Sugar Creek Arts Festival 2026

The 43rd Annual Sugar Creek Arts Festival will take place in Uptown Normal on Saturday, October 3rd, from 9 am to 5 pm, and Sunday, October 4th, 2026, from 9 am to 4 pm.

Sugar Creek Arts Festival is nationally recognized for its excellence and is a juried event showcasing fine art and fine crafts by local, regional, and national artists. Professional artists external to the MCAC serve as paid jurors. This outdoor festival is hosted in the beautiful streets of Uptown Normal. There is ample parking for both artists and patrons nearby.

The festival was first held in Normal. What started with sixteen artists selling from the trunks of their cars in 1983 has been ranked among the nation's top arts festivals and draws upwards of 15,000 attendees each year. Attendance does vary; last year, we had 7,500 attendees.

For more information, please visit sugarcreekartsfestival.org, email us at info@mcac.org, or call us at 309-829-0011. 

Normal, Illinois

Eligible Mediums
We welcome a wide range of artistic disciplines, including: Ceramics, Painting, Digital Art, Fiber, Glass, Jewelry, 2D Mixed Media, 3D Mixed Media, Metal, Photography, Printmaking, Sculpture, and Wood.

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Artist Awards
We’re proud to celebrate outstanding work with the following awards:

• Best in Show: $500
• The D. Bill Award (Best Artwork Using Recycled Material): $200
• 1st Place Fine Art: $300
• 2nd Place Fine Art: $200
• 1st Place Fine Craft: $300
• 2nd Place Fine Craft: $200

In addition, Juror’s Choice Awards are presented in each medium category.

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Artist Perks
We’re committed to making your experience as smooth and enjoyable as possible:

• Easy setup and teardown on level, accessible ground
• Free, convenient parking for artists
• Affordable hotels within walking distance
• Friendly volunteers and supportive staff available to help
• Booth sitting when you need a break
• Overnight security on both Friday and Saturday
• Complimentary lunches delivered right to your booth both days
• Complimentary coffee and pastries each morning

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Why Bloomington-Normal?
Located along historic Route 66 between Chicago and St. Louis, Bloomington-Normal is a vibrant, supportive community with a strong appreciation for the arts. Home to major employers like State Farm, Rivian, and Country Financial, as well as two healthcare systems and three colleges, the area offers both enthusiasm for the arts and the means to support artists.

Each year, 7,000+ visitors attend the Sugar Creek Arts Festival, and artists consistently report strong sales and incredible community support.

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Promotion & Marketing
We actively promote the festival—and you! Our marketing campaign includes social media, email, TV, radio, print, digital ads, billboards, posters, and more.

Leading up to the event, we feature participating artists on Instagram and Facebook, including images and links to your work. You’ll also receive a media kit to help you promote your participation with ease.

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Artwork Requirements
All work must be original and created by the exhibiting artist(s). All artwork must be for sale.
Please note: commercially produced items, kits, or work made from molds will not be accepted.

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Artist Participation

• Open to artists 18 years and older
• Artists must be present during all festival hours
• Substitutes or representatives are not permitted
• A valid photo ID is required at registration

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Collaborating Artists
We welcome collaborative work! If your pieces are created jointly:

• Both artists must be listed on all application materials
• The artist statement should clearly describe each person’s role
• Only collaborative work may be exhibited and sold
• All collaborating artists must be present for the duration of the festival
• Representatives may not stand in for participating artists

Art: All work must be original art produced by the exhibiting artist(s) and must be for sale. Work from commercial molds, kits,  and manufactured work will not be accepted.

Artists: Sugar Creek Arts Festival is open to all artists 18 years of age and older. Artists must be present to exhibit their work during all hours of the festival. Representatives are not permitted to substitute for the artist(s). All artists must present a photo ID at registration.

Collaborating Artists: If exhibited work is the product of collaboration, both names must appear on all applications and materials as collaborating, and both artists must contribute to creating the art pieces. The artist statement must describe the role of each artist. It should outline the specific involvement of the collaborating artist(s) in the design and/or production of the work. Only joint work may be shown and sold at the festival. All collaborating artists must be present during all hours of the festival. Representatives are not permitted to serve as a substitute for the artist(s).

Jury Process: To select the final body of artists to be showcased, a panel (new each year) of professionals with varying backgrounds in art education, history, and aesthetics is gathered to score each artist's work. Selected jurors are external to the McLean County Arts Center and are compensated for their time. The panel reviews images in a blind jury process (the artists' identities are not disclosed to jurors). Each set of five images is shown simultaneously. Each artist's statement will be visible during the viewing. Each image's materials, dimensions, and price range are also available. No other criteria are considered. Decisions of the jury panel are final. Images are viewed in a controlled setting using the photos and statements provided by the application. McLean County Arts Center staff will notify all applicants of the jury decision via their email accounts.

Jury decisions are based on the following standards:

• The work is well conceived.
• The work is expertly executed without technical faults.
• The work is original in concept.
• The booth is professional in appearance.

Images: Upload five images on Zapp. Four must represent the work you will exhibit; the fifth must show your booth display with the work visible. Please do not submit images with your name/picture in them.

• Images should represent the body of work that will be exhibited.
• Submit images of professional quality that are clear and sharply focused.
• The booth image must represent your current work, showing overall continuity and presentation. If a booth image is unavailable, submit an image of a grouping of the work to be exhibited. Booth images should NOT indicate your name, website, or business name. Failure to omit this may result in disqualification.
• An artist statement must also be included detailing your process. As this is a blind jury process, please do not include any mention of your name, website, or business. Any applicant who neglects to do this may be eliminated from the jury process.
• The McLean County Arts Center reserves the right to exclude any application not fulfilling the stated rules.

Multiples: If multiple pieces of the same design are displayed (e.g. ceramics or photography), each piece must be signed.

Photography and Digital Artwork: All photographs and digital art must be signed and numbered in limited editions. Inkjet and giclee printings are only allowed in digital art and photography categories and must be high-quality limited editions produced on archival stock. Applicants in digital art must certify that a minimum of 50% of the composition is composed initially on the computer.

Printmaking category: All prints must be hand-pulled by the artist and must be signed and numbered in limited editions.

No Face Painters may apply. Artists creating ephemeral on-site works must negotiate participation through the Town of Normal and are not part of our selection process.

Reproduction Policy: If original work is copied by digital or photographic means and printed on an offset press, a serigraph press, or a computer utilizing an inkjet or electrostatic printer, this is a reproduction (includes giclee). Reproductions are limited to 40% of booth space (including calendars, postcards, etc.) and must be kept in a browsing bin. Each piece should be clearly labeled as a reproduction, not an "offset lithograph" or "print." The McLean County Arts Center reserves the right to monitor the displays of multiples and request artists who violate this provision to remove reproductions from their display.

Exhibition: The Artist may display for sale ONLY work juried and accepted in the medium applied. Artists may apply in multiple media. Artists who exhibit in two media will be limited to a single booth space. Jewelry artists selling jewelry and non-jewelry must be accepted in both categories. Your application images will be referenced during the booth verification process before the festival's opening. 

Festival Venue: Exhibitors will display their work in a unique, picturesque Uptown Normal, IL setting. Booth location preference is given for accessibility first and then to returning applicants. The booth fee is due upon acceptance. "See Fees and Acceptance" for cancellation and refund information.

Artists must provide a white tent, their lights, extension cords, and sidewalls. Access to electrical is not guaranteed for all exhibitors. All booths will be on level pavement and/or concrete. 

As this is an outdoor event, prepare for the elements. Please bring appropriate weight to protect your work and those around you. 

Pets and/or sound equipment are not allowed.

Insurance: Artists are responsible for proper insurance. The McLean County Arts Center and the Town of Normal are not responsible for damage to work or property.

Compliance Guidelines: It is the McLean County Art Center's exclusive right and responsibility to remove work (or an entire booth) that is not in compliance with our guidelines. Repeated non-compliance will result in expulsion and ineligibility for judging, awards, and future festivals. We reserve the right to remove an artist from the festival for inappropriate behavior, misrepresentation of work, or circumstances detrimental to a public event.

On-Site Schedule

We’re excited to welcome you for a great weekend! Here’s what to expect:

• Friday, October 2, 2026 – Set-up from 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM

• Saturday, October 3, 2026 – Festival hours 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM 

• Sunday, October 4, 2026 – Festival hours 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM 

Fees

• Application/Jury Fee: $35

• Booth Fees:
  Due to possible construction in Uptown Normal, our booth layout may look a little different this year. Booths will range from $300 to $450, with sizes between 10’ x 12’ and 15’ x 10’.
  We’ll also have four double booths available at an increased rate.

Cancellation Policy

• Cancellations made before August 25, 2026 will receive a refund minus a $25 administrative fee

• Unfortunately, no refunds can be issued after September 25, 2025

Payment Options

Application fees can be paid through Zapplication via PayPal, credit card, or check.
If paying by check, please mail to:
McLean County Arts Center
Attn: SCAF
601 N. East St.
Bloomington, IL 61701

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We’re Here to Help!

If you have any questions about the application process or the festival, please feel free to reach out—we’re happy to assist.

McLean County Arts Center Team
📞 309-829-0011
✉️ info@mcac.org
📍 601 N. East St., Bloomington, IL 61701

Doug Johnson, Executive Director
📞 309-829-0011 ext. 204
✉️ doug@mcac.org

For help with Zapplication or technical issues, please contact:
✉️ contactzapp@westag.org

We’re looking forward to having you with us!

Booth Fee Refunds: $25 administrative fee for all cancellations before September 25th, 2026. No refunds after September 25th, 2026