Waynesboro Fall Foliage Art Show 2026

The 55th Annual Virginia Fall Foliage Festival Art Show takes place on the historic downtown streets of Waynesboro, Virginia, in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley. This premier outdoor art show features 150+ fine artists and welcomes approximately 20,000 visitors annually.
Produced by Shenandoah Valley Art Center (SVAC), a nonprofit community arts organization, the festival supports SVAC’s mission to increase arts awareness and education while providing creative and economic opportunities for artists. The show is consistently voted among the Best of Virginia and is the largest outdoor art festival in the Shenandoah Valley.
Artists enjoy strong community support, an engaged art-buying audience, easy load-in and load-out, booth sitters, complimentary coffee and snacks throughout the day, and excellent food vendors on site. An extensive marketing campaign includes print, radio, television, and digital advertising.

The Fall Foliage Art Show awards $9,000 annually, including $2,000 Best in Show, along with multiple category and merit awards.

**NEW THIS YEAR!!**
THIS SHOW NO LONGER HAS A ROLLING JURY. APPLICATIONS ARE DUE 07/17!!
 

• Oil & Acrylic Painting: Traditional or contemporary works on canvas, panel, or paper. No mixed media embellishments.
• Watermedia: Watercolor and other water-based media.
• Photography: Digital or film.
• Drawing, Graphics & Printmaking: Intaglio, relief, silkscreen, drawings, digital painting, and illustration.
• 2D Mixed Media: Works on canvas or other substrates incorporating paint with additional materials such as collage or paper.

• Glass: Stained, blown, or slumped glass. No altered premade objects (e.g., wine bottles).
• Wood: Hand-turned, carved, tooled, or pieced woodwork.
• Sculpture: Freestanding or wall-hung three-dimensional work in any media.
• Jewelry: All jewelers must apply in this category, regardless of materials or process. No bead stringing.
• Fiber/Textile: Hand-crafted or hand-worked original fiber art only. No mass-produced items, kit work, garments, tapestries, or leatherwork.
• Pottery: Hand-thrown or hand-built ceramic work only. No mass-produced or altered goods.

• The show is juried monthly on the 15th.
• Notifications are sent via email within two days of the jury committee’s decision.
• The $25 jury fee is non-refundable.
• If not accepted, booth fees will be refunded:
  • By USPS for check payments
  • Electronically for PayPal payments

• Artists applying January–May must respond to an invitation within 60 days.
• Artists applying June–August must respond within 21 days.
• Failure to respond within the required timeframe may result in forfeiture of the space.

• $9,000 in total awards, including:
  • Best in Show: $2,000
  • Second Place: $1,150
  • Third Place: $850
  • 20 additional category awards
• Two judges will jury the show:
  • One for 2D work
  • One for 3D work

• Booth spaces may be shared by up to two artists.
• Each artist must submit a separate application and pay individual jury and booth fees.

• No agents permitted. All artists must be present on site for the full duration of the show.
• This is an outdoor, rain-or-shine event. No refunds will be issued due to weather. Cancellation due to severe weather is at the sole discretion of Shenandoah Valley Art Center.
• No pets allowed. Service animals are the only exception.
• Artists may not change or swap booth spaces without prior approval from the Show Director.
• All booth spaces measure 10’ x 11’. Display materials and artwork must remain entirely within the assigned space.
• Electricity is not available, and gas generators are prohibited.
• This is an outdoor show; tents are strongly recommended.
• White tents only.
• All tents must be properly weighted. The show is held on asphalt; stakes are not permitted.
• Artwork and displays may be left overnight at the artist’s own risk. Waynesboro Police personnel will be on site overnight on Friday and Saturday.
• Artists must remain set up for both days of the show. Late arrival or early departure may jeopardize eligibility for future participation.
• No refunds after September 1.

• Approximately one month prior to the show, artists will receive a packet by mail detailing check-in instructions, setup procedures, and booth assignments.
• Returning exhibitors may request their previous booth location or request a change on their application.
• Booth assignments are made by show staff and are subject to change. Artists will be notified as soon as possible if a change occurs.

• Artists are responsible for collecting and reporting Virginia State Sales Tax.
• Sales tax reporting forms will be included in the check-in packet.

• Acceptance notifications will be sent on 08/01/2026.