ESAC Outdoor Art Show 2027

The ESAC OUTDOOR ART SHOW is March 19-21, 2027 each day between 10am-5pm and is located on the grounds of the Eastern Shore Art Center and the surrounding downtown area of Fairhope, Alabama. It is within walking distance of Mobile Bay and many specialty shops and restaurants. Now in its 55th year, the ESAC Outdoor Art Show features international and regional fine artists and craftspeople, attracting more than 350,000 visitors each spring.
 
The Eastern Shore Art Center connects people of all ages and abilities with the arts through education, exhibitions and outreach activities.
 
The Eastern Shore Art Association, dba the Eastern Shore Art Center, is funded solely through private memberships, donations, and grants. The ESAC Outdoor Art Show is its largest fundraiser. The Association is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation and relies on the goodwill of the community for its continuation.
 

ENTRY FEE & DEADLINES

Artist must submit an application with the purchase a $45 non-refundable jury fee by November 1, 2026. If Invited, Artist Booth is $375 (Non-ESAC Member) or $350 (ESAC Artist Level Member).

Food Vendors must submit an application with the purchase a $45 Food Vendor non-refundable jury fee by November 1, 2026. If Invited, Food Vendor Booth is $300.

If an application is accepted, but not confirmed by the December 1, 2026 Purchase Deadline, the application will be moved to the waitlist category. 

Artists and Food Vendors may only apply once. No refund will be made due to inclement weather or if withdrawn before show.



An accepted application is a commitment to participate in the 2027 ESAC Outdoor Art Show.

AWARDS & EXHIBITORS’ RECEPTION

Isabel Jackson Best of Show ($2500)

Bob Mullican Award ($1500)

First Place ($500 each)
Painting (Oil, Acrylic, and Watercolor)
Photography
Drawing and Graphics (includes Pastel)
Sculpture
Ceramics
Fine Craft (includes Fine Jewelry)
Mixed Media

Merit Awards ($300 each)
See categories above.

Fairhope Arts & Crafts Festival Foundation Award ($200)

2027 SHOW STANDARDS
 
1. An accepted application is a commitment to participate. No refund will be made for cancellation, withdrawal, inclement weather, or any other reason.
 
2. No stand-in proxy exhibitors will be permitted. Only artists accompanying their own original work may participate. If it is determined by the committee that the work is not original, not created by the exhibitor, or not representative of the work shown on application disc, the artist will be asked to leave.
 
3. Only original work in any medium, including original graphics, will be accepted. Acceptable original fine art graphics include collagraphs, linocuts, woodcuts, intaglios and embossing. They must be numbered and dated limited editions. An artist print is defined as a handmade original, usually produced in multiples. Examples include etching, engravings, lithographs, serigraphs (silk-screen), wood block prints or any combination of these. A photomechanical reproduction is not an original print, even when signed and numbered by the artist.
 
4. 75% of artwork on display should original. Artwork produced by photomechanical processes must be identified as such. Photomechanical reproductions of the exhibitor’s original work may be framed and hung in the booth provided that these do not constitute more than 25% of the work on display. Reproductions will not be judged. Note cards, prints within flip files, etc. are allowed.
 
5. China painting, tole painting, velvet painting, and items manufactured via commercial molds, patterns or kits are not acceptable.

6. Bodycare, supplements, candles and consumable items not acceptable.
 
7. Exhibitors must confine their display to their 10’ x 10’ booth inside the allotted 10’ x 12’ space. Booths are arranged to allow a 4’ walkway on one side of each booth. Please remember that Fairhope can be windy in March. Exhibitors should secure their booth with weights. 40lbs per leg is mandatory. No anchors or nails may be driven into the streets.
 
8. The show area will be patrolled Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights by the City of Fairhope Police Department. Neither the Eastern Shore Art Association, the City of Fairhope, nor their representatives will be responsible for loss or damage of any kind.

9. Sales Tax must be paid to the State of Alabama (4%) and to Baldwin County (3%) and to the City of Fairhope (2%). Details and tax forms will be provided at registration. Total tax is 9%.

10. County business license required: www.baldwincountyal.gov/government/probate/licenses/business-license. Apply under the #174 Transient Vendor code. **For Food Vendors, a Temporary Concession Permit with the Baldwin County Health Department is required at least 2 weeks in advance. 

Available Artist Booth Spaces:
10 x 10 Booths - $375.00 ($350.00 with ESAC Artist Membership)
Limited amount of Double Booths available. First come, first served.

Available Food Vendor Booth Spaces:
Spaces based on vendor needs - $300.00 
 
Booth Fee:
Purchases are conducted through ZAPP via credit card, check, or PayPal.
 
Set Up Information:
Set up for the show will begin Thursday evening, March 18. We will make every effort to honor your request for booth location. You will receive your packets when you check in at the Art Center during Check-in. Set-up must be completed by 12:00am Thursday night. You are expected to keep your display in place until the show closes at 5pm Sunday, and take down must be conducted immediately after show closing. Artist booths will be located on Section Street between Oak and Magnolia. Food Vendor booths will be located on Oak Street in front of the Art Center.

As stated within the 2027 SHOW STANDARDS:
An accepted application is a commitment to participate. No refund will be made for cancellation, withdrawal, inclement weather, or any other reason.