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October 11 & 12, 2025
Newport News, Virginia
William Styron Square
Saturday 10am-6pm & Sunday 10am-5pm
80 Artists
Deadline: May 31, 2025

Application fee $35/Booth fee $350

This 21st annual juried, fine arts festival is well known for exceptional treatment of the artists, many of whom return year after year. This outdoor venue is beautiful Styron Square in the heart of Port Warwick in Newport News and is often described as "walking through an outdoor art gallery."

We search for qualified artists throughout the country who continually challenge themselves to achieve a higher artistic level both in subject matter and technique.

Features:

• Cash Awards in 14 categories
• Emerging Artists Tent
• Booth sitters
• Friday Set-Up
• 24 hour security
• Discounted hotel rates
• Friendly, hard working volunteers
• Assistance with load in & load out
• Artist gallery posted on Festival website
• Upscale pedestrian-oriented community
• Flat, affordable booth fee, no commission
• Complimentary lunch provided on both days
• VIP dinner with entertainment provided on Saturday night
• Champagne Brunch on Sunday morning during the Awards Ceremony

The Show is organized by the Port Warwick Foundation which is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that encourages emerging artists and embraces culturally diverse artists to our Show.

Live entertainment all weekend, ever-expanding family and children's activities, food trucks, and the convenient location between Williamsburg and Virginia Beach makes this the perfect addition to your Fall Virginia Tour!

Apply:
https://www.zapplication.org/event-info.php?ID=13168

For more information: https://portwarwickevents.com/art-and-sculpture-festival/
Contact: Laura Fisher Laura@portwarwick.com

October 5 & 6, 2024
Stafford, Virginia
Embrey Mill Park, 1600 Mine Road
Saturday 10am-5pm & Sunday 11am-4pm
75-100 Artists
Deadline: September 1, 2024

Fees:
January 1 - June 1, 2024 10’ x 10’ Space (Artist/Artisan) $250​
June 1 - August 31, 2024 10’ x 10’ Space (Artist/Artisan) $300
September 1 - 30, 2024 10’ x 10’ Space (Artist/Artisan) $400

We are currently accepting exhibitor applications for our 2024 Stafford Arts Festival in Stafford, Virginia. If you're an artist, this festival is a great opportunity to showcase your art, meet with potential buyers, and enjoy a weekend dedicated to artists and art lovers of all kinds. All applications will be reviewed by the FESTIVAL’s JURY COMMITTEE. The decision of the Jury is final. Exhibitors will be notified of acceptance or rejection via email. ​Exhibitors will also be featured on the Stafford Arts Festival website – StaffordArtsFestival.com.

As you stroll through rows of tents, you'll meet the makers behind exquisite sculptures, paintings, pottery, photography, jewelry designs, batiks, and so much more. The creators will be on-hand to discuss their processes and inspirations behind each handcrafted piece.

The Festival Awards

What will the exhibitors be competing for? The Stafford Arts Festival offers the following prizes:

• Best in Show, $500 
• Awards of Distinction, Up to ten at $100. NOTE -- the number of awards are awarded at the discretion of the Judges 
• Honorable Mention, three at $100 
• Judges Choice, Up to five at $100 Each. NOTE -- the number of awards are awarded at the discretion of the Judges 
• Special Award -- Best First-time Artist $50
• Special Award — Selected by the Festival Volunteers, $100

Testimonials

It's about time we had a Festival like this in our area. I attend 6 or more Festivals each year and now I have one almost in my backyard. I've told my friends, we definitely have to attend next year. Good Shopping. Good Food. Definitely Recommend. Karen, Williamsburg, VA.

My husband and I planned a mini-vacation to attend this Festival and I am so glad we did. The quality of the artists was exceptional. We are consummate art festival junkies and we found so many new and unusual types and styles of art. The variety of artists and the quality of their of their work made this one of the best festivals we have attended. We a looking forward to attending next year. R. R., Harrisburg, PA

I am now a local resident and coming from a large metropolitan area with many festivals, I was surprised and delighted to have an event with such a variety of artists and art work in my back yard. Congratulations to the organizers they have done a great job bringing this event to our area.
M. M. Spotsylvania resident.

Learn more: https://www.staffordartsfestival.com/
Contact: Janice Jones StaffordArtsFestival@gmail.com

May 18 & 19, 2024
Reston, Virginia
Tephra Institute of Contemporary Art
Saturday 10am-6pm & Sunday 10am-5pm
200 Artists
Deadline: January 2, 2024

Application fee: $55/Booth fee: $525

Now in its 33rd year, the Tephra ICA Arts Festival (formerly Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival) has a long-standing reputation for showcasing high quality, hand-crafted, one-of-a-kind artwork in a dynamic outdoor setting. Drawing upon a robust exhibitor and collector base coupled with Tephra ICA’s contemporary foundation, the Festival has become one of the region’s most anticipated events, attracting over 20,000 people annually to the unique, outdoor environment of Reston Town Center. The Festival is comprised of one-on-one experiences, performances, and special events that engage visitors with compelling artistic voices — leaving an exciting, thoughtful mark in the region. Outreach to affluent patrons and knowledgeable collectors who recognize quality, original artwork is at the forefront of our marketing efforts.
The Festival has great amenities!

• Prior day set-up (Friday, May 17)
• Convenient load-in and load-out
• FREE parking Friday - Sunday in on-site garages for passenger vehicles
• Reduced hotel room rate for the Hyatt Regency Hotel on-site and Sheraton Reston Hotel off-site
• 24/7 site security (artists are responsible for securing their own booths)
• Option to rent a tent, set up and break down included, (on a first come-first served basis) for artists that do not have event infrastructure or prefer not to set up the tent themselves.
• Artist hospitality lounge with complimentary breakfast, coffee, bottled water and portable snack options available daily
• Ample artist support with booth-sitters
• Convenient and profitable selling hours for the Festival period
• $5,000 in cash awards
• Complimentary tickets to the Festival Cocktail Hour and Artist Award Ceremony for artists plus one guest, which includes complimentary hors d'oeuvres and beverages
• Year-round promotion on the Tephra ICA website, including accompanying artwork images, booth numbers, email contact, and links to personal website.

Testimonials:

2023 Exhibitor: "This show is one of the finest on our show plan - always keep our fingers crossed to be invited back and continue to encourage other artists to apply"
2023 Exhibitor: "We always mention volunteer teams when encouraging other artists to apply to show. Your volunteers are a big plus to the overall show!"
2023 Exhibitor: "Overall very impressed with how the festival was run and with how the artists were supported. Thank you!"

Artists are the core of the Tephra Fine Arts Festival. In appreciation of the time, effort, and money invested by participating artists, Tephra Institute of Contemporary Art works hard to provide an excellent experience for artists throughout the festival.

For more information: https://www.tephraica.org/festival

Contact: Hannah Barco hbarco@tephraica.org

I know this is late.  I just happened to stumble upon this and thought I should pass this on.  The deadline is 5pm on August 28, 2020.  I thought maybe with shows pretty much being canceled someone may have the time to quickly put things together to apply for this.

The Appalachian Sustainable Development is applying for grant funds to pay an artists or team of artists to paint an outdoor mural on a new garden shed depicting agriculture and it impact in Central Appalachia.  

"If awarded, we aim to create a place-based mural (approx 8 ft. tall & 12 ft. wide) on our new garden shed at ASD's demonstration garden, 798 Hillman Hwy. NE, Abingdon, VA. If awarded, the work must be done: 11/1/20 - 4/30/21. #livingbetterlocally #supportlocalartists"

The shed to be painted is in Abingdon, Virginia.

You will need to submit your portfolio to scrum@asdevelop.org by 5pm on August 28, 2020.  I know it is late but thought I should post this in case there is at least one interested artist.

You can find more info here:

https://www.facebook.com/livingbetterlocally/photos/a.426442719943/10151422154984944/?type=3&theater