Fairs/Festivals
Arts At The Gardens 2026
Canandaigua, New York
Application Fee: $25
Contact Information
Requirement Overview
- Eligible Applicant Types: Artist
- Emerging Artists: Emerging artists may apply.
- Submission Limit: 1
Media Requirements
- Images | Min: 5, Max: 5
- Total | Max: 5
Opportunity Summary
Sonnenberg Gardens and Mansion State Historic Park is proud to host our 25th Arts At The Gardens. This event is a celebration of arts, both natural and man-made, enriching human life and creating an environment where people and ideas thrive. For a quarter of a century, Sonnenberg Gardens has created an annual exhibition dedicated to raising awareness of the arts in this naturalistic environment at the Thompson estate. This juried fine art show takes place over one weekend, with artists from across the Finger Lakes region and beyond displaying their work.
The show is set in the gardens of this historic estate, Ontario County’s #1 tourist attraction and ranked in the top 10% of worldwide attractions on TripAdvisor's Travelers’ Choice. Canandaigua is located just 7 miles south of the New York Thruway in the beautiful Finger Lakes region, providing easy access to Sonnenberg from the metropolitan areas of Buffalo, Rochester, and Syracuse.
This event is extensively promoted across all major media to ensure the greatest number of visitors. This show is a premier art event in the Northeast. A $10 gate fee is charged to guests.
Arts At The Gardens welcomes an average of 2,000 guests throughout the weekend. As Sonnenberg Garden's largest fundraiser of the year, this event ensures the nonprofit continues to protect the Thompson's legacy. Guests can visit the mansion and gardens and enjoy live music, with food and drinks available for purchase.
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General Information
Arts At The Gardens is a juried fine art show. Listed below are the categories included in the show:
Sonnenberg strives to treat our artists exceptionally well, including an artist's reception at the end of Saturday, where winners will be announced. Food and drink will be served at no cost. We appreciate all of our artists' hard work and give everyone an opportunity to connect. Sonnenberg provides artist support throughout the entire show as well. We are here for anything our artists may need!
AWARDS AND RIBBONS
Awards will be presented on Saturday at 5:30 pm at an artist reception held at the Aviary patio. 2026 winners are offered automatic acceptance into the 2027 Arts At The Gardens show with booth and application fees waived.
AWARD ELIGIBILITY
Exhibitors must be present with their work when it is judged. Awards are given for original works only and at the discretion of the judges.
EMERGING ARTISTS
The Emerging Artist Tent is intended to provide an opportunity for Artists who are new to displaying their work professionally at art fairs.
To Qualify as an Emerging Artist
- Digital Art
- Drawing/Graphics/Printmaking
- Fiber (All Types inc. Leather)
- Glass
- Jewelry
- Mixed Media
- Painting (All Media)
- Photography
- Pottery/Ceramics
- Scultpure (All Forms)
- Woodworking
- Other (Explain)
Sonnenberg strives to treat our artists exceptionally well, including an artist's reception at the end of Saturday, where winners will be announced. Food and drink will be served at no cost. We appreciate all of our artists' hard work and give everyone an opportunity to connect. Sonnenberg provides artist support throughout the entire show as well. We are here for anything our artists may need!
AWARDS AND RIBBONS
Awards will be presented on Saturday at 5:30 pm at an artist reception held at the Aviary patio. 2026 winners are offered automatic acceptance into the 2027 Arts At The Gardens show with booth and application fees waived.
AWARD ELIGIBILITY
Exhibitors must be present with their work when it is judged. Awards are given for original works only and at the discretion of the judges.
EMERGING ARTISTS
The Emerging Artist Tent is intended to provide an opportunity for Artists who are new to displaying their work professionally at art fairs.
To Qualify as an Emerging Artist
- 2026 must be your first year showing work at art fairs in the category you're applying for
- Must be 18 years or older
- Must have a valid NYS Sales Tax Certificate
Application Requirements
Show Rules
All displays will be inspected periodically throughout the show to ensure exhibitors comply with show rules. It is the artist's exclusive right and responsibility to remove any work that does not comply with these rules. Should violations recur, the artist will be asked to remove their exhibit(s) from the show and will forfeit eligibility to participate in future Arts At The Gardens.Booth Sharing
Two artists are allowed to share a booth if at least 50% of their exhibit consists of collaborative work created by both artists.
Commitment to Show
A signed application is a commitment to show. No refunds will be issued for cancellations made less than 90 days prior to the show.
Waitlist Procedures
A waiting list of qualified candidates will be maintained, and artists will be notified should a space become available.
Agents
Dealers or agents may not stand in proxy for artists they represent.
Sales Tax
All exhibitors must have a current New York State sales tax number. A “Certificate of Authority” may be obtained by visiting the NYS Department of Taxation & Finance. The local tax rate is 7.5%. The “Certificate of Authority” must be displayed in the booth during the show. Please allow 4 weeks for processing.
Interpretation of the Rules
Arts At The Gardens reserves the right to make final interpretations of the rules. The jury consists of regional fine art professionals, highly experienced in each of the categories. Jurying is anonymous. Artist selection is based solely on the work shown in the submissions. Work is scored on a numerical basis: artists with the highest scores in each category will be accepted. Therefore, image quality is of utmost importance. The jurors' decisions are final. Calls questioning or disputing the jurors’ decision will not be accepted. Prior participation in Arts At The Gardens does not guarantee future acceptance.
Park Policies
No pets are allowed on the show grounds. No bicycles are allowed on Sonnenberg grounds.
Jury Details
Average number of applications submitted each year
140
Average number of artists selected from the jury to participate in the event
80
Booth Information
Booth Spaces
Booth spaces are approximately 12 feet wide by 12 feet deep. Booth spaces are available to individual artists, team artists, and guilds. All exhibitors are expected to bring their own display units, materials, tables, chairs, tents, panels, covers, and related items. All tent tops and sides must be white.
Booth Fees
Single Booths are $250
Double Booths are $425
Emerging Artsits are $85
Electricity is $40 (Optional)
Display
A minimum of 12 pieces must be displayed per booth. A portfolio of matted or framed works may be kept in a viewing bin, but must remain within the confines of the booth(s). Card racks must be kept inside the booth.
* Artists may display work, including materials in the viewing bin, only in the categories in which their work has been juried and accepted. All exhibited work must be comparable to the work submitted with the application.
* Only original artist-created work may be displayed. All items must be hand-crafted by the exhibitor. No imports, kits, items made from kits, or premanufactured items are allowed. No more than 20% of an artist’s booth may contain reproductions.
* Electricity is available for $40.00 per booth. Generators are not allowed.
Booth spaces are approximately 12 feet wide by 12 feet deep. Booth spaces are available to individual artists, team artists, and guilds. All exhibitors are expected to bring their own display units, materials, tables, chairs, tents, panels, covers, and related items. All tent tops and sides must be white.
Booth Fees
Single Booths are $250
Double Booths are $425
Emerging Artsits are $85
Electricity is $40 (Optional)
Display
A minimum of 12 pieces must be displayed per booth. A portfolio of matted or framed works may be kept in a viewing bin, but must remain within the confines of the booth(s). Card racks must be kept inside the booth.
* Artists may display work, including materials in the viewing bin, only in the categories in which their work has been juried and accepted. All exhibited work must be comparable to the work submitted with the application.
* Only original artist-created work may be displayed. All items must be hand-crafted by the exhibitor. No imports, kits, items made from kits, or premanufactured items are allowed. No more than 20% of an artist’s booth may contain reproductions.
* Electricity is available for $40.00 per booth. Generators are not allowed.
Refund Policy
Artists who cancel participation may receive a refund in the form of credit towards next year's show or to their preferred payment method, provided cancellation is received in writing or email at least 30 days prior to the show. Past this date, no refunds will be given.
Additional Fees
Double Booth Fee: $425
Booth Fee: $250
Emerging Artist Booth Fee: $85
Electricity Fee: $40
Terms to Apply
Application Fee: $25