiple referral bonuses.

Cedarhurst, a non profit arts foundation, hosts one of the longest running craft fairs in the country, and we are proud of our long history of supporting the local fine art & craft movement. In addition to shopping the art booths, our weekend festival features food vendors, beer tent, live music, and a Kid Zone with make-and-take crafts and family-friendly entertainment. Visitors to the weekend Fair are encouraged to experience our 80-acre sculpture park and visit our indoor art museum galleries.

More info: https://cedarhurst.org/artists-application/
Contact: Sarah Sledge mitchellmuseum@cedarhurst.org

September 1 & 2, 2024
Lake Forest, Illinois
Market Square
Sunday & Monday 10am-5pm
120 Artists
Deadline: February 29, 2024

Application fee: $35/Booth fee starts at $450

Join us for the 69th Art Fair on the Square! Immerse yourself in the vibrant creative energy of Lake Forest's Market Square, just 30 miles north of Chicago. As the signature event of the Deer Path Art League for an impressive 69 years, the Art Fair on the Square calls fine artists like you from across the country for this remarkable opportunity.

Situated strategically in a prime location and reaching more than 22 exclusive local communities, including major city hubs like Chicago and Milwaukee, we invite you to showcase your unique talent in the heart of our culturally rich community nestled within Illinois’ famous North Shore. Apply now to join an exclusive lineup of fine artists, presenting your work to a loyal audience of over 20,000 visitors.

Benefit from our curated layout, set against the backdrop of Market Square's classical architecture and lush, mature trees, creating a visually stunning and inviting ambiance for art enthusiasts. This is more than just an art show; it's an opportunity to be seen, engage with a vibrant artistic community, connect with potential buyers, and establish lasting connections with fellow creatives.

With an inclusive layout ensuring maximum exposure for your work, it becomes effortlessly accessible to patrons eager to explore and celebrate your unique expressions. Don't miss this golden opportunity to elevate your artistry, gain valuable exposure, and forge connections with an appreciative audience.

Based on Artists Surveys:

"I found the patrons art savvy and inquisitive: a joy to connect with."
"Best run show ever! Love it!!!"
"Very much appreciated as well as the space between the booths."
"As an artist, I felt appreciated and cared for in a way that other shows could learn from."
"I had my highest sales all year at your show! Hope to be back!!!"

Apply now for the 69th Annual Art Fair on the Square and let your creativity shine on a stage of cultural significance!

For more info: https://deerpathartleague.org/
Contact: Morgan Adams info@deerpathartleague.org

June 8 & 9, 2024
Riverside, Illinois
Historic Downtown Riverside
Saturday 10am-5pm & Sunday 10am-4pm
60 Artists
Deadline: January 31, 20204

Application fee: $25/Booth fee starts at $150

The Riverside Arts Weekend is a juried, fine arts festival held in the heart of the historic landmark community of Riverside, Illinois. This two-day, free community festival is held on the 2nd weekend of June, with the 2024 event on June 8 & 9. The Riverside Arts Weekend has been in existence since 2008 and is accessible to areas throughout Chicago with nearby train station and highways in proximity. The event offers artists and patrons convenient parking, food vendors, and activities for both children and adults. Artists are provided with booth-sitting by our volunteers, complimentary coffee & snacks, and overnight security.

Testimonials 

"Loved being a part of the RAW event! It was well advertised with lots of traffic (even on the rainy Sunday) and everything was well organized and easy to maneuver with load in/load out."
"We had a lot of fun at RAW and we found some unique items to buy! So much talent in the world!!! The committee always does such an excellent job putting this event together!" (patron: Lenore L)

The Riverside Arts Weekend continues to grow after its return last year after a 3 year interlude and has added opportunities for artists to demonstrate and showcase their art. RAW also is expanding our event promotion across 10+ adjacent communities.

For more information: https://riversideartsweekend.wordpress.com/
Contact: Charlotte Zia charlotte.zia29@gmail.com

June 22 & 23, 2024
Winnetka, Illinois
Hubbard Woods Park
Saturday & Sunday 10am-5pm
70 Artists
Deadline: February 1, 2024

Application fee: $45/Booth fee starts at $475

The North Shore Art League is excited for our 11th annual juried fine art & fine craft fair on June 22 & 23, 2024. It will take place in Hubbard Woods Park. Winnetka is a charming upscale Chicagoland destination, highly sought after zip code, located along the shores of Lake Michigan. This boutique show offers great visibility, enthusiastic buyers.

Art in the Village is located in the community where the League began 100 years ago! As a beloved community asset, the League has been an instrumental force in the creative arts thoughout the Chicagoland area. This show will be well promoted through Chicago media, local publications and radio stations.

Testimonials

"The show is exemplary of how a show should be run - attention to important details without making things unnecessarily complicated. Thank you for all your efforts. It is a true pleasure to be included in this show."

"Thanks for a great show Linda and team. Keep up with curating a group of well crafted artwork and quality artists and makers to keep the show top of mind for the community. This is how the event sets it self apart from other similar events in the area. Looking forward to next year!"

The North Shore Art League is celebrating 100 years
of bringing arts to the community.

For more information: http://northshoreartleague.org

Contact: Sophie Candido scandido@northshoreartleague.org