Peter Anderson Arts & Crafts Festival 2026 - 48th Annual

The Ocean Springs Chamber of Commerce-Main Street-Tourism Bureau is pleased to invite you to participate in the 48th Annual Peter Anderson Arts & Crafts Festival presented by Blue Moon.  The festival is named in honor of the late Peter Anderson, a master potter and founder of Shearwater Pottery.

Designated streets will be blocked to accommodate the festival. 400 spaces will be available for the varied selection of fine art and craft exhibits. 

Food spaces will be available throughout.  Live music will play throughout the festival.  Local shops and restaurants join the Ocean Springs Chamber of Commerce-Main Street-Tourism Bureau and the City of Ocean Springs in making this a truly outstanding festival.

Deadline: August 3, 2026 Late Deadline: Aug 7, 2026 (Late fees apply Aug 4-Aug 7) Mailed applications must be postmarked by Aug 3 (no late fee).  Late applications will be considered if classification is not full, with approval of jurying committee.  Invited/Juried artists will receive notification the week following late deadline. Upon invitation, booth fees must be paid by Aug 21, 2026 to be included in the festival.  Payment is committment to the show and no refunds will be issued after vendor accepts/pays.

MARKETING:

For purposes of the festival guide, exhibitors should provide us with a "doing business as" (DBA) name if they have one. Otherwise, vendors should indicate how they would like to be listed in the festival  guide and on website. 

The Peter Anderson Arts & Crafts Festival, in Ocean Springs, MS markets throughout the state, region and nation resulting in several feature articles and listings, an enormous social media presence, as well as vast regional area TV and radio coverage.
  
Major marketing pieces include:

• The Peter Anderson Festival Event Guide: lists each artist by media, booth, and alphabetically. Ad space available for purchase.
• The Peter Anderson Festival features a different participating artist on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram feeds, which reaches an excess of 100,000 people and continues to grow.
• The Peter Anderson Festival consistently receives national attention along with awards from various travel and tourism entities drawing crowds from all over the country. 
• http://www.PeterAndersonFestival.com; The Peter Anderson Festival’s website includes images of artists’ work, brief artist statements, and links to artists’ website.
• The Peter Anderson Arts & Crafts Festival features the Blue Moon Art Project, a state-wide art project allowing artists throughout the state a chance for regional exposure and $2000 amongst other awards.
• The Peter Anderson Arts & Crafts Festival is a "trademarked" event. Any use of logo in marketing purposes must be approved through the Festival organizers.

AMENITIES AND SERVICES:

• Vehicle access to the Festival site, as well as easy dolly access during setup/teardown.
• Free Parking
• Private security, patrolling city and festival grounds after Festival hours.
• Artist Hospitality: morning coffee and donuts and snacks throughout the day at hospitality locations, access to indoor restrooms, and water.

MEDIA CATEGORIES:

The Peter Anderson Arts & Crafts Festival reserves the right to re-categorize an artist’s submission. Every attempt will be made to notify the artist, crafter or exhibitor if this is done.

2D Mixed Media: Two-dimensional work which combines materials from two or more mediums in one piece.

3D Mixed Media: Three-dimensional work which combines materials from two or more mediums in one piece.

Candle & Soapmaking: Handmade bath & body products including naturals, oils, lotions, salts, fragrance etc.

Ceramics: Original clay and porcelain work, functional or sculptural.

Digital Art: Includes any original work in which the original image, or the manipulation of other source material, was executed by the artist using the computer.  Work must be in editions, signed and numbered, using archival papers, inks, and emulsions.  
 
Drawing: Work created using dry media including chalk, charcoal, pastels, pencil, wax, crayons, etc. or from a fluid medium of inks and washes applied by pen/brush.  Reproduction prints are limited and must be clearly marked, numbered & labeled.

Fiber: Includes leather, baskets, weaving, dolls, paper, wearable and non-wearable. No machine-tooled, machine-screen printing or other forms of mass production are accepted. Factory-produced wearable items, regardless of additional modification or enhancement by the artists, are not accepted.

Food & Beverage: All items intended to be consumed upon sale.  Packaged foods are not in this catergory.

Furniture: Original, handmade furniture designed and fabricated using raw/unfinished material. Factory-produced items, regardless of additional modification or enhancement by the artists, are not accepted.

Glass: Functional and sculptural work are accepted. Kiln-forming, blowing, molding or casting, as well as all cold working processes are permitted. 

Jewelry: Only those artists accepted in the jewelry category may display or sell jewelry. All jewelry, whether produced from metal, glass, clay, fiber, or other materials must apply in this category.

Metalsmithing: Sculptural or decorative work made from metal. No jewelry will be accepted in this category.

Packaged Foods:  Products such as dips, sauces, preservatives, confections and grocery items not intended for immediate consumption.

Painting: Acrylic, oil, gouache, and watercolor paintings are accepted in this medium.  Reproduction prints are limited and must be clearly marked, numbered & labeled.

Photography: Includes traditional film photography, hand colored images, emulsion transfers, and digital photography.  Only artist’s original source material is acceptable. Work must be in editions, signed and numbered on archival material and all work displayed in the booth must be for sale. Signage of an overtly commercial nature listing the availability of numerous sizes, print surfaces, and/or framing options is prohibited.

Printmaking: Only hand pulled original prints are allowed. Prints must be in limited editions, signed and numbered.

Sculpture:  Three-dimensional work using additive or subtractive processes in a single medium.

Wood: Original works that are hand tooled, machine-worked, turned or carved.

Non-profit booth are available in limited quanities. Contact mail@oceanspringschamber.com for application.

SELECTION:

The jury committee for the Peter Anderson Festival selects exhibitors deemed to best reflect creativity, quality, and originality.  Selection is made on the basis of four images submitted representing the artist’s/crafter’s work, and one photograph of your booth display.  PHOTOS MUST BE OF HIGHEST QUALITY FOR MEDIA PURPOSES.  Selections will not be made on any other qualifications.  Samples will not be considered.   Peter Anderson Festival participants will be juried by the Peter Anderson Festival Jury Committee between July 10 & August 7.  Artists will be notified of results after August 14.
  Judging will begin Saturday at 10:00a.m. The judges reserve the right to travel the show and evaluate the exhibits in the manner they choose. 
 

Awards Peter Anderson Arts & Crafts Festival $1,000.00        “Best of Show” presented by Blue Moon $500.00           “Award of Excellence” $500.00           “Peter Anderson Legacy Award” $500.00           “Award for the Creative Arts” $500.00           “Booth Award”

  
The Committee urges exhibitors to demonstrate when possible.

Before applying, please make sure your work meets the following criteria. By applying you agree to abide by the rules, policies and decisions of the Peter Anderson Festival Committee.

The Peter Anderson Festival is a highly selective arts and crafts festival.  Participating artists' and crafters' booths will be visited periodically throughout the festival by the Peter Anderson Festival Committee or staff to ensure compliance with the rules.  Artists will be required to remove all work that is not in compliance. Persistent and/or major violation of the rules may result in expulsion from the festival and ineligibility for future festivals.

1. All work must be original, handcrafted work which complies with the media definitions listed in this prospectus.
2. An accepted application is a commitment to show and no refund will be made for cancellations. NO EXCEPTIONS.
3. Under NO CIRCUMSTANCES will stand-in or proxy exhibitors be permitted.  Only the artists or crafters accompanying his or her original work may participate in the Peter Anderson Festival.
4. Artists and crafters must exhibit the two (2) days of the festival.  Noncompliance will preclude you from being in future festivals (see rule 14).  Artists and crafters are required to man their exhibits during festival hours. 
5. Commercially manufactured items (i.e. finished ceramics, jewelry, commercial molds, patterns, kits etc. are NOT ACCEPTABLE).  All items must be hand crafted by the applicant.  Arts & Craft Exhibitors displaying commercial items will be asked to remove them. No T-shirts permitted.
6. Exhibitors bear the responsibility for all setup and security needs for their exhibits.  NEITHER the Ocean Springs Chamber of Comerce–Main Street–Tourism Bureau, or its representatives, NOR the City of Ocean Springs, MS will be responsible for loss or damage of any kind.  Security provided Saturday night only. 
7. Artists may only show work in categories approved by the Jury.
8. All work exhibited must be of the quality and type of that shown in the juried images. The Peter Anderson Festival Committee reserves the right to ask an artist to remove work that does not meet this requirement.
9. Artists and crafers must provide their own display booths, racks, tables and chairs.  They should also be prepared for the possibility of inclement weather conditions such as wind and rain.  NO STAKES ALLOWED. Be prepared to weight down tent.  
10. NO space can be shared, but a single artist can purchase more than one 10’x10’booth space.  A “multi-person” team producing a single product may qualify as a single exhibitor. 
11. NO on-site gas powered generators are allowed. NO amplified music permitted.  
12. This is a family-oriented festival for spectators of all ages, and the work exhibited must be in keeping with this atmosphere.  The festival reserves the right to remove work that it deems inappropriate.
13. Sales tax of 7% (9% for food & beverage) must be collected and turned into the Chamber office by 6:00 p.m. on Sunday.  All checks must be made out to Ocean Springs Chamber of Commerce. No Exceptions.
14. NONCOMPLIANCE WITH FESTIVAL STANDARDS & RULES MAY RESULT IN ELIMINATION FROM THIS YEAR’S AND FUTURE FESTIVALS WITHOUT REFUND OF ANY FEES. 
15. Vendors may only purchase up to three booths per business.
16. Food vendors who cook, cooking oil is not recommended. All equipment must be in compliance with the Mississippi Department of Health. All extension cords are to be in good, working condition. You must be able to operate under the standard 110 or 220 power and provide a standard 3-prong 75 ft (minimum) extension cord.
17. FOOD VENDORS - ONLY TWO PLUGS WILL BE ALLOWED. BRING POWER STRIPS FOR MORE....MUST BE APPROVED. The festival committee reserves the right to require vendors to rent a cord if the condition is deemed unacceptable. 

Artists and crafters must confine themselves to the 10’x10’ space or must buy a second booth (Exhibits may not extend beyond 10’x10’ – this is strictly enforced).   No boxes or chairs are allowed in the pedestrian traffic area.  More than 100,000 walkers are expected.  Boxes must be confined to booth space area (10x10) or stored in vehicle/trailer during event. Tents must be weighted as no stakes are allowed.  Approximately 300 spaces will be available for the wide selection of fine art and craft exhibits and 25 spaces for food.  Electricity is available for exhibitors at limited locations. Please be sure to specify on your application that you need electricity in the event that your medium requires lighting. We cannot guarantee all requests for electricity, but we will do our best to accommodate all requests.  ($50/10amps) 

Artist & crafter booths - $350 (10'x10')
Food & Beverage booths - $375 (10'x10')
Sponsors (non-artists & crafters) contact (228) 875-4424
Non-profits contact (228) 875-4424

http://www.peterandersonfestival.com

Vendor check-in begins on Friday, November 6th, 2026 at the L & N Depot building, 1000 Washington Ave, from 1 to 5 p.m.

Set up begins Friday, November 6th at 1 p.m. for selected booths in the 100's section.  Having a booth space in the 100s does not guarantee the exhibitor access to setup on Friday, November 6 at 1 p.m.  All others, set up begins Saturday, November 7th at 4 a.m. and must be completed by 8:30 a.m. Saturday, November 7th.

Be sure to prepare for inclement weather. Stakes are NOT allowed. Bring weights, etc. to secure your booth in case of inclement weather.  We cannot be responsible for any damage due to weather. 

If you are a non-profit organization and are interested in being a part of the Peter Anderson Arts & Crafts Festival please email mail@oceanspringschamber.com for more information. Non-profits must provide non-profit status letter with application. Non-profit space is limited. A completed application does not guarantee acceptance to festival.  A letter of status will be mailed between August 14-August 21.