ArtsFest Stuart 2027

Be Part of the Celebration — ArtsFest Stuart Turns 40! MartinArts invites artists to be part of a milestone celebration: the 40th Annual ArtsFest Stuart, taking place February 20–21, 2027, in the heart of beautiful Downtown Stuart, Florida.
For four decades, ArtsFest has brought exceptional artists, enthusiastic collectors, and the community together for a vibrant weekend celebrating creativity in all its forms. Set during the height of Florida’s winter season, this beloved two-day event features fine art and fine craft, live performances, culinary experiences, and interactive activities for all ages.

Since 1988, ArtsFest has grown into one of the Treasure Coast’s premier arts events, attracting collectors, residents, and visitors from across South Florida and beyond. Recognized as a Southeast Tourism Society “Top 20 Event” every year since 2016, ArtsFest offers artists an exceptional opportunity to connect with new audiences, engage with loyal patrons, and grow their sales. With strong regional marketing, dedicated volunteers, enthusiastic community support, and an artist-focused approach, our goal is simple: create an outstanding experience for artists and art lovers alike.

Bring your work. Share your creativity. Connect with the community. Help us celebrate 40 years of ArtsFest! What Artists Are Saying:

• I enjoy reconnecting with loyal customers and welcoming new ones annually! It  showcases the lively community and continuous backing for the arts.
• An organized event that enables artists to concentrate on presenting their work and engaging with patrons.

ArtsFest showcases fine artists hailing from across the country in the juried art show, and talented musicians with local and regional followings. As a community-focused arts organization, our aim is to celebrate the diverse cultural offerings in our community and offer enjoyable, interactive, and free activities for all attendees. ArtsFest serves as a significant revenue stream for MartinArts annually, supporting the entire arts and cultural community through proceeds from admissions, sponsorships, and donations. For more information on MartinArts' various programs, such as the artists' registry, arts education initiatives, and the Court House Cultural Center, please visit www.martinarts.org.

MartinArts is a private, non-profit organization with a 501(c)3 status through the IRS, supported in part by the State of Florida through the Division of Arts and Culture and the National Endowment for the Arts, Martin County Board of County Commissioners, membership, and private contributions.

Looking for other ways tp participate in ArtsFest?
ArtsFest Stuart is more than an art show! We’re also seeking food & beverage vendors, music & entertainment, community partners, and other event partners to be part of ArtsFest 2027. Explore All Partner, Vendor & Entertainment Opportunities: https://www.martinarts.org/programs-events/artsfest/interested-in-exhibiting.html
Please note: The application on this page is for juried visual artists only.

Please read this prospectus in its entirety. Artists applying are responsible for the information contained herein. The show reserves the right to refuse any application and rescind an extended invitation should the artist misrepresent themselves or their work.

Location
Memorial Park, 300 SE Ocean Blvd., Stuart FL 34994

Festival Dates & Hours:
Saturday, February 20, 10AM – 5PM
Sunday, February 21, 10AM – 5PM

Deadlines*

• October 4, 2026 11:59PM, CST: Application deadline. *Late applications may be accepted at the discretion of the Show Director. Late applications will be accepted through November 2, 2026.
• October 6 - 20, 2026: Jury Review.
• November 2, 2026: Invitation, Wait List, or Not Invited Status will be sent on or before this date. All artists will receive their status by email. A wait list by category will be established based on jury scores.
• December 1, 2026: All booth fees must be paid in full to exhibit at ArtsFest. A late fee may be applied after this date.
• January 8, 2027: Artist Certificate of Insurance are due on or before this date.

Artist Amenities
Artists are our priority at ArtsFest. A team of volunteers are dedicated to making your festival experience great from load in to load out!  Artist amenities include:

• Dedicated Booth Sitters and Hospitality team during festival hours
• Friday set-up with short term Vehicle unloading at booth space
• Coordinated load-out on Sunday following the conclusion of the festival
• Professional overnight security, Friday & Saturday
• Artists’ images and website links posted on MartinArts website and social media channels.

Accessibility:
ArtsFest Stuart is accessible to all artists, including those with disabilities. Physical accessibility includes:

• Booths with no physical barrier to entry
• Special accommodation parking nearby on a solid surface
• Accessible bathrooms and on-site artist support volunteers for questions
• Please indicate any specific accommodation needed in your ZAPP application.

Artist Awards*
Cash awards will be given for outstanding artists, (in categories represented by more than 5 separate artists’ booths during the festival), to include Best of Show and Best of Category awards. Any category represented by fewer than five separate artists’ booths will not be judged as a separate category. Categories currently include Ceramics, Drawing, Fiber, Glass, Jewelry, Mixed Media 2D, Mixed Media 3D, Painting, Photography, Sculpture, Wearables, and Wood. Please read the Definitions of Categories for details. ArtsFest reserves the right to combine categories depending on the number of entries in any specific category, to facilitate distribution of awards (eg. 2D, 3D and Wearables)

*Artists that received an award in 2026 and are entering under the same media category, will be exempt in the jury selection; however, artists must still apply.  Please contact Jennifer by phone at 772-287-6676 x2 or by email ArtsFest@Martinarts.org to check if you qualify.

Jury Process
ArtsFest uses a blind jury, meaning that the jurors do not know the names or any other information about the artists.

The juror panel is a diverse group of experienced art professionals, who are selected for their art background and for their appreciation of the value of art festivals. Our jury panel members vary each year, and often includes but are not limited to festival artists, gallery owners, museum curators, and art instructors.

Image descriptions and Artist Statements will be available to the jurors. All Artists are required to disclose both their creative and printing processes in their Artist’s Statement. Please use this statement to convey the process used to create your work and not the inspiration behind your artwork as that should speak for itself.  The booth image should display your booth fully set up for an outdoor exhibition, with your artwork clearly presented. The image must not include the artist’s name or any individuals standing in the booth.
*Local Emerging Artists may alternatively submit a photo of another piece of artwork or a booth setup from a different event.

The decision of the jury is based solely on the supplied images and is final.  Images from accepted artists will be retained for promotion, and adherence to the rules.  A Waitlist, by category, will be established, based on jury scores.

Media Categories
If artists have any questions regarding appropriate category, please call to discuss with an ArtsFest staff member.

Ceramics – Art objects either functional or decorative of earthenware, porcelain, or tile, made by shaping and then firing a nonmetallic mineral, such as clay, at a high temperature.  If multiple pieces of the same design are displayed, the artist must sign each piece. No machine-made or mass-produced work is permitted.
 
Drawing - All two-dimensional monochromatic or polychromatic original artworks created by the artist’s hand in any traditionally dry media, such as graphite, charcoal, crayon, colored pencil, ink, etc.

Eco-Art & Non-Traditional Craft - Original artwork and functional or decorative objects created using sustainable, reclaimed, recycled, repurposed, or unconventional materials and processes. Includes innovative craft and mixed-media work that does not fit within another ArtsFest category. Work should demonstrate a strong level of artistic intent, craftsmanship, originality, and creative use of materials. Not intended for commercially manufactured products, resale items, commercially produced materials presented without significant artistic transformation, or work that more appropriately fits another established ArtsFest category.

Fiber - All non-wearable work crafted from fibers, including basketry, embroidery, weaving, tapestry, leatherwork, and papermaking. No machine-tooled, machine-screened patterns or miscellaneous forms of mass production are permitted. All factory-produced wearable items, regardless of additional modification or enhancement by the artists, are NOT accepted in this category.
 
Glass – Glass is defined as original works that are functional or decorative by design, and have been crafted by blowing, molding or casting glass.  Works may be etched, engraved, or combined with other materials.  No forms of mass production are permitted.  Stained glass, dichroic, and all other glass pieces will be judged as one category.
 
Jewelry - Jewelry must always enter in this category whether the work is produced from metal, glass, clay, fiber, paper, plastic, or other materials – jewelry is always jewelry.  Jewelry is defined as that created (not just assembled) by the artist(s) applying to show the work.  While commercially produced findings, wires, etc. may be included in the product, the finished pieces shown must be unique, original in design, and mostly or completely created by the hand of the artist.
 
Examples of acceptable jewelry are:

• Gold and silversmithing, pewter, copper, and other metals fabricated by the artist into unique, wearable pieces;
• Stones (precious and/or semi-precious) that are cut, tumbled, and/or shaped by the artist’s hand and are worked into in unique, wearable pieces;
• Lamp work beads or other original glass pieces created by the artist that are included in unique, wearable pieces;
• Polymer beads and other pieces made from polymer clay created by the artist that are featured in unique, wearable pieces;
• Original components created by the artist in other materials such as ceramic, clay, leather, paper, plastic, or wood, that are featured in unique, wearable pieces;
• Any combination of the above.

 Examples of unacceptable “jewelry” are:

• ·Commercially produced cabochons (including those made by machine or by other than the applying artist’s hand) that are purchased and wire-wrapped as a final piece;
• ·Commercially produced beads, crystals, stones, pearls, findings, and other elements that are simply purchased and assembled as final pieces with no original components created by the artist;
• ·Commercially produced components purchased by the artist that are woven into wearable pieces with string or simply strung onto a piece of leather;
• ·Anything produced from commercial casts, molds or production studio work;
• ·Anything purchased as a completed piece for the purpose of resale (Buy/Sell).
• ·Anything completely assembled from materials that anyone can purchase and replicate.

Mixed Media 2-D - Works that incorporate more than one type of physical material in their production and should include more than one of the following: paint, pencil, watercolor, photography, printmaking or drawing, fabric, or other found objects.
 
Mixed Media 3-D - Works that incorporate more than one type of physical material in their production and should include more than one of the following: clay work, fiber, glass, metal, wood, or other 3-D objects. Hand-painted furniture will be placed into the Mixed Media category unless the furniture was also crafted by the artist’s hand.

Painting - All two-dimensional monochromatic or polychromatic original artworks created by the artist’s hand in any traditionally wet or dry media, such as acrylic, oil, watercolor, pastel, etc. on paper, canvas, board, etc.  Only gallery-wrapped canvases may be hung unframed.  Stretched canvases that are not gallery-wrapped, unfinished and/or stapled on the sides instead of on the back must be framed to hang or shown in a browse bin.  No rolled canvases.  Works on paper must be properly matted and framed to hang or bagged and displayed in a browse bin.  Original work and reproductions must be displayed separately and properly labeled.
 
Photography - Photography is defined as an image captured by means of a camera, either on film or digitally, which is then developed, processed, and printed by some means onto photo paper, archival paper, or canvas, or other flat surface.  Photos may be produced as a one-off, as an open edition, or as a limited edition, and are generally signed and possibly numbered by the photographer.  No photocopies or laser prints will be shown.   Only gallery-wrapped canvases may be hung unframed.  All other photographs hung on the wall must be framed.  Matted and bagged photos and stretched canvases that are not gallery-wrapped must be shown in a browse bin. 
 
Sculpture - Three-dimensional original work done in any medium to include but not limited to bronze castings in limited editions, chiseling marble, metal fabrication, casting metal, or other materials.

Wearable - All wearable work crafted from fibers, embroidery, weaving, and leatherwork (i.e., clothing, belts, purses.). No machine-tooled, machine-screened patterns or miscellaneous forms of mass production are permitted. All factory-produced wearable items, regardless of additional modification or enhancement by the artists, are NOT accepted in this category.

Wood - Original works that are functional or decorative in any wood or laminated woods that are hand-tooled, machine-worked, turned or carved.  Hand-painted furniture will be placed into the Mixed Media category unless the furniture was also crafted by the artist’s hand.

Local Emerging Artist Program at ArtsFest Stuart offers early-career artists or those with limited festival experience a dedicated opportunity to showcase and sell their original work in a supportive, high-visibility environment. Participants may exhibit either in a shared tent space at a reduced rate or in a single booth at the standard artist rate. This program offers valuable exposure, meaningful connections within the arts community, and firsthand experience exhibiting at a professional art festival. Each booth space includes a 10' x 10' canopy tent, side walls for overnight protection, and display panels. Artists in the shared tent option will have approximately 12 feet wide by 6 feet high of display space.  Display panel example here

Applicants to the Local Emerging program must meet the following criteria:

• Be a Florida resident living in the Treasure Coast area.
• Have limited or no prior experience as a festival artist and not be professionally employed in the medium they plan to exhibit.
• Earn no more than 25% of their total annual income from the sale of their artwork.

*ArtsFest reserves the right to pre-screen and research emerging artists to make sure they are a fit for this category and that they do not have extensive experience exhibiting and selling their work.

ArtsFest is designed for artists who create and execute original, professional quality work. The ArtsFest Staff and Committee will monitor the show for misrepresentation and to ensure compliance with the rules and standards. Artists will be required to remove all work that is questionable and/or not in compliance. Continued violation of the rules or failure to cooperate with ArtsFest Staff and Committee may result in expulsion from the show and ineligibility for future shows.

All work must be original, handcrafted work.
Artists guarantee the accuracy of the description (technique, materials, and process) of the works presented and the authenticity of the work as the creation of their own hands. Co-artists must describe their collaboration. 

• An Artist Statement must be provided on application, displayed prominently within each booth, and present during judging.  Materials and processes used must be disclosed in this statement.
• Artists may exhibit artwork only in the category/medium in which the work has been accepted.  Acceptance is non-transferable and only the work of accepted artist or collaboration may be displayed.  Work produced by apprentices or employees is unacceptable. Only artists accepted in the Jewelry category may exhibit or sell jewelry; all jewelry regardless of materials must be entered in the Jewelry category.
• Original art must occupy at least 50% of the artist's wall space. All artwork on walls must be framed or otherwise professionally hung. All artwork displayed must be for sale.  Browse bins may occupy only minimal space and must be aesthetically pleasing and not obstruct patron flow. Reproductions may not be in the same browse bin as originals.
• ABSOLUTELY NO BUY/SELL.  Anyone reported and confirmed as selling anything purchased for resale will be asked to pack up and leave the show immediately. Artwork produced with kits, castings from commercial molds, patterns, plans, or other commercial means is prohibited. No assemblages of commercially produced materials shall be accepted in any category. Additional information may be requested, including photographs documenting materials, process, and methods used to create the work to be shown, and the craftsperson in the process of creating the works presented. 

Collaborative Work
Artists and collaborating partners MUST be present on-site with their booths open for business during all festival hours. If two names are on the application, both must check in and show a photo I.D. Both should be present for the ENTIRE of the festival.

• NO commercial agents, dealers, apprentices, employees, or representatives may attend in place of the artist(s).
• Accepted artists may not exhibit in other shows during the dates of ArtsFest.

Certificate of Insurance

• All participating artists must provide a Certificate of Insurance with a General Liability limit of $1,000,000, naming The Arts Foundation for Martin County dba MartinArts as an additional insured. Certificates should be sent directly from your insurance provider to artsfest@martinarts.org.
• If you do not have coverage through your own provider, ArtsFest has partnered with ACT Insurance to offer event policies. Use the following link to purchase: ACT Insurance. (If purchased through this link, ACT Insurance will automatically send us a copy of your certificate.)
• Certificates must be received no later than January 8, 2027. Artists will not be permitted to set up or exhibit without an approved Certificate of Insurance on file.

Sales

• Artists retain all revenue from the sale of their work with no commission on sales due to the ArtsFest.
• All artists are responsible for collecting Florida sales tax (currently 6.5%). A tax form will be made available if requested. ArtsFest assumes no responsibility in this matter.

Fine Art Reproduction Policy

• Limited edition, signed, and numbered artwork reproductions are allowed (including copies printed on paper, canvas, or metal, etc.) and must be clearly marked. The artist must define “limited edition” in their Artist Information Statement and disclose their reproduction process to buyers. All reproductions must be marked as such. Any intentional misrepresentation of a reproduction sold as an original is forbidden.  
• Reproductions are limited to 25% of work shown and must be displayed separately from original works – i.e. reproductions may be displayed in browse bins and/or hung on one wall of the booth. Total number of framed reproductions hung may not exceed the number of original works being shown. Multiple reproductions of the same image may be stored out-of-sight and brought out when one is sold.
• Reproductions are not eligible for judging and/or awards.
• Artists are prohibited from selling non-original promotional items (i.e., coffee mugs, posters, postcards, note cards, calendars, etc.) during the festival. Calendars, brochures, posters, and other self-promotional materials produced by the artist may be given away but may not be sold.  Cards and postcards that are published by the artist showing the artist’s own original work may be displayed and sold.  

Jury Fee: $35
The non-refundable application fee must be paid at the time of submission to be considered for participation in ArtsFest Stuart. All payments are made via credit card through ZAPP. Applications will not be processed until the fee has been received.

Booth spaces are on asphalt or grass and measure 10’x10’ for single booths or 10'x20' for double booths, with a buffer on each side. Artists are expected to provide their own canopied white tent and displays, which should be sufficiently sturdy to withstand weather conditions and crowds. Artists should be prepared for inclement weather with rain covers, tie-downs, and weights. Booths must have weights on all four corners and staking will not be allowed. Artists will be held liable for any damage done by their tents and/or displays. Each artist is responsible for his/her own tent and display in case of damage or loss. All storage must be neatly concealed. ArtsFest will attempt to accommodate specific booth requests; however, no booth space request will be guaranteed.

ArtsFest will inspect booths on-site, to assure compliance of the Rules, and reserves the exclusive right to interpret and enforce the Rules. In any dispute, the decision of the Executive Director shall prevail. Failure to comply with the rules may result in the artist’s removal from ArtsFest without a refund and the right to exhibit in future events will be jeopardized.

• Displaying ribbons and awards from other shows is not allowed.
• Artists who sell their entire body of artwork must remain with their booth for the duration of the show unless permitted with prior approval from Show Director.
• Artists must comply with all health and safety requirements, including guidelines from local health authorities, weighted tents, vehicles parked only in designated areas, etc.

Electricity is not available at the festival. No on-site requests for electricity can be accommodated.  Generators of 75 decibels or less are permitted with prior approval from Show Director.

Booth Fees:

• Single Booth 10x10 - $350
• Double Booth 10x20 - $650
• Corner Booth Upgrade - $50
• Corner and Double booth spaces are available in limited number on first come basis.
• Local Emerging Artists 10x10  - Single Artist $350, Shared Artist $200

Artist Set Up
Staggered artist set up times are scheduled on Friday, February 19 with consideration for good traffic flow and artist access to spaces. Details and maps will be available in January 2027.

Refund Policy
Jury fees are non-refundable. Artists may withdraw from ArtsFest Stuart and receive a refund of their booth fees (less $50 processing fees) if the request is received on or before January 1, 2026. Hardship refunds may be made up to the show date and must be accompanied by acceptable documentation (accident report, doctor’s note etc.), at the sole discretion of the Show Director. A no-call, no-show exhibitor or leaving early anytime during festival without an acceptable reason and/or approval will make artists ineligible for future ArtsFest festivals. This is a rain or shine festival - there are no refunds due to inclement weather or other unforeseen circumstances.