Fairs/Festivals
Water Street Fine Art & Fine Craft Show 2026
Aurora, Illinois
Jury Fee: $0
Contact Information
Requirement Overview
- Eligible Applicant Types: Artist
- Emerging Artists: Emerging artists may apply.
- Submission Limit: 2
Media Requirements
- Images | Min: 5, Max: 5
- Total | Max: 5
Opportunity Summary
The Naperville Water Street District proudly announces the Annual Water Street Fine Art & Fine Craft Fair. We invite you to apply to our juried art exhibition and sale, which is held along Water Street in Downtown Naperville, adjacent to the renowned Naperville Riverwalk, Naper Settlement and Hotel Indigo Naperville Riverwalk. Visitors travel from near and far to enjoy the splendor of the Riverwalk and the award-winning restaurants and shops on Water Street and throughout downtown Naperville.
Water Street draws a sophisticated, art and lifestyle conscious community of locals and visitors alike. The show will be promoted through press releases and photos to newspapers, magazines, NCTV and Chicagoland television and radio news outlets as well as through the Downtown Naperville Alliance, Naperville Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce as well as Downtown Naperville and Water Street social media.
AWARDS
One Best of Show with a $250 cash prize will be awarded. At the judges' discretion, up to four Honorable Mention Awards may be given. This honor carries with it an invitation to return to the show in 2025.
SHOW DIRECTION
The Water Street Fine Art Fair is sponsored by Water Street Naperville and Marquette Companies. The expressed intent is to keep the Water Street Fine Art Fair a high quality yet intimate art fair. We make every effort to prevent the loss or damage of artwork, however, Water Street Naperville and/or Marquette Companies is/are not responsible for such occurrences. On-site security will be provided. Naperville Police are notified of the show. We reserve the right to alter details associated with the Water Street Fine Art Fair.
Water Street draws a sophisticated, art and lifestyle conscious community of locals and visitors alike. The show will be promoted through press releases and photos to newspapers, magazines, NCTV and Chicagoland television and radio news outlets as well as through the Downtown Naperville Alliance, Naperville Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce as well as Downtown Naperville and Water Street social media.
AWARDS
One Best of Show with a $250 cash prize will be awarded. At the judges' discretion, up to four Honorable Mention Awards may be given. This honor carries with it an invitation to return to the show in 2025.
SHOW DIRECTION
The Water Street Fine Art Fair is sponsored by Water Street Naperville and Marquette Companies. The expressed intent is to keep the Water Street Fine Art Fair a high quality yet intimate art fair. We make every effort to prevent the loss or damage of artwork, however, Water Street Naperville and/or Marquette Companies is/are not responsible for such occurrences. On-site security will be provided. Naperville Police are notified of the show. We reserve the right to alter details associated with the Water Street Fine Art Fair.
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General Information
ELIGIBILITY
Participation is limited to approximately 35 artists and is open to Chicago Suburban (NOT City of Chicago) artists working in painting (acrylic, oil, water media), drawing, sculpture, fiber, graphics, mixed media, jewelry, photography (limited-edition photographic prints made from the artist’s original photographic image and processed by that artist, or under his or her direct supervision. Work must be properly signed and numbered as a limited edition), pottery, metalwork, glass, wood, digital art (any original work in which the original image was crafted and manipulated by the artist using the computer. Work must be signed and numbered in limited editions. Artwork created using a camera and then subsequently manipulated using computer technology should apply in the photography category). We seek to maintain the highest standards for both artists and the viewing public.
SHOW DATES AND HOURS
The Water Street Fine Art & Fine Craft Fair is scheduled for Sunday, July 12, 2026. We are open to the public from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Artists may set up from 6:30 am to 9:30 am along their assigned booth. At 9 am, immovable barriers will close off the street. Artists arriving after 8:30 am must park outside of the art fair site and dolly in. Ample parking is available at the Municipal Center and Water Street parking decks immediately to the south of Water Street.
REFUND POLICY
NO refunds will be given to those choosing to cancel.
CALENDAR
Participation is limited to approximately 35 artists and is open to Chicago Suburban (NOT City of Chicago) artists working in painting (acrylic, oil, water media), drawing, sculpture, fiber, graphics, mixed media, jewelry, photography (limited-edition photographic prints made from the artist’s original photographic image and processed by that artist, or under his or her direct supervision. Work must be properly signed and numbered as a limited edition), pottery, metalwork, glass, wood, digital art (any original work in which the original image was crafted and manipulated by the artist using the computer. Work must be signed and numbered in limited editions. Artwork created using a camera and then subsequently manipulated using computer technology should apply in the photography category). We seek to maintain the highest standards for both artists and the viewing public.
SHOW DATES AND HOURS
The Water Street Fine Art & Fine Craft Fair is scheduled for Sunday, July 12, 2026. We are open to the public from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Artists may set up from 6:30 am to 9:30 am along their assigned booth. At 9 am, immovable barriers will close off the street. Artists arriving after 8:30 am must park outside of the art fair site and dolly in. Ample parking is available at the Municipal Center and Water Street parking decks immediately to the south of Water Street.
REFUND POLICY
NO refunds will be given to those choosing to cancel.
CALENDAR
- Application Deadline: May 31 2026
- Exhibitor Image Jury: June 3-June 10 2026
- Invited notification available : June 12, 2026
- Deadline for invited artists to remit booth fee: June 21, 2026
- Information on booth assignment will be posted by July 3, 2026
- Booth set up: 6:30 am to 9:30 am on July 12, 2026
- Art Festival: July 12, 2026, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm daily
- Booth Tear Down: 5:30 pm Sunday, July 12. No vehicles will be allowed on the Street until all visitors have cleared the area. All vendor vehicles must be off the street by 7:30 pm as the street must reopen to public vehicle traffic at that time by City ordinance.
- Best of Show Award: One recipient receives $250 cash award and an invitation to return in 2027.
- At the judges' discretion, up to four Honorable Mention Awards may be given. This honor carries with it an invitation to return to the show in 2027.
- Complimentary continental breakfast available at 8-9:30 am for artists
- Educated, affluent audience attracted by Award-winning shopping and dining on Water street and surrounding Downtown.
- On site security
- DuPage Children’s Museum Childrens’ Activity
- Jazz music on site
- Electricity is available in limited areas at no extra charge. Artist must indicate the need in the application.
- Roving and on-demand booth sitters are available to assist the artists.
- Complimentary bottled water for artists.
- Marketing materials feature artwork from select, accepted artists.
- Site Map
- Curb-side unloading and loading on Water Street time permitting.
- Roomy booth space with limited storage space behind them and some with space on one side.
- Parking close to the fair during show
- Air-conditioning and comfortable restrooms in adjacent hotel lobby
- Artist's Welcome Brunch Buffet during Set Up
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Application Requirements
RULES/REGULATIONS
Artist must be present.
- The Water Street Fine Art Fair aspires to exhibit mostly original art. No commercially made products, imported/mass produced work, fabricated forms or settings in lapidary work. No more than 25 % of offered work shall be prints. Limited number of note cards and greeting cards representative of the artists original work may be offered. Photography prints must be printed by the hands of the photographer and be a reasonable size of limited edition, signed and numbered.
- Artists must remove all packing material, boxes, etc. from the show grounds. Please do not leave these at the end of the show.
- Booths should be neat in appearance. Storage bins should be hidden from sight.
- All hanging 2D work must be framed or finished. Bins should be limited to 1 or 2 per booth.
- Displays of clippings, former awards or other credits are not permitted.
- Light poles, street signs or trees should not be used to tie down tents or for display of work. Do not drive screws, nails, etc. into the pavement, sidewalk or brick walkway.
- ALL TENTS MUST BE WEIGHTED DOWN. No stakes are allowed to be driven into the street.
- The same quality and media of work juried into the fair must be exhibited.
- Be courteous of your neighbors – No Cigar, cigarette, or recreational drug smoking.
- Alcohol is not permitted on city property.
- Please read and follow the traffic and parking instructions provided.
- Tear down begins Sunday at 5:30 pm, but please be aware that vehicles are not allowed on the street until there are no more pedestrians and clearance is granted from traffic police or show personnel.
- All vendors must be off Water Street by 7:30 pm on Sunday
in order to be in compliance with the permit issued by the City of Naperville. Please help us to observe their request by packing up your booth in a timely manner.
Jury Details
Average number of applications submitted each year
50
Average number of artists selected from the jury to participate in the event
30
Average number of exempt from jury artists who are invited to participate in the event
5
Booth Information
BOOTH FEES
Booth Fees are $150 per booth. All payments are to be made directly by credit/debit card
DISPLAY SPACE/FEES
Standard booth size is 10 X 12. Exhibit areas have both sun and shade and possible uneven terrain. Some booths will be on the street or walkway. Tents are required and must be provided by artist. Tents must be weighted down and not staked into the ground. Artists must provide their own tents, display boards, tables, chairs, etc. Booths will be assigned by show management to provide media variation throughout the show.
Booth Fees are $150 per booth. All payments are to be made directly by credit/debit card
DISPLAY SPACE/FEES
Standard booth size is 10 X 12. Exhibit areas have both sun and shade and possible uneven terrain. Some booths will be on the street or walkway. Tents are required and must be provided by artist. Tents must be weighted down and not staked into the ground. Artists must provide their own tents, display boards, tables, chairs, etc. Booths will be assigned by show management to provide media variation throughout the show.
Refund Policy
No refunds on booth feed or administrative fees
Additional Fees
Booth Fee: $150
Terms to Apply
Jury Fee: $0