Berea Arts Fest 36th Annual, 2026

Held on the second Sunday in September, The Berea Arts Fest, a one-day, invitational, multi-arts festival held in historic Berea, Ohio,
is a non-profit, volunteer, 501(c)3 organization. The Mission Statement of the Berea Arts Fest, Inc. is to “encourage involvement” in the arts by sponsoring and promoting activities and opportunities which foster creativity and enhance appreciation of the arts.

Held on the second Sunday in September, The Berea Arts Fest, a one-day, invitational, multi-arts festival held in historic Berea, Ohio,
is a non-profit, volunteer, 501(c)3 organization. The Mission Statement of the Berea Arts Fest, Inc. is to “encourage involvement” in the arts by sponsoring and promoting activities and opportunities which foster creativity and enhance appreciation of the arts.

The 35nd annual festival will be held Sunday, September 13, 2026 from 10a-5p at Coe Lake, situated in the heart of Berea. Attendance is completely FREE and the festival takes place RAIN or SHINE! Approximately one hundred professional fine artists and craftspeople will display their works for sale. There will be a demonstrating artist and an Art Raffle offering chances to win art donated by the participating artists. Performing artists will entertain from multiple locations surrounding Coe Lake.

This year’s performances will continue to offer quality, diversity, and participation in the performing arts with an emphasis on a variety of talent and interaction with the audience.

The Festival committee is especially proud to encourage and support creative people with disabilities and students of all ages. In the Special Exhibits area, art & cultural projects are on display from groups throughout the greater Cleveland area: Very Special Arts (art created by persons with disabilities); student art from elementary, middle, high school, college and adult education classes from the Berea School District and Berea Historical Society
are also on display. A unique component of the festival is the Kids Kreation Station. This area was created to offer hands on arts experiences for the entire family. Each year there are approximately 3-4 projects that children can complete. In addition, there will be easel painting and face painting. Amenities include a chalk walk sponsored by Friends of the Library; local professional restaurant food booths offering a wide variety of ethnic and local foods; rest areas and security.

All sponsored activities are free, open to the public, and easily accessible. Over 150 community people participate as volunteers. The event has consistently drawn over 11,000 people at each event since 2002.

BAF BOARD
Celeste Staube – President
Dan Karp - Past President
Meg Montag – Treasurer
Leslie Alton– Secretary
Judy Armstrong
Andy Fay
Jane Palmer
Phil Saglibene
Pam Strick
Jim Szudy
Gail Tierney
STAFF:
R!ch Cihlar -Arts Fest Coordinator
Kim Detmer -Artistic Director


The Berea Arts Fest welcome booth will greet attendees to the fest at each of its 2 entrances. Early guests will receive a complimentary tote bag (while supplies last).

The Art Raffle serves as both a way for the Berea Arts Fest to raise funds (the day of the Arts Fest) and as a way for visual artists to showcase their work outside of their booth space. Artists are encouraged, not required, to donate one of their pieces of art to the Berea Arts Fest Art Raffle. Tickets are sold the day of the event for $1 each or 6 for $5.00 (prices subject to change).

The Wagon Raffle is another way the B.A.F raises funds the day of the fest. A basket filled with items that fit a specific theme is presented to guests. Past baskets themes have included, artists baskets, garden baskets, game basket, etc…

The Chalk Walk has become part of the Berea Arts Fest but is not actually an event provided by the Berea Arts Fest. The Chalk Walk is sponsored by the Berea Branch of the Cuyahoga County Library. The Chalk Walk takes place on the sidewalk along Coe Lake. Registration is highly encouraged at the Berea Branch of the Library approximately 2 weeks prior to event. The Chalk Walk is not a contest and no prizes are awarded. Registrants and walk-ups are given chalk (or can bring their own) and encouraged to create original pieces of chalk art. The Chalk Walk typically takes place between 10 a.m. and noon on the day of the Fest.

Kids Kreation Station is an area of the Fest that encourages children of all ages to participate in a variety of art projects. There is no registration and all materials are free of charge. Attendance is drop-in and all ages are invited to participate for a make and take project!

Community and Commercial Booths present, exhibit, and demonstrate a variety of arts or products by groups within the community.

Hospitality is a service provided by the Berea Arts Fest to its volunteers, visual artists and performing artists. It is a service that is provided that every year receives rave reviews and is greatly anticipated and appreciated. Local restaurants and businesses often donate in-kind items (bakery, fruit, coffee, etc.) and then these items are both carted around to the artists and made available for volunteers (usually early morning) to fuel up on. The hospitality group works out of the Concessions Booth at the Pool House.

Restaurants & Food Vendors – The Berea Arts Fest strives to provide a variety of food options to its attendees and participants on the day of the Fest. There are between six and eight food vendors every year serving everything from main meals to snack foods.

Shuttle service is provided as a courtesy of Baldwin Wallace University. Shuttles can be picked-up at the Baldwin Wallace Bonds Building (free of charge) located on Eastland Road. Parking is plentiful and also free of charge. In 2005 the Berea Arts Fest partnered with Baldwin Wallace University to offer shuttle service for guests.

Each artist may submit, display, and sell in only one medium
The Jury fee is $20.  Booth spaces are $125 (for a 10' x 10' space)
All work must be original, priced, and signed by the artist.
All paintings, drawings, graphics, and other two-dimensional work must be framed, mounted and/or matted, or displayed tastefully in a portfolio on an appropriate stand.  All three-dimensional works must be displayed in a safe and stable matter.
Multiple original or series of artworks, created by the artist, using usual and customary production methods for that media type are accepted as original art.  Photocopies are not acceptable, unless such copies, in whole or in part, are a direct element of the creative process.
We reserve the right to as that hazardous or objectionable work be removed from the exhibit.
Each artist shall be present, representing his/her own work.  (No professional agents).
Each exhibitor will be responsible for his/her display area (structure, display racks, etc… must be strong enough to withstand win and rain) including tables, chairs, set-ups, weather protection.  Show is held rain or shine.
Each exhibitor will be responsible for his/her own sales receipts and sales tax.
No art demonstrating or midway type sketching is to be included without prior approval of Visual Arts Committee.
We assume no liability for damage, theft or injury to person or property on or off exhibit.
The Arts Fest Hours are 10:00 AM to 5:00 pm. Vehicle unloading in the exhibit area must be completed by 9:00 AM. You will be provided with free, near off-site parking.  No vehicles will be allowed in the exhibit area after 9:00 AM.  No booth may be dismantled before 5:00 PM.

Jury Fee is non refundable.  Booth Fee is refundable by July 11th, 2025 with confirmation before the deadline.