Sandy Springs Artsapalooza Spring:(16th Annual) 2027, Sandy Springs, Ga

Sandy Springs Artsapalooza is a popular two-day outdoor arts festival held annually in Sandy Springs, just north of Atlanta. Produced by (AFFPS), the event is part of AFFPS’s long-running mission to bring high-quality visual art into accessible public spaces while supporting working artists.

The festival features approximately 100 juried artists and craftspeople from across the Southeast, showcasing original, handmade work in a wide range of media including painting, photography, jewelry, ceramics, sculpture, fiber, glass, metal, and mixed media. All artwork is created and presented by the artists themselves, giving attendees a direct connection to the makers.

Artsapalooza is free to attend and designed as a community-friendly event. In addition to artist booths, visitors can enjoy live music, food vendors and food trucks, children’s art activities, and interactive experiences that make the festival welcoming for families and casual art buyers as well as serious collectors. One of the festival’s signature traditions is its massive Easter celebration, where AFFPS distributes more than 10,000 Easter eggs, making it one of the most enthusiastically attended and family-loved arts events in the region.

Sandy Springs Artsapalooza has become a signature cultural event for the city, blending fine art, community engagement, and neighborhood vitality—hallmarks of AFFPS-produced festivals across Atlanta.

Festival Hours: Saturday 10:00 am-5:00 pm, Sunday 11:00 am – 5:00 pm 

 

IMPORTANT DATES & DEADLINES:
Accept applications: April 15th, 2026
Wait List Released: (as deemed necessary by the show)

Event Dates: March 27-28, 2027
Load-IN: FRIDAY March 26, 2027 from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM (check-in - you can stay as long as needed to set-up.
or/  (Saturday morning 7:00 AM - 9:00 AM)

The Event Location will be determined by the City, and we are awaiting final approval.
6100 Lake Forrest Dr. Sandy Springs, GA 30328 (Corner of Hammond and Lake Forrest Drive)
           
Late applications may be accepted at the discretion of the Director and included on the Wait List.

CATEGORIES
2-D Mixed Media: Includes more than one type of physical material such as collage, papermaking, encaustic, pen and ink, paint, pencil, watercolor, or photography.  The finished art is suitable for wall mounting. 
3-D Mixed Media: Includes more than one type of physical material such as mosaic, papier mache, clay, fiber, glass, metal, wood, or, any other 3-dimensional objects.
Ceramics: Original shaped and fired clay including earthenware, porcelain, and raku.
Digital Art: Two-dimensional works from which the original image is manipulated by the artist using a computer using programs such as Drawing, Illustrator, Paint, or, other software applications. 
Drawing & Printmaking: Original drawings made with pen, pencil, charcoal, pastels, or chalk.  The printmaking process may include pulled plates, linoleum prints, etching, engraving, silkscreen, or lithography.  All prints must be signed and numbered by the artist. Photocopies are not permitted.
Fiber: Works created from fibers including basketry, batik, weaving, papermaking, knitting, and quilting.  An embellishment of manufactured materials is not permitted.  
Glass: An object made of glass including blown, fused, stained, cast, and molded.  An embellishment of manufactured materials is not permitted.
Handicraft:  Handmade items made by the artist from manufactured, recycled, or repurposed materials transforming the combined materials into a unique product into a cohesive collection.  A complete description of the items is required.
Jewelry: All Jewelry is crafted from metal, glass, stone, clay, or other materials.  Commercial molds or casts are not permitted.  At least 50% of the organic materials in the finished product used must be produced by the artist.
Metal: Functional and non-sculptural works incorporating metal.
Painting: The use of oils, acrylics, watercolors, and tempera suitable for hanging.
Photography: Prints, transparencies, or digital images made from the artist’s original negative or taken with a digital camera that has been processed by the artist.
Sculpture: Three-dimensional work is done in any individual medium.
Wood & Furniture: Original works in wood that are built, turned, carved, or tooled. Embellished manufactured wood items are not permitted.
 
PROHIBITED ITEMS
-       T-shirts and commercial clothing
-       Posters
-       Manufactured toys
-       Commercially manufactured or reproduced items (resale)
-       Jewelry is made from more than 50% manufactured components
-       Any item that employs the use of commercially available molds or patterns
         We do not allow Buy-Sell items (items not made by the artists directly)
 
AMENITIES
- Free Parking Nearby
- Designated Festival Hotline available during event hours regarding assistance, emergencies, questions, concerns, etc.
- Friday load-in
- 24 Hour on-site Security
 
ADVERTISING & PROMOTION
- AFFPS is among the top award-winning art festival organizations in the southeast. 
- Voted Best Festivals by local media
- A holder of the only Guinness World Record by any arts festival organization in the U.S. 
- AFFPS employs professional marketing strategies including:
            - PR and online media platforms
            - Print and online media ads
            - Radio and TV
            - Billboards, banners, posters, and yard signs
            - Extensive business partner collaboration
            - Social media
            - Dedicated interactive website
            - Direct mail
            - 300+ online calendar entries
 
PARKING
Free parking will be available at the event venue for artists and festival guests.  
 
WAITLIST
A waitlist will be maintained.  Selected wait-listed artists may be contacted when the "Wait List" is released prior to the event date.
 
NO SHOW POLICY
Artists who have not checked in and/or called the Festival Emergency Number ( the number will be available in confirmation materials) by  Saturday at 8:00 a.m. will be considered a “no-show.” No Show artists are not eligible for refunds.  Assigned space(s) will be forfeited to a wait-list artist.
 
RAIN OR SHINE
There will be no “rain date” and fees will not be refunded in the case of inclement weather.  The event will take place rain or shine.
 
SALES TAX
Artists are responsible for collecting and reporting Sales Taxes.  A Sales Tax reporting document is provided to participating artists at check-in at the event.  The current Sales Tax rate for this event is 8% (Georgia 4%, Fulton County 8%).
 
HOW THE FEES ARE USED
All AFFPS Festivals support the Georgia Foundation for Public Spaces, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to building a stronger arts community.  The GFPS provides scholarships for artists to help them with their artistic career

1. The Festival provides only the ground space for exhibits.  Each Exhibitor must provide and prepare his/her own displays.  We require Exhibitors to use white top tents of EZ UP quality or higher.  All tents must be weighted.  CLICK HERE for Tent & Weight Compliance. 
2. Prior to the Festival, Exhibitors will be notified of their site location and detailed setup information.  Plan to set up your booth on Friday before the Festival.  (Please do not call for booth assignments, they will be posted on Zapp once they are completed.) 
3. After unloading Exhibitor vehicles must be moved to designated parking.  Vehicles will not be permitted to remain in the exhibition space during the Festival, nor may they enter the Festival grounds until approved by the Festival Committee.
4. Exhibitors shall be responsible for obtaining any required licenses, permits o,r approvals under state laws applicable to his/their activity at the Festival and for paying any taxes, sales taxes, fees, or, other charges that may be applicable to any Exhibitor's activity at the Festival.
5. The Festival is a rain or shine event.  Cancellations must be made and submitted in written form by mail or email. By mail: send to P.O. Box 422571, Atlanta GA 30342.  By email: to info@affps.com.  No refunds will be given for cancellations less than after the jury date / prior to the event date or for no-shows. All refunds will receive a $50 administration fee. 
6. In the occurrence that the event has to be canceled, postponed, suspend, or as a result of a pandemic such as the COVID Pandemic of 2020. Credit for the upcoming show will be given and a Zapp code will be generated.
7. Submission by credit card is an acceptance of these terms and as such in the event that any dispute related to credit card charges, will be binding under the terms of this agreement, additionally, the artist agrees to defend (accept) said charges and associated fees.
7. The Festival reserves the right to cancel an Exhibitor's contract.  The Festival may require the Exhibitor to leave the Festival at any time if the Exhibitor is in violation of any rules and/or regulations stated herein.
8. Neither AFFPS nor its agents or representatives will be responsible for any injury, damage, or loss that may occur to the Exhibitor, the Exhibitor's agents or representatives, or, his/her property from any cause whatsoever.  Exhibitors should obtain, at their own expense, insurance against any loss, damage, or injury they may require.
9. All Artist Market merchandise must be original, handmade, and created by the Exhibitor.  Reproductions must be clearly identified as such. Original art must occupy at least 50% of the artist's space.  Browse bins may occupy only minimal space and must be aesthetically pleasing and not obstruct patron flow.  All artwork on display must be for sale. We do not permit Buy-Sell items.
10. Artists may only show work in categories approved by the Jury.
11. Artists must be present and operational with their work for the duration of the Festival.  No commercial agents, dealers, or, salespeople may operate an artist's booth.  The maximum number of occupants per booth may not exceed two.
12. Only individual artists or two-person collaborative artists are permitted to submit an application.  Applications received from artist groups will be returned or rejected.
13. Booth sharing among non-collaborating artists is not permitted


IDENTIFICATION: All Participating Artists are required to present Identification during check-in. Please have your driver's license on hand.

WEIGHTS REQUIRED:
AFFPS requires professional weights, min. 45 lbs. - 50 lbs per/each on all tent legs. 
Because, we set up on City streets settings - NO ONE is permitted to stake, tie to a tree, lamp post, etc.
As such we require that anyone participating come equipped with the minimum standards of weights for their tent.
Any Artist that arrives without weights will not be permitted to set up and as such will forfeit their participation fee.

ARTIST
Application fee: $30 (Non-refundable processing fee)

Things happen and we understand that, as such any cancellations up to 90 days prior to the event will have fees applied to the next scheduled show. There are no refunds within 60 days of the event. There are no refunds for booth fees applied to a previously canceled show. All credits must be used within one calendar year and it is the Artist's responsibility to track them. At times we offer the opportunity to secure a spot to artists from the immediately preceding year to grab a jury-exempt spot, those fees are non-refundable.

Artists that have a credit must apply to the show as they normally would, and notify the show director that they have applied, at that time they will be confirmed, once we are able to verify any credits. All application deadlines, etc. must be met/followed.

Additionally, credits if given must be applied to the show that it was given and may not transfer to another show, as they are considered separate entities.

Application/Administrative fees are non-refundable as outlined in the application.

• There are no rain dates and no refunds for show cancellation due to rain, floods, tornados, hurricanes, acts of God, acts of government, acts of other official authority, or for any other reason. If for any reason you are asked to leave the show for not following rules, guidelines, social media posts, acting up or disturbing your neighbors, etc. those fees are also non-refundable. Arriving without the necessary/required recommended weights automatic forfeiture of fees paid / 160lbs/40lbs per leg.