Art Worth 2026

Art Worth, our highly acclaimed festival in Fort Worth, Texas, will hold its 5th-annual edition at The Shops of Clearfork, October 23, 24, & 25, 2026.  Our festival follows conveniently on the heels of Cottonwood and Bayou City. This juried festival of fine craft and fine art is held on the park-like lawn of an exclusive shopping complex, featuring Nieman-Marcus, Tiffany, Burberry, Louis Vuitton, and a number of interior design shops. Our site also offers great restaurants, as well as an abundance of free parking (surface and garages) within the complex, which also includes high-end residential space.    
 
Additionally, our festival features performances of classical music, including performances by the Fort Worth Opera; admission to this show is FREE.
For more about the Art Worth Festival, see - https://artworthfest.org/
For more about the show's producer, ArtWorks Foundation, see - https://www.artworks.foundation/

“We had great success and a wonderful experience at the Art Worth art show! Serious buyers, great setting, warm friendly management! Everything you want for a memorable and successful art show! The location couldn’t be better! Easy setup and tear down, great exposure and plenty of parking! So close to excellent dining and Hotels!  We will be back!” –  Dan and Joi LaChaussee, Blown Glass, Langley, WA
 

2026 Artist Prospectus & Application

Art Worth celebrates all fine craft and fine art disciplines.

Our fifth annual edition of Art Worth presents a special opportunity to present and sell your work to an appreciative & affluent audience of North Texas art lovers – surrounded by upmarket shopping, restaurants and homes. 

   "This is a new show with very big potential, in the perfect time and at the right location. I was pleasantly surprised by the traffic on Saturday, and the sales went beyond my expectations. The show promoter has a strong advertisement campaign that will help the show to grow fast, in my experience DFW metro has way more collector's potential than the few very fine arts festivals in the area could currently fulfill. Also important to mention, that it is a very artist friendly show and the quality of art is strong, which is very sufficient for a show's success. I was very happy with my experience and planning to return this fall." - Jeanne Akita, Illusions Lab

Fort Worth has a proven history of support for the visual arts. Our new location is particularly inviting in a site that naturally attract affluent shoppers. 

Admission to our show is FREE, and everyone is welcome.  Our extensive marketing effort will, however, primarily target demographic and affinity groups with a known propensity for purchasing art.  This campaign will include: direct mail, print and broadcast media – including the participation of media sponsors, such as WRR FM (classical), KERA FM (NPR), The Ranch FM (country), Hank FM (country), Artsy Scoop Magazine and 360 West Magazine. We will also mount a comprehensive PR push to generate maximal interest among all media outlets, and place a number of signs on major thoroughfares, as well as maintain a strong social media presence. 

The costs for applications and booth fees are attractively affordable.    
     
In addition to an amazing exhibition of the visual arts, our festival will feature limited performances of Classical Music, full bar onsite, with some food options and a numberf of great restaurants surrounding the show. 

There are many affordable hotels nearby.  Rental tents are also available (to comport with our display standards, for professionalism and  safety).

Proceeds from Art Worth will help to support ArtWorks Foundation to fulfill its mission of helping artists grow in the scope of their business and the excallence of their work through programs including exhibition and education initiatives. This includes providing scholarships for working artists to pursue continuing education opportunities at schools for fine-craft, and our effort to build a Center for the Decorative Arts in Fort Worth, Texas. We will also be expanding our emerging artists program in a partnership with the Fort Worth school district's visual arts program for gifted students. 

Our standards are high, and we invite those artists who can meet them to apply for this show. While we intend this show to be national in scope, we wish to especially encourage North Texas artists to participate (geography will not, however, override the standards for participation set in our jury process). 

2-D Artists, please note: we accept the display and sale of Originals Only  (no mechanical reproductions are permitted in drawing, mixed media, painting, or print-making; strict limits are set for photography, as well as digital art, which we jury within the photography category).   

We limit the number of artists by category, and are more concerned about the quality of work presented than the number of spaces we sell: up to 100 artists will be admitted in 2026

Important Dates -
Application Available:                                      December 18, 2025        
Application Deadline:                                      June 14, 2026 (11:59:59 PM)
Jury Process:                                                     June 15 to 25,  2026
Applicant Notifications Emailed:                   No later than June 30, 2026
Participation Confirmation Deadline:           August 9, 2026
Refund (80%) Deadline:                                  September 1, 2026
Art Worth Festival Dates:
Set-Up, Thursday, October  22, 2026           8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Open:
Friday, October 23, 2026                               10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Saturday, October 24, 2026                          10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Sunday, October 25, 2026                             11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
 
FAST FACTS (some noted may be subject to change)
Location: the lawns of The Shops at Clearfork, Fort Worth Texas 76109
Email: info@artworthfest.org
Web Address: www.artworthfest.org
Mailing Address: 60 North Century, Memphis TN 38111
Sales: Artists retain all revenue from the sale of their work and are responsible for state and local sales taxes
Images: 4 images of work + 1 booth image
Jury: Images will be viewed on-line: 1-5 individually, artists viewed in order of the date their application is submitted
Jurors: 5 Arts Industry Professionals
Jury Format: Multiple rounds with jurors viewing by media. Jurors will preview each category and then score: first round is silent scoring 1-10, subsequent rounds include juror discussion and are scored by juror consensus; a minimum score set by the jury is required for an artist to move forward. The Artists‘ description of process, materials, etc., and all other stated information are accessible to the jury.
Multiple Applications: If an artist has work in different media categories or distinctly separate bodies of work within one category they may apply with multiple applications
Application Fee: $30
Booth Fee: 10’ x 10’ space $450; a limited number of Double Booths will be available for $925 (10' x 22').  Corners are additional. Payment plans are available.
Liability Insurance: Art Worth requires proof of insurance for all Artists. All Certificates of Insurance must name ArtWorks Foundation (60 North Century, Memphis TN 38111) as additionally insured with a minimum of $1,000,000 in general liability. Short-term event policies will be made available for those without existing policies.
Electricity: Batteries may be employed; generators may not; there are electrical hook-ups available on site, but the contractor charges around $250. We are working on a reduction, and will contact all participants if that is acheived.   
Tents with weights are available to rent for approximately $425 (see artists information page at artworthfest.org.
Security: 24 Hour
Load-In: Access booth by dolly with a very (!) short distance from vehicle

JURY PROCESS
Between 80 and 100 artists will be selected to exhibit at the 2026 event. Images are reviewed online by the panel in a blind jury process with multiple rounds. The identities of artists are not disclosed to jurors. All work must be original and created by the applying artist, it should be well-conceived and expertly executed. Artwork is considered solely on the merit of the work projected. The better the image presented, the better your opportunity for this highly competitive jury process.
 The jury is comprised of five art professionals (including show directors, artists, gallery/museum staff and educators). The jury will view each artist's set of five images. The process, materials, and dimensions for each image as well as artist information statements will be made available to the jury. Participation in the show will be determined by jury score (1 to 10). We consider the integrity of our jury process to be of the utmost importance in assuring our credibility among artists and the community. One of the jury’s goals, however, is to select a balanced show: there are no quotas, but we are mindful of oversaturating categories, as we strive to keep the sales potentials high for all mediums, and reserve the right to make specific changes and to determine the final composition of the show. The top scoring applicants (up top 100) will receive invitations; the balance of artists in the final round will comprise a waiting list of alternates. Decisions of the jury panel are final.

The following guidance will be given to the jurors:
3)            The following guidance will be given to jurors:
a)            Selection criteria should be based on ARTISTIC EXCELLENCE: the quality, design and overall impression of original hand-crafted work created by the artist. The ideal work will be well designed and expertly executed.
b)            Do not be concerned with specific quotas per category in jurying the work submitted.
c)            We seek diverse styles and technique, offered at a broad range of price-points.
d)            We urge you to look beyond your own personal taste, which is different than critical observation assessment.
e)            Discussion and expressions of your artistic knowledge will be encouraged after the first round of scoring, as we strive to reach a consensus that will present a balanced show reflective of the highest caliber work available.

Additionally, The Executive Director, acting on the Board of Directors’ behalf, has final authority to make such adjustments as deemed necessary, in order to balance the show and may, with the approval of the jury, invite up to 5 artists in the event that there are underrepresented categories in the pool of applicants.


IMAGES
- Five images are to be submitted for each application entered by the artist. Four images must be of individual pieces of work. The fifth image, must be of a booth or display of the artist's work, showing overall continuity and presentation of your current body of work. The booth image is mandatory; it must also be recent – within the last 3 years.
- We hope to see an image of your booth set-up as it appears outdoors, but you may submit your set up for indoor shows, if it is the same as your booth for outdoor shows (with the exception of a canopy): please state whether that is the case in the description accompanying your booth shot.  Booth images may not be created in a computer program. This is a blind jury process, please do not submit booth images with any identifiable sign, or photos including the artist(s) or others.
- The purpose of the booth image is to ensure the artist has a complete body of work which is represented both in the first four images and within the fifth image. It also helps to quickly identify the scale of the artist's work for the jury.
- Note: this is a blind jury process, please avoid submitting booth images with any identifiable sign, or photo of the artist themselves.
- In addition, any work outside of the medium and context of the 4 images submitted that may appear in the booth shot would not be considered accepted by the jury, due to its mere presence in the booth image. If artists have multiple bodies of work, we encourage them to submit these in separate applications (artists may submit in up to two mediums for one jury fee).
- Images must accurately represent the body of the artist's work to be exhibited at the Arts Festival.

MEDIA CATAGORIES
Media categories are used by the Festival as a tool for organizing artists' images into related groups for the jury's review. This assists the jury and the Director to conceive a balanced presentation to showcase a diverse range of  fine craft and fine art.

1)            Ceramics, decorative: All non-functional 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. 

2)           Ceramics, functional: All functional 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.

3)            Digital Art (enter under Photography): This category includes any 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 of no more than 250, on archival quality materials, any hung on walls must be framed for hanging display (with editions matted and wrapped for perusal in portfolios or racks). Traditional photographs taken through digital media should apply in the photography category.

4)            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. Work must be appropriately framed for hanging display. We accept the display and sale of originals only.  

5)            Fiber, non-wearable: All work hand-crafted from fiber including basketry, embroidery, weaving, tapestry,  papermaking and esoteric leather or other fiber materials, are permitted in this category.  No machine tooling, machine-screened patterns or other forms of mass production are permitted.

6)            Fiber, wearable: All work hand-crafted from fiber intended for adornment of the body, including accessories, such as leather belts and bags are permitted in this category.  No factory-produced wearable items, regardless of additional modification or enhancement by the artist, may be exhibited. No machine tooling, machine-screened patterns or other forms of mass production are permitted.

7)            Glass Blown: No forms of mass production are permitted. No forms of drug paraphernalia are permitted. No form of jewelry is permitted (this should be entered under, Jewelry Other).

8)            Glass Kiln Fired: No form of jewelry is permitted (this should be entered under, Jewelry Other); no forms of mass production are permitted.

9)            Glass, Other: Lamp-Work (except for jeweler); stained glass, etched glass, etc. no forms of mass production are permitted

10)          Jewelry,  Metalwork: All jewelry produced exhibiting particularly expert skills in metalsmithing should be entered under this category. No commercial casts, molds or production studio work is allowed.

11)          Jewelry, Lapidary: All jewelry produced with stones either cut or polished, and set, by the hand of the artist should be entered under this category. No commercial casts, molds or production studio work is allowed.

12)          Jewelry, Other: All jewelry produced with glass, clay, fiber, paper, plastic or other materials must be entered in this category. No commercial casts, molds or production studio work is allowed.

13)          Metalworks: Includes all non-sculptural, non-jewelry works crafted from metals. No production studio work is allowed.

14)          Mixed Media, 2 Dimensional: Includes works that incorporate more than one type of physical material to produce, which do not comport to another 2D category. Work must be appropriately framed for hanging display. We accept the display and sale of original works only  (no mechanical reproductions are permitted).  


15)          Mixed Media, 3 Dimensional: Includes works that incorporate more than one type of physical material to produce, which do not comport to another 3D category, including some sculptural work (involving more than two materials: e.g., more than metal and stone) as determined by the artist.

16)          Painting: Works created in oils, acrylics, watercolor, etc. are in this category. We accept the display and sale of original works only  (no mechanical reproductions are permitted).  

 17)          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 of no more then 250, on archival quality materials. Work must be appropriately framed for hanging display (or matted and wrapped for perusal in portfolios or racks). Photographers are required to disclose both their creative and printing processes.

18)          Printmaking: Printed works for which the artist's hand manipulated the plates, stones or screens and which have been properly signed and numbered as a limited edition of no more than 250, may be entered in this category. Work must be appropriately framed for hanging display (or matted and wrapped for perusal in portfolios or racks). No mechanical reproductions will be accepted; all photogravure, photocopy and/or offset reproductions, will be rejected. Printmakers are required to disclose both their creative and printmaking processes.

19)          Sculpture: Three-dimensional original work crafted in stone, metal; or, other material (other than ceramics) that does not comport to another category.

20)          Wood: Original works in wood that are hand-tooled, machine-worked, turned or carved are accepted in the wood category.

The Executive Director, acting on the Board of Directors’ behalf, has final authority to make such adjustments as deemed necessary, and in orders to balance the show may, with the approval of the jury, invite up to 5 artists in the event that there are underrepresented categories in the pool of applicants  (e.g., blown glass, blacksmithing, fiber, etc.).

"This is a new show with very big potential, in the perfect time and at the right location. I was pleasantly surprised by the traffic on Saturday, and the sales went beyond my expectations. The show promoter has a strong advertisement campaign that will help the show to grow fast, in my experience DFW metro has way more collector's potential than the few very fine arts festivals in the area could currently fulfill. Also important to mention, that it is a very artist friendly show and the quality of art is strong, which is very sufficient for a show's success. I was very happy with my experience and planning to return this fall." - Jeanne Akita, Illusions Lab

Art Worth, Rules of the Show
1. All work must be original, handcrafted work. Artist guarantees the accuracy of the description of the works presented and the authenticity of the work as the creation of their own hands.
2. Work done by a production studio is not acceptable. All work must be designed and executed by the accepted artist.
3. No more than two artists may collaborate on work. Both must be included on and sign the application. Both must be present at the Festival.
4. Artists must be present with their work for the entire three days of the Festival. Representatives may not attend in place of the artist. The Festival requires photo identification at check-in to ensure compliance.
5. Artists may only show work in the discipline selected by the Jury. All work exhibited must be of the quality, category and body of work of that shown in the images juried.
6.  No Reproductions are allowed (except within the limits stated for  Photography/Digital Art.  
7.  Artwork produced with commercially acquired casts, molds, prefabricated forms, studio volume production or other commercial methods will not be permitted.

 

Upon acceptance, artists may purchase a single or double booth, as well as a corner spot. The locations will be assigned by the Festival to assure a separation between like media.  Each exhibitor will be provided a single space measuring 10' deep by 10' wide (or a double space: 10' x 22'). There are two feet between each booth.  There may be a short dolly from your vehible to your space, but no more than 50 feet (usually much less distance, or none at all). Artists are to provide their own display booth, racks and/or tables in order to display their work in an outdoor environment.
Our aim is to be affordable: Booth Fee: 10’ x 10’ space $450; Corners are an additional $100; a limited number of double booths (10' x 22') will be available for $925. Artists’ displays will be located on a large lawn within an exclusive shopping complex.
Artists are to provide tent structures of professional-grade (light-weight accordion-style pop-up tents are not acceptable: only Light Dome, ABC, Master-Tent and Eurmax Professional-grade popups are acceptable). If you cannot meet these standards, tents are available to rent from our supplier (costs about $425). All tents must be properly weighted with at least 50 pounds on each corner (80 lbs preferred): NO Tent Stakes Permitted! (there is an underground irrigation system)
I. Overview of Access & Hours for Set-up and Show:
1) This three-day show will set-up on Thursday, October 22, 2025 from 8am to 5pm; the show will open to the public the next day, Friday October 23 and Staurday October 24 from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00pm , and Sunday, October 25, from 11am to 4pm.  (Displays may NOT be removed before 4:05pm on Sunday, October 25).
 2)           Artists selected for the show will be assigned vehicle access times during set up on Thursday, October 22;   artists will off-load immediately, move their car to parking areas, and then return to install their displays. Flat bed golf carts and Temp Labor will be provided to assit in this transfer. This same procedure will be followed in reverse during load-out.
3)            Electricity is avaialable at (approx. $250) per booth: you may bring your own batteries, but not generators.
4)            No sound-amplification of any type will be permitted.
5)            Move-out will begin at 4:05pm, Sunday.  NO exhibitors may begin packing before that time (unless the promoters deem that conditions constitute an emergency which may affect life or property).
6)           Artists parking is included in the exhibtion fee. The artists' partking lot is about 1/2 mile from our festival lawn.  A shuttle is provided  to and from this area. No overnight camping is permitted at Clearfork, but there is a great campground on a lake, about 20 minutes away.    
7)          The show sets up Thurday and opens to the public at 10:00a.m. on Friday (Open Hours: FR 10a to 6p; Sa 10a -6p; SU 11a -4p).  Artists will be permitted to access the exhibition area for one-and-one-half hours prior to, and one hour following open hours: plus 4 hours to load-out following the event’s closure on Sunday.
8)          Security:  24-hour security is provided however, neither ArtWorks Foundation nor The Shops at Clearfork are responsible for any damage that may occur to work, equipment, vehicles, trailers, or other material due to rain, wind, fire, theft, or any other natural or criminal activity, an recommend that artists obtain their own insurance against loss.

Thank you for your interest in the 2026 edition of Art Worth,  we look forward to seeing your creative endeavors!
If you are accepted for inclusion in the show, and prefer to pay by check, checks may be mailed and made payable to:
ArtWorks Foundation / 60 North Century / Memphis, TN 38111.

ArtWorks Foundation stages events designed for artists, with affordable booth fees, minimally taxing load-in and load-out, a concern for overcrowding of mediums, and amenities as may be allowed by the owners of the venue. We delight in presenting stellar works of art for public viewing, but we are forever mindful that the chief goal of your participation is profit and we strive to attract an audience of buyers.   
For more about ArtWorks Foundation and more Artists' views on our efforts, see - https://www.artworks.foundation/
Or, email gregbelz@hotmail.com
 

80% of Exhibtion Fee refunded by September 1, 2025; or, for loss of life in one's immediate family (i.e., self, spouse, child) beyond that date; any considerations for personal illness beyond the refund date are at the discretion of ArtWorks Foundation's Board of Directors.