The Big Easel 2026

The Big Easel is an annual outdoor fine art event held in River Ranch Town Square in Lafayette, Louisiana.

Established in 2009 and now entering its 17th year, the event is evolving with a renewed focus on fine art, collector engagement, and thoughtfully curated presentation. Featuring a select group of local and regional artists working across painting, drawing, photography, printmaking, and sculpture, The Big Easel presents a dynamic range of contemporary visual art within an open-air setting.

Set within the distinctive landscape of River Ranch, guests are invited to experience original works firsthand, engage directly with artists, and connect more deeply with the creative process. Families and children are welcome, with dedicated art activities designed to inspire younger audiences through hands-on participation and creative exploration.

In collaboration with local businesses, the event also features thoughtfully designed food and beverage experiences throughout the day. Free and open to the public, The Big Easel offers a vibrant and accessible way to experience contemporary fine art within the heart of Lafayette’s cultural community.

Event Date: Saturday, October 17, 2026 (9am - 4pm CST)
Location: The Town Square, River Ranch, Lafayette, Louisiana
Contact: thebigeaselriverranch@gmail.com

To be considered, applicants must complete the submission form and remit the $30 non-refundable application fee. Upon acceptance into the event, a $145 non-refundable show fee will be required.
All artists retain 100% of their sales proceeds.

Deadline to Apply: Friday, June 26, 2026 at 11:59 PM
All submissions will be reviewed by The Big Easel Art Committee.

Accepted artists will receive detailed information, including FAQs, and tent rental/setup guidelines, via email by September 2026. We look forward to receiving your application and presenting it to the Jury Committee for consideration.

The Big Easel is a fine art–focused event. To maintain the integrity of the exhibition, artists are selected based on originality, craftsmanship, and a cohesive body of work.

Exhibition Standards & Accepted Media:
All work exhibited must be original and created by the artist. Artists are expected to present their work in a professional and cohesive manner, with booth displays that reflect the standards of a fine art setting.

All works presented for sale must be original, one-of-one editions. Artists are expected to have a complete and diverse body of work available for purchase.

The event is planned as an outdoor experience. In the case of severe or inclement weather, including heavy rain, a decision to reschedule will be made and communicated in advance. Artists are responsible for securing their work, tents, and equipment at all times. The Big Easel is not responsible for any loss, damage, or injury incurred during the event.

By participating in The Big Easel, artists grant permission for submitted images of their work to be used for promotional and marketing purposes related to the event.

Accepted media include:

• ​​​​Painting (oil, acrylic, watercolor, and other painterly practices)
• Drawing (charcoal, graphite, ink, pastel)
• Photography (artist-produced, archival quality)
• Printmaking (etching, lithography, screenprint, and other traditional processes)
• Sculpture (wood, metal, ceramic, stone, and mixed media)
• Mixed media works demonstrating a strong fine art foundation
• Limited edition prints and giclées of original artwork, produced and authorized by the artist, are permitted but must be clearly labeled and should not constitute the majority of an artist’s displayed work.

The Following Are Not Permitted:

• Commercially produced reproductions not created or authorized by the artist
• Mass-produced or factory-made items
• Buy/sell or resale merchandise not created by the exhibiting artist
• Craft and non-fine art items, including jewelry, soaps, candles, and similar goods
• Work derived from kits, pre-manufactured components, or catalog-based assemblies
• AI-generated artwork or other work not materially created by the artist
• Work that closely imitates or reproduces another artist’s style or copyrighted imagery
• Items incorporating licensed, trademarked, or commercial imagery (e.g., logos, branded characters)
• Photography printed on non-archival or commercially produced substrates without artistic intervention
• Incomplete, damaged, or poorly presented work

Exhibition Compliance:
Only media approved by The Big Easel Art Committee may be exhibited. The Committee reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to request the removal of any work that does not align with the standards of the event. Artists whose overall presentation does not meet these standards may be asked to leave the show without refund.

Show Guidelines:

• Each artist is responsible for conducting their own sales. Applicable Louisiana sales tax must be charged, collected, and reported by the exhibitor.
• All vehicles must be removed from the Town Square streets by 8:00 AM.
• Artist check-in will take place at the Gazebo between 6:00–6:30 AM, and all tents must be fully installed by 8:30 AM.
• Tear-down may begin only after the official close of the event. Early breakdown is not permitted.
• Artists are responsible for clearing their space at the conclusion of the event. Please do not leave trash or personal belongings in the Town Square.
• In the event of inclement weather, a final decision will be communicated by 9:00 AM the day prior to the show.

All tent rentals will be coordinated through The Big Easel Committee, with an additional fee required.  Final sizing and pricing details will be provided upon acceptance and are expected to align closely with previous years.