Fairs/Festivals
Art in the High Desert 2026
Contact Information
Requirement Overview
- Eligible Applicant Types: Artist
- Submission Limit: 10
Media Requirements
- Images | Min: 6, Max: 6
- Total | Max: 6
Opportunity Summary
ART IN THE HIGH DESERT 2026 - BEND, OR!
AHD's goal is to help artists sell their work.
Art in the High Desert has consistently ranked in the top 25 selling shows in the country. The buying public has grown to appreciate & anticipate the high quality of the art that the AHD jury selects.
This is an ART show run by artists for artists.
We are committed to showcasing & selling fine visual arts and crafts.
We work to bring in buyers.
AHD is known for the high quality and originality of the art. Many, many locals and visitors put it on their calendar and organize vacations around it. It is THE show they want to go to each year.
Several Northwest shows are scheduled in July, August & September. Create your show tour of the great Pacific NW! Come for the show. Stay for your vacation. Apply! Join us.
AHD's goal is to help artists sell their work.
Art in the High Desert has consistently ranked in the top 25 selling shows in the country. The buying public has grown to appreciate & anticipate the high quality of the art that the AHD jury selects.
This is an ART show run by artists for artists.
We are committed to showcasing & selling fine visual arts and crafts.
We work to bring in buyers.
AHD is known for the high quality and originality of the art. Many, many locals and visitors put it on their calendar and organize vacations around it. It is THE show they want to go to each year.
Several Northwest shows are scheduled in July, August & September. Create your show tour of the great Pacific NW! Come for the show. Stay for your vacation. Apply! Join us.
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General Information
Prospectus for Art in the High Desert - Bend, Oregon 2026
Booth Layout
Aerial Photo
Art in the High Desert — Riverbend Park
Join us, August 28-30, 2026, for the 16th annual Art in the High Desert — a premier art show and sale on the West Coast. Our 2024 show marked our return to the heart of Bend, and the community's excitement for the return to Old Mill District area was fantastic. We are delighted to announce that with the cooperation of Bend Parks and Recreation, Riverbend Park will be our permanent home! Art in the High Desert is a juried fine art and craft show, produced by active show artists and invested local art advocates through a non-profit organization. Since Art in the High Desert is an artist-ran show, we have a solid perspective on what makes a good show great.
We value and honor original work made from concept to creation, by the hands of the individual artists.
Empirical data-AHD Brings ART BUYERS!
In a recent survey 94% of the patrons surveyed during the show had either already purchased art or were planning to. AHD has consistently ranked in the top 25 selling art shows in the nation and is known by artists for being a show that attracts dedicated art BUYERS
Our goals
1. To provide a venue for artists to market and sell high quality art to a knowledgeable community of art patrons and visitors to Central Oregon.
2. To honor the artists in an art show and sale that esteems the value and skill of their handmade work.
3. To increase the number of knowledgeable art patrons in Central Oregon through education and community outreach.
4. To give back to the community with an event that attracts nationally-recognized artists to Central Oregon.
Bend & Central Oregon
Art in the High Desert is scheduled during the peak of the summer tourist season in Central Oregon. Bend is one of the West's leading areas for year-round recreation and cultural growth. East of the Cascade Mountains in the High Desert, Bend is surrounded with snowy peaks, white-water rivers, and alpine lakes. Bend is also home to two colleges. Plus, Bend is blessed with 22 (and counting) craft brewers. In the summer you can backpack, mountain bike, camp, raft, kayak, fly-fish, golf, or just relax and enjoy the scenery. Eight destination resorts surround the city. Full-time residents and tourists alike enjoy the outdoor lifestyle, as well as the urban amenities and fine art.
Site
The show will take place outdoors at Riverbend Park, on the banks of the Deschutes River in the heart of Bend, OR. It is across the road from the Original AHD site in the Old Mill District. With public parking, on-site bathrooms, and picnic areas, it is a short walk to the Old Mill Shopping District with plenty of high quality dining and shopping opportunities.
Weather
Art in the High Desert is an outdoor show at an elevation of 3,600’. The weather can vary, and storms and winds can appear suddenly. Art in the High Desert will take place rain, smoke or shine. No refunds will be given due to adverse or unexpected weather. It is the artists’ responsibility to protect their works and other personal property from rain, wind, or other weather-related conditions. We also recommend that you plan accordingly for varied temperatures.
Event Background
Art in the High Desert is a natural addition to a community with active art galleries, monthly art walks, and a popular collection of public art. Designed and organized by a group of art show artists and local art advocates, we know shows from both sides of the booth. Careful thought has been given to media categories, jurying, site, and artist amenities. We want artists and patrons to enjoy a high quality and professional art show and sale.
Important Dates
December 1, 2025 – Application opens on zapplication.org for 2025.
December 15, 2025 - $35 Early Bird discount deadline.
February 15, 2026 - All artist applications due Midnight PST - Note: Artist Applications are viewed in order of the date submitted.
April 1, 2026 - Notification of jury results on or before this date.
May 15, 2026 - Booth fees, completed Artist Agreement and Booth Request due.
June 1, 2026 - Last day for full refunds, less $50 administrative fee.
July 1, 2026- Last day for 50% refund (less $50 administrative fee)
Show Dates and Hours - August 28, 29, 30 2026
Friday, August 28th: Set-up 5am to 5pm (ALL booth and display set-up must be completed by the 5pm Friday Show Opening.)
Friday: 5-8pm
Saturday: 10-6pm
Sunday: 10-4pm
(ALL booths and display materials MUST be removed from the show site by 9pm Sunday night.)
Contact Info
Email - info@artinthehighdesert.com
Website - www.artinthehighdesert.com
Show Size Approximately 150 artist booths
Booths
10 x 10 feet — ALL BOOTHS ARE CORNER BOOTHS. There will be a limited number of double booths available to purchase. Art in the High Desert reserves the right to limit the number and location of double booths and will award them, first-come first-served, based on the date of booth fee payment and paperwork being returned.
Booth Fees
10'x10 - $600
10'x20' (double) - $1200
Fees are due after acceptance into the show, by May 15, 2026 and payable through ZAPPlication.
Site Map
The event map will be finalized and published in Spring 2026. Requests for booth location will be taken at that time.
Electrical Fees
A limited amount of electricity is available for purchase through Zapplication. Electrical fees are $80 per booth. Electrical fees are non-refundable. Generators are prohibited.
Security
There will be security on duty during the hours that the show is closed. This includes: Friday evening, Saturday morning and evening, and Sunday morning. Artists need to secure their own booth and artwork. Art in the High Desert is NOT responsible for lost, stolen or damaged booths, artwork or other items belonging to artists.
Parking
New this year- Offsite parking with daily shuttles running for both artists and patrons will be provided.
Insurance
Upon acceptance, exhibitors must provide Art in the High Desert with a Certificate of Insurance naming Art in the High Desert as an additional insured pursuant to a general liability insurance policy with a minimum coverage of $1,000,000. Certificate of Insurance is due by June 15, 2026.
Jury Fees
$45 ($35 early bird). Jury fee is non-refundable. Applicants pay online on the ZAPP site with PayPal or a credit card.
Jurors
Each year we select a new panel of four jurors who are professionals, with extensive experience in various art fields. Some are show artists, some gallery owners, some are educators. This panel of 5 jurors plus the show director are responsible for making the final selection of artists for each year’s show.
Wait List
We will maintain a waitlist of applicants within the media categories. We do not assign waitlist numbers nor will we answer questions about where you may stand on the waitlist. Artists are selected from the waitlist in the same media as the artist who dropped out whenever possible. All decisions are at the sole discretion of AHD.
Refund Policy
A full refund of the booth fee paid, less $50, will be returned if an artist withdraws BEFORE midnight PDT, June 1, 2026. Cancellations made between June 2 - July 1 will receive a 50% refund (less $50 administrative fee). Cancellation and refund requests must be made in writing. Email is acceptable. Cancellations made after July 1, 2026 are not refundable.
The application fee and electric fee, if purchased, are NOT refundable.
No Sales Tax & No commissions
There is no sales tax in Oregon. Art in the High Desert takes no commissions on work sold. Enjoy!
Application Information: Please read carefully
Number of Applications: Artists may submit up to ten (10) applications in either the same media category or in separate media categories provided that each application is for a distinctly separate body of work with separate sets of digital images and jury fees for each application. Only the body(ies) of work selected by the jury may be displayed at the show. Applications with the same body of work in more than one category will only be considered in the first category reviewed by the jury. No refund of jury fees for duplicate applications.
Jurying requirements: 6 images total: 5 images of work + 1 image of booth.
***AHD has an anonymous jury process, in that jurors only see an artist ID number and the six images. Do not submit images, statements or descriptions of artwork with the name or images of the artist/company. Applications in violation of this requirement will be disqualified and removed prior to the blind-jury review***
5 images representative of the current quality and style of an artist's body of work to be exhibited at the Festival are required per application.
The 6th 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 sixth image is mandatory.
- If a booth image per say is not available, submit an image taken of a grouping of works in a gallery or another setting that is representative of the works you plan to exhibit at the show
- The purpose of the booth image is to ensure the artist has a complete body of work, the booth presentation is professional and well-done, and to give the jury a sense of scale of the artist's work.
A note on Booth Images: The booth image is IMPORTANT. It is factored into the jury’s decision. The booth image is used to show how you will present your work and how your booth will generally appear at our show. Outdoor booth shots are best. Art appearing in your booth image that is in a different media or significantly different style, that was not part of your jury application, will NOT be allowed. We DO check booths at the show to see how they compare to the booth image. We expect a similar look and feel. Submit a real booth image, not a heavily digitally edited image. Jurors want to see all 3 sides within your booth. This is a BLIND JURY- Please make sure you or other people, your name, business name, or website does not show in any of your images, titles, or statements. Applications not in compliance may be removed from the jury process.
Jurying Artist Process Statement: The jurors are interested in how you make your work. We allow 200 characters in the ZAPP application to make this easier for you and helpful for the jury. DO NOT use your name in your artist statement.
Jury Process: Jurors will be viewing all images on computer screens.
Selecting Images: Jurors prefer to see new work from artists. If you have shown the same images for many years, update them.
Jury Criteria: The jury is asked to evaluate work using these general guidelines:
- Original thought and intent, going beyond the expected, the usual
- Overall strong concept. Does the art have a concept or voice that reaches beyond the techniques and materials?
- Excellence in craftsmanship
- Consistency of style and presentation
Emerging artists and artists new to the art show world ONLY: If you do not have a booth image YOU MUST provide an image of a grouping of your body of work to give an idea of how you will present your work at the show and how your work looks grouped together, and a brief explanation of why no booth image, in the title part of your “booth image.”
For more information on how to apply digitally, please review the tips, FAQs, and imaging techniques found at: http://www.zapplication.org/imaging_tips.phtml
Application Requirements
Art in the High Desert considers the enforcement of its rules to be our exclusive right and responsibility. Adherence to the following rules during the show is necessary to maintain the quality of the show at a high level for artists and the patrons. Show officials will be visiting all booths during the show to meet artists and answer any questions. Non-compliance with the Rules & Guidelines can result in requests for work to be removed from display and for sale, and/or expulsion from the show and ineligibility for jurying into future shows. If an artist is removed from the show for non-compliance of the rules, no booth fee refunds will be issued.
1. All work exhibited must be original art produced by the artist. Buy-sell and/or imports are not allowed. Work done by a production studio, from kits, commercial designs, done in classes or workshops is also prohibited. Derivative work is prohibited. Artists selling work that is not their own will be expelled from the show.
2. All work exhibited must be for sale.
3. Exhibitors must be at least 18 years of age.
4. Artists may exhibit work only in the category in which they were juried. Exhibited work must be consistent in style, quality, and method with juried images.
5. Only artists accepted in the jewelry category may display and sell jewelry.
6. No sharing of booths is allowed. No more than 1 double booth per artist.
7. No more than 2 artists may collaborate on work. Both must sign the application. Both must be present in the booth at the show.
8. Artists must be present to exhibit during the entire Show. No proxy of any kind is allowed.
9. A photo ID (drivers license or passport) of the artist is required during check-in. In addition the show has the right to check ID during the show.
10. Artists are responsible for proper insurance and protection of work and booth. Art in the High Desert is not responsible for damage to work or booth due to weather or unrelated incidents.
11. Accepted artists must prominently display a booth "Artist Statement", with the artist’s picture, describing the process and materials used to create the work, and who makes the work. This is a separate statement than the one included with your application. There is no set limit on number of words for this statement.
Media Categories Rules and Guidelines
Please read the category descriptions & exceptions carefully.
2-D Mixed Media:
Works that incorporate the use of two or more media such as ink & pastel, or painting and collage-type of materials, which are combined in a single original work with a one-sided orientation.
3-D Mixed Media
Three-dimensional works incorporating multiple materials. If recycled materials are used they must be altered or used in a way that is different from their original purpose.
Digital Art:
This category includes original work executed by the artist solely on a computer. Work must be limited editions, signed and numbered, using only archival materials. Photography is not permitted in this medium. Photographs taken and altered through digital media should apply in Photography
Drawing:
Original work made with dry media including chalk, charcoal, ink, pastel, pencil or from the fluid medium of inks and washes applied by pen or brush are to be entered in this category.
Painting:
Original compositions that are created by the artists hand in oil, acrylic, or watercolor
Paintings over prints/giclees or pre-existing images (regardless of the substrate) are not allowed.
Photography:
Photography - includes all photographic processes which begin with a camera lens. The photographic process (including any digital alteration and or hand painting, over painting etc) must be displayed with the photograph. All pieces must be signed, numbered, in a limited edition. Prints must have been processed by the artist or under artist's direct supervision by a reputable service. Prints must meet "archival quality" standards.
Print Making:
Prints are defined as multiple originals where the artists hand has manipulated the plates, stone, blocks, composite reliefs, or screens and which are properly signed and numbered in limited editions.Traditional methods accepted include etchings, engravings, intaglio, monotype, monoprint, relief printing, serigraphs and block or woodblock prints. Printmakers are required to disclose both their creative and printmaking processes. All aspects of the finished product must be created and executed by the artist. Photocopies, giclees, or offset reproductions, machine-produced images are not considered printmaking.
Ceramics:
Original functional and/or non-functional works created by the artist from clay, porcelain, stoneware, and/or earthenware. No factory-produced work, no RAM pressed work allowed. Clay work from commercial molds is prohibited. Painted commercial slip-cast work is prohibited.
Fiber: Non wearable
2D and 3D Work created from fibers, including basketry, weaving, papermaking, leather, and fabric. Work produced with commercially acquired kits, molds, patterns, plans, prefabricated forms, or other commercial methods, is not permitted. Studios involved in volume production are not permitted to exhibit.
Fiber: Wearables
The Wearable category includes all items that are worn or used for adornment, including purses, (excluding jewelry- which MUST be juried in the jewelry category).
No machine tooling, machine-screened patterns or other forms of mass production are permitted. No studio production or factory produced wearable items, regardless of additional modification or enhancement by the artist, may be exhibited. The artist is to be involved with the execution of the entire process. Mass or factory-produced work is not allowed regardless of additional modification or enhancement by the artist.
Glass:
Original work that has been hand-crafted by the artist by glass blowing, fusing, casting or kiln forming. Pre-manufactured items, regardless of additional modification or enhancement by the artist, are not permitted.
Jewelry:
Original jewelry made from precious and non-precious metals, gemstones, enamel, glass, clay, fiber, etc. Work must be labeled as such. All components should display a high degree of skill and of original design. No commercial casts, molds, settings or production studio work is allowed. All aspects of the finished product must be created and executed by the artist.
Metalworks:
Original non-sculptural, non-jewelry metalwork that is created through the forging, twisting, and fabricating of various metals. No production studio work is allowed
Sculpture
Original, non-functional three-dimensional works incorporating any materials that are carved, modeled, constructed or cast. If recycled materials are used they must be altered or used in a way that is different from their original purpose.
Wood
Original carved, hand-tooled or machine-worked wood. Includes handmade wooden furniture.
REPRODUCTION POLICY
A reproduction is defined as any existing work of art that is copied by digital or photographic means and printed on an offset press, a serigraph press or through a computer by means of an ink jet or electrostatic printer. This definition includes giclée prints and reproductions with additional enhancements by the artist.
2-dimensional reproductions are allowed under the following provisions:
-Reproductions must be labeled as reproductions and explain the process of reproduction
-Reproductions must be limited editions of 250 or less, signed and numbered on the front
-Reproductions must be UNFRAMED and may ONLY be displayed in browse bins
-No Giclee on canvas reproductions of any kind
-Reproduction browse bins may take up no more than 15% of the booth.
-Postcards, note cards, calendars, mouse pads, mugs, books, magnets, etc. are not permitted., in any media.
Jury Details
Average number of applications submitted each year
600
Average number of artists selected from the jury to participate in the event
140
Average number of exempt from jury artists who are invited to participate in the event
12
Booth Information
Show Size: Approximately 150 artist booths.
Booths: Booths are 10 x 10 feet. All booths are corner booths.
Booth Fees: $600 for a 10 x 10; $1200 for a double booth.
Booth fees will be due after acceptance into the show, paid through ZAPPLICATION, by May 15, 2026.
If the booth fee is not paid by this this date, we will consider you to have declined your invitation and the space will be offered to an artist on our wait list.
Electrical Fees: There is limited electrical service (300 watts) available to some areas of the show site. Electrical fees are $80 per booth and payable through ZAPPLICATION. Generators are prohibited.
Security: There will be security on duty during the hours that the show is closed. This includes: Friday evening, Saturday morning and evening, and Sunday morning.
Booths: Booths are 10 x 10 feet. All booths are corner booths.
Booth Fees: $600 for a 10 x 10; $1200 for a double booth.
Booth fees will be due after acceptance into the show, paid through ZAPPLICATION, by May 15, 2026.
If the booth fee is not paid by this this date, we will consider you to have declined your invitation and the space will be offered to an artist on our wait list.
Electrical Fees: There is limited electrical service (300 watts) available to some areas of the show site. Electrical fees are $80 per booth and payable through ZAPPLICATION. Generators are prohibited.
Security: There will be security on duty during the hours that the show is closed. This includes: Friday evening, Saturday morning and evening, and Sunday morning.
Refund Policy
Refund Policy
A full refund of the booth fee paid, less $50 administration fee, will be returned if an artist withdraws BEFORE midnight PDT, June 1, 2026. Cancellations made between June 2 - July 1 will receive a 50% refund (less $50 administrative fee). Cancellation and refund requests must be made in writing. Email is acceptable. Cancellations made after July 1, 2026 are not refundable.
Additional Fees
Single (10x10) Booth Fee: $600
10x10 Tent Rental, incl. walls & weights: $350
8 foot Table : $25
6 foot Table : $20
Chair: $10
1 Room/2 Single Beds/Private Bathroom: $600
1 Rooms/2 Single Beds/Shared Bathroom: $500
Terms to Apply
