Charlevoix Waterfront Art Fair 2026

Charlevoix, Michigan

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Application Fee: $40

Contact Information

Charlevoix Waterfront Art Fair/Charlevoix Council for the Arts

Contact Email: cwaf14@gmail.com

Contact Phone: 231-547-2675

Requirement Overview

Eligible Applicant Types: Artist
Emerging Artists: Emerging artists may apply.
Submission Limit: 2

Media Requirements

Images | Min: 4, Max: 4
Total | Max: 4

Opportunity Summary

For 67 years, the Charlevoix Waterfront Art Fair, the second oldest juried art fair in Michigan, has been bringing fine art to our community. Held in grassy East Park on Round Lake, the natural harbor between Lakes Michigan and Charlevoix, makes for a unique and beautiful setting for the event. The variety of art, the range of techniques, and the array of colors across the park make the Charlevoix Waterfront Art Fair a spectacular visual experience. These exceptional qualities set the Art Fair apart from other shows.

The emphasis of the show is and always has been on ART and creativity. It is that focus that attracts some of the nation’s top artists as well as enthusiastic and knowledgeable patrons to our city. From the insightful individuals who took the initiative to bring fine arts to Charlevoix sixty-seven years ago to the continued commitment to ensure the proceeds from the fair benefit arts education in our community, artistic creativity is always at the forefront.

The Charlevoix Waterfront Art Fair, in tandem with the Council for the Arts, will continue supporting the next generation of artists and fostering creativity in our community. Our goal is to provide year-round inspiration and opportunity for aspiring young local artists and to foster an appreciation of the arts.

The Waterfront Art Fair has an outstanding reputation with critics, collectors, and artists because of both the quality of art and the unparalleled location.

General Information

2026 Calendar for Artists

February 15: Deadline for applications (including three digital images of work, plus one booth image) and $40 jury fee.
March 1: Artists will be notified via email with Jury decisions.
March 31: Upon acceptance, a booth check must be received to reserve your space. Booth fees must be paid directly to the Charlevoix Waterfront Art Fair (CWAF), not through the Zapp platform.
June 15: Booth/space fees are no longer refundable (a $50.00 administration fee will be deducted from all cancellations made prrior to the deadline).
August 7: Registration, early setup 12:00 - 7:00 p.m.
August 8: Charlevoix Waterfront Art Fair 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

NOTE: Friday night set-up is available at your own risk. The exhibit area will be patrolled with communication to the police department.

Media Categories:
Charlevoix Waterfront Art Fair (CWAF) uses media categories as a tool for organizing artists' images into related groups for the jury's review. While a balanced show that equitably showcases both works of fine art and fine craft, as well as diversity among media, is a principal objective, CWAF establishes no quota or entitlement by media category.

Ceramics:
All original clay and porcelain work other than jewelry is accepted in this category. No machine-made or mass-produced work is permitted. If multiple pieces of the same design are displayed, each piece must be signed.

Digital Art:
This category includes any original work for which the original image, or the manipulation of other source material, was executed by the artist using a computer. Artwork must be in signed and numbered limited editions, on archival quality materials. Traditional photographs taken through digital media should apply in the photography category. Work generated by Artificial Intelligence is prohibited.

Drawing:
Works created using dry media, including chalk, charcoal, pastels, pencil, wax crayon, etc. or from the fluid medium of inks and washes applied by pen or brush are to be entered in this category.

Fiber:
Unique, one-of-a-kind artwork crafted from fibers, basketry, weaving, and tapestry created by the exhibiting artist alone is accepted. Includes but is not limited to wearable art. No machine-tooled work, machine-screen printing, or other forms of mass production are accepted.

Glass:
No forms of mass production are permitted.

Jewelry:
All jewelry, whether the work is produced from metal, glass, clay, fiber, paper, plastic, or other materials, must be entered in this category. No commercial casts, molds, or production studio work is allowed.

Leather:
One-of-a-kind, unique pieces created by the exhibiting artist. No machine-tooled, machine-screen printed, or other forms of mass production are accepted. No factory-produced items, regardless of additional modification or enhancement by the artist, are allowed.

Mixed Media:
This category includes works, both 2 and 3-dimensional, that incorporate more than one type of physical material to produce. Includes non-sculptural work as determined by the artist.

Painting:
Works created in oils, acrylics, watercolor, etc., are in this category.

Photography:
Photographic prints made from the artist's original image, which have been processed by that artist or under his or her direct supervision, are included in this category. Artwork must be in signed and numbered limited editions, on archival quality materials. Photographers are required to disclose both their creative and printing processes.

Printmaking:
Printed works for which the artist's hand manipulated the plates, stones, or screens, properly signed and numbered as a limited edition, may be entered in this category. All offset reproductions will be rejected.

Sculpture:
Three-dimensional original work done in any medium.

Wood Objects/Hand-Crafted Furniture:
Unique, one-of-a-kind, original hand-tooled, machine-worked, or carved work made entirely by the exhibiting artist is accepted. No reproductions or mass-produced work.

Application Requirements

By completing/submitting this application, you agree that you've read and will comply with the CWAF rules:

RULES OF THE SHOW

All work must be original and handcrafted. The artist guarantees the accuracy of the description of the work presented and its authenticity as a creation of their own hands.
All work must be designed and executed by the accepted artist(s). Commercial molds, patterns, kits, copies, etc., will not be accepted.
PRINTS: Only prints hand-pulled, properly signed, and numbered are permitted to be displayed on and in the booth. Commercial print multiples may be shown in only one flip bin and only if clearly identified as such. Note papers, calendars, or other commercially produced products are prohibited.
No more than two artists may collaborate on work. A collaborator is another artist who is an equal partner in creating submitted work. For example, Artist 1 throws the pot, and Artist 2 glazes the pot. Both must be included on and sign the application. Your name and your collaborator's name will be listed in all materials. Both artists must be present at the Fair. A collaborator and an assistant are different.
There is a “NO BOOTH SHARING” policy. A booth may only be shared by artists who are collaborating on the same work of art.
Only artists accepted in the Charlevoix Waterfront Art Fair will be allowed to participate. The artist must be present. Representatives may not attend in place of the artist.
Spaces will be numbered, and exhibits must stay within the space allotted. Subletting, selling, or giving space to anyone will not be permitted. White tents are preferred.
Registration must be complete before setting up displays. Photo identification is required at check-in to ensure compliance.
ZAPP requires separate applications for artists entering multiple mediums (a maximum of two). Each entry must include three images and one booth shot. A $40 jury fee is required for each application. If only one entry is accepted, only that medium's work may be exhibited.
The show is advertised from 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. No booth or display may be dismantled or removed from its assigned space prior to 6:00 p.m.
All work must be for sale.
Artists’ chairs may not block aisles or other artists’ exhibits.
The CWAF is a rain-or-shine event; please plan accordingly. Only in the most extreme weather conditions, which are clearly hazardous to artists, their artwork, patrons, and staff, will this event close down.
Because of the high demand for and limited availability of exhibit space, cancellations are a serious matter and are discouraged. Fees are non-refundable after June 15 (a $50.00 administration fee will be deducted from all cancellations).
The Waterfront Art Fair Committee reserves the right to refuse the exhibition of work that is not consistent with the artist’s submitted application. Qualifiers will circulate at random during the show to ensure that all work shown is in compliance with these guidelines.
The Executive Board reserves the right to make a determination on any of the above rules. It also reserves the right to accept or decline any applicant as it deems necessary and may remove all or part of an exhibit that it deems in violation of the rules.
City ordinance: No pets are allowed in the park during events.
City ordinance: No overnight sleeping in a vehicle within the city limits. Violators will be fined.

Jury Details

Average number of applications submitted each year

175

Average number of artists selected from the jury to participate in the event

130

Average number of exempt from jury artists who are invited to participate in the event

Booth Information

Fees
Jury Fees: $40.00 per application/media

Each space is 10' by 10'
Space Fees:
• 1 Space - $225.00
• 2 Spaces - $450.00

If Accepted:
Please send a check promptly to reserve your space. A check will be required for the fee.
Note: Space fee MAY NOT be paid through Zapplication.

Make checks payable to CHARLEVOIX WATERFRONT ART FAIR (CWAF).

Mail checks to:
CWAF
PO Box 57
Charlevoix, MI 49720

Refund Policy

Application fees are non-refundable.
Booth/space fees are no longer refundable after June 15.
A $50.00 administration fee will be deducted from all cancellations made before the June 15 deadline.