Fairs/Festivals
Wild Arts Festival 2026
Hillsboro, Oregon
Application Fee: $35
Contact Information
Bird Alliance of Oregon (formerly Portland Audubon)
Contact Email: wafartists@birdallianceoregon.org
Contact Phone: 503-292-6855
Requirement Overview
- Eligible Applicant Types: Artist
- Emerging Artists: Emerging artists may apply.
- Submission Limit: 2
Media Requirements
- Images | Min: 6, Max: 6
- Total | Max: 6
Opportunity Summary
Welcome to the 2026 Wild Arts Festival
Now in its 46th year, the Wild Arts Festival celebrates the natural world in art and books. This is one of the premier regional art shows featuring work focused on nature in both medium and theme. All proceeds of the Wild Arts Festival benefit the programs of Bird Alliance of Oregon.
The Wild Arts Festival will feature approximately 65 artists in a lively atmosphere, with an anticipated attendance of 4,000 people. Attendees will have the opportunity to visit with and purchase the work of regional artists and authors. In addition, we will have our popular Book Fair and Silent Auction.
Now in its 46th year, the Wild Arts Festival celebrates the natural world in art and books. This is one of the premier regional art shows featuring work focused on nature in both medium and theme. All proceeds of the Wild Arts Festival benefit the programs of Bird Alliance of Oregon.
The Wild Arts Festival will feature approximately 65 artists in a lively atmosphere, with an anticipated attendance of 4,000 people. Attendees will have the opportunity to visit with and purchase the work of regional artists and authors. In addition, we will have our popular Book Fair and Silent Auction.
General Information
2026 Show Schedule
The two-day Wild Arts Festival will be held on the first weekend in December.
- Friday, December 4, artist load-in (time to be determined)
- Saturday, December 5, 10 am – 5 pm
- Sunday, December 6, 10 am – 4 pm
The Wild Arts Festival will be returning to the Wingspan Event Center at the Washington County Fairgrounds in Hillsboro, Oregon. The adjacent light rail and abundant parking will make visiting the Festival even easier, and Washington County offers abundant opportunities for getting out in nature.
Important Dates
- June 1 (midnight) Call closes. Artist applications must be completed online.
- July 8 Last date for jury decisions to be emailed to artists.
- July 31 (postmarked) Artists’ acceptance agreement and $295 registration fee due.
- October 8 Last day for 50% refund of registration fee.
- December 4 Artists set up at Wingspan Event Center, Friday.
- December 5 & 6 Wild Arts Festival, Saturday and Sunday.
Artist Amenities
We want to provide the best possible experience for you throughout the Festival. Benefits included in your booth fee:
- Extensive marketing and promotion of the Festival
- Assistance with load-in and load-out of your materials by Bird Alliance of Oregon volunteers
- Free Parking
- Free, secure WiFi
- Volunteer booth sitters for your breaks
- On-site hospitality room available
- And the knowledge that you are supporting Bird Alliance of Oregon
Please note: There will be plentiful free parking for artists and patrons located adjacent to the Wingspan Event Center. Additionally, the Tri-Met MAX (light rail) station is about 2 blocks from Wingspan.
Art Categories Defined
2D Mixed Media: Work that combines more than one medium such as paint, collage, and ink to create original works of art with a one-sided orientation.
3D Mixed Media: Work that combines multiple materials to form an original work of art. If recycled materials are used, they should be modified or used in a way that is different from their original function.
Ceramics: Original functional or non-functional works, excluding jewelry, created by the artist from clay, porcelain, stoneware, and/or earthenware. Slip-cast work must be designed and crafted by the artist. All work must be signed.
Digital Art: Original work for which the final image was created using a computer. All work in this category must be in limited editions, signed and numbered on archival quality materials. Traditional photography using a digital camera should be submitted in the Photography category.
Drawing/Painting: Original compositions hand-drawn by the artist using pen, pencil, charcoal, chalk, pastel, ink applied by pen, wax, crayon, oil paint, watercolor, and encaustic media, etc. may be entered in this category. Reproductions should be clearly labeled as such, with processes identified.
Fiber Arts - Decorative: Decorative works handcrafted by the artist from fiber. Fiber includes basketry, embroidery, weaving, tapestry, papermaking, leather, straw, and fabric. Book arts are included in this category.
Fiber Arts - Wearable: Art designed to be worn.
Glass: Original functional or decorative works that have been handcrafted by the artist by glass blowing, fusing, molding, casting, or kiln forming. Works may be etched or engraved.
Jewelry: All jewelry must be designed and handcrafted by the artist. This may include jewelry that is made primarily from metals, gems, stones, precious metal clay (PMC), flame-worked beads, clay, wood, fiber, etc.
Metalwork: Functional, non-sculptural, work handcrafted from metals. All sculptural work must be submitted in the sculpture category.
Photography: Original compositions created by photographic processes that begin with a camera. Prints must be made from the artist’s original negative or digital image and be processed by the artist or under his or her direct supervision. Photographers should disclose the creative and printing processes. Prints must be of archival quality and be signed and dated. The photography category includes hand colored, Polaroid transfers, emulsion transfers, etc. Please do not enter such work in the Mixed Media category.
Printmaking: Printed works for which the artist hand-manipulated the plates, stone, blocks, composite reliefs, or screens and which have been signed and numbered in a limited edition. Photocopies, giclées, offset reproductions, and machine-produced images are not considered print originals. They are reproductions of the original print and must be labeled as such.
Sculpture: Three-dimensional works incorporating materials that are carved, modeled, constructed, or cast. Media examples include metal, stone, ceramic, hand-built clay, and wood. If recycled materials are used, they must be modified or used in a way that is different from their original function. Any work that is reproduced must be signed and numbered.
Woodworking: Original functional or non-functional work that is hand-tooled, machine worked, turned, or carved primarily from wood by the artist. Painted and/or wood assemblages, which are primary pieces not created by the artist, must be entered in 3D Mixed Media.
2D Mixed Media: Work that combines more than one medium such as paint, collage, and ink to create original works of art with a one-sided orientation.
3D Mixed Media: Work that combines multiple materials to form an original work of art. If recycled materials are used, they should be modified or used in a way that is different from their original function.
Ceramics: Original functional or non-functional works, excluding jewelry, created by the artist from clay, porcelain, stoneware, and/or earthenware. Slip-cast work must be designed and crafted by the artist. All work must be signed.
Digital Art: Original work for which the final image was created using a computer. All work in this category must be in limited editions, signed and numbered on archival quality materials. Traditional photography using a digital camera should be submitted in the Photography category.
Drawing/Painting: Original compositions hand-drawn by the artist using pen, pencil, charcoal, chalk, pastel, ink applied by pen, wax, crayon, oil paint, watercolor, and encaustic media, etc. may be entered in this category. Reproductions should be clearly labeled as such, with processes identified.
Fiber Arts - Decorative: Decorative works handcrafted by the artist from fiber. Fiber includes basketry, embroidery, weaving, tapestry, papermaking, leather, straw, and fabric. Book arts are included in this category.
Fiber Arts - Wearable: Art designed to be worn.
Glass: Original functional or decorative works that have been handcrafted by the artist by glass blowing, fusing, molding, casting, or kiln forming. Works may be etched or engraved.
Jewelry: All jewelry must be designed and handcrafted by the artist. This may include jewelry that is made primarily from metals, gems, stones, precious metal clay (PMC), flame-worked beads, clay, wood, fiber, etc.
Metalwork: Functional, non-sculptural, work handcrafted from metals. All sculptural work must be submitted in the sculpture category.
Photography: Original compositions created by photographic processes that begin with a camera. Prints must be made from the artist’s original negative or digital image and be processed by the artist or under his or her direct supervision. Photographers should disclose the creative and printing processes. Prints must be of archival quality and be signed and dated. The photography category includes hand colored, Polaroid transfers, emulsion transfers, etc. Please do not enter such work in the Mixed Media category.
Printmaking: Printed works for which the artist hand-manipulated the plates, stone, blocks, composite reliefs, or screens and which have been signed and numbered in a limited edition. Photocopies, giclées, offset reproductions, and machine-produced images are not considered print originals. They are reproductions of the original print and must be labeled as such.
Sculpture: Three-dimensional works incorporating materials that are carved, modeled, constructed, or cast. Media examples include metal, stone, ceramic, hand-built clay, and wood. If recycled materials are used, they must be modified or used in a way that is different from their original function. Any work that is reproduced must be signed and numbered.
Woodworking: Original functional or non-functional work that is hand-tooled, machine worked, turned, or carved primarily from wood by the artist. Painted and/or wood assemblages, which are primary pieces not created by the artist, must be entered in 3D Mixed Media.
Application Requirements
Application Details
To submit your application we require:
• Five digital images of your current work
• A sixth image of your booth set up
• Artist statement and list of any previous show experience
Please note: Artists may apply in up to two art categories. For the second category, you must submit a second application. The $35 fee for the second application is waived, but you must request a code for the fee waiver prior to submitting your second application. Send us an email at wafartists@birdallianceoregon.org
Art Eligibility
All media and styles of art are eligible. A combination of original work and reproductions of artists’ originals will be allowed. Art may not contain bird feathers or bones. Material created by Artificial Intelligence (AI) either partially or wholly, is not allowed in the art show. Any exceptions to these guidelines will be at the Artist Committee's discretion.
All art should include one or more of the following elements:
Terms for Participation
All participating artists must agree to the following terms:
Bird Alliance of Oregon Wild Arts Festival prohibits unlawful discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, disability, veteran status, age, sexual orientation, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law in any area, activity or operation of the Festival.
Bird Alliance of Oregon Wild Arts Festival does not share the personal information of artists, nor do we solicit artists to buy information about Festival attendees.
To submit your application we require:
• Five digital images of your current work
• A sixth image of your booth set up
• Artist statement and list of any previous show experience
Please note: Artists may apply in up to two art categories. For the second category, you must submit a second application. The $35 fee for the second application is waived, but you must request a code for the fee waiver prior to submitting your second application. Send us an email at wafartists@birdallianceoregon.org
Art Eligibility
All media and styles of art are eligible. A combination of original work and reproductions of artists’ originals will be allowed. Art may not contain bird feathers or bones. Material created by Artificial Intelligence (AI) either partially or wholly, is not allowed in the art show. Any exceptions to these guidelines will be at the Artist Committee's discretion.
All art should include one or more of the following elements:
- Nature or wildlife as a subject
- Natural materials as medium
- Art that promotes environmental sustainability or uses recycled materials
Terms for Participation
All participating artists must agree to the following terms:
- Be present during the entire show
- Bring enough work for sales throughout the show
- Pay the $295 booth fee at time of registration. If you request and are assigned to a double or corner booth then you will receive an invoice for the additional booth fee when you are notified of your booth assignment.
- Pay a 10% commission to Bird Alliance of Oregon on all work sold or commissioned at the Festival. At check out, you report your total sales to our checkout attendants. The commission and any additional booth fees are due at that time.
- For artists who make less than $1000 in sales during the Festival, Bird Alliance of Oregon will waive their 10% commission.
Bird Alliance of Oregon Wild Arts Festival does not share the personal information of artists, nor do we solicit artists to buy information about Festival attendees.
Jury Details
Average number of applications submitted each year
160
Average number of artists selected from the jury to participate in the event
65
Average number of exempt from jury artists who are invited to participate in the event
2
Booth Information
Artists are responsible for providing their booth structure and for setting it up. Load-in and set up will be Friday, December 4.
Each booth must be free standing, with three sidewalls (two sidewalls for corner booths), and with no top cover. Many artists use pop-up booths, pro-panels, or similar. For appearance, cover tables so that the area beneath table is concealed. Please keep your storage area neat. For the visual appeal of the Festival as a whole, the recommended booth height is 8 feet. While we understand that most artists have existing booth structures that may be taller, please be aware that excessively high booths at an indoor festival can overpower neighboring booths. For questions about booth height or design contact us at wafartists@birdallianceoregon.org.
Standard booth size is 10' x 10'. A limited number of double and/or corner booths will be available for an additional cost. Artists will receive a registration form with additional information. Artists will be able to rate booth preferences on the registration form. Members of the Artist Committee will assign booths based on several factors including artists’ booth preferences. All artists, regardless of booth size preference, will pay the $295 registration fee.
Artists who are notified by Bird Alliance of Oregon that their booth preference for double and/or corner can be accommodated will be invoiced for any additional fees per the fee schedule below. Those additional booth fees will be collected during artist checkout on December 6.
Please note that 600 watts of electricity for each booth are included in the booth fee. Double booths include a total of 1200 watts.
We do not use ZAPP to collect registration or booth fees. Upon receiving the registration form you will be asked to mail your check directly to Bird Alliance of Oregon Wild Arts Festival. The $295 registration fee will be due no later than July 31, 2026.
Each booth must be free standing, with three sidewalls (two sidewalls for corner booths), and with no top cover. Many artists use pop-up booths, pro-panels, or similar. For appearance, cover tables so that the area beneath table is concealed. Please keep your storage area neat. For the visual appeal of the Festival as a whole, the recommended booth height is 8 feet. While we understand that most artists have existing booth structures that may be taller, please be aware that excessively high booths at an indoor festival can overpower neighboring booths. For questions about booth height or design contact us at wafartists@birdallianceoregon.org.
Standard booth size is 10' x 10'. A limited number of double and/or corner booths will be available for an additional cost. Artists will receive a registration form with additional information. Artists will be able to rate booth preferences on the registration form. Members of the Artist Committee will assign booths based on several factors including artists’ booth preferences. All artists, regardless of booth size preference, will pay the $295 registration fee.
Artists who are notified by Bird Alliance of Oregon that their booth preference for double and/or corner can be accommodated will be invoiced for any additional fees per the fee schedule below. Those additional booth fees will be collected during artist checkout on December 6.
- 10’ x 10’ base fee = $295 (paid as registration fee)
- 20’ wide x 10’ deep = $590 (50% paid as registration fee)
- Corner booth = $60 additional
Please note that 600 watts of electricity for each booth are included in the booth fee. Double booths include a total of 1200 watts.
We do not use ZAPP to collect registration or booth fees. Upon receiving the registration form you will be asked to mail your check directly to Bird Alliance of Oregon Wild Arts Festival. The $295 registration fee will be due no later than July 31, 2026.
Refund Policy
Refund: Bird Alliance of Oregon will refund 50% of the $295 registration fee to the artist if Bird Alliance of Oregon receives written notice no later October 8, 2026.
Terms to Apply
Application Fee: $35